04 June 2004	Friday	15 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

BATTICALOA, June 3: Virtually the entire north and east came to a standstill on Wednesday when media associations based in the two areas launched a strike campaign to protest the killing of veteran Tamil journalist Aiyathurai Nadesan , whose funeral was held the same day.

The killing took place on Monday, topping a spate of killings in the east. The assassination of Nadesan remains a mystery, but the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam accused the rebel eastern commander Karuna of masterminding the killing.

Military sources said all shops had been shut down during the day and transport was completely paralysed in most areas.