Parliament
Condolence Motion:
'Late Mano Wijeyeratne joined the President to defeat terrorism'
Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided, when Parliament met at 1.00 pm
yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the
House took up the condolence motion of ex-MP late Mano Wijeyeratne.
Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh
Gunawardena
'I present the condolence motion of ex-MP late Mano Wijeyeratne. Born
on July 28, 1957, he represented the Dedigama electoral in Kegalle. He
was the 2nd child in a family of 5 children. He was the brother of
former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne. He worked for the
development of his seat Dedigama, as its organizer in 1989 and was
elected to Parliament for the first time in 1989, as an MP of the
Kegalle District. He mingled with the people and was always with a
smiling face. He was elected to Parliament for the fifth time in 2004
and worked in harmony with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat
terrorism. He held many ministerial and deputy ministerial posts and
promoted Sri Lankan relations with other countries in the world. He
later joined the SLFP and worked with the President. Late Mano
Wijeyeratne, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on October 29, 2011
after a brief illness.
Good team leader, he mingled with grass roots level people
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe:
When I was having a chat with him last September, I never thought I
would have to stand up in this House and speak at his condolence vote.
He had been representing this House for 23 years. He was no stranger to
politics. He came from a political family. The outstanding services of
his grandfather Edwin and his father Nissanka, should be reminiscened at
this point with gratitude. He was a good team worker and mingled with
grass roots level people.
A great personality, he did the country a great service
International Monetary Coorporation Senior Minister Dr Sarath
Amunugama: Late Mano Wijeyerathne's grandfather was a teacher of mine
and I associated him closely. Late Mano Wijereratne's father was also a
great personality who provided an enormous service to the country.
Nissanka Wijeyeratne also served as the Diyawadana Nimale of the Dalada
Maligawa. Late Mano Wijeraratne was a very humble and friendly person.
When I was holding the ministerial portfolio of investments, he worked
in my ministry as a deputy minister. He contributed much for the
development of the Gem Industry.
He hailed from a distinguished family
R Sampanthan (TNA):
Late Mano Wijeyeratne was a young member and passed away quite
unexpectedly. He hailed from a distinguished family and his father was a
civil servant. I join in expressing our sincere condolences and
sympathies on his demise.
Productivity Promotion Minister Lakshman Seneviratne: Late Mano
Wijeyaratne's father and my father were very good friends. We had been
residing in his house too. Late Mano Wijeyaratne was a friendly person.
I remember him joining the government during the past, when I was in the
UNP. He loved the people and worked for the common man's grievances.
He represented the 3rd generation of a distinguished family
Karu Jayasuriya (UNP):
Late Mano Wijeyaratne was a decent person. He represented the 3rd
generation of a distinguished family. His grandfather, Sir Edwin
Wijeyeratne was a renowned person and his father Nissanka Wijeyeratne
was also a well-known person in the country who earned the love of the
people.
Vasantha Senanayake (UPFA): I had a close association with late Mano
Wijeyaratne and I addressed him as 'ayya'. Late Mano Wijeyaratne hailed
from a renowned and highly recognised family. He was a common man's
politician. He was a real patriot, who faced ups and downs and fortunes
and misfortunes in Sri Lankan politics.
Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair
Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP): I am reminded of how late Mano
Wijayaratne and his wife listened to the speeches of the condolence
motion of his father, the Late Nissanka Wijeyaratne in May last year,
while being in the Speaker's gallery. Today even before the lapse of an
year after taking up his father's condolence motion, we have to take up
his condolence motion.
Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake: The Public Service is no
strange place for Late Mano Wijeyaratne. He was first elected to the
House in 1989, from the UNP party. Eventhough he was a strong UNPer,
understanding the need of the country, he decided to support President
Rajapaksa. He strengthened the hands of the President to eradicate
terrorism from Sri Lanka.
'Late Mano Wijeyeratne was a big brother to me'
Kabir Hashim (UNP): During the beginning of my political career, the
late Mano Wijeyeratne was like my big brother.
When I was defeated in 2004 at the election, Mano consoled me. Mano
was also one of our family friends.
Food Security Senior Minister P Dayaratne
Late Mano Wijeyeratne, was a disciplined and silent person.
He was a talented and a skilled politician.
He was a third generation politician from a famous political family.
He also worked as a secretary and proved his cleverness. He later
decided to contribute his service to the President to put a stop to the
terrorism menace. He joined in all discussions and his contributions
were commendable.
He actively participated in reducing road traffic accidents,
following the accident at Yangalmodara.
He held Sinhala Buddhism in esteem
Lakshman Kiriella (UNP):
Late Mano Wijeyeratne always held Sinhala, Buddhism in esteem. Even
in politics, he was thorough gentleman. His wife Bharathi Wijeyeratne
supported his in his political career.
He was a cordial friend to us
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha G Jayasena: Late Mano
Wijeyeratne, joined the government to support the government's process
of defeating terrorism.
He was a cordial friend to us and we called him 'brother'. We have
very rarely seen him talking aggressively in Parliament. He was able to
work with the government for only a short period of time.
