Speaker – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, and Premier Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (July 03) paid their final respects to the late Opposition leader – R. Sampanthan, in Parliament.

Angajan Ramanathan, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, Ministers, Members of Parliament, former Members of Parliament were present to pay their respects.

MP Wajira Abeywardana representing President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chief Opposition Whip – MP Lakshman Kiriella representing the Leader of Opposition – Sajith Premadasa, were present to pay their last respects to the late MP.

Furthermore, former President and Member of Parliament – Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Speaker – 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 Rajavarothiam Sampanthan at the main steps of the Parliament complex where at around 2.00 p.m., the dignitaries including the Speaker, the Premier, the  Deputy Chairperson of Committees, party leaders, Parliament Secretary General – Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament – Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, received the remains of the late MP.

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

The Speaker and the Prime Minister signed a note of condolence following paying their last respects. Party leaders, former Presidents, Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, the Secretariat and other dignitaries also joined to pay last respects and to sign a note of condolence.

(Pics : Parliament Media)