Mayor's funeral arrangements finalised

[TamilNet, Sunday, 13 September 1998, 13:42 GMT]
An emergency meeting of the Jaffna Municipal Council was convened this morning by deputy Mayor Nadarajah Raviraj of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

It was resolved at this extra-ordinary session that the Jaffna Municipal council shall bear the funeral expenses of Mayor Pon Sivapalan who was killed in the bomb explosion on Friday.

Four councillors, K.V.K Jegan (EPDP), S.Kirupairajah (PLOTE), T.Subathiran (EPRLF) and Sellan Kandaiiyan (TULF), of the 23 member Municipal administration were present at the meeting which was held at the TULF's Jaffna branch office on Stanly lane (off Stanly road) in the town.

It was also resolved to urge the government to pay compensation to the families of the Jaffna Municipal workers who were killed in the blast as they had died while on duty.

TULF sources said that the Mayor's funeral arrangements tomorrow have been finalised. His body will be taken directly from the TULF branch office to the cemetry contrary to the earlier decision to keep it at the Municipal council for the public to pay their last respects.

Sources said that there were large crowds today at the Mayor's residence in Sitankerni from where his body is to be brought to Jaffna town this evening.

The EPRLF issued a strongly worded condemnation of the Liberation Tigers, blaming the organisation for the bomb attack on Friday.

The PLOTE said in a statement "we strongly condemn this attack by the LTTE in a sacred area".

The EPDP issued only a message of condolence to those killed in the explosion.

TULF and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), however, have not issued statements on the matter.

Meanwhile, the TULF is yet to decide on the appointment of a new mayor.

Party sources said that a decision will be taken once the General Secretary of the party, Mr. R. Sampanthan and its leader, Mr.M .Sivasithamparam return to the island.

The TULF leader is reported to be seriously ill in India and Mr.Sampanthan is abroad with a Parliamentary delegation.

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