PARLIAMENT

Condolence messages:

ADJL Leo initiated many power, water supply projects - Minister Nimal Siripala

Irangika RANGE, Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.00 pm yesterday.

After the presentation of papers and oral questions the House took up votes of condolences of ex-MPs late A.D.J.L. Leo, late S.Sivamaharajah and late Edmund Wijesuriya.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister and the Leader of the House Nimal Siripala

Today, I present the condolence motion of the ex-MP A.D.J.L. Leo. He was an ayurvedic doctor. He was born on April 07 1922. He had three sisters and a brother. He had four daughters and a son.

He entered Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena to learn Sinhala and Sanskrit Languages in 1942. In 1944, he entered Indigenous Medical College and studied indigenous medicine further. In 1948, he obtained the degree from the Medical University of Western Kolkata. He returned to the country in 1949 and started a medical centre in Pamunugama, the same place where his father worked.

He engaged in active politics as a staunch SLFP member while bearing positions in many associations and societies. He entered Parliament in 1970 General Election as a member of representing the Wattala seat.

During that time, he participated in Afro-Asia Conference as the Sri Lankan representative.

He initiated many power and water projects and built new schools and hospitals. He improved road facilities in the area and initiated the construction of bridges.

He lived to be 84 years and died on August 6 2006. I suggest that this condolence motion to sent to his family members.

John Amaratunga (UNP)

He was an ayurvedic doctor and very dedicated to his profession. We joined politics at the same time. He went abroad to study medicine at Western Kolkata. He then returned to the country in 1949, and started practicing at his father’s place.

During 1960 and 1965, he was the SLFP Chief Organizer. He made sacrifices for the party’s victory.

He was appointed the leader of several companionship societies. He was a brave leader and was an honest person.

He lived for 84 years and died on August 6 but his service to the nation will be remembered by all, and his name will be written in gold in history.

Sarath Gunaratne (UPFA): He was senior ex-MP that associated my father closely.

He had no aim to come to Parliament. He was involved in volleyball and in social activities in his village.

He was a real SLFP member. He carried out the Bandaranaike policy forward.

He understood the hardships of the people and was very close to them. Anyone could meet him at any time, and he had a good heart.

Pamunugama experienced a rural revival during his time.

The Pamunugama school and Leo ground bear testimony to this.

Due to his activities carried we were continuously able to win the Wattala and Negombo seats. They were UNP strongholds earlier.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): He was a real public servant who loved the people. He entered Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena and had his education in the Pali and Sanskrit education. He then went for further medical studies to India.

It is in 1960, that he first contested a General Election. He was good debater. He was not a revengeful person. He was a father of five.

We convey our condolences to his family and friends herewith.

Pandu Bandaranayaka (UPFA):

He was elected to Parliament in 1970 for the first time in the Samagi Front Government.

He joined the ‘Shanthi Nikethana’ and learnt music in addition to pursuing his medical career.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

He had rendered a great service for the labour force. He did not pursue politics as a job but made his contribution to the country.

We express our condolences to his family members.

Joseph Micheal Perera (UNP):

I agree with the facts presented by the other Members of Parliament regarding former MP Leo.

He was a humble doctor and was a silent worker. He engaged in the medical profession not to earn money but to provide a service to the people.

Even today, we encounter some indigenous doctors who do not ask for money after treatment. They just take whatever is given to them.

He was also a good debater.

There is a clear difference considering the State of Parliament today and in the past. The debates in Parliament were carried in a decent manner and with decorum.

We can take many good examples from his life. He was a down-to-earth person and was very humble. No one can call him a rogue or fraudster. He lived an honourable life.

His family was not swollen headed. They were very humble and moved with the people. I express my condolences to his family.

Minister of Social Services, Felix Perera:

He entered politics in 1970. It is at that the same time that the saviour of our country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa entered politics. Even Athauda Seneviratne and Vasudewa Nanayakkara entered politics during the same period.

There is a saying which goes like this, the best way to love people except by religion is by politics. But it should be done in a proper manner. He gave lands to the needy people and these people are still paying gratitude to him while remembering him with honour.

When we talk about his service, we can go on and on. He built the ‘Leo ground’ and ‘Leo community village’. A number of other projects were also initiated by him.

He was also close to the Arts. I express my condolences to his family and friends.

Murugesu Chandra Kumara: I personally join with the condolences made in the House and order to send copies of the condolences to his family members.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister and Leader of the House - Nimal Siripala de Silva: I present today the condolence motion of ex-MP late S Sivamaharajah to Parliament.

He was born on June 20, 1938 in Jaffna as a Hindu. He had an interest over politics and entered politics as the Private Secretary of TULF Leader A Amirthalingam.

He then joined ‘EROS’ organization as an active member and contested 1989 General Election from the Jaffna District as a member of an independent group. He first entered Parliament on July 17, 1989.

He resigned from the MP’s post in 1990 and re-entered Parliament at the 2000 General Election.

He then became a member of Tamil Arasu Kachchi. He did not participate in any rally organized by the LTTE. He died on August 20, 2006 by falling victim to a LTTE shell attack.

I suggest that we send the condolences of this House to his family.

M S Senathirajah (TNA): Both Sivamaharajah and I represent the same seat.

We were able to work with him on many occasions regarding many social activities. He gave his support for the liberation of Tamils and worked with determination over it. We also jointed to support him as the TNA.

He used the corporative sector as a mean to serve the people. He worked a lot and even contested corporative elections.

He was elected to Parliament in 1989. That era was a very difficult one. Therefore, he had to face many challenges. I extend my condolences to the motion presented today.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): Siva Maharajah was elected MP for the Jaffna District in 1989. He was an active campaigner of rights of the people displaced due to the conflict.

