PARLIAMENT

Condolence messages:

'D. P. Wickramasinghe exhibited his humane qualities by helping July 1983 strikers'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the condolence motion on the late Minister D P Wickramasinghe

Leader of the House, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I move the condolence motion of the late Parliamentarian and Minister Deshabandu D P Wickramasinghe.

The late Minister D P Wickramasinghe was born on February 8 in 1930 in Kurunegala to the family of Diunugallage Stephen, the then Village Headman (Gammuladeni). After his secondary education, he entered the Teachers' Training College where he was appointed to St Mary's College, Veyangoda in 1952 and later transferred to Trinity College in Kandy.

A special juncture in the late D P Wickramasinghe's political life was his visit to SWRD Bandaranaike at Horagolla along with the school's boy scouts.

He was an eloquent speaker in the English language and was the President of the Volleyball Federation of the Kurunegala District. He was also a good ruggerite and a footballer.

He married Nancy Senehelatha Jayaratne in 1958. His son, Neranjan Wickramasinghe, is a Parliamentarian from the Kurunegala District. The late D P Wickramasinghe was the father of two daughters, Lakmini and Nilmini.

He was elected at the Local Government Elections in 1953. He was elected President of the Pilessa Gamsabha. He was also elected President of the Gamsabha President's Federation and held the post for 17 years. He was elected to Parliament from Mawathagama in July 1960 and re-elected to Parliament in 1970, where he was appointed as the Tourism and Aviation Services Deputy Minister. He took steps to establish the shipping company, where the government could boast of owning 12 ships including Lanka Rani due to that initiative. He also took measures to develop the Hotel Corporation, where he provided employment to the youth to eliminate unemployment problems among them. He also played a key role in developing irrigation and agriculture. He distributed land in extent of 5,000 acres among the poor and developed co-operative villages.

He established the Sinhapura Village for the Muslims. The late D P Wickramasinghe exhibited his humane qualities by providing an allowance to the July 1983 strikers who lost their employment.

The late D P Wickramasinghe was a Christian but honoured Buddhism as well as other religions. This great politician passed away on January 25, 2007 and I suggest that our heartfelt condolences be conveyed to the members of his family.

John Amaratunga (UNP): I made his acquaintance during the COPE Committee in Parliament when we were in the Opposition. He was the Chairman then. Although he was the Chairman, he behaved democratically. I appreciate his services rendered to the country.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: I knew him from the time he was a teacher at Trinity College in Kandy. He actually was a leading politician in Kurunegala, who faced many challenges in his district along with ordinary people he represented.

He joined politics in 1958 by being elected as a Member of the Gamsabha. He was the Chairman of that Gamsabha.

As an athlete he went overseas and brought fame to Sri Lanka. He helped the ordinary people to climb up the social ladder.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): He was a great politician of my district. I have associated with him on several occasions. He worked hard to uplift volleyball in the Kurunegala District by establishing the Kurunegala District Volleyball Federation.

He was politician, villager and farmer in his village.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: The late D P Wickramasinghe was a politician who attempted to eliminate social injustice.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

I could relate just one experience which took place in 1974. When I was a member of a trade union in the Ports Authority, Minister Wickramasinghe acted in a fair manner where the trade unions agreed to support him. His behaviour was a great benefit to the development of the Colombo Harbour. Lakshman Kiriella (UNP): He was one of the gentlemen in politics who associated with everybody irrespective of politics.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister WDJ Seneviratne: The late D P Wickramasinghe was born in a village, grew up in a village and joined politics from a village, after teaching in schools such as Trinity College in Kandy.

He was elected to Parliament in July 1965 for the first time from Mawathagama. Employees of the Port still talk of him with gratitude, as the Minister who took measures to provide them with lunch, free-of-charge. The late D P Wickramsinghe had a positive vision for social development. He introduced a plan to takeover the private schools by the government.

Consumer Welfare Minister S B Nawinna: He showed his leadership qualities as a politician even at the last stage of his life.

He was a good volleyball player as well as a ruggerite.

His son Neranjan Wickramasinghe following the footsteps of his father, was appointed as the SLFP Chief Organizer for Mawathagama and was elected to Parliament. He took initiatives to establish schools and many factories in the country. Specially he established the Mawathagama Tiles Factory for his people.

