PARLIAMENT

Condolence motion:

House honours four more departed colleagues

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 the votes of condolence of ex-MPs late L. de S.A. Gunasekera, late (Mrs) Somakumari Tennakoon, late R.M. Dharmadasa Banda and late Wimalasiri de Mel.

Water Supply and Draiange Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena: I move the condolence motion of ex-MP late L. de S.A. Gunasekera. He was a renowned politician who represented the Kalawana seat from the Ratnapura district. He was born on April 18, 1933. He started his career as a clerk.

He entered Parliament as an SLFP member. A social worker and a people friendly leader, he upgraded village schools to the level of central colleges.

He was humble enough to use the public transport service to travel from home to Parliament. He was a father of 14 children.

He was against the Newspaper Act when it was presented to the House. Due to his deteriorating health conditions, he withdrew from active politics in 2008. He passed away on May 15, 2009. We express the grievances of the members of the House on his demise.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: He represented this House at a very young age. He took measures to open about 25 schools in Kalawana.

If this initiative had not been taken then, the education level might have been very low even today among those people. He also took measures to protect the Sinharaja Forest reserve.

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake: Late Lionel Gunasekera was a former English teacher. He even spent his personal money and property to provide service to the people in the Kalawana seat.

There is hardly any house to which he had not visited in Kalwana. He was a popular politician among people and mingled closely with them.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the chair

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): Ex-MP late Lionel Gunasekara was an honest and great politician. He had to face numerous difficulties in continuing his education because of the demise of his father. He entered the House in 1960 from the very first general election he contested.

Janaka Wakkumbura (UPFA): Ex-MP Late Lionel Gunasekera was a father of 14 children and about 4 of his children are presently abroad. The Ayagama bridge was constructed as a result of the endeavours taken by ex-MP late Gunasekera. He brought up the difficulties the people face due to the absence of a bridge to the then Highways Minister Kalugalla.

Technology and Research Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi: The late Lionel Gunasekera's family and my family had close ties since the 1960s. He was a very honest politician. He did not even accept the telephone given to MPs but donated it to a post office. He dedicated his life on behalf of the people.

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: One of the daughters of ex-MP late Lionel Gunasekera, is now working as a media secretary to First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

We see that the children have cultivated the good values of their father, the late Gunasekera.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): The late Lionel Gunasekera ex-MP, was a talented politician even though he was small in appearance. I got to know him in 1960. Those days a telephone was a precious equipment, but he was benevolent enough to donate it for the use of the public.

A.H.M. Azwer takes the Chair: I also join the condolence speeches made by both sides of the House and request the Secretary General of Parliament to send the copies of the motion to his family members.

The House then took up the condolence motion of late (Mrs.) Somakumari Tennakoon.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena: I present the condolence motion of late ex-MP Somakumari Tennakoon. She was born on June 18, 1960 in Nikaweratiya. She represented the Kurunegala district. She was the mother of two sons. She entered active politics in 1989 and entered the Wayamba Provincial Council in 1994 from the SLFP. She provided her contribution to establish women's societies throughout the Wayamba Province.

She also contributed to develop the Nikaweratiya General Hospital and to renovate the Puttalam-Nikaweratiya road. She had a talent to recite poems. She also held the position of Chairperson in 'Laksala'.

She passed away on September 24, 2009, in Hambantota at an unexpected moment.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: Both ex-MP Somakumari and I hailed from the Vanni Hathpatthuwa. Ex-MP Somakumari was not only good in reciting poems but also good in Kandiyan Dancing.

When I attended her funeral, I saw the large gathering present to pay their last respects to her. This revealed how people respected her.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: Her father was a good friend of mine. She carried out her work in a versatile manner. She worked hard towards the victory of our party. Ex-MP Tennakoon fulfilled the shortage of women representation in politics. She was an exemplary character to all women.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): The late Somakumari Tennakoon was the daughter of Mudiyanse Tennakoon who was a well recognized politician. The backing of his helped ex-MP Somakumari enter into politics. She had good management capabilities.

Consumer Welfare Senior Minister S.B. Navinna: Ex-MP Somakumri followed in the footsteps of ex-MP Mudiyanse Tennekoon. She engaged herself in many social work in Nikaweratiya. She was engaged in politics until her demise. She was the SLFP organizer in her district.

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (UNP): The Tennakoon family was a recognized family in Nikaweratiya. Irrespective of the party, what matters more in a person is the noble characteristics one belongs. Ex-MP Somakumari was a noble woman. She always had a genuine smile.

