The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, condolence motions on the demise of seven former Members who served this Parliament are presented today. All served their areas greatly as MPs and Ministers before departing us.

¶ 02 From Ratnapura District where I live, the late Hon. Heenmahattmaya Liyanage served as an MP and a Deputy Minister. Born in 1942, he passed away on 14 October 2024 at about 82 years of age. Entering politics in 1982, he became chief organiser for the SLFP in Rakwana and Pelmadulla after having served as a Sinhala-language teacher who was dedicated to children’s education; he lost his job for participating in the July 1980 strike. Elected in 1989, he served the entire district, developing roads, electrification, and, working with then Minister John Seneviratne, helped establish the Ratnapura National College of Education. He also chaired the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation and served as a Deputy Minister. He guided his son Hon. Waruna Liyanage from local authority to Provincial Council to Parliament; today Waruna continues large-scale work. I know the family’s devotion in caring for him during illness. We extend deep condolences to Waruna, his siblings, mother and all relatives, and to the people of Ratnapura who feel this loss.

¶ 03 Next, about the late Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri: he served in the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council for about 22 years and earlier in local government. As Provincial Minister of Agriculture, he rendered great service to Ratnapura’s agriculture even when I was Chairman of the Kolonna Pradeshiya Sabha. He passed without blemish, having served his people to the utmost. His daughter Vathsala served as a Provincial Councillor and continued much work. I extend condolences to his family. I also express condolences to the families of all other departed Members included in today’s motions.