The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 We speak today of six late former MPs who rendered immense service to this country and their regions.

¶ 03 The late Prof. Tissa Vitarana worked closely with me in Parliament. He served as Minister of Science and Technology while I served as his Deputy. A renowned scientist and author recognized with the national title Vidya Jyothi in 2017, he tirelessly strove for ethnic harmony beyond race, religion and language, and chaired the national committee to foster inter-ethnic unity until his last breath. A kind, composed gentleman, his demise is a great loss to science and to Sri Lanka. On behalf of the Batticaloa District people and the SLMC, I extend condolences to his family.

¶ 04 The late S.C. Muthukumarana from the North Central Province worked closely with us and aspired for inter-ethnic harmony. His demise is a loss not only to the North Central Province but to the country; I offer condolences on behalf of the SLMC.

¶ 05 The late Chandradasa Galappaththi was a fine MP who lived simply, served tirelessly during floods and difficult times, distributing food and engaging in social service, serving all communities beyond ethnic and religious divides. His loss is great; I extend condolences to his family on behalf of the SLMC.

¶ 06 The late Nandana Gunatilleka, an early member of the JVP and later prominent through left politics, used ministerial authority to effect change and later served as Chairman of the Panadura Urban Council. His loss is a national loss; I extend condolences to his family on behalf of the SLMC.

¶ 07 The late Janaka Mahendra Adhikari served with me when I was a Deputy Minister in 1994. From a political family, as a young MP, he worked closely with us; I traveled with him to Anuradhapura and served people together. His demise is an irreplaceable loss to Anuradhapura and to Sri Lanka. I extend condolences to his family and the people of Anuradhapura.

¶ 08 The late T. Kanagasabai of Batticaloa, elected in 2004 with nearly 57,000 preferential votes under ITAK, made major contributions to agriculture and health, and worked for his party’s growth in Batticaloa. He helped upgrade Kaluwanchikudy Hospital to Base status and supported establishing and developing the Medical Faculty at the Eastern University—an initiative advanced during President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s time through the Cabinet submission of Hon. Mangala Samaraweera. He used his MP tenure to deliver substantial benefits, particularly improving agriculture in Batticaloa. His loss is a major blow to Batticaloa, especially to cooperative sectors and the Paddiruppu electorate. On behalf of the Batticaloa people and the SLMC, I express deep condolences. Our party leader Hon. Rauff Hakeem also wrote on his passing, recalling close collaboration and his firm belief that Tamil–Muslim unity is essential to resolve our problems. We have lost such a good leader. I once again extend profound condolences to his family. Thank you.