The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as we move the condolence motions on the late former MPs Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, Hon. Maavai S. Senathirajah, Hon. Donald Dissanayake, and Hon. J.R.P. Suriya Peruma, we all feel the pain so eloquently conveyed by our colleague Hon. Sugath Wasantha.

¶ 02 Each of those members had a distinct parliamentary life and spent a notable period in this House—save for our colleague Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, who entered with us and whose passing we mourn as a great misfortune, because he left us so young—at 38. He should have been speaking for us; instead, we must now speak for him.

¶ 03 Born in 1987 and gone in 2025 at age 38, he served about five months as an MP. Yet his smile, warmth, dignity, and camaraderie made him vividly memorable in that short time. With his two younger brothers, he had a beautiful childhood and excelled academically. Many have recounted how he dedicated himself to others—his generation and beyond—even as he studied, lived in the university, and thereafter while employed, he remained active in politics.

¶ 04 What he impressed most upon our hearts was his humanism. In a world full of people, those who carry genuine, heartfelt human compassion are few. Kosala was one of them. The people who loved him spoke with one voice at his final rites: “He never thought of himself.” They told him he should think more of himself, but he did not. He spent the maximum of his time for the people, for his generation, for his era. That was his hallmark.

¶ 05 At a time of immense challenges in politics—particularly for our National People’s Power/Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna movement—he bore hardships with a smile. Not everyone can do that. He could.

¶ 06 I came to know him more closely upon joining COPE together. In those two or three months, his enthusiasm and dedication were striking. He often discussed how to proceed constructively—how to do the right thing without hurting anyone, and how to achieve the best outcome for society.

¶ 07 He was a fighter with great dedication, yet his thought was crystal clear—loving humanity. He never sought to weaponize social ills against others. In COPE, his concern was always how to steer society to a better place, to lift everyone to a good condition. Had he continued as an MP, he would undoubtedly have become a model of humane politics.

¶ 08 To his parents, siblings, and all the people of Kegalle who loved him and placed their hopes in his leadership, and to the entire nation, we offer our deep condolences. We pledge to do our utmost to establish in this country what he hoped for. I now remain silent.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.