[Unidentified Speaker]

¶ 01 There is another special point I must make about him. When I became the organizer for the Puttalam electorate, the first challenge I faced was the last local government election. As a newcomer responsible for selecting candidates in the Puttalam electorate, I found it very difficult. I had the question of how to choose the candidates. One day at midnight, I went to the house of Dr. I. M. Ilyas. Trembling, I made a request to him: to include his daughter as a candidate on our list. As we know, according to the way of life and social norms of the Muslim community, it is generally not appropriate to go at night for such a discussion. However, I did it because it was absolutely necessary. Very modestly, he presented his daughter as a candidate. As a matter of duty, in order to ensure the representation of Muslim women in Puttalam, I very respectfully requested Hon. Ilyas’s daughter, ODT Jemina, to serve as a Member. As a party, we entrusted her with responsibilities related to religious affairs and women’s rights, to carry them out with discipline and dignity. Hon. Jemina, following in her father’s footsteps, fulfilled all those tasks with great dignity and responsibility. In line with social norms and with discipline, bringing everyone together, she did that work very well. She deserves a special note of thanks. More than for the service rendered by his daughter, I wish at this moment to thank her father. Because it was with the guidance and opportunity given by the father that she received that chance. Therefore, recalling her father at this moment, I extend special thanks to him. Dr. Ilyas’s children, Dr. M. I. Inthikaf, the aforementioned M. I. Jemina, and M. I. Fasmia, are all present on this occasion. At this moment, I share in their grief.

¶ 02 In accordance with my religion, I pray for moksha for these four late Members of Parliament. Each religion has different rites to pray for the departed. However, my duty is to pray for liberation for all four.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, there is something everyone must understand. In present-day politics, many of us speak about differing policies and sometimes carry great enmity, inside and outside Parliament. However, we can learn a great deal from the Ministers and Members who have passed away. Therefore, at this time of presenting condolence messages, I propose that while we create a program to properly appreciate the services rendered by these Hon. Members, both locally and nationally, we also establish a framework to guide current Members and those who will enter politics in the future. Emphasizing its importance, and thanking you for giving me this opportunity, I now conclude, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 04 [12.41 p.m.]