KATHMANDU, Nov 18: The government has declared a public holiday today in mourning of former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana.
A Cabinet meeting held today made a decision to this effect, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
Dhungana passed away on Sunday afternoon while undergoing treatment at a Kathmandu Hospital.
The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government offices across the country and at Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad today in mourning.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will be among thousands attending a condolence meeting being held at Sano Gaucharan at 11.30 am.
A senior advocate of high repute, Dhungana served as Speaker following the country’s first general election in over 30 years post-1990. He was one of the key members facilitating a series of dialogues between the political parties and Maoist rebels in the run-up to Nepal’s peace process in 2006.