The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and also on behalf of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I extend our condolences on the passing of former Minister Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandaseena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekara.

¶ 02 Hon. Kumara Welgama began politics with Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike of the SLFP and, as a contemporary of my father, consistently carried a people’s democratic politics both in Kalutara and nationally. He lived simply, yet directly intervened to address people’s needs. He was also a leader who made historic political decisions. I recall his leadership in creating the “Mahinda Sulanga” in 2015 and later helping build the SLPP in 2020, advocating within the SLFP for a new political force. Subsequently, he continued politics according to his convictions. He also reorganized the party in Kalutara and Badulla. While I will not detail his development programmes and political decisions here, the people of Kalutara and of the country understand them well. We wish him the bliss of Nibbana and share the SLPP’s and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s condolences with his family.

¶ 03 Similarly, recalling Hon. Tudor Gunasekara, who entered politics from the UNP and served as District Minister for Gampaha, we remember his service in the 1960s and 1970s. We pray for his Nibbana and share condolences with his family.

¶ 04 Regarding Hon. H. Nandaseena, he began at village level, represented the SLPP in Parliament, and, as Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure, rendered significant service to Anuradhapura. He was a grassroots leader, close to village people and their needs. We pray for his Nibbana and share the SLPP’s and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s condolences with his family.

¶ 05 Thank you.