The funeral of the late politician, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, took place on Wednesday evening amidst a large gathering at the Umagiliya grounds, Kolonnawa in the Colombo district.

Heavy security presence

Gnasiri Koththigoda reported of heavy security presence during the funeral with Special Task Force (STF) soldiers placed on alert.

Prime Minister DM Jayaratna in his oration said that the whole county had been defamed due to what he called actions by a handful of people.

Ruling Party General Secretary Susil Premajayanth who delivered a message from the president said that he spoke with reservations because there are things that have to be told but could not be disclosed at the funeral.

Reservations

United National Party (UNP) MP, Karu Jayasuriya said that he endorsed what the minister said.

People gathered at the funeral who were moved by the killing of their loved politician, blamed the government for his death.

The late Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was a Presidential Advisor on Trade Union affairs and a leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (SLMP).

His killing was the result of a gun battle in broad daylight on Saturday.

Mr. Premachandra and two of his bodyguards were killed in a shoot out in Angoda between his supporters and the supporters of Duminda Silva, MP who is also a Presidential Advisor.

Duminda Silva MP, who also received head injuries, is still being monitored on a life support machine.