(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had been admitted to the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi for the past few weeks, died on Thursday. He was 93. “It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 05:05 pm on August 16, 2018,” a statement released by the AIIMS read.
Vajpayee was admitted to the AIIMS on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.The AIIMS said Vajpayee’s condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. “Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today,” the statement released by Dr. Aarti Vij, Chairperson, Media & Protocol Division.Vajpayee had suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities.
On Thusday morning Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and BJP leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and party national president Amit Shah, had visited AIIMS to enquire about his health. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also visited the hospital. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was expected to arrive later in the day. Vajpayee was the first BJP leader to be sworn-in as the Prime Minister and the first non-Congress PM to complete five year term. Born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected 10 times to the Lok Sabha from four different States (the first time in 1957 from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh), and was twice a Member of the Rajya Sabha in a storied career.One of the founding members of the Jan Sangh in 1951, Vajpayee b
PM condoles: Vajpayee was a true friend of Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a condolence message on the passing away of former Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee states “I am deeply saddened by the death of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was a true friend of Sri Lanka. Shri Vajpayee led India during the transition of global geopolitics and ensured that his country rose in International stature. He also followed proactive policy of reaching out to India’s neighbours in South Asia and South East Asia.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Shri A.B.Vajpayee since 1975. Furthermore, we had a close working relationship during my tenure as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2004. He played a vital role in ensuring stability of Sri Lanka.“I will continue to treasure the memories of my friendship with this great man.
“My thoughts are with the members of the family and the people of India”.
Ministers Kiriella and Bathiudeen to attend funeral
Public Enterprise & Kandy City Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will represent Sri Lanka as the Special Envoys of the Government at the funeral of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Delhi today.Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away yesterday evening at the age of 93.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India in 1998 and held the post till 2004. He had also won the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, in 2004. The political leader was also famous for his poetry and his influential speeches.The last rites of Mr. Vajpayee will take place at 4 p.m. today (August 17) at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Indian media said.of Deendayal Upadhyaya.
