The day ‘Sunday Leader’ editor, Lasantha Wickrematunga, was killed, he was to make several calls regarding some documents he had received on shady deals, SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera told a press conference.

"Was Lasantha Wickrematunga killed because he was to go public about his findings?" queried Samaraweera.

He said the President kept saying on TV that he had invited Lasantha and his wife to dinner. Family members had denied this story, Samaraweera said. He was addressing a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo, yesterday.

President Rajapaksa had been invited to the wedding of Lasantha as it was in keeping with tradition and protocol. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga too had been invited to the wedding, he said.

MP Samaraweera believed that a ‘mysterious group within the government’ was responsible for Lasantha’s killing.

UNP and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the media men and general public to attend the funeral of Lasantha Wickrematunga to be held this evening at Borella Cemetery. Participants were requested to gather at the church at Kirimandala Mawatha, Narahenpita at 12.00 noon and walk in procession to the cemetery. The funeral will be held at 4.00 pm.

Several others, including Dr. Wickrmabahu Karunaratne addressed the press.