Nerajan Wickramasinghe (UPFA): Ex-MP late Somakumari represented my district. She represented the House for about four years. Her father was a renowned politician, whom we all respected. She contributed a lot to win the rights of women and voiced on behalf of them.

Dayasiri Jayasekera (UNP): Late ex-MP Somakumari followed in the foot steps of her father. She provided her contribution to many mega social projects in the district. She worked hard to provide her best service to the people.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa: The late ex-MP Mrs Somakumari Tennakoon's father was a deputy minister. She was a courageous lady who represented the Nikaweratiya electorate. It was an electorate lacking of facilities and it was a challenge for a woman to contest from such an electorate and win during those days. She was elected to Parliament to be one amongst the few female members in the House. She rendered a great service to the people in her area. She fulfilled her duty properly with whatever matter she was entrusted with.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): I know her as a courageous woman who attempted to strengthen women in her area. I came to know her father before I met her.

She was always attired in sarees made in Sri Lanka. She was a polite and humble woman.

Shantha Bandara (UPFA): Her political career was influenced by her father who was a deputy minister. But she initiated her political career from a village in Kurunegala like a woman from an ordinary family. She solved most of the problems faced by the innocent people in her area. She worked very hard to find a solution to the human-elephant conflict in her area to protect her people.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena: She was the daughter of revolutionary politician and Deputy Minister Mudiyanse Tennakoon.

She introduced many self-employments to empower women and men in her area. As the Chairman of Salusala, she created a good market for products of the villagers.

A H M Azwar in Chair

I direct the General Secretary to send the copies of condolence motions to the family members of Mrs Somakumari Tennakoon.

Now the condolence motion of the late member Dharmadasa Banda will be moved.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: I move the condolence motion of the late Parliamentarian R M Dharmadasa Banda. He was born on February 7, 1938 in the Wellassa. His father was R M Kiribanda and mother R M Ranmenika. He studied at the Medagama Maha Vidyalaya, Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte and Zahira College, Maradana.

He initiated his career as an English teacher. He married Leelani Pinnawala and was the father of four children. They were Chamila, Nalika, Harendra and Vimalasurendra. Harendra is a member of the Uva Provincial Council. Dharmadasa Banda also was the younger brother of the late Bibila parliamentarian R M Gunasekera and Dingiri Menika Ratnayake. His brother's son is Moneragala MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

He became UNP's Bibila Chief Organizer after his brother's death.

He was elected to Parliament in 1965 and rendered a great service to Bibile and Ampara. He entered Law College in 1972. He was eloquent in English and Sinhala languages. He was re-elected in 1977 and was appointed the Deputy Minister of the Handloom Ministry. He was elected again in 1989 from the Moneragala District and appointed Agriculture Development and Research Minister in 1990.

Since 1994, he was elected to Parliament and sat with the opposition.

He joined the SLFP in 2007 to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa to eliminate terrorism from Sri Lanka.

He died at the age of 72 on October 23, 2010.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: The late Dharmadasa Banda never had the idea in 1964 that he would contest in 1965. But as his brother was murdered, he decided to join politics. I first met him at the Law College one day. I asked him what he was doing there and he said he entered the Law College.

He had a passion for knowledge. He held the portfolio of deputy minister in a very important period when our country was industrializing. He took great pains to develop Bibila and he made a revolutionary change in Bibila. He was the pioneer in developing the Uva Wellassa.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne: He was appointed a teacher of English in 1961 and became an attorney in 1974. He was good volleyball player and also a cricketer.

He married Lilani in 1971 and they had children named Harendra, Irandra, Vimala and Nalika. He joined politics as his brother was shot dead.

He also became a reputed attorney. He was elected as the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu-Kataragama Devalaya and also appointed the Coconut Development Minister in 1990. He took measure to regularize the payment of pensions to fathers.

He also took steps to develop orange cultivation again in Bibila. He joined the UPFA to serve the public. The President entrusted him with a very significant ministry. He was an exemplary politician.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): I identified Dharmasa Banda as one who served the innocent people in his area. He served his people from 1965 to 2010. He led a good family life.

He was the youngest Parliamentarian in 1965 as he was elected at the age of 27 years. He died at the age of 77.

He was one of my good friends and was a gentleman from the village.

