Raviraj has long been campaigning against human trights violations

Over 20,000 people are expected to pay last respects to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian on Monday, organisers said.

United National Party (UNP) legislator Rajitha Senarathne said the police have allowed the march to walk through Colombo via Borella, Maradana and Deans Road to Town Hall.

Human rights campaigner

“Raviraj has been a bridge between the north and the south and was committed to highlight the plight of the people in the north to the south,” Senarathne said.

“He has always been with us in our struggles against war and human rights violations”.

Raviraj has been a bridge between the north and the south and was committed to highlight the plight of the people in the north to the south UNP MP Rajitha Senarathne

The police have pledged to provide security to the procession at a meeting held on Sunday with the Anti-War Front.

Senarathne said leaders from all political parties are expected to take part in the march on Monday.

MP Raviraj was shot at near his house in Colombo on Friday morning. He was pronounced dead within hours after admitting to the hospital.

He was the second parliamentarian to be killed since President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over in November, last year.

Police said eight people have been arrested on suspicion of helping the murder of the popular politician.