Parliament

Richard Pathirana, exemplary politician

Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE

The condolence motion on former Leader of the House and Minister, Richard Pathirana continued yesterday in Parliament.

UPFA Parliamentarian A. H. M. Azwer continued from where he left on May 7 when the Parliament adjourned sittings.

A. H. M. Azwer (UPFA): Richard Pathirana was a very disciplined Leader of the House and Minister. He always worked in line with the Standing Orders. Richard Pathirana played a very important role in building a close relationship between Sinhala and Muslim communities.

Rauf Hakeem (SLMC): He employed as a teacher for 23 years and later as a principal. Since 1983 he represented the Akmeemana people. He, as the Higher Education Minister did a revolutionary change in the education sector.

Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake: Once when I went to meet him around 6 a.m. in front of his residence there were about 500 people. They were preparing their meals. When I talked to them I learnt that they were there since previous night.

Although how much harsh he talked to his people, he was a politician who worked at top level for his people. So people always rallied round him.

Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando: The people in Galle have appreciated late Richard Pathirana’s service. That is why they have elected his son to this august assembly.

Sajin Vaas Gunawardene (UPFA): He was a giant in the UPFA and in the education field. He lived for the people and worked for people so that he could develop the entire Galle district. He rendered a great service to develop the education sector.

Jagath Balasuriya (UPFA): When he was the Education Minister he rectified the salary anomalies of the teachers. So that certain teachers got their salary increments. He was a good story-teller. We longed to listen to his stories in the lobby of the Parliament when we did not have much work.

Technology and Research Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake: He was a politician who was dedicated to work.

He was the Education Minister who gave the three storied building to the only National School in Aranayake, my electorate.

Agriculture Deputy Minister Jagath Pushpakumara: Not only the people in Galle, people across the country loved him as he had rendered a great service to the country. He was the Education Minister who initiated a project to provide computers to remote schools in areas such as Moneragala Navodya schools. He also took steps to solve the teachers’ quarters issue.

Vidura Wickramanayaka (UPFA): We know there are various problems in education sector. During the period of Richard Pathirana as Education Minister so much of measures were taken to sort out such problems.

He was an exemplary character for us who are newly elected MPs. He always talked of a national policy for education.

If we can make such a national policy. I think that is the best tribute we can pay for him.

Professor Rajiva Wijesinha (UPFA): He never had racial discrimination and he took steps to develop education across the country.

He was a symbol of reforms in Parliament. He was the politician who established the North-Eastern University.

Chandrasiri Gajadheera (UPFA): When we establish the UPFA Government in 1994 Richard Pathirana played a pivotal role. He was an exemplary politician for us.

He was very firm when he took a decision.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): I can remember Richard Pathirana when as the Education Minister came to my electorate, Dambadeniya and took measures to solve problems in schools in that area. He solved much problems of Narammala Mayurapada Vidyalaya.

J. Sri Ranga (UNP): Richard Pathirana was a role model for politician. He served many schools in Estate sector without any discrimination.

When he received a letter from a Principal, late Pathirana contacted him over the phone and solved the problems immediately.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena: When I was elected to Parliament in 1989 late Richard Pathirana was the Chief Opposition Whip. He took steps to safeguard the rights of the members. After the remarkable service made by C.W.W. Kannangara to the education it was late Richard Pathirana who made a notable service to education.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): Both Government and the Opposition equally accepted that Richard Pathirana had rendered a great service to education as the Education Minister. He initiated his career as a teacher and he never kicked the ladder when he became a politician. But he solved the issues in the education field.

Deputy Speaker M. Chandrakumar ordered the copies of debate of condolence motion to be sent to the family members of late Richard Pathirana.