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Mangala Samaraweera passes away 

24 Aug 2021

  • Tributes pour in for veteran politician 
Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera passed away yesterday (23) at the age of 65 while receiving treatment for Covid-19 at a private hospital in Colombo, with tributes pouring in from fellow politicians and the international community. Samaraweera served as a politician for 30 years, and held several key positions in public service under different governments. He served as Minister of Finance from 2017-2019, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005-2007 and 2015-2017, Minister of Ports and Aviation from 2004-2007, and Minister of Media from 2004-2005, among other posts. Several of his colleagues from the political and diplomatic spheres shared their tributes to him, commending his character and years of service. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated: “I am deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Mangala Samaraweera, a former Minister of the United National Party and a former Member of Parliament, an honoured politician who made a significant contribution to the Sri Lankans by launching great transformations in the course of Sri Lankan politics. I express my deepest condolences on his passing.”  Prime Minister and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under whose Presidency Samaraweera held multiple portfolios in the mid-2000s, stated: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of my friend and colleague Mangala Samaraweera. Today, we have lost a great leader, a man who loved this nation. I thank him for his service to Sri Lanka. My condolences to his family. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.”  Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa, whose party was the last political party that Samaraweera was a member of before his withdrawal from politics, stated: “Dear Mangala Samaraweera, you were a man of the age who respected humanity and was committed to the vision you believed in according to your conscience. May you attain Nibbana!”  The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Political Bureau issued a tribute of their own, in which they noted that despite their differences in political trajectory and vision, they could still appreciate his conduct in the political stream he represented.  It stated: “He never used racism or religion for politics. A visionary free from politics, he was able to stand by his policies even when he was politically disadvantaged. It is also worth recalling how he worked closely with us at certain crucial political moments. We join in mourning his death with all his family, relatives and friends.”  Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, under whose Presidency Samaraweera first held a ministerial portfolio, commended the service rendered by Samaraweera in his several ministerial posts, saying he led the modernisation of the communications and media sector, as well as how he greatly uplifted the state of Sri Lanka’s foreign relations.  She further noted: “Most of all, your impeccable personal ethics will be hard to match in Sri Lanka’s political arena. You shall always inspire our youth, for generations to come. Dearest friend, rest in power! And come back in your journey in Samsara, to join the battle for a better and decent Sri Lanka, before you attain Nirvana.”  Former President Maithripala Sirisena, in his tribute, commended Samaraweera’s understanding of the modern world, the strong alliances he forged with the international community, and said that he always stood for the truth and his principles. He also pointed out how Samaraweera had led several important ministries since 1994, and said that he had led those ministries excellently.  United National Party Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated: “Mangala was an outstanding politician who always stood firm for his convictions, which involved a Sri Lanka where all were free and equal, and where human rights were upheld. He had an innovative mind that could think out of the box. Mangala was also a great communicator who championed reconciliation amongst all our peoples.”  Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also offered his condolences to the bereaved, stating: “Saddened to hear of the passing of former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. He was a dedicated public servant who contributed greatly to Sri Lanka and a strong advocate of Maldives-Sri Lanka friendship. Condolences to his loved ones and the Sri Lankan people.”  Former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Samantha Power, whom Samaraweera engaged with extensively during his tenure as Foreign Minister, stated: “I am devastated by the passing of Mangala Samaraweera, former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, a great patriot and statesman, advocate for democracy and human rights, and a treasured friend. My sincere condolences to his family and the people of Sri Lanka.”  She concluded: “Mangala wanted to open Sri Lanka to the world, and I’m grateful to have worked with him to strengthen US-Sri Lanka ties. He’s one of the most remarkable public servants I’ve known and a profoundly good person. I’ll miss his wise counsel, tremendous wit, and rare gift for friendship.”  Samaraweera’s funeral was held at the Borella Cemetery yesterday, according to Covid-19 health guidelines.


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