PARLIAMENT

Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament and Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister, paid their final respects to the late Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, a former Party Leader and the Opposition Leader of Parliament of Sri Lanka, today (July 03) in Parliament.

Hon. Angajan Ramanathan, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and former Members of Parliament were present to pay their respects. Hon. Wajira Abeywardana, Member of Parliament representing the Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President, the Chief Opposition Whip, Hon. Lakshman Kiriella, Member of Parliament representing the Leader of Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa, were present to pay their last respects to Hon. Sampanthan.

Furthermore, former President and Member of Parliament Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Speaker Hon. Karu Jayasuriya were also present to pay final respects.

The Parliament secretariat headed by Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary-General of Parliament, Ambassadors, government officials, staff affiliated to the Parliament, former staff members and relatives of the Hon. Sampanthan were present at this occasion.

Upon the arrival of the hearse carrying the remains of Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan at the main steps of the Parliament complex where at around 2.00 p.m., the dignitaries including Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister, Hon. Angajan Ramanathan, Deputy Chairperson of Committees,  Party Leaders, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Secretary General of Parliament, Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament received the remains of the late Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan.

Thereafter the Serjeant-at-Arms, Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at- Arms escorted the remains received, along the red carpet which was kept at the special ceremonial hall located in the front hall of the Parliament building.

Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament and Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister signed a note of condolence following paying their last respects. Party Leaders, former Presidents, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Secretaries and other dignitaries also joined to pay last respects and to sign a note of condolence.