The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, we mourn today four distinguished former MPs and one former lady MP who rendered great service to our country.

¶ 02 Foremost among them is the late senior MP, Hon. Aberatna Pilapitiya, born to a prominent land‑owning and tea‑industry family of Ratnapura. As a young man he chose public service — in those days, politicians spent their own money to serve. First elected in March 1960, he served in 1960, 1965, and 1977, as an MP and later as Deputy Minister under President J.R. Jayewardene, greatly serving Kalawana and the country. After Parliament, he led Sabaragamuwa as Chief Minister and served as Governor of Uva, delivering benefits across our villages. Our families were close: he was kin and a dear friend of the late Dharmadasa Banda. His legacy continues through his children — Mahendra and Sanjeewa (a former Provincial Councillor), and daughters Samanthi and Amali. I extend personal and party condolences.

¶ 03 On the late Hon. Lucky Jayawardena, from a renowned Kanda Udarata business family and nephew of President D.B. Wijetunga, he entered the Central Provincial Council in 1988 amidst upheaval, later served as Provincial Minister, and entered Parliament in 1994, winning four terms. He served as State and Non‑Cabinet Minister. In the last election period, I asked him to consider allowing his son to contest; he agreed, and today attorney Madhava Jayawardena serves as an organizer, while Shyamal is an engineer. I pray he attains peace and extend condolences to his family.

¶ 04 On the late Hon. W.B. Ekanayake, he entered politics via the Provincial Council in 1988, served as Provincial Minister and Opposition Leader, then entered Parliament in 2000, serving as Deputy Minister of Highways, of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, and of Disaster Management — delivering much to his people. I extend personal and party condolences to his family, including his son Asitha, an active youth leader.

¶ 05 On the late Hon. R. Sampanthan, who first entered Parliament in 1977, I regard him as a powerful defender of democratic politics. During the thirty‑year war, he defended parliamentary democracy without fear for his life, and during the 2018 unconstitutional attempt to form an illegal government, he stood firm to uphold democratic law. He was no narrow nationalist; he strengthened national unity. I pray he attains peace and extend condolences to his family.

¶ 06 Lastly, Hon. Malini Fonseka — who led every era of our cinema. She was named among Asia’s 25 greatest performers. In 1977 she worked to bring the J.R. Jayewardene Government to power. Later, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed her to Parliament via the National List — an honour to her artistic life. I extend personal and party condolences to her family.