The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you.

¶ 02 In today’s Votes of Condolence, we remember the services of the late Hon. Lohan Ratwatte, the late Hon. Heenmahatmaya Liyanage, the late Hon. Dixon J. Perera, the late Hon. (Dr.) Mervyn D. de Silva, the late Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri, the late Hon. R.M.R. Chula Bandara, and the late Hon. Manicavasagar Kanagasabapathy Eelaventhan. During their tenures in this Parliament, they rendered various services to their regions and to the country. I extend my deepest condolences to their bereaved families.

¶ 03 Regarding the late Hon. M.K. Eelaventhan of the Northern Province: Born on 14 September 1932 in Nallur, Jaffna, he served at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka before entering Parliament via the National List in 2004, ensuring Tamil representation and consistently voicing the rights and needs of the Tamil people. A noted writer—author of “Tamizh Mann Kaappom; Thaayagam Meetpom”—his activism extended overseas as well. He sought asylum in India in 1983, was arrested in 1997, deported in 2000, appointed to Parliament in 2004, lost his seat in 2007 due to absence, and later sought asylum in Canada in 2009. Celebrating his 90th birthday in 2022, he was renowned for his oratory and archival memory—“a treasure of documents.” His political life spanned decades, combining politics, literature and national consciousness, unwavering in principle and advocacy. I convey my deepest condolences to his children and family, and pray for his soul to rest in peace.