The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the condolence motions for seven late former Members of this House: Hon. Lohan Ratwatte, Hon. Heenmahattmaya Liyanage, Hon. Dixson J. Perera, Hon. (Dr.) Mervyn D. de Silva, Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri, Hon. R.M.R. Chula Bandara and Hon. Manicavasagar Kanagasabapathy Eelaventhan. On behalf of the Government, I convey condolences to all their families.

¶ 02 I especially wish to record a note on the late Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri, who represented the Ruwanwella electorate of Kegalle District and served in Parliament after being elected at the April 2010 General Election. From 2013 he served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture. He laboured tirelessly for Kegalle District and was a member of the LSSP Central Committee.

¶ 03 His defining qualities were his lifelong commitment to progressive, left politics and to building a just and egalitarian society. He consistently intervened for what he believed was just, and never wavered from policy decisions taken in pursuit of a fair society. He also authored a book titled “From Provincial Council to Parliament: What I Did Along the Way,” in which he dedicates the work to his parents and recalls how, as a teenager in 1964, he was inspired into left politics — presenting a garland of red flowers to H.G. Somabandhu and participating in the United Left Front May Day rally, among others.

¶ 04 He recounts growing up in a modest home at Ruwanwella junction where in 1936 a red flag was hoisted for Dr. N.M. Perera; his father was a lorry driver who, even in childhood, took him across the island and admired LSSP leaders. Ruwanwella is known as a cradle of the left; Hon. Padmasiri, not from a privileged background, rose through public service to the Provincial Council, then to Parliament, and to Deputy Ministerial office.

¶ 05 He explains that he entered electoral politics not for personal gain but to realise a socialist society — organising youth, women and students; writing for socialist publications from his school days; and building grassroots movements. Even in difficult times, he remained steadfast. I extend condolences to his wife and daughter and pledge to carry forward the progressive path he represented, working for a just society.