The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, on these Votes of Condolence for three former MPs, I wish to focus first on Hon. Tudor Gunasekera of our Gampaha District. He passed away on 29th August 2021 at the age of 86. Elected from Mahara, he began in 1960 at the Mahara Village Council. Though defeated in 1970, he entered Parliament in 1977 and served until 1983.

¶ 02 During that period he served as the first District Minister of Gampaha after the concept was introduced in 1977, rendering considerable service. Though from a landed, affluent background, he lived among ordinary villagers and shared their joys and sorrows. His conduct then sets a good example for today’s politicians. His grandson, Hasith Gunasekera, now continues political work in the area, serving the people.

¶ 03 He also served as Ambassador to Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his entire family and to the people of Gampaha.

¶ 04 Madam Presiding Member, about the late Hon. Kumara Welgama: he lived with the common people, sharing their hardships, and for that he was affectionately known as a “good-hearted strong man.” On Hon. H. Nandasena: since 1992, during many elections in Anuradhapura—1994, 1998, 2000, 2001—we encountered him as a leader who rose from a remote village, beginning at Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha, serving his people substantially.

¶ 05 I extend deep condolences to the families of Hon. Kumara Welgama and Hon. H. Nandasena and thank you for the time granted.