Australian Foreign Minister condemns Sri Lanka bombing

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has condemned the suicide bombing in Sri Lanka that killed more than 100 people.

The attack, the worst of its kind seen in the country, saw Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters detonate a truck packed with explosives next to a convoy of buses packed with sailors.

At least 103 people were killed and 150 wounded in the attack.

Mr Downer says Australia "strongly condemns" the bombing and was worried about the escalating violence in the country.

"Australia is gravely concerned at the trend towards increasing violence in Sri Lanka," he said in a statement.

"This latest tragedy underlines the imperative for the parties to return to the negotiating table without further delay.

"It is only through the cessation of violence and a negotiated settlement that a lasting solution is possible."

More than 2,300 people have been killed in Sri Lanka in spiralling violence since December, putting an end to a truce agreed to in February 2002 between the Tigers rebels and the government.