“I got to know him when I first entered the Parliament in 1989 as an Opposition member.I can remember he showcased a behaviour that was not normally seen in ministers from the ruling party- he was cordial and sociable even with Opposition members of Parliament. During his political life he worked for the development and service of the people” the President said.
He added that the late minister would discuss books that he read, with fellow ministers in the Parliament lobby. President Sirisena recalled that, during his last conversation with the late minister, he discussed a book by artist George Keyt.
Late Gamini Dissanayake served as the Minister of Lands, Land Development and Mahaweli Development, Minister of Plantation Industries, and also contested as a UNP presidential candidate in 1994.
He was assassinated by an LTTE terrorist while he was campaigning as a candidate for the 1994 Presidential Election.
One of the major projects that he undertook, the President said, was the Mahaweli Development Project that changed the lives of Sri Lankans. He added that although the late Minister Dissanayake wanted to take up the Moragahakanda-Kaluganga project to help people in the area who were suffering without access to water, he couldn't do it due to his assassination.
He added that, during the previous government, when he was the Minister of Mahaweli Development, under the patronage of the former President, a foundation was laid for the Moragahakanda-Kaluganga project, but for five years the project was stagnant.
“That was a record in Sri Lanka, where a foundation was laid but not a cent given for this major development project. If it was developed in 2013, people in Rajarata would have water,” he said, vowing to continue and complete the vision of late minister Dissanayake during this government.
Parliament Speaker- Karu Jayasuriya, Colombo Municipal Council Mayor- A.J.M. Muzammil, Opposition Leader- V.S. Sampanthan, late Minister Dissanayake’s wife- Srima, sons including Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake and Kandy District MP Mayantha Dissanayake were among other participants.
