The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, at this moment when we express sorrow over the demise of five distinguished people’s representatives of this House, I first wish to speak about Hon. Gamini Lokuge, who sat in this House until very recently. For decades he represented this House, an undefeated and practical politician with his feet on the ground among the people. In the early 1980s, during the Kesbewa by-election, as a young activist he contributed immensely to the victory of Hon. Dharmasena Attygalle in that UNP stronghold. After the 1977 Government of J. R. Jayewardene was formed, Mr. Lokuge was appointed Executive Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, through which he helped many from his area. Following the 1982 referendum, several by-elections were held, including in Kesbewa. J. R. Jayewardene chose Sirinal de Mel to contest Kesbewa, but in foresight, Mr. de Mel recommended Gamini Lokuge instead. Thus began his electoral career. He had the ability to see any misfortune optimistically.

¶ 02 I recall a story he told. On the auspicious day he left home to hand in nominations for the 1983 by-election, a tyre patch burst in Boralesgamuwa. Supporters’ faces fell, seeing it as an ill omen, but he ignored it and ultimately won that by-election and remained undefeated for four decades until 2024. He saw it all positively.

¶ 03 As Minister of Tourism, he supported the “Dedduwa Tourism Project” in my electorate with the blessings of Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. He would say, “That Dedduwa project must be done somehow; it’s a good project,” reminding me even last year when we met. He established and upgraded hotel schools, transforming them into internationally recognized vocational courses.

¶ 04 He introduced the concept of SOS Children’s Villages, starting from his constituency. He gave great leadership to the National Employees’ Union. We marched from Kandy to Colombo, from Galle to Colombo; he had remarkable organizing power. He never limited his public service to 24 hours or a single day; every hour and day was for the people. At any time, even as Minister, one could meet him. He was devoted to religion; he initiated State patronage for the Bellanwila Perahera.

¶ 05 His special trait was standing 100 percent for his political ideology, however adverse or risky. I last met him months ago in Matara at a funeral. He thanked me for words I had spoken about him on the day of Sirinal de Mel’s funeral, recalling that he too would speak when Motions of Condolence came. I extend our sympathies to his two daughters and all relatives.

¶ 06 Hon. P. Dayaratna was a distinguished figure. He went to Ampara as a State officer and came to this House as its MP, earning a good professional reputation. Born in Polgasowita, educated at Waetara and Ananda, he later qualified in the UK as an electrical engineer and joined State service.

¶ 07 He did politics in the difficult district of Ampara. After winning in 1977, he was appointed Ampara District Minister. He provided electricity to difficult villages, developed roads and schools, and improved temples and viharas. As Health Minister, he served the Ampara Hospital and other hospitals nationwide. He even provided an ambulance to our district hospital. He was always smiling, speaking to anyone in the same tone in public or meetings, his communication suiting all social levels. We express our sympathies to his wife and children.

¶ 08 The late Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi entered politics with clean hands and left with clean hands. He was a special figure in noble politics, a former Minister we respect as a good, clean politician who left an unblemished name in Horana and Kalutara. Rarely do politicians today depart leaving an unblemished name; he possessed that rare quality.

¶ 09 He was appointed to the Udugahapattuwa Village Council and became the youngest Chairman. Entering politics under Dudley Senanayake, he organized Horana from 1960, won in 1977, and was appointed the first Kalutara District Minister. He worked closely with President Ranasinghe Premadasa, establishing many “Udagam” model villages including “Mawigama”, introduced garment factories providing thousands of jobs which still employ youth today, served as a Director of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust, and led to the establishment of Horana Royal College, Dikhenapura Prajapathi Balika Vidyalaya, Sri Palee Primary School, improved Dhamma schools, electrification, roads and many other works, respecting all religions. We extend our sympathies to his family and acknowledge his accomplished children: Dasarath Hettiarachchi, Malkanthi Gunasekara and Prof. Manthinda Hettiarachchi.

¶ 10 Next, about former MP Hon. W. B. Ranatunga. Though we did not serve together here, I knew him personally. The son of traditional indigenous physician Punchibanda Ranatunga and Vijayasundara Manike of Kotmale, he was educated locally, then at Dharmaraja, and at the Kandy Advanced Technical Institute, and served as an assistant teacher.

¶ 11 During Dudley Senanayake’s Government, D. B. Ranatunga – his uncle – was MP for Kotmale, inspiring him to enter politics. He served as his uncle’s secretary, was a trusted associate of the late Hon. Gamini Dissanayake who recognized his abilities and appointed him a Coordinating Secretary, which helped both men shine politically. As Chairman of the Smallholder Tea Development Authority, I worked closely with him in Kotmale. He was a humble MP who never flaunted power, never slandered or insulted anyone – an exemplary Member.

¶ 12 He married a teacher, Nilmini Kotakadeniya, and was a successful father, giving two educated sons to society, Bimsara and Gagan, both engineers.

¶ 13 Finally, the people of the hill country’s dignity and the discipline of the teaching profession were imprinted in this House by the late Hon. Ranatunga. He was not one who sought personal gain or aggrandizement through office, but a village-based leader elevated by the people. We express our sympathies to his wife and sons.

¶ 14 On this occasion, I must also say a word about former MP Hon. M. H. Cegu Isadean. He was an attorney, Leader of the Opposition of the North-Eastern Provincial Council, Chairman of the SLMC, later its leader for a time, and from 2001 to 2010 served with us in this House, always speaking kindly and with a smile. He served as a Deputy Minister and as a non-Cabinet Minister, and displayed his talent as a writer. According to his faith, may he attain paradise. Conveying our sympathies to the families of all these Hon. Members, I conclude.

¶ 15 Thank you.