Mathinthiran (49), who had been convicted in France of extortion and raising funds for terrorism, was shot dead last evening in Paris when he came out of the headquarters of the Tamil Coordination Committee in France (CCTF), an organisation regarded as a front for what remains of the Tigers.
"Parithi had dedicated his life for the welfare of Eelam Tamils in Eelam and in France. I am grieved at his demise. I extend my condolences to his family and friends," Karunanidhi said in a statement.
He said that Mathenthiran was the coordinator of Tamils Coordination Committee in France and had worked for Eelam Tamils in Tamil Nadu during the 80s and had come to Chennai in 1990 for treatment, when he was injured.
MDMK founder Vaiko also condoled the death of Mathenthiran and said that "in the death of Mathenthiran, Eelam has lost a hero."