He followed in his grandfather's footsteps
Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP):
Late Mano Wijeyeratne became a successful politician following in the
footsteps of his grandfather. He was a well read politician. He never
went to extremes. He maintained cordial relationships with members of
both Government and Opposition.
Even at his funeral, we observed that people from all political
parties attended the funeral to respect his great humanistic qualities.
I think his service rendered to reduce traffic accidents will prove
fruitful even in the future.
Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R
Mithrapala: We are aware that late Mano Wijeyeratne was a member of a
family with a historical background in Dedigama in the Kegalle district.
We can identify him as a person who rendered his services to the fullest
for the country. He joined the government to help defeat terrorism. He
never agreed to divide the country. Today I am sure his need will be
felt very strongly. He firmly maintained that one could not go to war
with a law book in his hand. I am sure that if he was alive today, he
would stand against all the pressures levelled against the country.
We worked together as young MPs
Ranjith Madduma Bandara (UNP):
In 1989, we as young members were elected to Parliament. Sarath
Ranawaka, Mano Wijeyeratne ad I, worked together in Parliament as young
members.
Now, both of them are no more. I never even thought that I would have
to join his condolence motion so soon.
He was a humble person and a honest politician. He led a simple life
and was a clean politician.
I am able to remember the time who were discussing until 1.00 a.m the
previous day he joined the government. But our friendship continued up
to his demise. He had a good family life with his wife Bharathi
Wijeyeratne. He was a sensitive husband and a sensitive father to his
children.
He was a common man's politician
Social Services Minister Felix Perera: Late Mano Wijeyaratne,
obtained the highest votes from the Dedigama seat. He did not unduly
worry over his defeat at the elections.
P Rajathurei takes the Chair.
Sajith Premadasa (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was an exemplary
politician who barely expressed his feelings. There was humanity in all
his actions. He placed his personal agenda aside while giving prominence
to serve the people.
Mano was humble and down to earth
Social Integration and National Languages Minister Vasudeva
Nanayakkara: Late Mano Wijeyaratne never upheld extreme politics. He
wanted to serve the people at his best. He had national feelings. He was
a pleasant person who was extremely humble and down to earth.
Thalatha Athukorala (UNP): He had a rich easthetic taste and was a
sensitive person. I met him about two weeks before his demise. I also
wish to remind the great strength extended by his wife in all his
dealings.
J R P Sooriyapperuma (UPFA): I gave ear to appreciations and praises
from both sides of the well today, when the condolence motion of late
Mano Wijeyaratne was taken up today. It is a rare common fact in this
House that members on both sides speak with such enthusiasm at a
condolence motion.
D M Swaminathan (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne represented the third
generation of family ties that we had in this House.
He was a close associate of mine. I resided for two months in his
house during riots.
Kanaka Herath (UPFA): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was born in Rambukkana,
and my father also hailed from the same region. Both late Wijeyaratne
and my father were good friends. Late Wijeyaratne represented the House
for over two decades. He never had political enemies.
Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): This is the first time that I speak during
a condolence motion and several months ago I did not even dream that it
would be on behalf of Mano Wijeyaratne. He was my classmate.
A politician in the making was seen even during his school days. He
was frequently surrounded by friends.
A kind-hearted person
A H M Azwer (UPFA): I rise in this august assembly today, to pay my
respects to one of my dearest friends, the Late Mano Wijeyaratne. He had
a very kind heart and he never forgot anybody. He promoted handicrafts
from Palmyrah trees. He was a close acquaintance of many Muslim schools.
Deputy Chairman
of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.
He was a gentleman devoid of extremism and racism
Dr Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was one of my
close friends. I got to know him as a senior member of our party.
He was a real gentleman, devoid of extremism, racism and political
revengefulness.
Public Management Reforms Minister Navin Dissanayake
I am sure his fragrance would linger on. The good deed commenced by
him would be continued by his family members.
He was elected to Parliament with a number of young members from the
UNP. He was appointed the State Minister of Plantations by the then
President R. Premadasa. However, he could not complete his work.
Mano Wijeratne always maintained that the UNP had to be progressive,
when he was in the UNP. Sajith had suggested sometime back that the
leadership of the UNP should be elected and not selected.
I seconded it and Mano was on our side. However a group of UNPers
including Mano and myself, decided to join the government to support the
defeat of terrorism. It was successful.
Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena: The
late Mano Wijeyeratne, was always a cordial friend. He never acted in a
manner to be insulted by any.
The most rare features of a politician was to be loved by both
supporters as well as the opponents. But Mano Wijeyeratne, was able to
achieve it.
His wife Barathi Wijeyeratne, had been a great support to Mano. She
would be leaving for Turkey in a few days time to take up duties as the
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Turkey. She too has rendered a great service
to the South, when the South was affected by the tsunami. He was a
thorough gentlemen.
May he attain Nibbana. Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumara
Murugesu in Chair: I request that copies of the condolence motion be
sent to the bereaved family members of late Mano Wijeyeratne.
Parliament adjourned until 1 p.m to day.
Dy Minister Lalith Dissanayake to Chair Public Petitions Committee
Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday, announced in Parliament that
Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake, had been appointed the
chairman of the Public Petitions Committee.
He was appointed to this post when it fell vacant following the
resignation of former Chairman Janaka Priyantha Bandara.
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