The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am grateful to you for granting me this opportunity.

¶ 02 On this day when Motions of Condolence are moved on several late Hon. Members, I wish first to speak about Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi. Accepted by many as a symbol of democratic and clean politics, he rendered an immense service to the country and outstanding service to the central Kalutara District from Horana, a great son of the people. Following the 1977 electoral victory, he served notably as a Member of Parliament, as a Deputy Minister and as a Minister.

¶ 03 Centering on Horana, he implemented the Gam Udawa programme, and even established “Mawigama”, the village of my aunt. He succeeded in bringing one of the largest garment factories to the Horana electorate through the 200 Garment Factories Programme. Ever close to the Maha Sangha and all religious leaders, he was a noble political character of humility and decorum, a truly clean politician. He established Sri Palee Primary School, the Sri Palee Campus affiliated to the University of Colombo, and the Horana Pradeepa Library, dedicating his own resources and lands for development. We pray for Nibbana for Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi and express our profound condolences and deep sorrow to all members of his family.

¶ 04 Hon. Deputy Speaker, next I wish to speak about the late Hon. P. Dayaratna. He was a learned man, an engineer by profession. Though resident in Colombo, he began his victorious political journey in 1977 by dedicating his political and social service to the people of distant, difficult Ampara. He brought to Ampara projects such as Gam Udawa and the Mahapola Scholarship programme initiated by Hon. Athulathmudali and Hon. Gamini Dissanayake, bringing great benefit to the people amidst hardships.

¶ 05 Particularly, in Ampara District, together with UNP representatives like Chandradasa Galappatti, he worked in great amity for the development of Ampara District and the Ampara electorate. As Minister of Health, he developed the Ampara Hospital significantly and improved the hospital system across Sri Lanka. We identify him as an exemplary public servant who lived a virtuous life. We express our deepest sorrow and condolences to his family and pray for the attainment of Nibbana.

¶ 06 Next, I wish to speak about the late Hon. Vijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga. He contested the Kotmale seat as an independent candidate, served as Coordinating Secretary to Hon. Gamini Dissanayake, became a Provincial Councillor in the first Provincial Council in 1988, and served as a Member of Parliament from 1989 to 1994, centering on Kotmale and rendering great service to Nuwara Eliya District. By establishing garment factories like Kadadora Samarasekara and Maussawee Lee-Lanka, he provided employment to large numbers of youth.

¶ 07 He, together with leaders like Gamini Dissanayake, Lalith Athulathmudali and Ranasinghe Premadasa of the 1977 generation, showed great zeal in delivering benefits of development initiatives to the public during 1988-1994. We express our profound condolences and sorrow to his family and pray for the attainment of Nibbana.

¶ 08 I must also speak about the late Hon. Gamini Lokuge. Joining the UNP in 1960, he served as Chairman of the youth movement at times, as a trade union leader at other times, won the Kesbewa by-election in 1983, served as a District Minister at times, and held many ministerial portfolios, rendering a great national service centering on the Kesbewa electorate.

¶ 09 When speaking of him, we recall how he led a great struggle for the rural and urban poor in Kesbewa, showing great enthusiasm and bringing the Janasaviya programme to Kesbewa, launching a programme to eradicate women’s poverty. Throughout his political journey, he strove for development goals. We express our deep sorrow and condolences to his family and pray for the attainment of Nibbana.

¶ 10 Regarding the late Hon. M. H. Cegu Isadean, he was an attorney-at-law, served as Leader of the Opposition of the Provincial Council in 1989, Chairman and at times Leader of the SLMC, and as a Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2010 represented the Eastern Province, rendering a great service to the people living there. He always raised his voice for the rights of his people and for democratic rights.

¶ 11 I must especially note that he was always a strong voice for the people of Palestine; he stood up to protect their rights at every moment. We too stand today for the rights of the Palestinian people. We do so because it is just and fair. Our policy and our prayer is to see both Israel and Palestine existing as two states in peace. Today the Palestinian people are facing state terrorism by Israel, with infants, children, mothers and all civilians in Gaza subjected to genocide. We strongly condemn that genocide and consider it state terrorism. The late Hon. M. H. Cegu Isadean too stood on this policy. We express our profound condolences and pray that he attains Jannat al-Firdaws.