The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, representing four parties, I thank you for the opportunity to express condolences on four departed Members, and to convey sentiments on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition—who is indisposed today—and on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and personally.

¶ 02 First, we must express our sorrow regarding the passing of the young MP Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, who served this House for a very brief time. Though we had little chance to know him closely, from testimonies of his contemporaries, schoolmates, villagers and social media accounts, we learned he was a remarkable humanist and a virtuous young MP with great aspirations for the country. He was an active student leader and youth organizer, and served three years as a Pradeshiya Sabha member. He entered Parliament from Kegalle with around 62,000 preferences, second on his party list, and also served on COPE—no small honour. We lost him just when his service was needed most; thousands, including dignitaries and ordinary people, mourned at his funeral. We convey our party’s and my personal condolences to his parents and family.

¶ 03 We also remember Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, a distinguished figure who believed in a democratic political path during turbulent times in the North. Though we often differed, at the table he was calm and disciplined. Striking in presence and learned, he engaged us cordially, including on land issues when I served as Minister of Lands. He lived and died in Jaffna, stayed close to his people, and stood for Tamil political rights, land rights and demarcations, often seeing India’s mediation as a blessing. We extend condolences to his family.

¶ 04 We recall the late Hon. Donald Dissanayake, with whom we served in the UNP. Educated at several schools, he studied agricultural machinery in England, returned to found “Trakmo,” even lending his name to a well-known junction. He served as Municipal Councillor, Deputy Mayor, Provincial Councillor, and in 1989 filled a 17-year UNP gap in Gampaha. As Deputy Chief Government Whip, COPE member, and Project Monitoring MP for Transport and Highways, he worked on railway station development, and secured 16 buses for the Yakkala People’s Transport Board. He supported hospitals, temples, religious institutions, education, sports grounds and preschools, and maintained close ties with Japan. On behalf of the Opposition Leader and Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, we express condolences to his family and pray he attains peace.

¶ 05 We also remember Hon. J.R.P. Suriyapperuma: a distinguished, popular, witty orator whose speeches we flocked to hear as schoolboys. He took on formidable electoral challenges—against Mrs. Bandaranaike in Attanagalla and later against J.R. Jayewardene in Colombo South. He served as SLFP General Secretary, always immaculate and cheerful, with an encyclopedic knowledge of world history, politics, and Buddhist philosophy. He authored many books, taught at Ananda College, and was a sought-after lecturer, enriching programmes like “Doramadala.” A simple, genuine villager at heart, he inspired younger MPs like me across party lines. We extend condolences to his family and pray that, according to their faiths, all four departed attain peace. Thank you.