Urban Affairs Minister A H M Fowzie: His demise is an irreparable loss to the country at a time his service were needed for the country's development. He was a silent worker in politics and proved that he was a friendly person. He was the one who took measures to establish a village to the landless people in Kurunegala.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): I could still remember that when some persons protested against Sirimavo Bandaranaike being elected prime minister by stating that women could not bear such offices. D P Wickramasinghe extended his support from the Kurunegala District.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: The late D P Wickramasinghe was a senior politician in our area. There were crowds when one wins and a party wins. But when a party fails for long, there were very few who stood for that party. But D P Wickramasinghe had that quality not to abandon his friends when they were in trouble.

He was a democratic political leader who rendered a great service to Mawathagama.

Education Deputy Minister Vijayamuni Zoysa: The late D P Wickramasinghe made a valuable speech during the debate to takeover private schools by the government.

Public Relations Minister Dr. Mervin Silva:

The late D.P. Wickramasinghe was a resourceful person who always lived with the people and committed his entire life to serve the people. He had great human qualities and loved the SLFP

National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Jagath Balasooriya: Late Minister D.P. Wickremasinghe, was a very simple man and lived a charmed life.

He enjoyed much of his private life. He was always humorous.

He had no interest in foreign tours and was always committed to fulfill the social responsibilities. He was called the lion of the Western Province.

Late Minister Wickremasinghe, was always determinded to protect the policies of the regime under late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Cultural Affairs Minister T.B. Ekanayake: Late Minister D.P. Wickremasinghe was closely associated with the rural people. He rendered yeoman service to uplift the living standards of the rural people. As a former Tourism Minister, he did a great service to promote tourism in Sri Lanka. He was also a good sportsman.

As a former chairman of the Volleyball Federation, he did his best to uplift the game in Sri Lanka

Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayke: Late Minister D.P. Wickremasinghe, rendered great service to the country. People of this country were still speaking about his great qualities. As a provincial councillor and minister, he was committed to serve the people. The people have never forgotten his services.

Victor Anthony (UPFA): He was a person with humane qualities. A courages politician, his services were remarkable and never forgotten by the people.

R. Yogarajan (UNP): Late Minister D.P. Wickremasinghe, was so cooperative, he always spoke to the people and recognized their needs. He dedicated himself to solve the problems of the public in his entire political career.

Niranjan Wickramsinghe (UPFA): I am committed to bring forward my late father's policies to serve the people of Mawathagama. My late father when he was alive instructed and gave me courage to carry out my political work. He always instructed me to serve the Mawathagama people.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPFA): Late Minister D.P. Wickramasinghe, had a long and strong friendship with me. He had a warm and cordial relationship with the Muslims, which I really appriciate.

The House took up the condolence vote of late UNP Minister Harry Abeydeera.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: Late Minister Harry Abeydeera, rendered a great service to promote the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka.

He also instrumentally contributed to revive the paper factory in Embilipitiya.

He always stood for the rights of the employees of the Embilipitiya Paper Factory.

A number of facilities to hospitals schools and other community based institutions were improved under his leadership. As an advisor of the Fisheries Ministry, he served all communities despite political, colour, race and creed differences of the people. He rendered a great service to the Hambantota people. He is still alive in the hearts of them. He represented the UNP and always stood for its policies.

'His entire life was committed to serve the public'

Opposition Leader Ranil Wckremesinghe: Late Minister Harry Abeydeera was engaged in active politics in the Hambantota District. His entire life had been committed to serve the public. He never considered political affiliations, when he was serving the people. He had a deep knowledge of the fisheries sector.

He utilized his knowledge for the promotion of the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: He rendered a great service to his electorate. His vision was serving the people. He had served the people of this country for over 54 years, irrespective of party, race, colour or creed. He always protected his party and its leadership.

Public Relations Minister Dr. Mervin Silva: We were very good friends. He was able to serve the people while having the death warrant of the JVP in his hand during the terror era. He had great humane qualities which have been lost to Sri Lanka. He was an everlasting figure.

