Condolences poured in after the passing away for Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The Tibetan government in exile, along with the Tibetan and Ladakhi communities, mourned the death of the leader who passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest at his home on January 30, 2018.
The Tibet Post, reporting on the incident, quoted Tibetan president Dr Lobsang Sangay as saying, ““We are extremely saddened by the news of sudden demise of Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo. I hereby convey my deepest condolence to your family on behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people at large.” The letter was addressed to P Angmo Lonpo, Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo’s wife.
“The late Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo la was also a dear and true friend of Tibet. With his close affinity to the Tibetan people and unflinching respect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he has looked after the welfare of the Tibetans in Ladakh region wholeheartedly and to the best of his ability. We will forever remain indebted to him and his kindness,” Dr Sangay said in the letter.
The Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Home has been instructed by the President’s office to organise prayers for Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo at the main temple, reported the Tibet Post.
Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo was the BJP Councillor from Thiksay and was elected the President of the Leh district unit of the party. In November 2015, he was unanimously elected the Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.