The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I first wish to speak about our late colleague from Kegalle, Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, who passed away two months ago.

¶ 02 Born on 14 January 1987 to Mr. Jayawira Hapuaarachchi and Mrs. Chandrani Lokuhapuaarachchi, he studied at Gurugalla Junior School and Eheliyagoda National School, entered the Open University in 2007 for engineering, became President of the main Students’ Union in 2010, and a National Committee member of the Socialist Students’ Union. He entered active politics in Kegalle in 2018, was elected to the Dehiowita Pradeshiya Sabha, and became the JVP organizer for Ruwanwella.

¶ 03 He led the district-wide campaign against environmentally harmful oil palm cultivation—organizing the “Dehiowita People’s Rights Protection Organization” in 2019, expanding it across Deraniyagala, Yatiyantota, Bulathkohupitiya, and the entire district, mobilizing citizens and religious leaders to halt cultivation.

¶ 04 Later, as NPP organizer for Ruwanwella, a member of the Kegalle District Executive, National Committee member and District Chief Organizer of the Socialist Youth Union, he united the district’s youth and environmental groups, and helped build our strength. In the 2024 General Election, he ranked second in Kegalle with 61,613 preferences. Parliamentary staff and even the canteen workers remember him as a good, humble MP who treated everyone kindly.

¶ 05 He did as much as any person could by 38 years of age—what some cannot do in a hundred years. I express deep condolences to his parents, siblings, relatives, and all loved ones.