John Amaratunga (UNP): Late UNP Minister Harry Abeydeera, dedicated his entire life for the services of the people. He was a true democratic politician. He gave due respect to the party leadership and was committed to protect party policies.

Nirupama Rajapaksa (UPFA): He rendered yeoman service to the people and the Hambantota District. He represented the people in a bold manner. His services were never forgetten by the people of Hambantota.

A H M Azwer in Chair.

The copies of the condolence motion should be sent to the Members of Harry Abeydeera. Now we take the condolence motion of late Parliamentarian Meril Fernando.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena: I move the condolence motion of the late Parliamentarian Meril Fernando who represented the Moratuwa electorate.

Meril Fernando was born on April 18, 1923 to the family of Koranelis Fernando in Koralawella in Moratuwa.

He started his education from Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa and entered the Colombo University.

He also passed the Intermediate Examination of the London University. He later entered the Maharagama Teachers' Training College and was qualified as a teacher of English.

He was married to Vimala Fernando and fathered two children. He joined the Lanka Sama Samaja Party in 1942.

He was also influenced by his brother, former Panadura Parliamentarian Harry Pieris who was attached to the Lanka Sama Samaja Party.

He joined trade union actions. He left the teaching profession in 1950 to engage in politics and rejoined it the following year.

But, in 1951, he was elected as the representative of the people of Koralawella in the Moratuwa Urban Council. Although he was imprisoned for a period of three weeks for joining the hartal in 1953 against the increasing rice price.

But he was acquitted without calling for evidence of the defence.

He was elected to Parliament in 1956 for the first time and re-elected in 1960 July election. He could speak eloquently in both Sinhala and English.

He set up the Viplawakari Sama Samaja Party due to a theoretical conflict within the party.

He contributed immensely to the magazine Revolutionary History and What's Next in England and in local newspapers.

He never used a motor car, but used public transport. A simple and humble politician, Meril Fernando dedicated his entire life for the common man, died in May 2007 at the age of 84 years.

Meril Fernando was a greater second row politician in the Sama Samaja Party.

Even the house he was born was historical due to his uncle being arrested by the British rulers for printing a newspaper in the Sinhala language for the Sinhala community.

Meril Fernando joined politics from the Moratuwa Urban Council. In 1956, he was elected to Parliament. He was a leader of the working class and the common people.

Eric Prasanna Weerawardena takes the Chair.

Y G Padmasiri (UPFA): Meril Fernando was glued to the policies of socialism. He represented the poor in this country.

Human Resources Minister DEW Gunasekera: During his political life, he always hated the perks and privileges gained from politics.

He was an idol of honesty. Although we had policy differences, he was a friendly person.

The benefits and privileges enjoyed by the workers in this country, were gained thanks to politicians like Meril Fernando.

He was a great orator and a teacher of English.

A H M Azwer (UPFA): Meril was committed to support the downtrodden masses and the working class.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

He moved with the poor and worked with the poor. He was the representative of the children of the farmers. He was an exemplary teacher as well. He was a journalist and wrote the truth.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody: I order the Secretary General of Parliament to send copies of the motion to the family members of Meril Fernando.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said in Parliament yesterday, that the Government would provide alternative land to the people affected by landslides.

The Minister was responding to the Adjournment motion moved by UPFA MP Y.G. Padmasiri, with regard to landslides in Kegalle.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera

Natural disasters could occur any time due to a number of environmental and social factors.

Landslides have become a problem in Sri Lanka. A number of people have been adversely affected by landslides. Many people have become displaced due to landslides.

We have initiated a programme to provide alternative land to those displaced. The Economic Development Ministry would provide financial assistance to build their houses.

Eric Prasanna (UPFA)

Landslides occurs due to mainly man made disasters. We have to formulate proper mechanism to mitigate natural disasters, including man made disasters.

Mohamed Aslam (UPFA)

Many parts of the country had been inundated due to floods caused by heavy rains.

People living in such areas face greater difficulties.

Y.G. Padmasiri (UPFA)

Now the country is facing problems of landslides. Specially in Kegalle District this problem is becoming severe. Most of the areas in the district were prone to landslides. People were living in fear. So solutions should be found to address this issue.

The House was adjourned until 1 p.m. today.