The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, first, I wish to speak on Hon. Kumara Welgama. He began his political life in the 1980s when Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike appointed him as SLFP Organizer for the Agalawatta Electorate in Kalutara District.

¶ 02 He represented the SLFP in 1989, the People’s Alliance in 1994, the UPFA in 2005, and aligned with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya in 2020. First elected to Parliament in 1994, he later served as Deputy Minister of Transport (2000), Deputy Minister of Power and Energy (2001), Minister of Industry and Minister in charge of Tri-Forces Welfare (2005), and Minister of Transport (2010). Among notable projects he championed was the Kukule Ganga Hydropower Scheme.

¶ 03 He facilitated the construction of swimming pools for St. Mary’s College, Matugama, and Holy Cross College, Kalutara; built a complete Bhikkhu Ward at Panadura Hospital; and established Maternity and Children’s Wards at Matugama Hospital. Under social welfare programmes, 500 senior citizens over 60 were each given Rs. 500 as a monthly stipend, showing his commitment to the elderly.

¶ 04 In 2021 he founded the “New Lanka Freedom Party” and while working in cooperation with the SJB, he suffered a cruel and despicable attack. His health significantly deteriorated thereafter and he remained ill. We recall with gratitude his public service.

¶ 05 A hallmark of Hon. Welgama was that he spoke openly from the heart without varnish. One could agree or disagree with him, but he always presented his views candidly to the people and the country. We express our sorrow at his sudden demise and wish him eternal peace.

¶ 06 On Hon. H. Nandasena: representing Medawachchiya, he began as a Cooperative Inspector, became a Pradeshiya Sabha Member and Opposition Leader in 1991, then a member of the North Central Provincial Council in 1999 from the People’s Alliance/UPFA, serving as Cooperative Minister and later as Chairman of the Council in 2002. In 2020 he was elected to Parliament from Anuradhapura District for the SLPP.

¶ 07 He chaired the District Coordinating Committee and several Divisional Coordinating Committees, including Horowpothana, Kebithigollewa, Rambewa, Kahatagahdigiliya and Galenbindunuwewa. Two outstanding aspects defined him: he strongly raised his voice for people afflicted by Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown etiology (CKDu), especially in Anuradhapura; and he was deeply concerned about fertilizer subsidy issues, intervening forthrightly even against his own Government when necessary. We express deep condolences to his family and wish him peace.

¶ 08 On Hon. Tudor Gunasekera: he commenced active politics in 1960 with the UNP, served as a member of the Heiyantuduwa Village Council and as Chief Organizer for Mahara from 1969. Though defeated in 1970, he won Mahara in the 1977 General Election, and served until 1983, also as the first District Minister of Gampaha. He served as Ambassador to Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. He established many schools in Gampaha District, took great interest in education, donated private land for hospitals, and rendered extensive service to his district and people. We express our profound condolences to his family and wish him peace.