High security for Sri Lanka funeral

Tight security was imposed in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, for the state funeral of the cabinet minister, C.V. Gooneratne, who was killed by a suicide bomber on Wednesday.

Police marksmen were stationed along the funeral route and army patrols were stepped up.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga led mourners who filed past Mr Gooneratne's coffin at the national parliament.

More than twenty people were killed in the bomb attack, which has been blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels.

Mr Gooneratne's wife, who was with him, died of her injuries later.

They had been taking part in a parade to raise money for the welfare of soldiers fighting the rebels.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service