The World - News from Jan. 19, 1987

A time bomb believed set by Tamil separatists exploded on a bus near Badulla, about 75 miles east of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, killing five passengers and injuring 39, police said. On Saturday, a battle between soldiers and Tamils near strategic Elephant Pass killed 14 combatants, according to the army and Tamil newspapers in the northern Jaffna Peninsula. Militant Tamils have been demanding in a separate homeland in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.