Building a prosperous nation that holds national values and culture is the best way to pay tribute to late Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara as it was his ambition for the nation, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
He made this observation in Parliament joining the Condolence Motion on the demise of Lokubandara yesterday. He said Lokubandara who was born on August 5, 1941 initiated his studies at the Yahalabedda Maha Vidyalaya and continued at the Bandarawela Maha Vidyalaya.
He obtained his tertiary education at the Peradeniya University and continued at the University of London. Thereafter he entered the Sri Lanka Law College and enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law.
The Premier commended Lokubandara was a beliver of patriotism and always upheld culture, language and Buddhism in esteem and acted accordingly. He followed Kumarathunga Munidasa and joined the Helahaula and was an active member who contributed many articles on the subject into national newspapers as well. He wrote outstanding books such as ‘Seegiri Geesiri’ as well.
The Premier also said that Lokubandara was elected from Haputale in 1978 from the United National Party (UNP). He added that Lokubandara was an eloquent lecturer who could socialise a view without hurting opponents.When he held the Indigeneous Medicine, Education, Cultural Affairs, Information Ministries, he did yeoman service to be remembered at all ministries entrusted to him. He added that the ‘Kola Kenda’ (Herbal drink) was made popular in Parliament, among public as well as in hotels due to his moves. He took initiation to popularise the Sinhalese greeting “Ayubowan” in telephone conversations in Sri Lanka.
The Premier further said that the He took measures to translate the Thripitaka into Sinhala language, print them and distribute to temples across the country as the subject minister. He took measures reprinted Books such as ‘Subashithaya’, ‘Lokopakaraya’, ‘Amawathura’, ‘Wadan Kavi Potha’, ‘Sakaskadaya’ etc. He was appointed as the 16th Speaker and rendered a respectable service protecting the degnity of the chair. He always maintained that politicians should wear the national attire.
Premier further said as W.J.M.Lokubandara always valued the culture and nationalism, he directed his son Uditha Lokubandara to join the political stream of led by Mahinda Rajapaksa and was elected to Parliament as well.
