PARLIAMENT

Condolence motions on ex MPs Sarathchandra Rajakaruna, late (Mrs) Mallika de Mel and K.W. Kuruppuarachchi:

‘Late Rajakaruna dedicated his life to lift living standards of the people’

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody presided when Parliament met at 1.30 p.m yesterday.

After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up condolence motions of ex-MPs late Sarathchandra Rajakaruna, late (Mrs) Mallika de Mel and late K.W. Kuruppuarachchi.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): The late ex-MP Sarath Chandra Rajakaruna was a very humble and highly respected politician. He was born on June 23, 1940 and had his higher education at the Moratuwa Wales Kumara Vidyalaya. He held the position of Head Prefect in school. He had kind and humane qualities and dedicated his life for social work. He died at the age of 71 years. He was the UNP organizer for Dompe seat and the leader of the UNP group of the Gampaha District. He was the father of three daughters and a son. He led a simple life and was close to the people. I also thank his wife for her continuous support during his political career.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: Late MP Rajakaruna was a son from a wealthy family and was interrelated with the plantation industry.

He held several ministerial posts. While holding these responsibilities, he dedicated to lift the living standards of the people in his electorate. He mingled closely with the ordinary people and never hesitated to initiate social work.

John Amaratunga (UNP): Former Cabinet Minister Rajakaruna was a close friend of mine.

The Prime Minister’s poetry on ex- MP Rajakaruna, was an indication as to how he had earned the hearts of both his party members as well as opposition party members. He was a good friend to all who associated with him. He had a very special interest towards elephants.

National Heritages Minister Dr. Jagath Balasuriya: Former Minister Sarathchandra Rajakaruna was a close relative of mine. He was a very down to earth, simple, humble and pleasant human-being.

He was a loving husband, father, relative and a friend at the same time. He listened to the ideas of rival parties and respected them.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): As a member who represents the Gampaha district, I could associate with ex-MP Rajakaruna closely. He was our team’s leader and he took brave decisions at needy times. He extended humanity to all and did not hate anybody.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPFA): Late beloved member and friend, Rajakaruna, was a true politician and a devout Buddhist. At this moment, I admire his social work and political leadership. He was a simple person who moved freely with the villagers.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair

Ranjith Maddumabandara (UNP): Rajakaruna had been elected to the Provincial Council. There was hardly any house in the Dompe seat that ex-MP Rajakaruna had not visited. He led the UNP to victory in Dompe and the Attanagalla seats.

Thilanga Sumathipala (UPFA): Ex-MP Rajakaruna engaged himself in decent politics. The strength behind Rajakaruna was his wife. Even his children extended their support to his political career. Following in his foot steps his son Harshana had been elected to the Provincial Council.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister: Lasantha Alagiyawanna: Ex-MP Rajakaruna was my neighbour and I associated him closely. He associated people disregarding party differences. Soon after the elections were over, he treated everybody in an equal manner.

R Yogarajan (UNP): I knew Rajakaruna before I came to this House or even before I joined politics. I came to know him through a friend in Ruwanwella. He loved agriculture and planting. He had a good knowledge on almost all plants.

He and his wife lived an exemplary life.

JRP Sooriyapperuma (UPFA): The late ex-MP Rajakaruna was one of the greatest politicians born in the Siyane Korale in addition to SWRD and Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

He was loved by all the people in Dompe electorate.

His son Harshana is following in the footsteps of his father.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera: The late Rajakaruna was a calm person who could remain unmoved during any crisis situation in Parliament.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: He maintained a cordial relationship with us in Hewagam Korale. He loved culture and tradition and the Buddha Sasana.

As a minister, he took many measures to find alternative energy to our country.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I now move the condolence motion of the late Parliamentarian for Matara Mallika de Mel. Mallika Lakshmi was born on January 7, 1932. Her father was Sir Warushahannadige Leo Fernando, a member of the first Parliament, who owned a number of estates, including Geekiyana Kanda Watta and many businesses.

Ex-MP Mallika initiated her studies from St Bridget’s Convent in Colombo and continued her studies at Visakha Vidyalaya.

