PM, President to deliver tributes

President George Maxwell Richards, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chief Justice Ivor Archie will each deliver public tributes at today’s state funeral for Trinidad and Tobago’s first President, Sir Ellis Clarke. This will be one of the highlights of the service which begins at 11.30 am at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain. Chief celebrant will be Roman Catholic Archbishop Edward Gilbert. The service, which is expected to last approximately one-and-a-half hours, also will feature readings from the Holy Bible, Bhagvad Gita and Koran by Anglican Bishop Calvin Bess, Dharmacharya Uttam Maharaj and Imam Abzal Mohammed respectively.

Archbishop Gilbert will deliver the homily and prayers of intercession will be offered for the country and national affairs; heads of state, the Government and public officials; Sir Ellis and his family; the nations of the world; and citizens of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In between there will be musical renditions by the Lydian Singers. Finals rites will be performed by Archbishop Gilbert before the body is taken in procession to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery for burial.