The former Catholic Bishop of Mannar and prominent Tamil activist Right Reverend Dr Rayappu Joseph was laid to rest at the St. Sebastian Cathedral in Mannar on Monday.
Thousands had visited to pay their respects to the former Bishop lying in repose since his passing on Thursday, April 1. On Sunday, his body was moved from the Bishop’s house to the cathedral in a procession of thousands, including clergy, civil society, students and members of the public.
In line with a call to mark Monday as a day of mourning across the Tamil homeland, businesses in the Mannar district remained shut, whilst homes and streets bore black and white flags.
Following the funeral service, a statue of Rev. Joseph was unveiled in Mannar Town.
