COLOMBO (News 1^st): The final rites of Most Venerable Girambe Ananda Thero the Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Sect were performed on Sunday, February 24.

The Most Venerable Thero passed away on Tuesday, February 20, while receiving treatment at the Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital. The Thero rendered his services to the nation as well as the Sasana while being the incumbent thero at the Sri Sarananda Maha Pirivena as well as the Sri Saarananda pirivena in Peradeniya.

Most Venerable Girambe Ananda Thero was eighty years at the time of his demise.

President Maithripala Sirisena paid his last respects to the remains of the Most Venerable Thero today. Politicians and other dignitaries also arrived in Anuradhapura to pay their last respects.

The mortal remains were moved in a parade, from the Sadasri Sarananda Pirivena to the Walisingha Harishchandra Grounds for the final rites to be carried out.

Religious ceremonies were conducted by Aggamaha Panditha Most Venerable Naapane Pemasiri Thero the Mahanayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Sect.