H. E the President Gotabaya Rajapakshe, H.E. Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse, Speaker of the 8 th Parliament Hon. Karu Jayasuriya and Former Leader of the Opposition Hon.Sajith Premadasa were among the dignitaries who paid last respect to Late Minister Hon. Arumugam Thondaman at Parliament .

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 Prime Minister were received in front of the Parliament by Hon. Prime Minister, Speaker of the 8 th Parliament Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, Former Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sajith Premadasa and the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dammika Dasanayake. The remains of the Late Hon. Arumugam Thondaman, was kept Lying-in-State at the Assembly Hall of Parliament from 10.45 am to 11.30 am.

In 1994 Hon. 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.