Anura occupies unique place in political world - PM

COLOMBO: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday expressing his profound grief at the passing away of Anura Bandaranaike said the late Minister was lost to the Nation at a time when it needed his service the most.

Issuing a condolence message, the Premier noted that the late Bandaranaike occupied a unique place in both local and international politics by virtue of being the son of two Prime Ministers and also having had a sister as the country’s Executive President.

The political background in which he was nurtured from his formative years groomed young Anura to achieve statesmanship and present himself as a mature politician.

Entering Parliament from the multi-member Nuwara-Eliya Maskeliya Constituency, Bandaranaike never hesitated to speak out his views in terms of his political philosophy.

Although certain decisions taken by him brought about different political results the efforts he made to bring his party to power as a young politician was truly great.

Having being elected Speaker by the unanimous choice of the entire Parliament, he adorned that office with great distinction winning the respect and regard of all parties, the message stated.

The Premier noted that Bandaranaike also held Ministerial office under various Governments including SLFP led regimes while also showing his maturity as a Leader of the Opposition.

Other than the enemy of ill health, he had no other enemy in the political field. However that enemy which laid him low also snuffed out the future political light in a most cruel way.