23 killed in Lanka blast
Tigers inch closer to Jaffna
COLOMBO, May 17 — At least 23 persons were killed and over 70 injured in a suspected LTTE bomb attack near a Buddhist temple in eastern Batticoloa today.

Creation of new states
Bid to introduce Bills fails 
NEW DELHI, May 17 — The attempt by the Government to introduce three Bills for creation of new States of Uttaranchal, Vananchal and Chhattisgarh on the last day of the Lok Sabha failed today with a determined Opposition registering strong protest against the move.