DM Swaminathan (UNP): Sinnathambi Sivamaharajah lived in Thelippalei close to the Darkai Amman Kovil. He was a great devotee and helped the Kovil and the people. He was a journalist of repute. Most were mourned by his tragic death. He was also a great politician in the region.

AHM Azwer (UPFA): People are born and die. That is a normal phenomenon. But only few people are praised by others. Sivamaharajah falls into this rare category. He was a very strong TNA activist. Due to the gun culture in this country lost many Tamil leaders. Amarthalingam and Sivasithambaram were also among them. Due to terrorism the Muslims were also chased away from Jaffna by the LTTE.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa eliminated terrorism from this country and the Sinhala and Muslim people can visit those areas. Namal Rajapaksa MP also visited schools in the North. Condolence motion of former Parliamentarian for Nuwara Eliya District Edmond Wijesuriya was also moved at the Parliament yesterday.

Nimal Siripala de Silva (Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister):

He represented the people in Maskeliya Electorate in Nuwara Eliya District as an MP.

He was born on June 21, 1909 to Don Aranolis Wijesuriya and Nancy Nona Wijesuriya. He was a student of St John’s College, Panadura and Ananda College in Colombo.

In 1954 he was appointed as the Home Affairs Minister. He was married to Chandra Kumar who was the daughter of Senate Chairman A Ratnayake. They were the parents of Dinesh Wijesuriya and Kamalika Ratnayake.

Edmond Wijesuriya joined UNP and commenced his political career. He contested the 1956 General Election but could not be elected. He joined the SLFP in late 50s and elected as a MP for Maskeliya in 1960. In 1964 he sat with the Opposition and joined the UNP again. Later he was elected as an MP for the second time in 1965.

He established the new Maskeliya city, the Maskeliya General Hospital and also constructed many roads and bridges as an MP. This great political leader died on October 03, 2006.

Ajith P Perera (UNP):

If we consider the age of Edmond Wijesuriya he was elder even to my father. But as an Attorney I met him long ago. When I met him I did not know he was a Parliamentarian. But later he revealed it to me and said he did not have any idea to join politics.

But when I consider his personality, knowledge and ability to take proper decisions it is no wonder that the people in Nuwara Eliya elected him as their representative. The people of such qualities are very rare.

S P Rajadurai (UPFA):

Edmond Wijesuriya was a tea estate owner. While he was a Parliamentarian he rendered service to the people in Nuwara Eliya especially in Maskeliya. He had developed hospitals, roads and many other things in Nuwara Eliya.

Deputy Speaker Priyankara Jayaratna instructed the Secretary General to send the reports of the condolence motion to the family members of Edmond Wijesuriya.

The House was adjourned until 10 a.m. today.

President in House

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Parliament complex yesterday to participate in the Consultative Committee Meetings of the Defence Ministry and the Ports and Aviation Ministry.

He participated in these meetings as the Minister of the above ministries. For the Consultative Committee Meetings led by the President, committee members, ministers and MPs participated with the senior officials including secretariat of the ministries.

After the meeting the President also joined with the Government and Opposition Mps to have lunch.

He was seen son engaged in a friendly talk with MPs Tissa Attanayaka, Lakshman Seneviratne and Mangala Samaraweera.

He had spent a longtime discussing with the MPs and Ministers after lunch at the President’s official room at the Parliament Complex.

Over 19,000 prisoners freed under Presidential pardon

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Deputy Minister Wijithamuni Soysa said in Parliament yesterday a total of 19,271 prisoners were freed under Presidential pardon between 2005 and this year.

The Deputy Minister revealed this in response to a question raised by DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti.

Asked to state to the House a list of names along with the offences committed by the pardoned prisoners, the Deputy Minister asked for a month’s time.

“We need to gather this information from different prisons, so it will take some time,” Deputy Minister Zoysa said.

DNA Parliamentary Group Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake got up and said that they cannot thank the Ministry fully because the answer was only half and the other half of gratitude would be expressed once the complete answer is received.

At adjournment:

No decision to discontinue Sub Post Masters

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Post and Telecommunication Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday that the Government has not taken any policy decision to discontinue the service of 460 Sub Post Masters.

The Deputy Minister was responding to the adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana.

Buddhika Pathirana (UNP): The Government must take action to confirm 460 Sub Post Masters in their posts. They are facing the risk of losing their jobs. They have served as Sub Post Masters for the last 20 to 30 years.

They have filed a Court case seeking the justice. You must take measures to recruit the people who have the required qualifications.

Please follow a proper recruitment procedure and conduct a competitive examination and recruit them in their posts.

Sunil Handunnetti (JVP): These Sub Post Masters have served for 20 to 30 years.

They are unable to find new jobs. They are undergoing great hardships. A number of Sub Post Offices are operating with many difficulties.

These 460 Sub Post Masters are faced with the risk of losing their jobs now. You must take action to confirm them in their posts.

We want to know why the Government would not confirm them in their posts. Most of them have been supporters of the Government. They ensured your victory at the past elections. Please confirm them in their positions. Please let them sit a competitive examination and recruit them.

Post and Telecommunication Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake: We have not taken any decision to sack them from their posts. We are looking into the matter of confirming them in their posts.

Some of them have not sat for the relevant examinations. People who did not sit for the exam will not be confirmed. We have decided to conduct a competitive exam before recruiting them. We will not dismiss them from their posts. The only obstruction is the Court verdict. Former Post Minister Prof GL Peiris submitted a Cabinet Paper to absorb these people into the permanent cadre.