President pays floral tributes at T.B.Illangaratne statue
President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid floral tributes at the statue of
late politician T.B.Illangaratne at Navam Mawatha yesterday.
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa paying
floral tributes at the statue of late T.B.Illangaratne
yesterday. Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and
People's Bank chairman W.G. Karunajeewa were also present.
Picture by Chandana Perera |
The late Illangaratne who was a popular politician of the masses,
author and literary figure was feted for his outstanding service to the
country's working class.
T.B.Illangaratne, held the portfolios of Labour, Housing, Social
Services, Finance, Commerce and Food,Trade and Ports from 1956 to 1977.
He represented the Kandy,Galaha, Hewaheta and Kolonnawa electorates.
Known for his tireless service to the working class, it was Illangaratne
who declared May Day a holiday in Sri Lanka in honour of the working
class.
Illangaratne was also in the forefront of establishing the Wages
Board and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).The creator of the People's
Bank,T.B.Illangaratne also pioneered many national ventures,such as,the
Lotteries Board, Salu Sala etc.
Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Senior Minister
A.H.M.Fowzie, Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Susil Premajayantha, Gamini
Lokuge,Bandula Gunawardena, Deputy Minister Rohana Dissanayake, Western
Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, People's Bank chairman W.G.
Karunajeewa and trade union representatives were also present.
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