Kalugalle’s influence on the SLFP will stand as a beacon

B. W. Eheliyagoda Kegalle special correspondent

An illustrious son of Sabaragamuwa Province P. B. G. Kalugalle who entered Parliament in 1956 and continued in parliament for several decades, fell ill in the early 1980s.

P. B. G. Kalugalle breathed his last at the age of 87 years on November 21.

He was a SLFP stalwart whose presence in the party brought much credit and popularity to it. He represented Kegalle until the time he retired from politics. even then, his record of unparalelled services to the country rendered during his stewardship cannot be forgotten.

His career in the field of politics was exemplary and his career is worth emulating by politicians of all hues.

The services he rendered to the people specially in the Kegalle district and the projects he planned and implemented will continue to provide benefits to the public in the district for many generations to come.

Kalugalle held responsible ministries both under Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike creating an unparalelled record in all portfolios he held both under those renowned executive Prime Ministers, creating vast avenues of employment opportunities for all sections of the communities equally.

A great characteristic of this politician was that he treated all his supporters and opponents in a similar style.

He never went into the political affiliations of the public he recommended for employment in various fields of work in ministries that were under him.

P. B. G. Kalugalle was the only successful politician and the minister throughout the country who could provide jobs and a person could get into a job on the day of the interview for the respective employment for which the individual was interviewed.

Even the UNP candidates at that period of elections found no fault with this great people friendly Kalugalle, for creating and appointing men and women of suitability for employment then and there with one stroke of his pen.

Kegalle electorate became the stronghold of Minister Kalugalle and his presence in Kegalle not only influenced the triumph of SLFP candidates in Kegalle district but also the whole of Sabaragamuwa Province.

A number of schools which have become prominent and renowned today in Kegalle electorate and around were initiated by Kalugalle when he was Minister of Education.

He cleared the shrub lands levelled the mounds thus motorable roads and all infrastructure were created in no time and was dedicated to public use so skilfully where no politician was known to serve their respective electorates under any regime as Kalugalle during his hey day.

Kalugalle’s influence in Kegalle electorate is so much in a straight fight based on the earlier system of elections even today, Kalugalle’s influence on the SLFP will stand as a beacon light and that Kegalle electorate for ever will be a pocket borough of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party guaranteeing the SLFP victory in general elections in Sabaragamuwa.

May this pioneer SLFP politician in Kegalle (P. B. G. Kalugalle) attain the bliss of Nibbana.

‘Kalugalle’s death an irreparable loss’

The All Ceylon Union of English Teachers in a condolence message said, former Education Minister P.B.G. Kalugalle was a national hero who had the nation’s interest at heart more than the party. This was the very reason why a large number of students and teachers pay their tribute to him.

His demise is an irreparable loss to the entire country at the present juncture, a message signed by Secretary General of the Union by M.A. Stanley Perera said. The Union was ever grateful to the late Minister for the services he rendered to uplift the education services in the country.