Last respects:

House mourns for Minister Dodangoda

Uditha Kumarasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his last respects to Justice and Law Reforms Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda at the Parliament complex yesterday.

A large number of Government Ministers, Opposition Parliamentarians and Foreign dignitaries had gathered at the Parliamentary complex to pay their last respects to the Minister who was known by all Government and Opposition MPs as a true politician represented the Parliament from Southern Province.

The remains were received by the President, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Government and Opposition MPs at the Parliament entrance. Later the remains were kept at the Parliament complex to pay the last respects for the politicians, foreign dignitaries and the Parliament staff. Forces personnel kept vigil at the bier.

President Rajapaksa expressed his deepest sympathies to the family members of Minister Dodangoda. The remains of the Minister were taken to his Karapitiya residence. Government and Opposition Parliamentarians described the late Minister as a very honest and dedicated politician who always attempted to safeguard the dignity and decorum of the House.

They said the demise of the Minister is an irreparable loss to the Government and the entire country.