The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today this Parliament has the occasion to express condolences on the demise of former Members of Parliament Hon. R. Sampanthan, Hon. A. Pilapitiya, Hon. W. B. Ekanayake, Hon. Lucky Jayawardana and former MP Hon. Malini Fonseka.

¶ 02 First, I wish to speak about former MP Hon. Malini Senehelatha Fonseka. From 2010 to 2015, for five years, she represented Parliament as a National List MP of the United People’s Freedom Alliance. She was active in the Women’s Caucus of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and also participated in the South Asian Women Parliamentarians’ Conference. During her tenure in this august House, she served as a member of advisory committees of the Ministries of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, National Heritage, Cultural and Arts Affairs, Social Services, and Media and Information, working actively.

¶ 03 Indeed, Hon. Malini Fonseka was loved by the public not only as a Member of Parliament, but as an actress who won the hearts of the people. I wish to note that she took Sri Lanka’s name to the international arena and received many international accolades. She received numerous awards over many years including Best Actress and Most Popular Actress. In recognition of her contribution to the performing arts, she came to be known by the honorific “Queen of Sinhala Cinema.” For her excellent acting, she received many awards. In 1995, she was conferred the title “Kalashoori,” recognizing her distinguished contribution to the development of the arts, and she also received the “Vishwa Prasadini” award for her service to cinema. Through her acting career, she rendered a distinguished service to the arts and possessed a genuine smile and a unique ability to win the love of fans and friends. Appreciating her service, I express condolences to all members of her family, including Mrs. Damayanthi Fonseka and Mrs. Samanalee Fonseka, and pray that she attains eternal peace.

¶ 04 Hon. Lucky Jayawardana represented the Kandy District in this Parliament. I express my condolences to all members of his family on his demise.

¶ 05 Likewise, I express condolences on the demise of former MPs Hon. R. Sampanthan, Hon. A. Pilapitiya and Hon. W. B. Ekanayake, and pray that they attain eternal peace.

¶ 06 Thank you.