Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

 

Ratnapura Ethraja says good bye to his people

Gamini Athukorale

UNP Leader, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with his wife Maithree paying their last respects to Minister Gamini Athukorala.

Jayam veram pasavati- dukkham seti parajito Upasanto sukham seti- hitva payaparajayam

Victory breeds hatred in the conquered. The defeated live in sorrow. Giving up both victory and defeat , the appeased live in peace. 
 - Dhammapada

by CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE

After rehabilitating the fortunes of the United National Party to recapture power with his valiant efforts, and seeing the country obtain a new lease of life, the Assistant Leader of the UNP, Gamini Athukorala died quietly in his sleep last Tuesday, January 1.

The man who rose to the call of his party's leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to revive the UNP following its defeat in 1994, ceases to enjoy at the wealth of his party's stunning victory over the People's Alliance to which he had contributed abundantly in an unequalled role. Indeed, the country has lost an eminent national leader.

He will be remembered ever after as a convenor of democracy, a fearless pragmatist with a clear grasp of social trends and a veteran politician. As far as his comrades now in the front ranks of the government are concerned, they would miss the presence of a sincere companion, able organizer and a power house of workmanship whose vacuum could hardly be restored by another in terms of his calibre.

Gamini carried a blend of aggression , experience and wisdom in most he said as a politician. He made it not only palatable but also digestible to the listener. Once he said on being pointed out by a journalist (the UNP was in the Opposition) that arguably the talks between the government and the UNP were unsuccessful on account of UNP's going after positions whereas the conduct of the JVP is such that it has not thought in terms of positions.

" Please think in terms of facts and ask your questions. The JVP is a party that had fielded about only five lakhs of votes and they have become MPs thanks to J.R's constitution. But the UNP is a party that had secured about 37 lakhs of votes with 89 MPs in the Parliament. It is a single party that has brought about greater development to the country. The JVP may support another party, but the UNP cannot go to that level. The UNP asked that the government be entrusted to them. Is the JVP strong enough to say such a thing?" was his argument.

	After UNP/UNF victory Gamini was appointed Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation. He is seen accepting his letter of appointment as Minister from President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
	Assuming office at his Ministry after being appointed as Minister of Transport Highways and Civil Aviation.
	With members of both sides at a party which includes President Chandrika Bandaranaike, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Finance Minister K.N. Choksy
	He moved in all walks of life. Here he is seen with former President D.B. Wijetunga, former UNP Secretary General Sirisena Cooray and some of the top men of the Party at the UNP annual convention.
	Addressing participants at Jana Bala Meheyuma
	Gamini Athukorala flanked by his lawyers seen leaving the court house after he was acquitted in the aftermath of the recent elections.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager