Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on these condolence motions regarding several former Ministers and Members who rendered great service to the country.

¶ 02 First, I wish to speak about the late Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi. He had a long political history. He served greatly for the Kalutara District and his own constituency of Horana. He first entered public life as a young Gam Sabha (Village Council) chairman in the 1950s. He contested the 1960 Parliamentary Election but was not elected. In 1977, he entered Parliament for the first time and later served as District Minister for Kalutara. In 1985 he was appointed Minister of Ports and Shipping; in 1990, Minister of Coconut Development and Diversification. He focused on Kalutara District, especially Horana, and led the establishment of about eight model villages. At that time, for a Member of Parliament and a Minister to lead such development was noteworthy.

¶ 03 He earned the goodwill of the Maha Sangha by supporting the development of temples in Kalutara and elsewhere. During President R. Premadasa’s era, when 200 garment factories were launched, Horana was selected early, and Hon. Hettiarachchi led the establishment of many factories, creating employment for large numbers in Kalutara. He also served the Sasana as a Director of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust, and helped establish several schools including Sri Pali Primary.

¶ 04 This is a time when politicians face many accusations, yet Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi maintained integrity and dignity in office. Notably, he did not amass wealth from politics; rather, he sacrificed much of his own family’s property for the country. Together with his family, he built up significant holdings and formed a company, but under the 1972 Land Reforms, much was vested in the State. Beyond politics, he made significant personal sacrifices for the country.

¶ 05 His sons also served as estate superintendents, contributing to the People’s Bank Development Board and State Plantation bodies, though their work was curtailed by circumstances. In 1988–89, during the terror period, one son lost his life; the family faced grave hardships then. I extend Parliament’s condolences to his children, relatives and well-wishers.

¶ 06 Next, I wish to speak about Hon. P. Dayaratna. He was a close associate of my father, the late Vincent Perera. Entering Parliament in 1977, he served as Deputy Minister of Power and Energy and as District Minister. Though born in Colombo, he worked in the difficult Ampara District. Educated at Ananda College and later at Brighton University in the UK, he qualified as an electrical engineer — an educated politician who served a challenging region.

¶ 07 Amidst the awakening brought by D.S. Senanayake’s colonization schemes like Inginiyagala, Hon. Dayaratna engaged with the people as a State official and later, upon their request, entered politics in 1977. He served as District Minister for Ampara, Deputy Minister of Power and Energy, and Minister of Health, Nutrition and Social Services, significantly improving Ampara’s health sector — upgrading the Ampara Hospital and local infrastructure.

¶ 08 These leaders set examples at a time when today many speak of a “76-year curse” and accuse former MPs. Leaders like Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi and Hon. P. Dayaratna were truly learned and exemplary. I extend Parliament’s condolences to their families.

¶ 09 I also wish to remember our former Minister, Hon. Gamini Lokuge. We worked closely when we were in the same party, the UNP. He was a senior politician — fearless and decisive, upholding ministerial dignity. Beginning through the trade union movement in the 1960s, by 1977 under J.R. Jayewardene he became a prominent figure in the National Employees Union, serving workers and state employees. He stood for staff across institutions, regardless of party, against injustice.

¶ 10 He developed the Colombo District, centering on Kesbewa, and as Minister of Power helped meet electricity needs. He suffered injustices politically in recent years; during the Aragalaya, his house and relatives’ houses were attacked — even by people he had helped, as he personally told me. He was deeply saddened by this and by the political climate. I convey condolences to his family, especially his two daughters, and propose that Parliament extends its sympathies.

¶ 11 I also pay tribute to Hon. Wijayasundara Bandara Ranatunga of Kotmale in Nuwara Eliya District. Entering Parliament in 1989, he had earlier rendered great service through the Mahaweli Development Programme, bearing responsibility for the Kotmale Reservoir project, and worked for land, housing and justice for those affected.

¶ 12 Lastly, I wish to speak about the late Hon. M.H. Sehu Iszadeen. He first entered politics as Leader of the Opposition of the merged North-Eastern Provincial Council around 1989. Serving in a time of grave risk, he took on major responsibilities amidst serious challenges. He later served as Chairman and General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, and as a Member of Parliament and Deputy/Non-Cabinet Minister, rendering significant service to the Batticaloa region and the country. I request that Parliament conveys condolences to his family.

¶ 13 All these departed Members served their regions and the nation with example. I once again request that our sympathies be conveyed to all their families. Thank you.