Parliament

House remembers late colleagues Ratna Deshapriya and W.I. Fernando

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 1.00 p.m yesterday. After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the condolence votes on ex-MPs late Ratna Deshapirya Senanayake and late W.I. Fernando.

Leader of the House, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: "I present the condolence motion of ex-MP late Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake. He was born on September 18,1922.

He contested the General Elections to elect members for the first Parliament in 1947 from the Communist Party for the Gampaha seat. But he could not win the election. He served as a journalist, Sub Editor and News editor in the Lankadeepa newspaper. His column which was titled "Wanahi' was very popular among the readers. He was the first president of the Sri Lanka Journalists' Association.

He was the Chairman of the CWE during the period 1960-65. He held several ministerial and deputy ministerial portfolios. He also served as a Supreme Court lawyer. He died on January 21, 2012 at the ripe age of 90 years.

Deshapriya entered Parliament during the 1970 General Elections, representing the Minneriya electoral seat from the SLFP.

During former President Chandrika Bandaranaike's tenure, he was offered the position of Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines and served in those diplomatic positions. He was also the author of the book titled "Inside Story of Tibet".

'He provided his services for the development of agriculture'

John Amaratunga (UNP): Late Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake was a former minister who represented the Minneriya seat. He contributed for the development of the country through politics. He was a senior Journalist as well as a senior counsel in his profession. He provided his services to develop agriculture in Minneriya.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie: He was a revolutionist and honest politician. He proved himself as a people's leader. He was very prudent and was a good listener.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the chair

Petroleum Industries Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena: Late ex-MP Ratna Deshapriya was a dedicated SLFPer. He contested the 1960 General Elections as a rival of then late Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. He was defeated by about 1,700 votes, but he was a good competitor for the then Prime Minister. He was a very humble and simple human being.

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera: I first got to know late ex-MP Ratne Deshapriya through the China-Lanka Friendship Association. My parents and I were members of it during that time, he was the President of the Association. Late Deshapriya made a huge contribution behind the scene to get a grant offered by China to construct the BMICH during the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike's regime.

Kamala Ranatunga (UPFA): Late ex-MP Deshapriya Senanayake did not earn money from politics, but instead he earned the goodwill of the people.

He was never carried away by the positions he held. He was a talented speaker as well as a lawyer.

A.H.M. Azwer (UPFA): The House has seen very colourful personalities who represented the people. Late Ratne Deshapriya Senanayake added more colour and dignity to this House. He was a good debater and suave in debating in this House.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): Late Senanayake was an outstanding politician and a journalist.

He closely mingled with the people and was a people's friendly leader. He led a very simple life and had noble qualities. He was a great friend of China.

Rural Affairs Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne: Late Senanayake started his political career from the Communist Party. He had a vast knowledge about Communism and Marxism. He was also a close friend of China. He was a very talented and popular debator.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu (In Chair): I also join with the expressions of condolence of both sides of the House and order the Secretary General of Parliament to send copies of the motion to the family members of ex-MP late Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake.

A genuine doctor who valued culture and traditions.

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva: I present the condolence motions of Aryurveda expert and ex-MP late W.I. Fernando. He was born on October 25,1917 and studied indigenous medicine very deeply and had a thorough knowledge of Aryurveda medicine. He served as a specialist Aryurveda Doctor for over 70 years and was an eye specialist too. He was very popular among the public. He was a genuine Sinhala doctor and valued local culture and traditions.

He resigned in 1993 after serving 4 years and 7 months as an MP bestowing his parliamentary seat to late ex-MP Anura Bandaranaike. He provided yeoman service for the revival of indigenous medicine. He earned many accolades for his dedicated service.

He passed away on May 15, 2012 at the age of 95 years. He also served as the President of Colombo-Maradana Sri Lanka Medical General Assembly from 1962 to 2011.

He was also appointed President of the All-Island Lanka Aryurveda Medical Federation in 1976 and held the position until 1994.

His attire was always the sarong, shirt and coat

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe: I was the Leader of the House when W.I. Fernando first joined Parliament as a member. Later, we had to discuss the attire of his and of the male MPs. His attire was a sarong, the shirt and coat.

