Mr.Velupillai was attended to by Colombo national hospital doctors frequently as his health had been deteriorating under protective custody

Mr. Velupillai an octogenarian was a former govt servant who retired as district lands officer when Gamini Dissanayake was Lands minister

Mr.Velupillai hailed from the reputed "Thirumeni" family in Valvettithurai. The family holds hereditary trusteeship of VVT Sivan temple

He was a peaceful, highly respected man described by VVT residents as someone who treaded so softly that grass too would not be crushed

Mr. Velupillai disapproved of violence and was estranged from Prabhakaran whom he regarded as the black sheep of the family

However the parents who lived in India for years reconciled with the prodigal son a few years ago&returned to Sri Lanka & lived in the Wanni

Mr and Mrs. Velupillai were in the Menik farm IDP camp until being relocated elsewhere under special military custody and kept incommunicado

Sarath Fonseka said recently that he was willing to receive money from anyone for his campaign including Prabhakaran's parents

Mahinda Rajapakse exploited that by announcing he would not solicit any money from Prabhakaran's parents and betray the country

The Velupillai's have a son&daughter living in Denmark&a daughter in Canada.Prabhakaran's mother who suffered a stroke is reportedly ailing ~ [ click for updates ~ http://twitter.com/dbsjeyaraj ]