The remains of the Late Arumugam Thondaman, Minister of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development was kept Lying-in-State in the Assembly Hall of Parliament today (28).
President Gotabaya Rajapakshe, Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse, Speaker of the 8th Parliament Karu Jayasuriya and Former Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa were among the dignitaries who paid last respect to Late Minister Arumugam Thondaman at Parliament today.
Further, there were many Cabinet Ministers, former Parliamentarians, Foreign Diplomats, Government officials and Parliament staff members led by Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake congregated at the Parliament premises to pay their last respect to the Late Minister.
The remains of the former Minister were received in front of the Parliament by Prime Minister, Speaker of the 8th Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, Former Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and the Secretary General of Parliament Dammika Dasanayake.
The remains of the Late Arumugam Thondaman, was kept Lying-in-State at the Assembly Hall of Parliament from 10.45 am to 11.30 am.
In 1994 Thondaman was elected to the parliament in Nuwaraeliya district for the first time and represented the Parliament for 26 consecutive years. During his political career, he held many cabinet ministerial portfolios such as Estate Infrastructure & Livestock Development, Housing & Plantation Infrastructure, Youth Empowerment & Socio-Economic Development and Livestock and Rural Community Development.
The funeral will take place on Sunday (31) at Nuwara Eliya.