She was married to Ronnie de Mel who later became a leading politician in the country. They were parents of three daughters. Sunalini, Thara and Renuka. She involved herself in politics in Devinuwara since the day her husband was elected a member of this House serving the public with her own money. She handed over 5,000 acres to the government when the Land Reform Act was introduced in 1972 for the welfare of the people.

She became the vice chairman of the Democratic United National Front when it was founded. She refused to enter Parliament from the National List when invited in 2002 and contested from the Matara district and was elected a member.

This great politician passed away at the age of 77. On October 12, 2009.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: Politics was not new to Mallika de Mel. Her father was a politician, husband was a politician and she entered politics. Most of the people in Devinuwara those days got their employment thanks to Mallika de Mel. Devinuwara was a small electorate but thickly populated. One day I found their house thronged with people. I thought Ronnie de Mel was at home, but others said no matter his wife Mallika de Mel was at home to attend to their grievances. She had politics in her blood.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Her father was a member of the Senate in the 1930s. She had inherited politics. There were only a few members who were elected to this House according to history.

Mallika de Mel was a lady who provided facilities abundantly to the schools in her area.

International Monetary Co-operation Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama: Mallika de Mel was a woman with special qualities. She did not need politics. She refused to enter Parliament from the National List but contested and won.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): We have to admire Mallika’s charming qualities although she was a very rich lady and a wife of a leading politician.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera: I came to know her in 1967. That year, Ronnie de Mel came to Devinuwara to contest from Bibile. He expected a war not an election campaign. But he won. Mallika de Mel played a prominent role in her husband’s campaign.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma: My father was the leading supporter of Ronnie de Mel when he came to our area. During that period I saw Ronneie de Mel as a giant in politics. The investments made by Ronnie de Mel in Matara district as a politician was so great that none were able to make an equal contribution.

He was able to do so much for the public because of the support of Mallika de Mel.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): She was a great lady who spent her great wealth for the welfare of the people in Matara, that she had inherited from her parents. She took measures to grant houses for the poor.

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera: I came to know Ronnie de Mel when I was a schoolboy. I had to welcome him at a ceremony held in my school. He arrived with Mallika de Mel. He promised our school much and fulfilled them without delay.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I now move the condolence motion of the late Parliamentarian Vilson Kuruppuarachchi. Born in Kandy in October 3, 1953, he commenced his studies from the Peradeniya Primary School and obtained his secondary education from the Peradeniya Maha Vidyalaya.

He married Nirmala Sri Kanth and were parents of five children. Kuruppuarahchi joined politics with Vijaya Kumaratunga in 1986.

He was appointed SLFP Chief Organizer for Udunuwara in 1981 and elected to Parliament in 1994 contesting from the Kandy district and served the people in Kandy until year 2000. He took measures to establish a Cultural Centre in Udunuwara. He was imprisoned with Anuruddha Ratwatte and Tikiri Kobbekaduwa in 2001 after the release of the election results. He passed away on July 5, 2011 at the age of 58.

The House was adjourned till 1 pm on August 23.

To be continued on Monday

Welfare projects for widowed women

Welfare projects for widowed women have been implemented by four Ministries, Child Development and Women’s Affairs Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said in Parliament yesterday.

Economic Development Ministry, Child Development and Women’s Affairs Ministry were the afore said four ministries.

The Minister observed that the number of widowed women in the Eastern Province amounted 42,565 while this number in the Northern Province amounted to 16,936. The war prevailed in the country and various other reasons had contributed for this number of widowed women.

The Minister said that counselling programmes to provide mental relief, facilitation for self employment and various skills training to strengthen their economic status, provisioning of clothes, sanitary and other domestic equipment were being carried out by the government for the welfare of widowed women.

He also said that various foreign voluntary organizations were supporting to carryout welfare projects for widowed women.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa.

Public servants to be taught Sinhala and Tamil

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudewa Nanayakkara stated that 22,000 public servants were being taught Sinhala or Tamil Languages.

He stated that 6,000 public servants in the North were taught Sinhala Language at 140 places, adding that the most important idea was to impart the Tamil Language knowledge to Sinhala public servants.The Minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana. He further stated that teachers were being trained to impart these two languages to public servants. In the North 200 teachers and 100 selected students were being taught Sinhala.

