Thousands attend journalist Rajivarman's funeral

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 April 2007, 18:01 GMT]
Majority of the residents of the home town of the young journalist Rajivarman, killed by unknown gunmen Sunday in Jaffna, paid their last respects to his remains kept at his house in Aavarangkaal, Puththoor in Valikaamam Monday. Media persons, religious dignitaries, and civil society leaders spoke at the event.



Rajivarman's remains, taken from Jaffna Teaching hospital Monday morning, was kept at his house where thousands waited for their turn to see his body covered by flowers, and to pay their last respects.

The presence of a large number of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers posted on the Jaffna-Point Pedro road, just 400 meters from Rajivarman's house, did not deter the participants at the funeral. Attendees ranged from children to elderly residents.

The remains of Rajivarman was taken in procession to the family cremation grounds around 4:30 p.m. after the homage event in which leading journalists and other representatives expressed their sorrow and shock over his death.

Around 5:00 p.m, Rajivarman's remains was cremated, attended by thousands of mourners.

Selvarajah Rajivarman, 25, a young journalist working at Jaffna's Uthayan newspaper was shot dead Sunday by gunmen riding in a motorbike at Naavalar Road, Rasaavin Thoaddam junction around 10:00 a.m.

The journalist was on duty collecting news in Jaffna town, according to the Uthayan officials.

Rajivarman was a talented and energetic news reporter who was also attending an external degree course at Jaffna University according to North Sri Lanka Journalists Association (NSLJA).







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