Parliament

Condolence Motion:

'Late Mano Wijeyeratne joined the President to defeat terrorism'

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided, when Parliament met at 1.00 pm yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the condolence motion of ex-MP late Mano Wijeyeratne.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena

'I present the condolence motion of ex-MP late Mano Wijeyeratne. Born on July 28, 1957, he represented the Dedigama electoral in Kegalle. He was the 2nd child in a family of 5 children. He was the brother of former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne. He worked for the development of his seat Dedigama, as its organizer in 1989 and was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1989, as an MP of the Kegalle District. He mingled with the people and was always with a smiling face. He was elected to Parliament for the fifth time in 2004 and worked in harmony with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat terrorism. He held many ministerial and deputy ministerial posts and promoted Sri Lankan relations with other countries in the world. He later joined the SLFP and worked with the President. Late Mano Wijeyeratne, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on October 29, 2011 after a brief illness.

Good team leader, he mingled with grass roots level people

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe:

When I was having a chat with him last September, I never thought I would have to stand up in this House and speak at his condolence vote. He had been representing this House for 23 years. He was no stranger to politics. He came from a political family. The outstanding services of his grandfather Edwin and his father Nissanka, should be reminiscened at this point with gratitude. He was a good team worker and mingled with grass roots level people.

A great personality, he did the country a great service

International Monetary Coorporation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama: Late Mano Wijeyerathne's grandfather was a teacher of mine and I associated him closely. Late Mano Wijereratne's father was also a great personality who provided an enormous service to the country. Nissanka Wijeyeratne also served as the Diyawadana Nimale of the Dalada Maligawa. Late Mano Wijeraratne was a very humble and friendly person. When I was holding the ministerial portfolio of investments, he worked in my ministry as a deputy minister. He contributed much for the development of the Gem Industry.

He hailed from a distinguished family

R Sampanthan (TNA):

Late Mano Wijeyeratne was a young member and passed away quite unexpectedly. He hailed from a distinguished family and his father was a civil servant. I join in expressing our sincere condolences and sympathies on his demise.

Productivity Promotion Minister Lakshman Seneviratne: Late Mano Wijeyaratne's father and my father were very good friends. We had been residing in his house too. Late Mano Wijeyaratne was a friendly person. I remember him joining the government during the past, when I was in the UNP. He loved the people and worked for the common man's grievances.

He represented the 3rd generation of a distinguished family

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP):

Late Mano Wijeyaratne was a decent person. He represented the 3rd generation of a distinguished family. His grandfather, Sir Edwin Wijeyeratne was a renowned person and his father Nissanka Wijeyeratne was also a well-known person in the country who earned the love of the people.

Vasantha Senanayake (UPFA): I had a close association with late Mano Wijeyaratne and I addressed him as 'ayya'. Late Mano Wijeyaratne hailed from a renowned and highly recognised family. He was a common man's politician. He was a real patriot, who faced ups and downs and fortunes and misfortunes in Sri Lankan politics.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair

Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP): I am reminded of how late Mano Wijayaratne and his wife listened to the speeches of the condolence motion of his father, the Late Nissanka Wijeyaratne in May last year, while being in the Speaker's gallery. Today even before the lapse of an year after taking up his father's condolence motion, we have to take up his condolence motion.

Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake: The Public Service is no strange place for Late Mano Wijeyaratne. He was first elected to the House in 1989, from the UNP party. Eventhough he was a strong UNPer, understanding the need of the country, he decided to support President Rajapaksa. He strengthened the hands of the President to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lanka.

'Late Mano Wijeyeratne was a big brother to me'

Kabir Hashim (UNP): During the beginning of my political career, the late Mano Wijeyeratne was like my big brother.

When I was defeated in 2004 at the election, Mano consoled me. Mano was also one of our family friends.

Food Security Senior Minister P Dayaratne

Late Mano Wijeyeratne, was a disciplined and silent person.

He was a talented and a skilled politician.

He was a third generation politician from a famous political family. He also worked as a secretary and proved his cleverness. He later decided to contribute his service to the President to put a stop to the terrorism menace. He joined in all discussions and his contributions were commendable.

He actively participated in reducing road traffic accidents, following the accident at Yangalmodara.

He held Sinhala Buddhism in esteem

Lakshman Kiriella (UNP):

Late Mano Wijeyeratne always held Sinhala, Buddhism in esteem. Even in politics, he was thorough gentleman. His wife Bharathi Wijeyeratne supported his in his political career.

He was a cordial friend to us

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha G Jayasena: Late Mano Wijeyeratne, joined the government to support the government's process of defeating terrorism.

He was a cordial friend to us and we called him 'brother'. We have very rarely seen him talking aggressively in Parliament. He was able to work with the government for only a short period of time.

He followed in his grandfather's footsteps

Dayasiri Jayasekara (UNP):

Late Mano Wijeyeratne became a successful politician following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He was a well read politician. He never went to extremes. He maintained cordial relationships with members of both Government and Opposition.