The Minister further stated that there were requests from 900 places to establish Language Societies. He said that this programme was to be initiated on the enthusiasm of the public.

Condolence motions on late Paul Perera, P O Wimalanaga, N M Buhardeen and Sarathchandra Rajakaruna:

‘Late Paul Perera’s contribution in setting-up Biyagama FTZ was significant’

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Sujeewa Senasinghe (UNP): The late Paul Perera was a great politician of the UNP and we are proud to have had such a politician in our party.

We are able to appreciate the positions that had been held by Paul Perera, but we are able to be more proud of the positions and education received by his children and grandchildren.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: He was a great person who was faithful to his leadership. Late Paul Perera initiated his career as an attorney under senior lawyers and he too became a reputed lawyer. He excelled in many areas as an attorney, a politician and sportsman.

He never considered the political party of those who needed his service. He was a man with humane qualities.

Though he was born in Negombo, he was well known throughout the country.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): The late Paul Perera had saintly qualities, as a politician which set an example to the politicians of today. He was never afraid to express his political policies and vision before any political stalwart.

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP): Actually, the late Paul Perera was one of the politicians who took measures to give a new lease of life to the UNP, when it underwent a difficult period.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne:

I move the condolence motion of late Parliamentarian P.O. Wimalanaga.

The late Wimalanaga, was born in Galle in 1932. He initiated his studies from the Kotte Ananda Sasthralaya and then continued his education at Ananda College, Colombo. He entered the Peradeniya University and later was admitted to the Colombo Law College.

He took his oaths as an attorney in 1962. He obtained his Masters degree in Business Administration from the Sri Jayewardena University. He was married to Hemantha Wijesinghe and were the proud parents of two daughters Ruwini and Deepthi.

He initiated his career as a history teacher of the same school where he initiated his studies before he took oaths as a lawyer.

He joined the Lanka Sama Samaja Party and contested the Kolonna electorate in the Ratnapura District in 1970 and was elected to Parliament.

He took steps to establish the Embilipitiya Paper Factory to develop the area.

He also took measures to build the Emblipitiya Court house. He developed roads and the health sector in the area.

He took steps to provide houses and electricity to the needy in Kononna. He visited England, Russia and Zambia as a parliamentarian. He acted in the teledrama “Nari Bena”. He was employed as the legal advisor to the Zambia Government.

This great politician died on May 20,2009 at the age of 77 years.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): The late Wimalanaga was a very honest politician, who worked as a Parliamentarian during 1970 to 1977. His services to the Kolonna electorate which lacked facilities was appreciable. He took measures to provide houses, electricity, roads, etc. to the people of Kolonna electorate. He worked as the legal advisor to the King in Zambia for 46 long years.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: The late Wimalanaga was an eloquent orator. You can make sure of it yourself if you refer to Hanzard reports during 1970 to 1977.

He was a talented and a shrewd politician of the LSSP.

Kolonna was the most difficult electorate in the Ratnapura district and his services to those people was admirable.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana: Today I am speaking about a leader of the LSSP and one of my close friends. Wimalanaga moulded his life according to the vision of the LSSP and served the poor people. He appeared in courts for the poor people free of charge. He studied at the Kotte Ananda Sasthralaya and then was appointed a teacher at his alma mater. Even President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a student of Wimalanaga in that school.

He rendered a great service to the farmers and people in Kolonna in the Ratnapura district. He took measures to establish a paper factory in Embilipitiya to develop the area.

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: He maintained all his good qualities of a villager throughout his life. He wrote a lot about the Sinhala culture to the Sanskrutiya magazine.

He was interested in arts and involved with stage dramas. He was a calm and innocent person, but was arrogant in protecting the rights of innocent people. He was well versed in agriculture.

Y.G. Padmasiri: He was a teacher and also an attorney. He was also a political teacher. I was lucky to listen to a lecture of P.O. Wimalanaga on the influence of Europe on Sri Lanka in 1967 when I was still a student. I still treasure the notes of that lesson.

