National Honour for centenarians in Lanka?

Edward ARAMBEWELA

Sri Lanka Centenarian Welfare Association (SLCWA) Treasurer Audiologist Dr. Mihiri Wickremarachchi and Prof. Colvin Goonaratna will shortly take up with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the possibility of a National Honour being conferred by Parliament on Life Centenarians in Sri Lanka, as it happens in the UK where the Queen grants the honour to centenarians (those who reach 100 years in life).

Wickremarachchi last week undertook this task, when it was brought to his notice at SLAWC meetings through a letter sent by a former Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel in 2002 to the SLCWA then called (Centenarian Friendship Association) that he would take up with the Speaker and other leaders in Parliament at that time, the possibility of offering a Parliamentary Honour for living centenarians.

I Quote from Mr. de Mel's letter to me, SLCWA Secretary Edward Arambewela dated April 1,2002 states:

Parliamentary Honour for living centenarians "Thank you for your letter on the above subject which 'I was able to read today after returning to Sri Lanka after a two month visit to Europe. I am sorry that my foreign trip prevented me from replying to you immediately.

"I read through both your letter and the newspaper article about the Centenarians Friendship Association with great care and interest.

'I was indeed deeply touched by the objects of your Association which I will consider a great pleasure to help in sponsoring and developing further if possible. I will certainly take this matter up with the Speaker and other leaders in Parliament, but, I feel that a Special Honour to Centenarians should really be conferred by the President and not by Parliament".