The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on this condolence motion I first wish to recall our late colleague from Kegalle District, Kosala Nuwan Jayawira.

¶ 02 Elected to this Parliament on 14 November 2024, he served for only four months and 21 days before his sudden demise. In that short time, he rendered visible service to Kegalle District, especially the Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala electorates, and contributed meaningfully as a member of COPE.

¶ 03 Born in 1987 at Napawala, Dehiowita, he studied at Gurugalla Junior School and Ahelepola Central College, and completed higher studies at the Open University Faculty of Engineering. As a student leader, he became President of the Open University Students’ Union and served on the National Committee of the Socialist Students’ Union.

¶ 04 After university, he chose Dehiowita as his political base and worked closely with the people. He was elected to the Dehiowita Pradeshiya Sabha in 2018 and served energetically, intervening across Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Yatiyantota, and Bulathkohupitiya on public issues.

¶ 05 He raised a powerful voice against fraud and corruption within the local authority, and remained popular among the people. He also worked in the private sector as an Assistant Engineer.

¶ 06 In 2024, he was elected to Parliament. A staunch environmentalist, he led district-wide campaigns against destructive projects, including organizing the public against the environmental harm caused by oil palm cultivation in Kegalle; thanks to his efforts many harmful projects were halted. He also played a notable role in uniting estate workers and trade unions to secure the increase of the daily wage to Rs. 1,000.

¶ 07 He engaged religious leaders across denominations without discrimination, providing assistance and guidance. Sensitive to the people’s problems, he listened to all and intervened despite threats, even at personal risk.

¶ 08 Kegalle has a rich progressive tradition. The late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, whose grandfather was associated with the LSSP, rekindled hope for progressive politics in areas long dominated by regressive forces. His untimely passing at 38 is not only a loss to the NPP and this Parliament, but to the entire country. I extend heartfelt condolences to his parents, siblings, relatives, and supporters.