President condoles on Tyronne Fernando's death

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a condolence message to Tehani Mathew, daughter of former Foreign Minister and Presidential advisor Tyronne Fernando, states:

"Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of your father, Tyronne, a distinguished son of Sri Lanka who was known to me both as a friend and parliamentary colleague.

Tyronne, scion of the great patriot and national hero Veera Puran Appu, served the country with distinction as a Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Governor of the former North East Province.

I have known him as a keen and convivial Member of Parliament, who was able to transcend the barriers of party politics in the larger interest of service to the country.

Prior to his entry into politics, Tyronne has made his mark in the legal profession both in the Official and Unofficial Bar, which saw his later elevation as a President's Counsel.

With liberal views from his student days in the UK, he had a keen interest in journalism and the media, and will be remembered for the role he played in liberalising the electronic media as the Minister for Information.

A keen sportsman, his contribution to development of Cricket in Sri Lanka as President of the Board of Control for Cricket will be etched in the annals of the history of this popular sport.

At the time of his demise, he was a Presidential Advisor, whose friendship, insight and candor I valued.

I will always cherish the memory of his warm and amiable personality. May he rest in Peace."