45th death anniversary of D. A. Rajapaksa

The 45th death anniversary of former Minister D. A. Rajapaksa will be commemorated on Wednesday (November 7) under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Born on November 5, 1905, Don Alwin Rajapaksa entered politics following the sudden death of his brother D. M. Rajapaksa in 1945. He won the Beliatta seat in 1947, which he represented until 1965.

He was a founder member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), having crossed the floor of the House with its leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1951.

This historic moment has been preserved in an iconic photograph from the Gallery of Parliament.

Rajapaksa played a leading role in the mobilisation of the Pancha Maha Balavegaya (Maha Sangha, Teachers, Native Physicians, Farmers and Workers) for the 1956 electoral victory of the SLFP-led coalition. He later became Agriculture and Lands Minister and Deputy Speaker.

He championed the cause of the downtrodden masses and sacrificed his wealth and assets to serve the people. Even when his health condition worsened, he continued to fulfil the needs of the people of Ruhuna.

The Kurahan shawl that he wore symbolised his affinity to the grassroots of Giruwa Pattuva in the deep South, which is now witnessing a massive transformation as a development hub. See also page 8