DHARAMSHALA: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay expressed his profound condolences at the demise of Mr Marco Panella, a long-time Tibet supporter and a close friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. Mr Panella passed away on 19 May at the age of 86 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
“On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Mr Marco Panella’s family and colleagues at the Italian Radical party,” Sikyong said.
“Mr Panella’s support to the just cause of Tibet has been longstanding and will always be remembered by the Tibetan people. His commitment to civil rights and non-violence is an inspiration to the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom,” he added.
Sikyong further recalled his fond memories of Mr Panella when he came to attend the 80th birthday celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, organised by the 14th Kashag, at Dharamshala last year.
Mr Panella, a veteran of Italian politics, was founder and leader of the Italian Radical party and a former member of the European parliament.
