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Vote of Condolence on Minister Dr Richard Pathirana:
Pathirana’s service irreparable - Minister Nimal Siripala de
Silva
Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE
Late Education Minister Dr Richard Pathirana had rendered a yeoman
service to national education and was a leading figure in the
progressive political camp in the South, said Leader of the House and
Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de
Silva.
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Dr Richard Pathirana |
Moving the vote of condolence on late Dr Richard Pathirana the
Minister made this observations and said he was a remarkable orator that
handled the Opposition in the House for six years with only a single
decisive vote over the Opposition, as the Leader of the House.
Stating that Dr Richard Pathirana represented the people of Akmeena
for 16 years Minister de Silva said he held many distinguished positions
in the Government and the Parliament.
He was the Leader of the House during 2000 to 2001 and the Chief
Government Whip during 1994 to 2000.
He held the office of Chief Opposition Whip during 1989 to 1994.
He was the Education and Higher Education Minister during 1994 to
2000 and the State Administration, Home Affairs and Administration
Reforms Minister during 2000 to 2001.
He established the Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa and Wayamba Universities
during his tenure as Higher Education Minister increasing the number of
universities to 12 in the country. He also increased the annual
enrolments of students to universities from 8,500 to 12,000. He also
took measures to increase the allocation made for Education from Rs. 17
billion to Rs. 34 billion as the Education Minister.
Further in order to maintain the dignity of the teaching profession
he initiated measures to increase salaries of teachers from 75 percent
to 200 percent and provided facilities for them to study overseas for
the first time.
He was born on February 24, 1938 at Labuduwa, Galle. Having obtained
his primary education at Maitipe Vijayarajah College in Galle he
obtained his secondary education at Vidyaloka College, Galle.
He graduated from the Peradeniya University and obtained his post
graduate diploma from the Sri Jayewardenepura University.
Pathirana married Vijitha Pathirage. He had three children. His son
Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was newly elected to Parliament. Other two
daughters are Iromi Pathirana and Dinusha Pathirana.
Minister de Silva further said former Minister Pathirana initiated
his career as a schoolteacher of Baddegama Naravala Maha Vidyalaya in
1958 and became the Principal in 1971. Later he was subjected to
political victimisation. In 1980 he entered politics and became the
Akmeemana SLFP organiser.
He was elected to Parliament in 1982.
Pathirana always acted bravely - Opposition Leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the late Richard
Pathirana always acted bravely in the House. He did a yeoman service to
uplift education and rendered a remarkable service to the country. He
also acted to protect the dignity of Parliament.
Pathirana committed himself to serve the youth - Minister Dinesh
Gunawardena
Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the late
Richard Pathirana rendered a great service as an MP, Minister, Leader of
the House and Chief Government Whip. He committed himself to serve the
youth by listening to their grievances. He protected many young lives
during the 88/89 period.
Pathirana was a helpful person - R. Sampanthan
TNA Group Leader R. Sampanthan said the late Richard Pathirana was a
very helpful person. He was competent in maintaining a cordial
friendship with all MPs irrespective of party differences in Parliament.
He contributed significantly to bring the UPFA to power. He also took
many fruitful measures to promote education in rural as well as urban
areas.
Pathirana developed human resources as well as physical resources -
Minister Susil Premajayantha
Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha said the late
Richard Pathirana took measures to develop human resources as well as
physical resources in the education sector.
He pioneered in establishing a College of Education and Teachers’
College.
UPFA Galle District MP Dr Ramesh Pathirana said that his father, the
late Richard Pathirana committed his whole life to fulfil the needs of
the Galle people.
They miss his service now. I would continue the social service
carried out by my father by giving maximum support to President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, he said.
Pathirana held liberal views - Minister Dew Gunasekera
Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister DEW Gunasekera said as a
teacher, principal, MP, Minister and Leader of the House he rendered a
yeoman service to the country within a very short period. He held
liberal views. As Education and Public Administration Minister, he
fulfilled his responsibilities to the letter. |
