At least 11 civilians were killed and 29 wounded when a powerful bomb tore through a cafe in Sri Lanka's east Friday evening, a day ahead of provincial council elections.

The explosion occurred inside a cafe in the heart of Amparai town.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are being blamed for the blast.

Police say the LTTE are hoping to sabotage the vote and create fear among the voters, which is why security in the area had been further tightened to ensure a violence-free poll.

Sri Lanka's eastern province comprising Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Amparai districts will elect its maiden provincial council Saturday, about a year after troops seized the former LTTE strongholds.

Friday's bomb attack occurred barely hours after Sri Lanka's Supreme Court directed the Election Commissioner to ensure a free and fair election in the east.