Preliminary investigations into yesterday’s terror attack on the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka have shed light on grave security lapses at the Army Headquarters, sources said.

The bomber had been visiting the Army Hospital under the guise of a pregnant mother on a number of occasions. She had even attended a maternity clinic held on Tuesday.

It had not been established at the time of going to press how she had managed to smuggle the suicide kit into to the well guarded military facility.

Fonseka was critically injured but doctors were hopeful that he would survive the attempt on his life.

Brigadier Tissa Jayawardane, Director Operations, Army headquarters confirmed that the suicide bomber had been waiting near the army hospital and exploded herself near his car.

"Lt Gen Fonseka's condition has vastly improved," Director Accident Service of the National Hospital Dr Anil Jasinghe said. "The Army Commander has sustained severe injuries to the abdomen" another National Hospital doctor said.

According to a military source, on Tuesdays there was a special clinic conducted at the Army Hospital for pregnant women, where family members of army personnel are entitled to treatment. A high level commission of inquiry has been appointed to ascertain how the woman LTTE cadre was able to gain entry to the high security establishment. Eight people were killed in the blast, among them were four of the Commander's bodyguards. The others were civilians who had visited the hospital, 27 persons were injured.