The former Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Samuel Bentley Ragosomani, has passed away after short illness.

Staff of the National Referral Hospital informed Solomon Times that the late Hon. Ragosomani was admitted on Tuesday and died last night.

Arrangement for a state funeral is in process.

The late Hon. Ragosomani was the Member of Parliament for Lau/Baelelea, Malaita Province.