Today a day of National mourning

THE Government has declared today a Day of National mourning as respect and homage to Pope John Paul II.

All functions scheduled for today will not take place and the National flag will be flown at half mast at all State and private buildings, the Office of the President said in a release yesterday.

Sri Lanka will be represented at the funeral service of the Pontiff by a three-member delegation led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, Christian Affairs Minister Milroy Fernando and a senior representative of the Opposition.