Published on - 6/14/2004
The State funeral accorded to the late Maha Nayake of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Rambukwelle Sri Vippasi Maha Nayake Thera took place at Asgiriya Police Grounds, Kandy on Sunday (13) amidst a large gathering of religious dignitaries, VIPs, Chiefs of Armed Forces and the Police, mourners, both laity and the laymen.
The funeral procession commenced from the official residence of the Maha Nayake after his remains laid in State for six days for public respect wended its way across the streets in central Kandy town before it reached the cremation grounds. Most Ven. Vipassi Thera was the 25th Maha Nayake of the Malwatte chapter to be appointed to this highest seat of Theravada Buddhism.
A seventeen gun salute was accorded by the Sri Lanka Army Artillery Regiment in late Maha Nayake's honour while an Air Force helicopter strew flowers from the air. Gushing eulogies on late Thera were delivered by Senior members of Maha Sangha before final rites were performed. A message of condolences sent by Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was also read on the occasion.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, Minister of Buddha Sasana and Deputy Minister of Defence Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle, Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy and Air force, Inspector General of Police and large crowds participated in the funeral ceremony.
