Hon. J. C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we move Votes of Condolence on Hon. Rukman Senanayake, Hon. A. A. Reginald Perera, Hon. Sirinal de Mel, and Hon. (Dr.) I. M. Ilyas. All four rendered significant service while representing this august House.

¶ 02 First, regarding Hon. Rukman Senanayake: I see him as a statesman involved in many major political turns in our country. He was a great-grandson of D. S. Senanayake; after the demise of Hon. Dudley Senanayake in 1973, he contested the subsequent by-election from Dedigama for the UNP, which was then in opposition with few MPs, while the SLFP government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike held power. Amidst many challenges and intimidation, he won, polling over 4,000 more votes than his rival. I remember that by-election well from childhood—my father was a UNP organizer in Dodamgaslanda. His vehicle’s window had a hole, initially said to be from a stone; later we learned it was from a bullet—showing the tense, violent context of that by-election.

¶ 03 However, in 1977, when J. R. Jayewardene gained a five-sixths majority, Hon. Rukman was not a UNP candidate; he had to leave after an internal inquiry. Looking at his character, there are many lessons in politics. He was a leader destined for a long journey; he returned in 1989 during President Premadasa’s era, having earlier tried multiple times in Kegalle without success. He served as Minister of Environment and Natural Resources—known for his deep love for the environment. Later, as UNP Chairman, I too interacted with him as an organizer; he was humble and fair. However, his political journey did not reach its full potential; by the time he realized the gravity of his disagreement with J. R., he had lost many years, and the chance to serve as a young minister during the UNP’s great power was gone. Still, he served independently and humbly for the people. We express condolences to his family and pray he attains Nibbana.

¶ 04 On Hon. Sirinal de Mel: he was very close to President J. R. Jayewardene from his youth, serving as General Secretary of the JSS. The JSS headquarters was built just a few steps from Sirikotha—the UNP HQ—showing J. R.’s commitment to the JSS, which helped organize state institutions and contributed greatly to the UNP’s 1977 landslide. Though J. R. invited him to contest Kesbewa for Parliament, he declined; later Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed him via the National List, and we worked with him then. He was a foremost figure in the trade union sphere from youth, and his son is now in politics. We wish the family well and pray he attains Nibbana.

¶ 05 On Hon. A. A. Reginald Perera: he entered politics through local government—Wattala–Mabole UC in 1983—and became its Chairman. In 1989, he entered Parliament on the National List and again served from 1994 to 2000. As a young MP then, I saw him as humble and courteous. He served both Mahara and Gampaha well. We extend condolences to his family.

¶ 06 Regarding Hon. (Dr.) I. M. Ilyas: he was first elected to the North Western Provincial Council in 1988 during a time of terror, then to Parliament in 1994. Though living in Puttalam, he entered Parliament from Jaffna largely on the votes of displaced Jaffna people living in camps in the Puttalam area—an exceptional situation showing the times we lived in. He later also contested the presidency, both as an independent and party candidate, in several elections. In 1994, when I too entered Parliament as a young MP, I remember how he continuously raised his voice here for his voters and the people, performing a great service for Puttalam and those who elected him. We express condolences to his family. Thank you.