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Sivaram's Funeral to be held in Batticaloa

A close family friend of slain Tamilnet editor, D. Sivaram said that his funeral will be held in Batticaloa early next week. He said that the family is waiting for some relatives to return to Sri Lanka from overseas in time for the funeral. Meanwhile government sources told The Lanka Academic say that the government was deeply disturbed by the killing of Sivaram by an unidentified group and the media minister Mangala Samaraweera is expected to make a statement today, condemning the killing. SLMC condemns Sivaram’s murder The abduction and murder of Tamil Net editor D. Sivaram (Taraki) which came at a time when Sri Lankan media personnel were lobbying for media reforms aimed at greater media freedom, is strongly condemned by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) as an act of cowardice and one that would leave an indelible black mark in media freedom of Sri Lanka. Although not everybody agreed with the political posturing of Sivaram, it was a fact that his writing formed an integral part of the politicaldiscourse here. The SLMC join hands with the media rights organizations and other groups urging the government to conduct a thorough, impartial inquiry into the murder of this leading Tamil journalist. In addition we also demand that the government takes genuine steps to improve the law and order situation and creates an environment where all citizens of this country can live without fear. The SLMC conveys its condolences to the family members of Mr Sivaram.