COLOMBO - A loud explosion was heard in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Friday and black smoke was seen coming from the city's commercial district, witnesses said.

The blast occurred outside a Buddhist temple in the Fort area of the city, state television reported, without giving any details about casualties.

The area is home to the official residence of the island's president, the five-star Hilton Hotel and the twin-tower World Trade Centre office complex.

The area has been attacked in the past by Tamil Tiger rebels. - AFP/ir