He was a true patriot

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday expressed his profound grief and sadness at the passing away of former President D.B. Wijetunga.

Issuing a condolence message from New York where he is attending the 63rd United Nations General Assembly Sessions the President said he received with profound grief and sadness the news of the passing away of President D.B. Wijetunga, Sri Lanka’s third Executive President.

He said: the late President was a unique personality who started his politics even before Independence from the grassroots and went on to assume the highest office of the land. He won laurels among the public for his steadfast refusal to follow the hitherto adopted state policy of appeasement of terrorists and his firm resolve to defeat terrorism.

He also won accolades as a leader who was able to dismantle authoritarian rule and rekindle faith in democracy at a time the country was recovering from an armed rebellion.

The President also personally sent his condolence to the daughter of the late President D.B. Wijetunga. He has also issued instructions that in consultations with family members a fitting farewell be accorded to the late President as a former head of state and a true patriot.