Lion of Ruhuna remembered

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: The 110th birth anniversary of the late D.M. Rajapaksa was commemorated with the ceremonial issue of a postage stamp and the cancellation of the 'First Day Cover' under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and participation of Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Ministers and other dignitaries at Temple Trees yesterday.

Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister DEW Gunasekera delivering the main commemoration speech, said he was speaking about the late D.M. Rajapaksa from data collected about him from various reports.

He had been popularly known as the 'Lion of Ruhuna' and a great National leader of social liberation, a brave leader of the Govi-Kamkaru (Peasant/Labour) masses of Ruhuna in particular.

He had led the struggle against imperialism and aristocracy which suppressed the downtrodden people of his time, especially in Ruhuna.

Minister Gunasekera referring to past Hansard reports, lauded the yeoman service by the late D. A. Rajapaksa and his son the late George Rajapaksa to the country and people of Ruhuna.

Former Secretary General of Parliament and Ombudsman Sam P.C. Wijesinghe in his address said the late D.M. Rajapaksa was a charitable person who treated and cared for all the people he associated with, as his own kith and kin.

He was an unassuming politician who served his people with enthusiasm and commitment without seeking wealth and other material benefits or ministerial posts.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara said the day was a special day in the life of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who had, unlike others, not forgotten his origins and the past, but spontaneously taken an interest to pay tribute to those who warranted and deserved such accolades.