Remains of M'sian killed in Kabul to be flown home

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20, 2014): The remains of a Malaysian who was one of the 21 people killed in a suicide attack on a restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, last Friday are expected to be flown home here either on Wednesday or Thursday.
However, this has yet to be confirmed by Adam Smith International, the employer of the late economist and former civil servant Dr Gnanathurai Nagarajah, said Gnanathurai's brother Premnath, 54, when contacted today.
"After the body is flown here, we will have it taken straight to the crematorium in Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya, for the funeral," he added.
Gnanathurai was working as the London-based body's budget policy and reform adviser to help reform Afghanistan's national budget. The 66-year-old was among 21 people who were killed after militants opened fire at close range on diners at the Taverna du Liban Restaurant.
Premnath said Gnanathurai's wife, Eleanor, who lives in Manila, and their four children - two sons and two daughters - who also resided overseas, would attend the funeral.
Premnath said family members were still in shock over Gnanathurai's death.
He said his mother, Nagaratnam, 88, who was recuperating from a stroke, was still unable to come to terms with the situation.
"She was crying yesterday but I don't think she understands until she sees the body," he added.
Premnath said other family members and relatives had begun gathering at the family home in Pantai Towers here while awaiting the arrival of others from overseas. – Bernama