Death of Mohan Ellawala:

An exit of a humanist

The death of Sabaragamuwa Province Governor Mohan Saliya Ellawala is nothing but an exit of a great humanist and also a sincere politician, said Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne.

The late Mohan Saliya Ellawala was born on November 9, 1948 and entered into SLFP politics by becoming the private secretary to former Agriculture Minister Hector Kobbekaduwa in 1972. Ever since he had been a loyal SLFP Activist who served the people of Sabaragamuwa Province until his demise a few days ago.

He was first elected as an Urban Councillor for Balangoda UC in 1991 and was an active force against the UNP's political activities in the area during 1977-1994.

He contested and won the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Election in 1993 and became the Chairman of the Council in 1999. He became the Provincial Minister of Local Government, Cooperatives, Housing, Highways, Power and Energy in 2001 and won the Chief Minister of the Province during 2001-2004. During these eventful years, he rendered a yeoman service to Balangoda electorate in Particular and to the entire district in general.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed him the Sabaragamuwa Province Governor in 2009 in appreciation of his devoted service to the people in the Province.

The loss of a person in the calibre of the late Mohan Saliya Ellawala is irreplaceable. The unstinted cooperation he extended to me in both public service and party politics is highly appreciable, he said. I also appreciate his efforts to develop Balangoda electorate which he cherished right throughout his careers.

This sincere and simple minded friend deserves a unique position in the political and social arena of the country, the Minister said.

I join the people of Sabaragamuwa in mourning the death of this great humanist. I also extend my condolences to the family members of my bosom friend the late Mohan Saliya Ellawala. May he attain Nibbana.