The Acting Head of Anuradhapura, Ruwanweli Maha Chaityarama, Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, said that government sponsorship for the cremation ceremony of Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thero, who passed away on Thursday, is unnecessary at a time when people do not have the means for three square meals per day.

In a special statement to Lankasara, Hemarathana Thero said that it is an honour for Nayaka Thero to provide state sponsorship for the cremation ceremony. The late Nayaka Thero did not expect such intervention from the government at a time such as this.

“It is not necessary to hide the fact that the government doesn’t have money. It is a situation where the government does not possess a sound economic position to provide even the essentials for the people. People don’t eat three meals a day. In such a case, spending a single rupee from the government on this cremation ceremony is a disgrace to the Nayaka Thero.

“That’s why they are declining the state’s sponsorship. It is done with the utmost respect and compassion. It is nothing else but to protect the dignity of the Nayaka Thero. ”

This is not a time to have a big ceremony. We are organising this cremation ceremony as a very solemn and simple event.

“We have a large number of well-wishers. With their help, we can perform final rites to the venerable monk without government sponsorship. ”

Pallegama Hemarathana said.

The cremation ceremony of the late Atamasthanadipati Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thero is scheduled to begin tomorrow (22nd Saturday) at 2.30 pm at the Sannipatha Hall of the Bombalwa Vihara, where the remains of the prelates lie in state for the public to pay their respects, and then the cremation of the remains will be held at 5.00 pm on the same day at the Mahavihariya Adahana Maluwa (cremation site).