Pirapaharan honours slain TNA MP

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 February 2005, 12:39 GMT]
Leader of the Liberation Tigers, Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan Saturday posthumously honoured Mr. Ariyanayagam Chandra Nehru as Maamanithar, the highest honour granted by the LTTE. The citation signed by the LTTE leader was given to Mr. Nehru's widow and son at a special ceremony in Pavattah, in the interior of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. Nehru's body, draped in the LTTE flag was taken from Thirukkovil to the LTTE conference centre in Pavattah, in the Kannjikudichcha Aaru region which is controlled by the Tigers.


Commander of LTTE forces in Batticaloa-Amparai, Mr. Ram, presenting the Maamanithar citation to Mr. Chandra Nehru's widow and son

Mamanithar Ariyanayagam Chandra Nehru

Commander of the LTTE forces in Batticaloa-Amparai, Mr. Ram, read out the citation as the ex-TNA MPs body lay amid a large crowd of Tigers and civilians.

'Mr. Nehru has been declared a Maamanithar for the exceptional service he had rendered to the Thamil Eelam struggle and people", the citation said.

Senior LTTE leaders, Mr. V. Balakumar, Col. T. Ramesh, Mr. S. Karikalan and Ms. S. Thamilini spoke at the ceremony.

Later Mr. Nehru's body was taken to Thirukkovil for burial.

The citation was to be presented by the LTTE Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan. However, Mr. Thamilchelvan was unable to attend the ceremony as Colombo has declined to provide a helicopter from Kokkaddicholai to Paavattah, sources close to LTTE said.


The citation signed by the LTTE leader honouring Mr. A. Chandra Nehru as Maamanaithar

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