Large crowds gather at Kotte Naaga Viharaya to pay last respects

Tuesday, 10 November 2015 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Large crowds have been gathering at Kotte Sri Naaga Viharaya to pay their last respects to the late Venerable Madoluwawe Sobhitha Thera who passed away on Sunday.

The remains of the late Thera were escorted in a special motorcade to Kotte Sri Naaga Viharaya from a private funeral parlor yesterday.

Later the Bhikkus paid their last respects to before the public was allowed to pay homage.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Opposition Leader R. Sampandan and Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid their last respects to the remains of the late Thera.

In addition several other politicians including Minister Rauff Hakeem, MP Dinesh Gunawardana, and Democratic Party Leader Field Martial Sarath Fonseka also paid their last respects.

The remains will be at the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya until November 12th.

A special traffic plan will be in place from today until 2 pm on the 12th of November in the area surrounding Kotte Sri Naaga Viharaya.

Traffic will be limited from Pitakotte Junction to Jubilee Tower during this period. Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekra gave us a break down on the traffic restrictions.

November 12th has been declared a national day of mourning.

The Government requests that every house hold raise a yellow flag in honor of the late Nayake Thera.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry announced that November 12th has been declared a holiday for all Pirivenas in the Colombo District.

In addition, the government has decided to close all liquor shops, slaughter houses and meat stalls throughout the country. The Public Administration Ministry announced that all cinema halls in the Colombo District will also be closed on the 12th.

The Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera passed away at the age of 73 in a private hospital in Singapore Sunday. The funeral of the late Nayake Thera will be held under state patronage at 3 p.m. on November 12th at the Parliament Grounds.