|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 21 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
State funeral for prelate Thousands of mourners - young and the old - began trekking towards the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya, Maharagama, from yesterday morning, to pay their last respects to Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera, who passed away in Russia. The Thera's body was brought to Vajiraramaya, Bambalapitiya on Thursday night, following the inquest, which determined that Ven. Soma Thera's death was due to natural causes. However some organs of the Thera have been sent to the Government Analyst for further investigations. Ven. Soma Thera's body will lie at Dharmayathanaya, Maharagama until Wednesday. Cremation will take place at 6 pm at the Independence Square with State honours on Wednesday 24. A committee headed by Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya has been appointed to finalise the funeral arrangements. The committee also comprises Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Alick Aluvihare, Justice, Law Reforms and National Integration Minister W.J.M. Lokubandara and Human Resource Development, Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku. After the religious rituals at the Independence Square, funeral orations will be made by Chief prelates of Malwattu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Siyam Chapters, representatives of the government and opposition. The funeral procession will start from the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya, Maharagama at 1 pm and will proceed through High Level Road, Havelock Road, Thummulla Junction and Reid Avenue to Nidahas Mawatha. The organisers request the mourners to participate in the funeral, wearing white as a respect to Ven. Soma Thera. They also request the public to avoid lighting fire crackers as a mark of respect to the Thera. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