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena: He entered politics step by step in the proper manner. I only associated him for a short time, but I see that he was a well educated and talented person. People in Uva-Wellassa and Moneragala loved him.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): Late Dharmadasa Banda was a brave son from Uva Wellassa. He was honest and did not lie to anybody. He was an example to any politician. He provided his leadership to extend mega development projects to cover his district.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair:

Vijitha Berugoda (UPFA): The late Dharmadasa Banda ex-MP, represented the Bible electoral division. He hailed from the Uva-Wellassa community who fought to free the country from the imperialist clutches. He was a colours holder in school. He was the first senior counsel and first Cabinet Minister From Moneragala.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerkkody in Chair: This motion stands adjourned to be taken up on another date.

The House then took up the condolence motion of Ex-MP late Wimalasiri de Mel.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip, Dinesh Gunawardena: I present the condolence motion of late Wimalasiri de Mel ex-MP.

He was born on June 31, 1929. He was the father of Pujitha de Mel who is now a lecturer.

The late Wimalasiri de Mel was an active member of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party and even participated in the Harthal of 1953.

He entered Parliament representing the Moratuwa electoral seat by even defeating a powerful UNP politician Ruskin Fernando.

He initiated to upgrade public playgrounds and roads. He was a member of the Sunil Shantha Foundation and provided his active participation to the Foundation.

He was an active leftist and dedicated to the left movement. He was the General Secretary of the LSSP. He passed away at the age of 82.

John Amaratunga (UNP): I express my grievances on the demise of Wimalasiri de Mel ex-MP on behalf of the Opposition.

He took enormous efforts to provide relief to the working class of the country. He also contributed towards the enrichment of Buddhism.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne: The late Wimalasiri ex-MP was an LSSP member. It was the first party which was formed against imperialism. This party was dedicated to save the country from imperialists. Ex-MP Wimalasiri upheld party values and followed the party ideology. He had requested that his remains be handed over to the Ayurveda hospital after his death.

Y.G. Padmasiri (UPFA): I recall late Wimalasiri de Mel with gratitude as a person who learnt many lessons, from him. He represented this House from 1970-77 from the oldest political party of this country. He mingled closely with the ordinary people.

National Languages and Social Integrations Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: The late Vimalasiri came to Parliament by bus and went back by bus. He was among the workers as a trade union leader. He was an eloquent orator, who studied politics and political science deeply.

He died in the midst of a political dialogue.

Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana: The late Vimalasiri de Mel accepted that a revolutionary change can be made by a process without shedding of blood. He joined our party and worked almost 60 years to achieve this end.

He never attempted to earn property for him or his family. He after his studies initiated his career as a teacher, then as a clerk. He actively participated in trade union activities.

He was elected to Parliament in 1970 and remained until 1977. He was dedicated to strengthen and protect our party, the Lanka Sama Samaja Party.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody in Chair: I order the Secretary General of Parliament to send the copies of the condolence motion to the family members of Vimalasiri de Mel.

Parliament adjourned until 1 pm on September 6.

'No plans to relocate University of Visual and Performing Arts'

An answer tabled by the Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday in Parliament stated that there were no plans to transfer the University of Visual and Performing Arts to another private or public institution. The answer tabled also contained that so far no decision had been taken to affiliate the Horana Sripali Campus to the University of Visual And Performing Arts.

He tabled this answer in Parliament in response to a question raised by UNP MP Ajith P Perera.

According to the answer, the University of Colombo had been placed as the No 1 University in Sri Lanka by a website ranking conducted by four international colleges and universities.

The answer also had it that the Colombo University had been placed as the 13th best university in South Asia in the webmetrics info ranking while the QS World University Ranking had placed it among 601+.

'Govt to increase maximum amount of charity allowance'

Social Services Minister Felix Perera stated in Parliament yesterday, that the government has decided to increase the maximum amount of the charity allowance paid to elderly persons in the lower income families to Rs 1,000, and the minimum to Rs 500.

Responding to a question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera, Minister Felix Perera stated that 263,301 elderly persons receive the charity allowance. He added that the government had to allocate Rs 2,990 million for an year for this purpose.

The minister also stated that at the moment a minimum of Rs 100 to a maximum of Rs 300 is paid to a recipient as charity allowance per month.

He also said that a Cabinet memorandum to amend the amount was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers on June 23, 2011. According to a Cabinet decision, measures are being taken to include this in the budget proposals for year 2012.

'Steps taken to fill vacant Grama Niladhari positions'

Steps are being taken to fill the vacant Grama Niladhari positions shortly, Public Administration and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Wijaya Dahanayake said in Parliament yesterday. He said that the ministry had already counted the number of vacant Grama Niladhari positions in the country. Responding to a question raised by DNA MP Sunil Handunnetti, the Deputy Minister said that immediate steps will be taken to fill these vacancies, understanding, their need towards an efficient public administration.