Presidential Advisor Baratha Lakshman Premachnadra had to face this untimely death because he appeared for truth and justice even during the last moments of his life, SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sisisena said paying a glowing tribute to Mr. Premachandra at his funereal in Kolonnawa today.Stating that this unfortunate tragedy was a result of declining indiscipline political culture, Mr. Sirisena stressed a need for a new political culture. He said law should be strictly enforced on the goons who are engaged in cruel acts such as the killing of Mr. Premachandra.
Glowing tribute to his college, the SLFP General Secretary said the late Mr. Premachndra was a man with an ability to fulfil whatever task given to him efficiently and effectively.
Minister of Petroleum Resources and UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajanatha said late Mr. Premachanadra had to face a violent death because he had to do politics with persons who cannot be called politicians. “There are many things which I must say about his killing but I cannot come out with those now,” he said.
Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne who also paid tribute to the late politician said Sri Lankan society is a disciplined one though a grim picture is often drawn of it. He said crimes are committed by a small fraction of cruel persons who are living among the good. “There are only 2.25 percent cruel persons in the country,” he said. Mr. Jayaratne said the main issue is the damage which is caused to Sri Lanka’s reputation internationally through the publicity given to these kind of incidents.
UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya said this unfortunate killing was the result of the culture where a person’s right to adopt a political ideology of his choice. He therefore stressed the need for a new political culture where such rights are preserved.
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera who participated in religious rites said the time had come to bring about a new electoral system without the preferential votes system. He therefore said the preferential votes system was the main cause of the Election Day incident which left Mr. Premachnadra killed. Ven thera called for the complete cleansing of the society, thereby putting an end to various social ills.
Late Mr. Premachnadra’s pier was lit before the eyes of large crowds who were present at Umagiriya Park Kolonnawa. A large group of ministers, MPs from both the government and opposition were present at the funeral. (Yohan Perera)
DM