The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak on the passing of seven former Ministers and MPs who rendered great service.

¶ 02 First, on the late Hon. Heenmahattmaya Liyanage of Ratnapura, as his son Hon. Waruna Liyanage now serves here. He first represented Rakwana and then Pelmadulla, having served years as a teacher in difficult rural schools, and stood up for labour rights during the July 1980 strike, after which he entered politics and was elected in 1989 amid intimidation and unfavourable conditions for the SLFP in Ratnapura. Alongside Hon. John Seneviratne and Hon. Nanda Ellawala, he served the district, especially the Rakwana electorate with large populations of estate workers and gem-industry workers, and as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure he delivered widely. Serving about 13 years as MP, he paved the way for his son Waruna to enter first the Provincial Council and then Parliament, where he continues his father’s social service. I extend the condolences of this House to Waruna and the family.

¶ 03 Next, on the late Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri: he first entered the Provincial Council in 1988 at great personal risk. His brother Y.G. Leslie, also elected, was assassinated within months. Hon. Padmasiri persevered, serving long as a Provincial Minister, delivering infrastructure to tough terrains such as Ruwanwella, Yatiyantota and Deraniyagala, and later entered Parliament in 2010, ranking fourth in the district, and served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, contributing significantly to agriculture in Kegalle and nationally. His daughter Chatsala Janadari also served in the Provincial Council, carrying forward his work. We wish her strength and convey condolences.

¶ 04 Regarding the late Hon. Lohan Ratwatte: we served together here. He was a transformative, sometimes controversial figure, but fearless and decisive. In his last general election, the people of Kandy gave him around 100,000 preferences, reflecting appreciation of his forthright service. I extend condolences to his family.

¶ 05 On the late Hon. Dixson J. Perera: though I did not work closely with him, he was widely regarded as a good politician against whom no one could point a finger. Known for sacrificing his own property for public service in Kesbewa and Colombo, we pray for his eternal peace.

¶ 06 On the late Hon. R.M.R. Chula Bandara: elected in 1989 from Panduwasnuwara, Kurunegala, following his father Kalubanda Ratnayake who served from 1977; he and his family, including his brother Nimal Bandara, rendered notable service in Kurunegala, especially in agriculture and infrastructure. We extend condolences to his family, including grandson Sidath Bandara.

¶ 07 On the late Hon. (Dr.) Mervyn D. de Silva: a learned National List MP, with a doctorate, who had served as a senior public servant, including as a Ministry Secretary, contributing much to government work; we express condolences.

¶ 08 On the late Hon. Manicavasagar Kanagasabapathy Eelaventhan of the ITAK: appointed to Parliament via the National List during a period of unrest, he spoke for peace and understanding beyond ethnic lines and served his people to the utmost during his brief tenure. We convey our condolences to all seven families remembered today.