Most Venerable Sobitha Thero passes away

Most Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha thero has passed away this morning at a hospital in Singapore - SL Mission in Singapore confirms.

SL mission in Singapore also says that steps have already been taken to send back remains of Sobitha Thero as soon as possible to Sri Lanka. The government has also decided to conduct the funeral of Sobitha Thero with full state honours. The remains of Thero will be brought to the country at 9.15 pm today on SriLankan flight UL309, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said. Earlier, President Maithripala Sirisena after having discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has decided for the government to bear the entire cost of medical treatment provided to Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Naga Vihara, Ven.Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, was flown to Singapore Hospital on Tuesday (03) night for further medical treatment on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena. President Sirisena, who personally looked into the illness of Venerable Thero, even during his state visit to Thailand had given instructions to take necessary measures for further treatment. Thursday declared National day of mourning Thursday had been declared a National day of mourning as a mark of respect to the late Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha thero who passed away today. His remains are to be flown back to Sri Lanka tonight from Singapore. His funeral is to take place with full state honors on Thursday at the Parliament grounds Maduluwawe Sobhitha thero was in critical condition and was receiving treatment in hospital in Singapore when he passed away Maduluwawe Sobhitha thero was the chief incumbent of the Kotte Naga Vihara and played a key role to bring the new Government in January by supporting common candidate Maithripala Sirisena for presidency. President Maithripala Sirisena said that he was deeply saddened by the demise of the Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha thero and added that the greatest honor Sri Lanka can give him is to make his vision for Sri Lanka a reality.