The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, at this time of condolence on six departed Members, I first wish to speak about the late Hon. Chandradasa Galappaththi. I had the opportunity to serve in Parliament alongside him as a young MP in 1994. He represented Ampara District, though born in the South. He is remembered as a people’s representative who rendered great service to Digamadulla. I convey condolences to his wife, Dona Malani Alwis Jayasinghe, and children Dilrukshi Priyadarshani, Udesh Sandaruwan and Dhanushka Thiran, recalling that:

¶ 02 - He began politics as Chairman of the Ampara Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, strengthening the UNP in Ampara in the 1960s–70s. - He became the first Mayor of Ampara (1979–1989), working extensively for the town and district, supporting Minister P. Dayaratne in district development. - He served as MP for Digamadulla (1989–2001), later as a Provincial Councillor and, until his passing, as Chairman of the Eastern Provincial Council. - In an era when Digamadulla lacked electricity and roads, he worked hard to bring infrastructure to the district. His passing is a grief to Ampara and to us.

¶ 03 Next, the late Hon. Nandana Gunathilake. Educated at Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, and later at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, he became a full-time JVP politician through the student movement, helping rebuild the party in the difficult post-1989 period. As Party Secretary, he contested the 1999 Presidential Election, securing over 300,000 votes and placing third. From 2000 to 2010, he served in Parliament and as Minister in the UPFA, later joining the UNP and serving twice as Mayor of Panadura. His sudden passing was a great loss; we convey condolences to his family.

¶ 04 I also recall the late Hon. (Prof.) Tissa Vitarana — an eminent scientist educated in Sri Lanka and London, later joining the LSSP inspired by his uncle Dr. N. M. Perera, serving as MP and Minister of Science and Technology. His passing is a loss to the nation; we express condolences to his family.

¶ 05 Regarding the late Hon. S. C. Muthukumarana of Anuradhapura, he began with the SLFP, served in local government and the North Central Provincial Council, entered Parliament in 2010, served as a Deputy Minister, and was re-elected in 2020 under the SLPP. He rendered significant service to Rajarata’s farming communities. We express our condolences.

¶ 06 The late Hon. Janak Mahendra Adhikari, elected from Kekirawa in 1989 as a young SLFP MP, later continued service at different levels of government, offering strong district leadership. We convey our sympathies to his family.

¶ 07 Finally, the late Hon. T. Kanagasabai of Batticaloa entered politics from the public service and rendered valuable service to his district and country. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. Thank you for the time granted.