Three civilians were injured in a minor bomb explosion near the Red Mosque at Bankshall Street in Pettah at around 4.50 p.m. yesterday, police said.

Police suspect the blast was caused by a bomb, presumably an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed inside a vehicle.

Several shops and vehicles in the vicinity were also damaged by the explosion.

The injured, Neville Perera (27) of Haputale, Kumudu Rangana Weerasekera (16) of Panadura and Ahamed Lebbe (38) of Batticaloa were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.