2nd Lead (Updates)

Funeral of Sivaram held in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 02 May 2005, 10:13 GMT]
Murdered Tamil journalist Mr D Sivaram's funeral rites began at his family home in Lady Manning Drive, Batticaloa Monday afternoon after his body was taken to LTTE controlled Karadiyan Aaru earlier in the day. The body of Mr.Sivaram is now being taken to the cemetery in Aalayadichcholai, which lies in a High Security Zone of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). The funeral procession is escorted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and Police. Representatives of the SLMM are also following, TamilNet correspondent in the eastern town said.


Sri Lanka army took his body to the border region of Kannakkudah at noon from where LTTE officials took custody and escorted the coffin by procession to Thenakam Guest House in Karadiyan Aaru. Senior LTTE officials and large numbers of public paid their last respects to Mr Sivaram at the guesthouse. Mr Ilanthirayan (Marshal), Head of the Political Sector for Batticaloa-Amparai, who presided over a short ceremony there, lit a traditional flame. Mrs Sivaram then lit a flame of sacrifice.

LTTE's Batticaloa-Amparai Special Commander Colonel Banu read the statement from Tamil National leader Mr V Pirapaharan in which he conferred Mr D Sivaram the award 'Maamanithar' (Great Human Being).

Among those to speak during the ceremony were Mr.Pulithevan, Director of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, Mr.Thangan, Administrative Secretary of the Political Sector, Ms Thamilini, Head of the LTTE Political Sector's Women's Wing, Mr Seralathan (Head of Nitharsanam) and Batticaloa District MP Mr.Jeyananthamoorthy.

Mr Sivaram's coffin was then taken back to his family home for the final rites according to Hindu traditions. He was buried at the cemetery in Aalayadichcholai. The cemetery lies in a High Security Zone of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Sri Lanka Army personnel were seen taking photos of those who attended the funeral, sources said.

As Mr Sivaram's wife is a Christian, his body was taken from Colombo on Sunday evening to her native home in Kovinthan Road in Batticaloa, for a Christian funeral ceremony.

Mr.P.Chandrasekaran, parliamentarian and leader of the Upcountry Peoples Front, Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, Vanni district parliamentarian, Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam and Mr.K.Sivanesan, Jaffna district parliamentarians, Mr.Sunanada Deshapirya of Free Media Movement and representatives of East Journalists Association, Kattankudi Journalists Association are among several leading personalities attending the funeral of late journalist Mr.Sivaram. Representatives of non-governmental associations, East University academicians are also attending the funeral. Members of Tamilnet editorial staff and regional correspondents are also present at the funeral, the sources said.