Slain TNA MP, Nadarajah Raviraj

TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the capital Colombo on Friday.

The leader of Ilangai Thamilarasu Kachchi, parliamentarian R. Sampanthan said that the party intends escorting Mr Ravi raja’s body to Chavakachcheri through A-9 road.

The general secretary of Ilangai Thamiarasu party Mawai Senadhiraja said that he consulted the president Mahinda Rajapakse who had indicated that arrangements could be made to escort the body to Jaffna by air.

	Slain TNA MP's wife and children

The party has requested the opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe to have further discussions about the matter with the president, he added.

Nimalka Fernando, activist of the organisation for peace and democracy said the MP had always worked together for the co-existence of Sinhala, Muslim, and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka.

The Sinhala politicians have failed to assure the safety of activists like Raviraj who put their efforts for the rights of the Tamil people,she added.

Govt. reaction

Defense spokesman for the government, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that A-9 road had been a critical issue even at last Geneva talks, and this is a request that could not be fulfilled.

He said that the government having considered the request by the TNA MPs has expressed its willingness to provide transport by air.