Mass burial for LTTE terror victims

Rashomi Silva

KEBITHIGOLLEWA: The funerals of 64 civilians, who were brutally killed in Thursday's twin claymore attacks on a passenger transport bus plying from Kanugahawewa to Kebithigollewa took place yesterday at the Kebithigollewa cemetery, amidst State patronage.

The bodies of the victims including fifteen children and a Buddhist monk were lying at the Kebithigollewa Maha Vidyalaya where representatives of Buddhist and Christian clergy, various political parties, relatives and friends of the deceased paid their last respects.

Addressing the funeral gathering, the Leader of the House and Healthcare Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who represented President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged the public to stay calm and not to fall into the LTTE's trap of trying to create an ethnic upheaval and a backlash in the country.

Minister De Silva condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms said the State would not fail to perform its duties by the victims of the unfortunate incident and by the people in the vulnerable areas.

He said the Government would take immediate steps to compensate the families of the victims. According to the Ministry of Re-settlement an initial payment of Rs. 10,000 out of the maximum amount of Rs. 50,000 will be paid immediately to the victims or to their families by the rehabilitation of persons, properties and industries authorities under the purview of the Ministry of Resettlement.

Meanwhile, the representative from the UNP, W.B. Ekanayake who is also a member from the North-Central Province said all forces in the country should unite in this hour of need to defeat terrorism and forces that create havoc.

The Bishop of Anuradhapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi appealed to the people to stay calm, in this hour of grief in a message of condolence on behalf of the Catholic Church.

"Hatred begets only hatred," Bishop Andradi said and urged the State to find a solution to the ongoing crisis through negotiations and political means.

The Government's junior partners, the JVP and JHU which were represented by Parliamentarians Wimal Weerawansa and Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera vehemently condemned the attack and expressed their grief to the bereaved families.

The European Union Ambassador in Sri Lanka said his presence at the funeral was to express the sorrow of the 25 member EU countries to the families of the victims.