D. A. Rajapaksa remembered
Rasika Somarathna and Raja Waidyasekera in Tangalle
‘He spoke for the down-trodden’
Raja Waidyasekera,
Tissamaharama Special Corr
W J M Lokubandara |
D A Rajapaksa who was also known as the ‘Lion
of Ruhuna’ paved way for the less fortunate, down-trodden masses to live
a free life without being a burden to others, said W J M Lokubandara,
Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province.
He was delivering the D A Rajapaksa
Commemoration Lecture at Tangalle Town Hall yesterday.
He said D A Rajapaksa freed the people from
aristocratic rule that existed then. He did not take a red cent from the
people or the country but served the people without expecting rewards
and profits.
The Governor further said he studied the vision
and mission of D A Rajapaksa. He had an excellent character that was
hailed by the people of Giruwapattu.
The Governor said D A Rajapaksa who signed the
nomination papers while working in his own paddy field to contest the
then election, was elected without any contest and an opponent to the
Rajya Manthrana Sabha.
Phillip Gunawardena who is also known as the
‘Father of the Tenant Farmer Act’ joined hands with D A Rajapaksa later.
During the UNP regime headed by the late D S
Senanayake, the late S W R D Bandaranaike crossed over from the UNP. D A
Rajapaksa followed S W R D Bandaranaike and opened awareness for a new
era for the country.
“The Mahinda Chintana concept is a tower of
strength that brings the UPFA politicians to the correct path,” he said.
The 44th commemoration of renowned politician D.A. Rajapaksa, a
pioneer in the formation of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and father of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was held in Tangalle yesterday.
A number of events were held in commemoration of late D.A. Rajapaksa
in his native village Giruwapattuwa as well, apart from ceremonies in
other parts of the country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by
First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha
Rajapaksa, ministers, politicians and the people of the area paid floral
tributes to the D.A. Rajapaksa memorial statue. Later in Tangalle town
hall, Sisura scholarships were awarded in memory of late D.A. Rajapaksa
to schoolchildren of the area who excelled in various spheres of
education.
Also, awards and certificates were given to the winners of essay and
oratorical contests held in memory of the late politician.President
Rajapaksa gave away scholarships to outstanding students. Later First
Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Education Minister Bandula Gunewardene also
gave away prices. Sabaragamuwa Province Governor and former Speaker
W.J.M. Lokubandara delivered the D.A. Rajapaksa memorial lecture. Later
dhana was offered to the Maha Sangha at President Rajapaksa’s ancestral
home in Medamulana.
D.A. Rajapaksa was born on November 5, 1905 and passed away on
November 7, 1967. He was a pioneer in the formation of the SLFP and
represented the Beliatta electorate in the Hambantota District.
He rendered yeomen service to the people in Giruwapattuwa as well as
the whole country as a Parliamentarian, social worker as well as a
minister. |