Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha

¶ 01 [10.04 a.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, we express condolences on four former MPs. First, on Hon. Rukman Senanayake, former Cabinet Minister from Dedigama in Kegalle. Born in 1948 to Robert Parakrama and Swarna Neela Senanayake, educated at S. Thomas’ and South West London College, he was renowned for his love of wildlife photography, leadership of the Senanayake Foundation, and service to Buddhist temples and associations in Colombo and Mirigama–Bothale.

¶ 03 He first entered Parliament at the 1973 Dedigama by-election, defeating Dharmasiri Senanayake, and later represented Polonnaruwa and Kegalle, serving as Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (2001–2004), UNP Chairman (2007) and Deputy Leader (2008). He briefly founded the United Lanka People’s Party in 1977 and rejoined the UNP in 1989 at President R. Premadasa’s invitation. Deeply popular in Dedigama and Kegalle, he upheld democratic politics and national progress. I extend condolences to his son, former State Minister Wasantha Senanayake, and his family, and pray he attains Nibbana.