2ND LEAD (Correction)
Brigadier Balraj's body laid to rest in Mu'l'liyava'lai
[TamilNet, Saturday, 24 May 2008, 01:29 GMT]
The remains of Brigadier Balaraj, senior commander Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who passed away due to a sudden heart attack Tuesday, was laid to rest 6.30 pm Friday with full military honours in Mu'l'liyava'lai Heroes Cemetery the presence of thousands of public and hundreds of LTTE cadres.
After the homage ceremony held Thursday in Ki'linochchi, the casket containing the remains of Brigadier Balraj was kept at Puthukkudiyiruppu Central College from 8:00a.m till 11:00a.m. to enable the public to pay their last respects.
After an eulogy by Poddu Ammaan, Head of LTTE Intelligence Wing, the casket preceded by percussion band and accompanied by thousands of people was taken in procession to the church of Infant Jesus in Mullaiththeevu. The cortege arrived at the church around 12:30 p.m.
Poorani, Head of LTTE Naval wing’s women division, lit the common flame at the event held in the main hall of Millaiththeevu Maha Vidyalyam to pay homage to Brigadier Balraj.
Vinayagam, Deputy commander of Sea Tigers, presided the event.
After that Chandrasegaram and Gnanasekaram, siblings of late Brigadier Balraj, lit the flame of sacrifice, and garlanded the remains.
Colonel Soosai, special commander of Sea Tigers garlanded the remains of Brigadier Balraj and paid special tribute to Brig.Balraj.
Thousands of people gathered in the school premises paid their last respects at the event which continued till 2:10 p.m.
The casket was then taken in procession from Mu’l’liyava’lai junction up to Mu'l'liyava'lai Vidyananda College where another event to pay homage to Brig.Balraj was held at 4:00p.m. presided by Umainesan, political head of Mu’l’liyava’lai zone.
A number of LTTE representatives including LTTE Political Head, B. Nadesan, the Commander of Northern Front Colonel Theepan, Commander Colonel Jeyam, LTTE Military advisor Dinesh, Head of the Education unit of Tamil Eelam, Ilankumaran, Head of LTTE justice department, Para, LTTE cadre Thamilenthi, Mannar division commander Laxman and LTTE secretariat Administrator Neethan garlanded the remains of Brigadier Balraj.
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