Death toll in Sri Lankan bombing up to 27

(CNN) -- An attack by a suicide bomber in north-central Sri Lanka killed at least 27 people Monday, including a prominent politician and his wife, police said. Another 60 people were wounded.

Killed in the attack was Janaka Perera, former chief of staff of the Sri Lankan army and opposition leader in the North Central Provincial Council, and his wife. He was in Anuradhapura to open a branch of the United National Party, police said.

The bombing took place in Anuradhapura, the capital of North Central province. The injured were being rushed to a local hospital.

Police accused a Tamil Tiger rebel suicide bomber of staging the attack and said authorities had launched an investigation had been launched.

Sri Lankan soldiers have been battling rebel fighters in the area to regain control of Kilinochchi, a northern town that was until recently the political headquarters for the rebel group.

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