The corpse brought from Colombo on early morning of Monday, was earlier kept at the home of slain journalist’s wife before transporting into LTTE controlled area.

It was taken to "Thenagam" at Karadiyanaru in the LTTE controlled area where senior LTTE leaders paid tribute to the late journalist.

LTTE leaders paid respect in the LTTE-held area

LTTE’s Batticaloa-Ampara special commander Bhanu covered the body of Tamilnet editor with LTTE’s flag.

LTTE’s deputy political-wing leader Thangan, leader of the women Tigers Thamilini and head of peace secretariat S Pulithevan were among the other leaders paid respect at “Thenagam”.

Sivaram’s mother’s residence, where the funeral held, and the route of the possession were heavily guarded by the security forces.

Protest planned

Batticaloa district observed a day of mourning to pay tribute to the slain journalist.

Meanwhile, journalists decided to launch a campaign urging authorities to investigate the killing and bring the responsible to justice.

“Apart from the journalists’ associations, trade unions, left-wing political parties and mass organisations are to join the campaign,” Rohitha Bhashan, editor of “Hiru” newspaper told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

He said although artistes and media institutions are supporting campaign, many mainstream media institutions are yet to raise their voice.

The campaigners are to stage the initial protest in front of Colombo Fort railway station on Tuesday.

Internationa condemnation

Sivaram was kidnapped from outside a Colombo restaurant late on Thursday evening.

He was later found dead with gunshot wounds. A former Tamil militant, Sivaram became a journalist and was the senior editor of the pro-Tamil Tiger rebel news website, Tamilnet.

Paris based media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) demanded the government bring the killers and the masterminds to justice.

Impunity held by perpetrators is one of the major reasons for these continued killings RSF

International organisations and media rights groups worldwide strongly condemned the killing.

“Impunity held by perpetrators is one of the major reasons for these continued killings. RSF urges the government to end this practise and to put every measure to end these killings,” Vincent Brossel, head of Asia Pacific desk of RSF, told BBC Sinhala.

“We are profoundly saddened and angered by this coward murder,” Agnes Callamard, executive director of Article 19 told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

"We are very much concerned and this situation is a major drawback & impediment towards peace building."