700 invited to attend state funeral Friday for Sir Ellis

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has issued 700 invitations to citizens to attend Friday's state funeral for Sir Ellis Clarke, the country's first president who died on December 30 last year, two days after celebrating his 93rd birthday.

The funeral is being held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain. Only persons with official invitations will be allowed to enter the NAPA hall.

The invitations were handed out to citizens on a first-come-first-serve basis at the NAPA box office.

Authorities have installed video screens outside and at other locations across the country for citizens to watch the proceedings on live TV. Foreign Minister Suruj Rambachan has urged employers to allow workers to view the event on television.