Sri Lanka, July 24 -- The final rites of the Most Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera, the Deputy Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect, were held today with full state honours.

Devotees gathered to bid farewell to the Thera, who passed away at the age of 67.

The cremation ceremony took place at the Asgiriya Police Grounds in Kandy.

A large number of Buddhist monks, political leaders, and the general public attended the funeral to pay their respects.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's condolence message was presented to the assembly by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.

The condolence message from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was presented by former Me...