Lanka President, leaders from Singapore, Malaysia condole Jayalalithaa's death

"Chief Minister (Tamil Nadu) Jayalalithaa was a leader dearly loved by her people. I express my condolences to herloved ones and the people of Tamil Nadu," Sirisena said.

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa also offered his condolences, saying 'she captured the hearts of India's Tamil community'.

Rajapaksa, during his presidency, had invited Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to witness the post-war conditions.

Jayalalithaa had a checkered relationship with Sri Lanka. While the Sinhala majority supported her strong anti-LTTE sentiments, they did not favour her for her pro-Tamil nationalist stance.

The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka favoured Jayalalithaa for her ability to pressure New Delhi to nudge Sri Lankan political leadership to grant concessions to Tamils.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan travelled to Chennai and paid his respects to Jayalalithaa.

Balakrishnan laid a wreath at the funeral and has written a letter to Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to convey Singapore's deepest condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu on their loss.

"Jayalalithaa dedicated her life to the socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu and through her leadership, Tamil Nadu grew to become one of India's key economies and industrialised states," said Balakrishnan in the letter.

The late Chief Minister was also a strong proponent of building closer relations between Tamil Nadu and Singapore, Balakrishna said.

"Her passion, energy and grand vision were so inspiring. India has lost a great daughter and Singapore a staunch friend. It was therefore with deep sadness that I had attended her funeral to pay my last respects," he wrote.

In Malaysia, the country's largest ethnic Indian party condoled Jayalalitha's demise, describing her as a 'super woman'.

"As we all know, the late J Jayalalithaa was a charismatic leader and had done a lot for the Indian people, especially concerning for welfare of the poor, the women and the marginalised community," said Vel Paari, Treasurer General of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

Malaysia's Senate President S A Vigneswaran also expressed condolences over Jayalalithaa's death.

"I am very sad. All (of us) knew Jayalalithaa. She was also a famous actress. Hope the people (of Tamil Nadu) will be calm," he said.

Malaysia's 28 million population comprises 8 per cent ethnic Indians a majority of whom are Hindu Tamils.

In South Africa, the South African Tamil Federation (SATF) has called on all its affiliates across the country to host special prayer services for the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, describing her as 'a friend of the Tamil community worldwide'.