He loved the poor people of Kolonna electorate very much.

Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera: He joined the LSSP. He never searched for greener pastures.

He selected the LSSP and remained with it until his death.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): As a well-known businessman and Member of Parliament, his service should be recalled by all citizens in Sri Lanka. He was a very experienced politician and a very successful businessman. He always came forward to help the poor.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: The late MP Buhardeen was born in Akurana. He was a very successful businessman who emerged from Akurana. He was a very talented businessman who climbed the ladder of success in a very short time. He expanded his businesses to many parts of the country.

He was able to provide many job opportunities to the youth. In 1981, he was elected to Parliament, representing the Muslim Congress. He rendered yeoman service to the people. People always knew him as a great gentleman.

H A M Haleem (UNP): He sacrificed his personal wealth for the wellbeing of the people. He was one of the most senior politicians who contributed immensely to the Muslim Congress. He was loved equally by all communities. His demise was a great loss to the country and the people of Kandy.

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem: As an industrialist, he played a unique service. He was one among the first who brought the garment industries to rural areas.

He had a large workforce in the garment industry. His service to the Muslim Congress was immense. He was a big strength to the party.

Child Development and Women’s Affairs Deputy Minister M L A M Hisbulla: He immensely contributed towards the development of the Muslim Congress. He spent most of his money for the welfare and wellbeing of the poor. He was a great and honest person who committed himself to serve the people.

H M M Harees (UPFA): The late MP Buhardeen did much for the advancement of the garment sector. He was a great industrialist as well as a great philanthropist. He immensely served the people.

The House then took up the Vote of Condolence on the late MP Sarath Chandra Rajakaruna.

Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: The late MP Sarath Chandra Rajakaruna was elected to Parliament representing Dompe in the Gampaha district. He was born in 1940. He studied at Kirindiwela Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa.

He was a head prefect at Prince of Wales College. He was engaged in social services and politics in his area.

In 1977 he was elected to Parliament. He rendered yeoman service under the ministerial portfolios of Food and Co-operatives, Coconut Industry, Indigenous Medicine and Disaster Management. He developed Kirindiwela area immensely.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: The UNP was unable to secure a victory in the Dompe electorate at elections without the great commitment of the late MP Rajakaruna.

Dompe area was developed immensely under his leadership. He was very interested in developing agriculture. He was basically engaged in politics in rural areas.

He was a politician who remained loyal to the people at grassroots level. He was totally committed to the party and never ignored his responsibilities.

‘SLTB plans repairing 1,000 buses’

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama told Parliament that the SLTB planned to repair around 1,000 more buses which were garaged at present.

In addition, the SLTB also had plans to purchase 500 more new buses to strengthen its fleet. There are 120 bus depots countrywide and these depots did their maximum to maintain an efficient passenger transport service.Minister Kumara Welgama further said that the SLTB had only 4,800-5,000 buses that was roadworthy.

The SLTB had 8,073 buses, out of which the number which could be operated was between 4,800-5,000, he said.

At adjournment:

‘National education policy to be implemented’

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena, on Thursday stated in Parliament that a National Education Policy would be implemented by 2012, under the instructions of the Special Consultative Committee on Education, which would not be changed under whatever government.

He made this observation in response to an adjournment motion moved by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana, suggesting that political victimization should be brought to an end. He added that the functions in education offices have been messed up due to officers who got posts as a result of political victimization. He said the Matara Zonal Education Director had no proper qualifications.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena: We will hold an investigation into the matter concerning the Matara Zonal Education Director.

Mahinda Rajapaksa was a President who stated that there should be a drastic change in the education field to make this country the Miracle of Asia. With the UNP’s victory in 1977, education has been politicized. With the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, education’s day-to-day administration had come under the Provincial Councils.

The National Education Policy would operate by 2012 under the instructions of a Special Consultative Committee on Education. Under whatever government, this education policy would not be changed. The promotions and posts would be granted for qualified persons only. Education Deputy Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Soyza: As Education Service officers had not been recruited and as the examinations to recruit principals were not held, there was a serious issue to find principals to hand over schools. There were no education directors to remote areas. UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara seconded the motion.