‘Mahinda Chinthana influenced by D. A. Rajapaksa philosophy’

Attapattu BANDARA

The Mahinda Chinthana policy framework which ushered in a massive transformation in the country was conceived by the influence and philosophy of the late D A Rajapaksa, Sabaragamuwa Province Governor W J M Lokubandara said. The Sabaragamuwa Governor was delivering the keynote address at the 44th death anniversary of D A Rajapaksa at Tangalle Town Hall recently. He said the late Rajapaksa’s philosophy resulted in a tremendous change in the country.

D A Rajapaksa who signed the nomination papers after washing his hands from the water of a wakkada, was engaged in ploughing paddy fields. He returned to the paddy field to continue plouging.

His simplicity was such, he said. The late Rajapaksa was the pioneering force behind the Paddy Act presented by MEP leader Philip Gunawardena. He was the last legislator who was elected to the State Council uncontested in 1931 from the South. The late D A Rajapaksa was the shadow of SWRD Bandaranaike, who sat in the Opposition.