The Government has declared today, October 31 as a day of mourning in view of Kelaniya University Chancellor, Aggamahapandit Most Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera’s funeral. The final rites of the much-venerated Thera are due to be performed at Independence Square in Colombo, with full state honours on the direction of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
President Rajapaksa paid his last respects to the Ven. Thera at the Vidyalankara Pirivena on Friday.
The President expressed his condolences to the resident bhikkhus, the Dayaka Sabha members and the relatives of the late Nayaka Thera. The President also engaged in a discussion with the bhikkhus of the cremation committee and inquired about the arrangements.
The late Ven. Kusaladhamma Thera also served as the Chief Judicial Prelate for Colombo and Chilaw and was the Chief Incumbent of the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena.
He passed away on October 27 at the age of 85, while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.
All liquor outlets in the Colombo and Gampaha districts will remain closed today, a communiqué issued by the State Ministry of Home Affairs stated.