Thousands attend funerals in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 13 October 2002, 14:15 GMT]
Thousands attended the funerals in Trincomalee of three civilians killed in Friday's grenade attack blamed on Sri Lanka Police and Sinhala paramilitaries. The funerals were held Sunday at the Hindu cemetery in Trincomalee, following last respects at the Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall from 1 p.m. till around 3 p.m.

"It is a time for restraint. That is why we are patient," said Mr.S.Tilak, LTTE Trincomalee district political head in his eulogy at the funeral Sunday afternoon.

"We have told the international ceasefire monitors that they should take steps to bring the culprits responsible for the killings to book and also to see that no more such attacks occur," said Mr. Tilak.

Members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Trincomalee also paid their last respects to those killed on Friday.

Mr.Tilak further said, "We are for peace. But the government should not allow chauvinist elements in the State armed forces to derail the peace process."

Mr.R.Sampanthan, Trincomalee district parliamentarian said that the Tamil National Alliance would bring the Trincomalee killings to the notice of the international community.

"We would ask the international community what is their response to the killing of three Tamils and injuring about sixty by the Sri Lanka Police and Sinhala paramilitaries at a time when the LTTE is strictly observing a ceasefire signed with the UNF government," said Mr.Sampanthan.

Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians M.K.Sivajilingam and K.Thurairetnasingham were among several others who spoke. Attorney-at-Law Mr.K.Sivapalan presided.

Thereafter the bodies of the Tamil youths were taken in procession through Inner harbour Road, Vihare Road, and Main Street to the Hindu cemetery. The Police strengthened the security in the area.