Sri Lanka on Monday bade farewell to its assassinated Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who took a tough stand against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and was a votary of strong ties with India, in a state funeral at the Independence Square in Colombo.
A high-level Indian delegation including Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh were among delegations from 12 countries who attended the last rites of Kadirgamar whose mortal remains were consigned to flames as per Buddhist rites.
Brushing aside security concerns, President Chandrika Kumaratunga made an appearance at the Independence Square Park where the pyre of the slain leader, born a Tamil Christian, was lit by his sons Ajitha and Ragee amidst multi-faith prayers, capping a mile-long funeral procession when national flag-draped Kadirgamar's body was taken in a hearse.