Colombo - A bomb explosion has been reported from a town in eastern Sri Lanka ahead of Saturday's crucial provincial election on Saturday, police said.

R=The bomb had exploded in the Ampara town, 320 kilometres east of the capital on Friday evening. Police said that injured persons were being taken to hospital.

Elections for the eastern provincial council is being held after 20 years following the recapture of the rebel held areas in the province. (dpa)