Remains of Fr. Karunaratnam interred in Vavunikku’lam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 April 2008, 19:10 GMT]
Thousands of people stood in tearful reverence when the remains of Rev. Father M X Karunaratnam, the chairman of the NorthEast Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR), slain in a Claymore attack by a Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) of the Sri Lanka Army on Sunday, were interred in Vavunikku’lam Annai Vea’laangka’n’ni church cemetery Tuesday evening.



The remains of the slain human rights activist were kept in St. Theresa's Church Ki’linochchi from Sunday for people to pay their last respects.

The final paying of homage events began Tuesday around 9:00 a.m in Ki’linochchi St. Theresa's Church with Holy Mass led by Ki’linochchi diocese Principal Priest Rev. Fernando Benedict.

The events continued with homage being paid presided by Vaddakkachchi parish priest, Rev. Antony Rock around 11.20 a.m.

B. Nadesan, Liberation Tigers Political Head, Mullaiththeevu parish priest, Rev. James Pathinathar, Jaffna district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, Gejendran, Ki’linochchi Government Agent, N. Vethanayagan paid tribute to the slain Fr. Karunaratnam.



Principal Priests of Jaffna and Mannaar participated in the above event.

The Principal Priests, Liberation Tiger Commanders, cadres and others paid their last respect to the remains of Fr. Karunaratnam.

The remains were taken in procession accompanied by percussion bands of Ki’linochchi Maha Viththiyaalaya and Ki’linochchi Central College students up to Ki’linochchi Depot junction joined by a large number of people and clergy.

The remains were then taken to Vavunikku’lam Annai Vea’laanka’n’ni church where it was interred Tuesday evening.



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