Even at his funeral, we observed that people from all political parties attended the funeral to respect his great humanistic qualities. I think his service rendered to reduce traffic accidents will prove fruitful even in the future.

Livestock and Rural Community Development Deputy Minister H R Mithrapala: We are aware that late Mano Wijeyeratne was a member of a family with a historical background in Dedigama in the Kegalle district. We can identify him as a person who rendered his services to the fullest for the country. He joined the government to help defeat terrorism. He never agreed to divide the country. Today I am sure his need will be felt very strongly. He firmly maintained that one could not go to war with a law book in his hand. I am sure that if he was alive today, he would stand against all the pressures levelled against the country.

We worked together as young MPs

Ranjith Madduma Bandara (UNP):

In 1989, we as young members were elected to Parliament. Sarath Ranawaka, Mano Wijeyeratne ad I, worked together in Parliament as young members.

Now, both of them are no more. I never even thought that I would have to join his condolence motion so soon.

He was a humble person and a honest politician. He led a simple life and was a clean politician.

I am able to remember the time who were discussing until 1.00 a.m the previous day he joined the government. But our friendship continued up to his demise. He had a good family life with his wife Bharathi Wijeyeratne. He was a sensitive husband and a sensitive father to his children.

He was a common man's politician

Social Services Minister Felix Perera: Late Mano Wijeyaratne, obtained the highest votes from the Dedigama seat. He did not unduly worry over his defeat at the elections.

P Rajathurei takes the Chair.

Sajith Premadasa (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was an exemplary politician who barely expressed his feelings. There was humanity in all his actions. He placed his personal agenda aside while giving prominence to serve the people.

Mano was humble and down to earth

Social Integration and National Languages Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara: Late Mano Wijeyaratne never upheld extreme politics. He wanted to serve the people at his best. He had national feelings. He was a pleasant person who was extremely humble and down to earth.

Thalatha Athukorala (UNP): He had a rich easthetic taste and was a sensitive person. I met him about two weeks before his demise. I also wish to remind the great strength extended by his wife in all his dealings.

J R P Sooriyapperuma (UPFA): I gave ear to appreciations and praises from both sides of the well today, when the condolence motion of late Mano Wijeyaratne was taken up today. It is a rare common fact in this House that members on both sides speak with such enthusiasm at a condolence motion.

D M Swaminathan (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne represented the third generation of family ties that we had in this House.

He was a close associate of mine. I resided for two months in his house during riots.

Kanaka Herath (UPFA): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was born in Rambukkana, and my father also hailed from the same region. Both late Wijeyaratne and my father were good friends. Late Wijeyaratne represented the House for over two decades. He never had political enemies.

Eran Wickramaratne (UNP): This is the first time that I speak during a condolence motion and several months ago I did not even dream that it would be on behalf of Mano Wijeyaratne. He was my classmate.

A politician in the making was seen even during his school days. He was frequently surrounded by friends.

A kind-hearted person

A H M Azwer (UPFA): I rise in this august assembly today, to pay my respects to one of my dearest friends, the Late Mano Wijeyaratne. He had a very kind heart and he never forgot anybody. He promoted handicrafts from Palmyrah trees. He was a close acquaintance of many Muslim schools.

Deputy Chairman

of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

He was a gentleman devoid of extremism and racism

Dr Jayalath Jayawardena (UNP): Late Mano Wijeyaratne was one of my close friends. I got to know him as a senior member of our party.

He was a real gentleman, devoid of extremism, racism and political revengefulness.

Public Management Reforms Minister Navin Dissanayake

I am sure his fragrance would linger on. The good deed commenced by him would be continued by his family members.

He was elected to Parliament with a number of young members from the UNP. He was appointed the State Minister of Plantations by the then President R. Premadasa. However, he could not complete his work.

Mano Wijeratne always maintained that the UNP had to be progressive, when he was in the UNP. Sajith had suggested sometime back that the leadership of the UNP should be elected and not selected.

I seconded it and Mano was on our side. However a group of UNPers including Mano and myself, decided to join the government to support the defeat of terrorism. It was successful.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena: The late Mano Wijeyeratne, was always a cordial friend. He never acted in a manner to be insulted by any.

The most rare features of a politician was to be loved by both supporters as well as the opponents. But Mano Wijeyeratne, was able to achieve it.

His wife Barathi Wijeyeratne, had been a great support to Mano. She would be leaving for Turkey in a few days time to take up duties as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Turkey. She too has rendered a great service to the South, when the South was affected by the tsunami. He was a thorough gentlemen.

May he attain Nibbana. Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumara Murugesu in Chair: I request that copies of the condolence motion be sent to the bereaved family members of late Mano Wijeyeratne.

Parliament adjourned until 1 p.m to day.

Dy Minister Lalith Dissanayake to Chair Public Petitions Committee

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday, announced in Parliament that Health Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake, had been appointed the chairman of the Public Petitions Committee.

He was appointed to this post when it fell vacant following the resignation of former Chairman Janaka Priyantha Bandara.