The Hon. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the condolence motions for four former MPs and one former woman MP who rendered great service to the country.

¶ 02 First, our revered senior politician Hon. Abeyratne Pilapitiya. Before politics, as a landowning planter and social worker in Kalawana, Ratnapura, he did much. First elected in 1960, he lost the seat in the July 1960 election, returned in 1965, and again in 1977, when President J. R. Jayewardene appointed him Deputy Minister of Posts and Telecommunication. I came to know him then, as he was close to and worked with my late father, Minister K. Vincent Perera.

¶ 03 The postal and telecommunications portfolio then carried heavy responsibility in an era before today’s technology. He expanded sub-post offices to many difficult villages—reportedly nearly 100—and ensured at least telephones at those offices. Though later unseated on an election petition, he continued serving—becoming a Provincial Minister and then Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa from 1988, contributing to the development of Ratnapura and Kegalle. Later, President Ranasinghe Premadasa appointed him Governor of Uva.

¶ 04 He came from a respected family; his wife Maheshwari Pilapitiya was a niece of Diyawadana Nilame P. B. Nugawela. His elder grandson Mahendra has served as a senior planter in Badulla; Sanjeewa served as a Provincial Councillor. His daughter Samanti is married to former State Minister Ranjith Aluvihare, and another daughter Amali is married to Capt. Senanayake, a senior commander in SriLankan Airlines. On behalf of our families and the people, I extend condolences and pray for Nibbana.

¶ 05 On Hon. Lucky Jayawardana: we entered together in 2015. A humble, decent politician, and a relative of former President D. B. Wijetunga, he served in the Central Provincial Council and as Non-Cabinet Minister of Lands and Land Development, rendering great service to Kandy. His son Madhava Jayawardhana now continues in public life. I extend condolences to his family.

¶ 06 On Hon. W. B. Ekanayake: from the challenging Anuradhapura District, he served as Provincial Councillor, Provincial Minister, Acting Chief Minister of North Central, MP and Deputy Minister, serving both his district and the country. I extend condolences to his family, including Asitha Ekanayake.

¶ 07 On Hon. R. Sampanthan: as many have said, he believed the North-East question must be solved democratically. The passing of such leaders is a great loss. I extend condolences to his family.

¶ 08 On Hon. Malani Fonseka: a celebrated, popular actress who also represented this House with the UPFA under the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Even while in Parliament, she prioritized service to cinema. We value her service and extend condolences to her family.

¶ 09 These leaders are examples to us all amid accusations often levelled at politicians today. We must emulate their political ethics. I conclude with condolences to all the bereaved families.