'SWRD would be gratefully remembered'

Rasika Somarathna and Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama Special in Medumulana

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paying a glowing tribute to the late Premier S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike on his 50th death anniversary said the contributions made by the former SLFP leader to the country would be gratefully remembered by the people for ever.

Addressing a cross-section of Government officials and people of the area at Medamulana on Saturday the President added that along with SWRD, his wife former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike too would be fondly remembered by the people for her contributions.

The President going down the memory lane said it was his father the late Minister D.A. Rajapaksa and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who had crossed the divide of the House first breaking ranks with the then governing UNP, which was instrumental in creating the SLFP, SWARD was assassinated on september 26, 1959 into his 3rd year in office.