1 Killed, 12 Injured in Courtroom Blast

An alleged hit man was killed and 12 people were injured when an explosion rocked a courtroom just outside Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, police said. At least 18 prisoners escaped in the confusion after the blast, which police attributed to a grenade. Pamankada Asoka, who died of his injuries in a hospital, had been charged in two multiple murder cases and was accused by police of being a hired killer. Rival criminal gangs in Sri Lanka often attack each other on their way to court. Police say they do not have enough officers to crack down on gang crimes.