Ponnambalam's funeral held

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 January 2000, 06:25 GMT]
The funeral of Mr.Kumar Ponnambalam took place in Colombo today. His body was cremated at Khanate Hindu cemetery around 1 p.m. this afternoon. His son Gajenthirakumar set fire to the pyre.

Dr.Mrs.yogalakshmi Ponnambalam, the widow of slain All Ceylon Tamil Congress leader. Photo:TamilNet

The cortege of Mr.Ponnambalam left the residence, 'Geethanjali' at Queens Street around 10.30 a.m. this morning. Over one thousand people followed the cortege to the cemetery sources said.

A large number of people from all communities, including Tamil parliamentarians and opposition party members attended the funeral, sources said.

Shops remained closed in areas where Tamil live in large number, including Wellawatte, Bambalapitiya, Kollupitiya. Black and white flags were also hoisted in these areas to mourn the slain leader, the sources said.

Sources said a hartal is observed in the northern towns of Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya with shops remaining closed.

In the Batticaloa district, Tamils in Araiyampathi, Pudukuddiruppu, Senkaladi, Siththandi and Valaichchenai villages today observed a hartal by hoisting white and black flags and closing down shops in mark of respect.

In Batticaloa town, shops were not closed due to threats made by a local leader of the United National Party with the help of some members of Sri Lankan armed forces, traders said.

People living in the areas held by the Liberation Tigers in the district also mourned, sources said.

People in Mannar today observed a hartal at the request made by the District Organizers of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation and Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Organization. Shops were closed and black flags were hoisted.

Tamils in Trincomalee also observed hartal. Black flags were seen all over the town and shops were closed.

In the Jaffna peninsula, black flags were hoisted in public places and shops were closed.

Funeral procession on its way to the cemetery. Photo:TamilNet