The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s condolence debate recalls four former MPs. I extend condolences to their families.

¶ 02 The late Donald Dissanayake of Gampaha entered Parliament in 1989, having begun in the Municipal Council. Even after leaving Parliament, through a foundation in his name he continued serving his district until his passing. We convey our sympathies to his bereaved family.

¶ 03 The late J. R. P. Suriyapperuma was a senior politician. Though he first contested with the UNP in the 1970s, later disagreements led him to the SLFP, where he served as General Secretary in the pivotal years 1981 and 1991. Beginning as a teacher, he rose to Parliament and served the nation and people. We express our condolences to his family.

¶ 04 The late Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, born in 1987, entered Parliament as a young engineer and politician. In a short tenure he served on committees including COPE and engaged actively with student organizations and public struggles. His untimely passing at 38 is deeply saddening. We share the grief of his family, relatives, party, and supporters.

¶ 05 The late Mavai S. Senathirajah was very close to us. He loved the Tamil-speaking people and loved this country. His passing is a great loss to Sri Lanka. From his student days he fought for justice, for land and people, making sacrifices; he was detained for around seven years by the then rulers. From his youth until his death, he remained in ITAK, and in war and post-war years he conducted himself with great integrity both inside and outside Parliament.

¶ 06 He dealt warmly with everyone. Whenever I met him—from Jaffna to Colombo—he discussed the problems of the Muslim community and assured he would support a lasting solution for them. His loss is not only to his party but to all Tamil-speaking people and to this nation. On behalf of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, I extend deepest condolences to his family, relatives, party members, and all Tamil-speaking people.