Sri Lankan media have been accused of invading the privacy of Dinesh Schaffter’s family during his final rites as media personnel were seen attempting to gather footage of the funeral despite the family requesting the burial be limited to immediate members of the family. According to one funeralgoer, a media person had to be asked to leave the Borella Cemetery after he was seen attempting to record the event. The funeralgoer said they had requested the help of the Police to escort the person out but the Police however seemed indifferent and would not intervene.

Meanwhile, a leading daily newspaper and a journalist attached to it have also come under fire for their widespread and excessive coverage of his funeral proceedings including the service held at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour prior to the burial. While this event was not private, their ongoing reportage given the manner of his death and the family’s request for privacy has drawn the ire of the public.

Dinesh Schaffter, a prominent businessman and a director of the Janashakthi group was found tied inside his car with injuries on 15 December. He later died at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Three Police teams are investigating his death. 23 people have been questioned so far while the Police have also obtained a travel ban against Brian Thomas, a former cricket commentator who was in a financial legal tussle with Schaffter. According to reports, Schaffter had communicated to a staffer that he was to meet Thomas on the day of his murder.