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| Tuesday, 3 February 2004 |
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Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Policy on education, health and transport must not be affected despite change of governments - Mahinda Rajapakse Mawathagama group correspondent Despite change of governments and ministers the national policy on education, health and transport should remain unaffected, said Opposition Leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony held at the Mawatagama MMU to felicitate the former Minister of Cooperatives, D. P. Wickremasingha on his completion of 50 years as a politician. He said Mr. Wickremesinghe who started his public life as a VC Chairman eventually rose to the position of a Cabinet Minister. In the party hierarchy he reacted the top when he was appointed senior vice president of the SLFP. Today he is felicitated by a grateful public of the valuable services he has rendered to the electorate. He was also an ardent follower of the Bandaranaike policies in that he wanted to protect the national assets. Being a Christian, he maintained cordial relations with the Maha Sangha and the Buddhist community. Today there is a cultural erosion as witnessed by the unsavoury depictions in the Rupavahini and the dramas. Time is therefore ripe to stem the tide and concentrate on the development of the country. Wickremesinghe kept his composure in triumph and defeat alike. It is a rare quality of a politician to be emulated by the posterity. In his capacity as President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Association he toured many countries with his team. Whenever there was a by-election he used to harness all the forces available to the task of securing victory. This gathering which comprises Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities wish him long life, he concluded. PA General Secretary, D. M. Jayaratne said Wickremasinghe started his political career as a VC Chairman and rendered his services to the people without discrimination. He functioned as the SLFP livewire of the Kurunegala district. Among the significant services rendered by him, his contribution to racial harmony stands out. Former Deputy Cultural Affairs Minister A. V. Suraweera said it was a creditable achievement for a politician to remain in active politics for a period of half century which Wickremasinghe has accomplished. Right through he was sticked to his political convictions, closely associated with the progressive forces of the country. Provincial Councillor, Neranjan Wickremasinghe commended the grateful public who felicitated his father for the services rendered by him. In the interest of his political party he had in many instances faced violent confrontations from his enemies in the political field, he said. Wayamba Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe and Kurunegala District MP, S. B. Navinna also spoke. Venerable Members of Maha Sangha, several Members of Parliament, Wayamba Governor, Siripala Jayaweera, Provincial Councillors and PS members participated. Five hundred pairs of spectacles and school books were presented to mark the occasion. |
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