Cremation of late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera today: National flag at half mast

The cremation of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera will take place with full state honours and patronage at the Kotte Parliament Grounds today at 3.00 p.m. amidst a multitude of people and devotees including the Maha Sangha, the members of the highest echelons of the government, parliamentarians and people’s representatives, the Government Information Department said. The Government has requested the public to display yellow flags at homes and for all government institutions to display the national flag at half mast to express condolence over the passing away of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera. The Adahana Perahera will leave the Kotte Naga Viharaya premises at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow led by a police pilot car, 20 member police motorcycle escort and a vehicle exhibiting photographs. This was revealed at a press conference by the Minister of parliament Reforms and Mass Media. Gayantha Karunathilake at the Government Information Department today. Schoolchildren from the area will also participate in the Adahana Perahera. Minister said the Cabinet has taken an unanimous decision to conduct the cremation with state honours and patronage. “All arrangements are being made for this by the Government,” he said. The minister said November 12, the day of the cremation has been declared a day of National Mourning and all taverns and liquor bars and animal slaughter houses and meat stalls will be closed on this day. All cinema halls in the Colombo district will also remain closed on this day. Minister also appealed to the people to hoist a yellow flag in state and other buildings and homes as a mark of respect to the thera.