He was a doctor of indigenous medicine. During the regime of J R Jayewardene, he paid much attention on indigenous medicine. Later on, during the Premadasa regime, much attention was paid on indigenous medicines. W. I. Fernando was appointed as a member from the National List. He had a good knowledge of indigenous medicine, Sinhala and the English languages as well. He acted as the President's advisor as well.

Sriyani Wijewickrama takes the Chair.

Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake: He was a great physician in indigenous medicine. He was a well built person and was very eloquent in the language. He first entered Parliament in 1989, but always showed the great qualities of an indigenous doctor. He was awarded with many honorary titles for the services he rendered to indigenous medicine. He resigned his seat to give way to late Anura Bandaranaike to enter Parliament. He made this sacrifice at a moment when he lacked just only 3 months to be entitled for a pension.

John Amarathunga (UNP): Late President R Premadasa who knew the popularity and knowledge of indigenous medicine, appointed him a member from the National List. He treated Sri Lankan as well as foreign patients. He was a witty person. His death is an irreparable loss to our country.

Karu Jayasuriya (UNP): He was one of the greatest indigenous medicine physicians. He was a lecturer at the Rajagiriya Ayurvedic Vidyalaya and later became its minister.

Late President Premadasa informed us on several occasions of his skills in the field of indigenous medicine. He was a devout Buddhist. He led an exemplary family life and was the father of 9 children.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody takes the Chair.

He never forgot his traditional manners

Ranjith Madduma Bandara (UNP): I am able to recollect that when he was appointed a member, he took his seat in Parliament with great dignity. Though he held many positions and was married to an English teacher, he never forgot his traditional manners and also his attire.

He used his seat to develop indigenous medicine

A H M Azwer (UPFA): When W I Fernando was appointed a member of Parliament, he said that he would never give up treating patients because of his seat in Parliament. He said that he would not change his sarong, shirt and coat as well. He was good at his language. He said that he would use his seat for the development of indigenous medicine. He had to cut his Parliamentary journey short in order to pave way for late Anura Bandaranaike.

He was fondly referred to as the Konda Veda

Gayantha Karunathilake (UNP): The late W.I. Fernando was a rare person who represented this House. He hailed from a family with an aryurvedic background. He became popular due to his hair style. He was referred to as the 'Konda Veda' by the people. He had a thorough knowledge of indigenous medicine and the Sinhala language.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody in Chair: I also join with the sentiments expressed by both sides of the House and direct the Secretary General of Parliament to send the copies of this motion to the family members of late ex-MP W. I. Fernando.

The House was adjourned until 1 p.m today.

UNP MP barred from debating adjournment motion

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody yesterday refused permission to debate the adjournment motion which was to be moved by UNP MP Ranjith Maddumabandara in Parliament.

The Deputy Speaker announced this decision when the Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, raised a point of order stating that almost all issues raised in this motion had been discussed and clarified on Tuesday.

He noted that the Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Geethanjana Gunawardena made a detailed response with regard to the increase of import taxes on vehicles in the House on Tuesday.

International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama also stated that there was no point in repeating the same facts that were discussed the previous day.

Considering these facts, the Deputy Speaker asked UNP MP Maddumabandara to amend the motion excluding the points already discussed and present it on another date for debate.

Speaker requests for a tour of Norochcholai by MPs

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday instructed Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka in Parliament, to arrange a tour so that all MPs could visit the Norochcholai power plant as it was a new subject.

The Speaker made this observation, following the debate on the statement by Minister Ranawaka that he felt sorry for the lack of knowledge of MP Ravi Karunanayake in connection with the coal power plant in Puttalam. The minister made this observation while responding to a question raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake. Minister Ranawaka further stated that the only country that supplied electricity round the clock in the region was Sri Lanka. He added that all other countries in the region curtailed the electricity supply for a few hours on a daily basis.

He also said that the first hydro power plant in Sri Lanka took 30 years to generate electricity from its inception. He added that it was expected to double the power generation in the Norochcholai power plant after rectifying technical faults.