KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 18

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has offered respects to former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, laying the national flag over his mortal remains. The PM reached Sano Gaucharan at local Gyaneshwar today and offered his last respect.

On the occasion, PM Oli described former Speaker Dhungana as a multi-dimensional personality with a unique identity and principles in Nepal's parliamentary practice.

'It is necessary to walk on the path the former Speaker has shown, as he was successful in leaving behind a unique influence in the nation's parliamentary practice,' he said.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers convened this morning decided to cremate the former Speaker's body with state honours.

Deputy Prime Ministers and other members of the Council of Ministers have also reached Sano Gaucharan to pay their last respect to the former Speaker, who passed away at Frontline Hospital, Baneshwar on Sunday. He was 83 and had been suffering from liver-related ailment for some time.