He said a state administration with good governance, as wished by the late prelate, would be ushered in.

Ven. Sobhitha Thera had an aim to build a just and righteous society, said the president.

The cremation of the revered prelate took place at the parliamentary grounds with the attendance of a very large gathering.

Most Ven. Ittepana Dhammalankara Thera conducted the religious observances.

Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other politicians from both the government and the opposition too, participated.