The Hon. D.V. Chanaka

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first I express condolences, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and myself, on the passing of our State Minister Hon. Lohan Ratwatte. As a State Minister, and from the inception of the SLPP under former Executive President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he played a major role in building the party and forming a government. He also undertook significant development initiatives like the “Manik Kuluna” project and served the Kandy District and his electorate. We convey our condolences to his family.

¶ 02 Condolence motions have also been brought regarding former MP Hon. Heenmahatmaya Liyanage, who rendered great service to our party and to the country as a teacher and as a representative of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He is the beloved father of our colleague Hon. Waruna Liyanage, MP. I convey condolences to Hon. Waruna Liyanage and all his family.

¶ 03 I also wish to speak on late Hon. Dixon J. Perera, who did politics alongside President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He served both the party and the Kesbewa electorate significantly, as Provincial Minister and as MP, and made a broad contribution nationally. I express condolences to his wife, daughter, son and all family members.

¶ 04 Today we also express condolences on the demise of former MP Hon. Dr. Merwyn D. de Silva, who, representing the SLFP and Parliament, rendered great service to the country. We extend condolences to all his family.

¶ 05 Regarding the late Hon. Y.G. Padmasiri, he was elected from Kegalle District and, representing the LSSP and the United People’s Freedom Alliance, served Ruwanwella and Kegalle with distinction. Ruwanwella was then an underdeveloped electorate; he did much to develop it. He is the father of our Provincial Councillor Hon. Vathsala. I extend condolences to all his family.

¶ 06 Former MP Hon. R.M.R. Chula Bandara, representing the UNP, rendered significant service to the country. We convey condolences to his family as well.

¶ 07 Similarly, on the passing of former MP Hon. Manikkavasagar Kanagasabapathy Ilanchelvendhan, we express condolences on behalf of the SLPP and personally.

¶ 08 Thank you.

¶ 09 [4.05 p.m.]