Condolence books open for the Most Hon. Edward Seaga at Municipal Corporations
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Condolence books have been opened at all Municipal Corporations and the Municipality of Portmore for the late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga.
Members of the public are invited to sign the books that will remain open until Friday, June 20.
Mr. Seaga, Jamaica’s fifth Prime Minister, passed away on May 28. The statesman, who was 89 years old at the time of his death, served as prime minister from October 1980 to February 1989.
He was also Member of Parliament for the constituency of West Kingston from 1962 until his retirement from active politics in 2005.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced June 19 to 22, 2019 as the official period of mourning for the former Member of Parliament of West Kingston.
In keeping with the protocol for this period; no social events, public functions or activities of a flamboyant and noisy nature should be held. Travel by public officials is also limited.
During the period of mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings. The official code instructs that the flag is customarily flown from 8:00am until sundown.
According to the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), flags hoisted at locations outside the public sector domain will follow the same procedure. ‘Half-mast’ refers to approximately the ‘hoist’ or width (short side) of the flag below the peak of the flagstaff and not halfway down the mast.
The flag should first be hoisted close up and then lowered to the half-mast position. Before the flag is lowered at sunset, it should again be hoisted close up and then lowered fully.
The State Funeral for Mr. Seaga will be held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Kingston on Sunday, June 23. The service will begin at noon.
The former Prime Minister will be interred at the National Heroes Park.
Prior to Mr. Seaga’s funeral, a special sitting of the Houses of Parliament- to honour his life and work- will be convened on Wednesday, June 19 followed by a wake on Saturday, July 22 in Tivoli Gardens Square, Kingston.
