The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I move the Vote of Condolence on the demise of the Hon. Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, Leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), who represented Trincomalee.

¶ 02 First elected in 1977 under the TULF for Trincomalee, he served until 2024. Born in Trincomalee in 1933 to Mr. Arunasalam Rajavarothiam and Mrs. Subramaniam Purnasundaram Yogambikai, he studied at St. Mary’s Convent and St. Joseph’s Tamil College in Trincomalee, St. Anne’s (Kurunegala), St. Sebastian’s (Moratuwa), St. Patrick’s (Jaffna), entered Ceylon Law College in 1951, and became a lawyer.

¶ 03 He joined ITAK in 1956, later TULF in 1972, serving as Treasurer, Vice President and General Secretary. At the 1977 General Election his party won majorities in the North and East. In 2001 he assumed leadership of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and led it until his demise, providing steady and principled leadership.

¶ 04 He was senior-most by service: in Parliament 1977-1983, 1997-2000, and 2001-2024. He served as the 14th Leader of the Opposition (2015-2018), the second Tamil to do so after Hon. A. Amirthalingam in 1977.

¶ 05 Recognized nationally as a statesman, he tirelessly advocated peace, reconciliation and justice, harmonizing the rights of all communities—especially Tamils—within a united Sri Lanka. Over six decades, he was a principled patriot who pursued unity through dialogue. Internationally respected, he often represented Sri Lanka abroad. He was married to Mrs. Leeladevi and had two sons and a daughter.

¶ 06 He rendered 31 years of parliamentary service and passed away on 30 June 2024 at 91. We welcome his family to the House today.

¶ 07 I also wish to add from my personal experience (2001-2010 and 2015-2020) that while we differed in ideology, he was unfailingly true to his word. He never demeaned others, and spoke from notes with care, elevating this House. He believed any constitutional reform must go to a referendum—an important stance from a leading Tamil statesman. In my view, he possessed the qualities befitting even the offices of Prime Minister or President.

¶ 08 Next, I move the Vote of Condolence on the late Hon. W.B. Ekanayake, elected in 2000 from Anuradhapura for the UNP, later Deputy Minister of Highways and Water Resources Management (UPFA), and Chief Organizer for the UNP in Anuradhapura. Born in 1948 in Dambulla to Tikiri Bandara Ekanayake and Vimala Kumarahami Etipola, educated at Nochchiyagama MV and St. Joseph’s Anuradhapura, he served in the North Central Provincial Council (Chairman, then Minister) and Parliament (2010-2015). He married Ms. Anula Rajapaksha of Watagoda and was father to two sons and a daughter. He passed away on 10 August 2024 at 76. We extend condolences to his family.

¶ 09 I also move the Vote of Condolence on the late Hon. Lucky Jayawardana of Kandy, first elected in 1994 (UNP), later Cabinet Non-Cabinet Minister of Lands and Land Development (2001), State Minister (2015), and a long-serving Central Provincial Councillor and Chief Organizer. Born in 1953 in Kandy to D.A.H. Bandara and S.A.S. Manike, he began in local government in Udunuwara (1987), entered the Provincial Council in 1988, served as Provincial Minister (Transport, Highways, Power & Energy), entered Parliament in 1994, returned to the Province (2004-2015), and re-entered Parliament in 2015. He married Achala Kumari Wijetunge in 1991 and had two sons. He passed away on 07 January 2025 at 71. We convey condolences to his family.

¶ 10 Further, I move the Vote of Condolence on the late Hon. A. Pilapitiya of Ratnapura (UNP), first elected in 1960 (Kalawana), re-elected 1965 and 1977, Deputy Minister of Posts in 1977, first Provincial Minister of Sabaragamuwa after 1988, and Governor of Uva (1993-1994). Born in 1925 in Kandy to Punchibandara Herath Pilapitiya and Soma Kumarahami Bandaranayake, educated at Ambathenna Baptist Mission and Sivali Central, he married Maheshchari Aluvihare in 1959 and had two sons and two daughters. He passed away on 22 February 2023 at 97. We extend condolences to his family.

¶ 11 Lastly, I move the Vote of Condolence on the late Hon. (Mrs.) Malani Fonseka, National List MP (UPFA) 2010-2015, acclaimed as the “Queen of Sinhala Cinema.” Born in 1947 in Kelaniya to Vanniachchi Saranelis Fonseka and Seelawan Fonseka, educated at Gurukula Vidyalaya, she earned numerous national and international accolades, including Kalashoori, Sarasavi and SIGNIS awards; the Moscow International Film Festival Jury Special Prize (1975); Delhi IFF honours (1977); “Silver Peacock” Best Actress (IFFI, for “Akasakussum”); and Best Actress at Levante IFF (Italy). She served on the International Jury at IFFI (2012) and was listed by CNN among Asia’s 25 greatest actresses. She received the “Golden Lotus” (France, 2014) for 50 years of cinematic contribution. In Parliament, she actively engaged in Committees on Child Development and Women’s Affairs, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Social Services, and Mass Media and Information. She passed away on 24 May 2025 at 78. We extend condolences to her family.

¶ 12 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.