Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, a gentleman-politician

Thilak Devagiribandara

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris is a philanthropist, enriched with an excellent character who remains unshaken before the diplomatic issues whether in good times or bad times. He was a clever lecturer, professor, Vice-Chancellor and an intellect. He is a democrat and gentleman- politician who functions intelligently with a serene mind confronting the diplomatic issues, whether concerning the European countries, other foreign leaders and the Tamil Diaspora standing as the shadow of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He is a minister with a strong personality dedicated to the protection of the independence and the dignity of the country, manifesting his political experience and far-sightedness with patience before the international community. It is a well known fact that he makes enormous efforts to create a civilized society where there is peace and harmony, through his political activities.

Academic performance

His father was Glanville Peiris who was a clever diplomat and intellect. His mother was Mrs. Lakshmi Chandrika Peiris. His beloved grandmother was Loius Margret Salgado who played a significant role in moulding the life of Minister Prof Peiris. Being a well known social worker and person who initiated the establishing of Sripali Vidyalaya, Horana, Wilmot A. Perera, was a close relative of him. His relatives have rendered immeasurable service to uplift Buddhist education in this country. They worked with dedication and their benevolence helped establish leading Buddhist schools like Vishaka Vidyalaya,Colombo and Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura.

Minister (Professor) G.L. Peiris was born on August 13, 1946 as the only child in his family. He had his education at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. His brilliant academic performance did his school proud. He was the student who obtained best results at G.C.E.(O/L) and Advanced Level Examinations in his school.

He entered the Faculty of Arts of the University of Peradeniya in 1964. On the top results he obtained in the first year examination, he was given the privilege to enter the Faculty of Law in the University of Colombo for his second year. He was able to win the Mudaliyar Edmond Peiris Prize as a Law Faculty student and successfully completed his Degree in 1967. He read for his Doctorate in Philosophy.

He had the distinction of holding the positions of Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professorship and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo. He never yearned to hold these high posts, but, was appointed to such posts taking into consideration of his qualifications and academic brilliance. Books on Law written by him in Sinhala and English are very useful and important for local and foreign law students. He is an excellent speaker. His contribution to the field of law studies is commendable.

Education Commission

After becoming a member of Youth Unrest Commission, he took great efforts in creating a good path for the youth focusing attention on the various issues confronting them. He has taken steps to implement active programmes identifying the needs and aspirations of youth through such Commissions. He functioned as a member of Education Commission and made a major contribution to the preparation of a suitable policy for the educational process at bringing solutions at provincial level to the issues of youth and taking the necessary measures for the accomplishment of that purpose.

He entered active politics in 1994. With the intention of helping rescue the country from the grasp of the terrorists in the North and the rebels in the South, he chose the political arena.

He is an asset to the Untied People's Freedom Alliance who has made a great contribution in helping find solutions to domestic and foreign matters.

Reform proposals

(Prof.) Peiris' honesty, acumen and political knowledge has drawn more learned persons and scholars to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He attention was drawn to the manner of building the country through the social convention. Definitions and the solutions presented by the minister Peiris on issues of paramount importance to the country have won the hearts and minds of the people. He helped the United People's Freedom Alliance prepare a people friendly manifesto scrutinizing national and international matters deeply. Accordingly, he had provided his utmost support to keep the United People's Freedom Alliance undefeated.

As a member of the Cabinet of Ministers in 1994, he held the portfolios of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He has presented Budgets on several occasions in Parliament as the Deputy Minister of Finance. He has contributed immensely to the country's welfare as a minister, preparing and presenting reform proposals in the field of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, focused special attention on the protection of fundamental rights of children and played a major role at Commonwealth Conferences and Seminars relating to Finance Ministers’ representing the country. The country is very fortunate to have a politician of the calibre of Minister (Prof.) G.L. Peiris’. His intellect and broad knowledge on politics has successfully helped him overcome any challenge. He joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and helped strengthen the hands of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to defeat terrorism and bring lasting peace to the country.

He has fulfilled the requirement of a Foreign Minister who can face any serious problem confronting the country in a steadfast manner. There is no doubt that the President finds Minister (Prof.) G.L. Peiris, a tower of strength to his Cabinet of Ministers. May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with Minister Peiris for a long and healthy life enabling him to achieve his future political activities and his service for the people and the country.

The writer is the Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament