The funeral ceremony of Sangharaj Jyotipal Mahathero, the supreme religious head of Buddhists in Bangladesh, will be held on January 9 and 10 at his Monastic headquarters at Bariagaon in Laksam of Comilla duistrict.

Jyotipal Mahathero passed away on April 12, 2002, at the age of 91 and his mortal remains have been preserved with medicine for sacred cremation.

He will be given state funeral in recognition of his outstanding role during the Liberation War in 1971.

Shipping Minister Akbar Hossain will be present as chief guest on January 9 while LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan on January 10.

Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharref Hossain Shajahan, State Minster for Liberation War Affairs Redawn Ahmed, State Minister Advocate Gautom Chakroborty and Deputy Minister Moni Swapan Dewan will also attend the ceremony as special guests.

Eminent religious leaders from Japan, Thailand, the USA, EU, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar will also attend the function.

Members of parliament, ambassadors and high commissioners will also attend the two-day ceremony, said a press release.