The government today said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to print a book which will include the biography of Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero and the services rendered by him to the country.
The book will be distributed to all schools and libraries in the country next year, Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena said.
He made this announcement following a special discussion held this morning with the participation of the IGP and other officials regarding preparations for the funeral of the Venerable Thero, who passed away Sunday at the age of 73.
The Minister also said that a cabinet paper to conduct the Thero’s funeral with full state honours and state patronage has also been approved. Therefore the Ministry of Home Affairs will bear all costs for the funeral, he said.
Abeywardena requested all state institutions to fly the national flag at half mast and for yellow flags to be displayed at homes as a mark of respect for Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero while all theaters in Colombo have also been asked to remain closed on November 12 in view of the funeral.
