The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, under today’s Votes of Condolence, first I speak about the late Hon. Kumara Welgama—beloved by the people, known in Kalutara as the “Lion of Kalugantota.” He passed away at 74. Agalawatta was long a stronghold of the LSSP since 1970; in 1982 Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike appointed him SLFP Organizer there—a rare direct appointment from her.

¶ 02 Born on 5th April 1950 to S. A. Welgama and Beatrice Hiddellaarachchi, he studied at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, and trained in estate management at St. George’s, later working as a planter.

¶ 03 Madam Presiding Member, in 2000 he did significant work for Kalutara as Deputy Minister of Transport; in 2001, as Deputy Minister of Power and Energy, he took electricity widely across the district; in 2005, as Minister of Industry and Minister in charge of Tri-Forces Welfare, he greatly supported industrial growth; and in 2010, as Minister of Transport, he worked closely with the public and officials to advance the sector.

¶ 04 From 2015 in this Parliament, under the SLPP, he later opposed the nomination of Gotabaya Rajapaksa for President in 2019, acting forthrightly despite family ties with the Rajapaksas. He then joined with the SJB and, in 2021, founded the New Lanka Freedom Party as its leader. He always spoke the truth as he saw it, without fear.

¶ 05 Especially, the attack on him during the Aragalaya in 2022 must be condemned. He was not a killer but someone who sustained people. That assault left him seriously ill and, I must say, contributed to his demise. We recall with respect his service to the country and to Kalutara, and extend condolences to his sons, his wife and all relatives. May he attain peace.

¶ 06 On Hon. H. Nandasena: beginning at Pradeshiya Sabha level, first elected to the North Central Provincial Council in 1993, serving until 2017 as Provincial Health Minister and as Chairman of the Council, he later entered Parliament in 2020 from Anuradhapura with the SLPP and chaired the District Coordinating Committee. Though he served about four years as an MP, he was an unassuming leader who lived among village folk, rendering great service. We express condolences to his children and family. May he attain peace.

¶ 07 On the late Hon. Tudor Gunasekera: elected from Gampaha (Mahara) to Parliament in 1977 with the UNP, he served until 1983. He began active politics as Chief Organizer for Mahara in 1960, contested in 1970, and won in 1977. He later served as Ambassador to Poland under President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and then as Ambassador to Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary at various times. We extend our sympathies to his wife and family and wish him peace.