Death of Dr. Nissanka Wijeyaratne: Condolence messages

A great loss to the nation - President

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the passing away of Dr.Nissanka Wijeyaratne, former Minister of Education and Diyawadana Nilame is a loss to the entire nation.

Issuing a condolence message on the demise of Dr. Wijeyaratne, President Rajapaksa said he rendered an invaluable service to the country by having several responsible portfolios under that Government.

The President said: "He held the post of Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy during the period from 1975 to 1985 and I knew him as a servant and a friend of the people who served them with out any racial, religious or political discrimination.

Ever since, I had the fortune of associating with him closely as a respectable and trustworthy friend in many fields.

He was the Sri Lankan UNESCO Representative in Paris. He served as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Paris from 1990 to 1994. The late Dr.Nissanka Wijeyaratne can be identified as an internationally acclaimed academic of Sri Lanka.

I consider the demise of Dr. Nissanka Wijeyaratne who is the beloved father of former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyaratne and Kegalle District UNP MP Mano Wijeyaratne is a loss not only to his family members but to the entire nation in general.

I convey my deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family and Dr. Nissanka's friends and relations and wish him the bliss of Nibbana."

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Opposition Leader

COLOMBO: Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in a condolence message on the death of Dr. Nissanka Wijeyaratne said he first came to know, Dr. Wijeyaratne who was a member of the 1977 Cabinet which worked to steer the country from darkness to light, was as a veteran civil servant. He rendered a special service for the welfare of the country as a G.A. and a Permanent Secretary.

Later when he was appointed Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, he added a new dimension to that coveted post. The fact that his earlier critics were now following in his footsteps showed that his actions were farsighted and correct.

The education sector in this country suffered a great setback under the 1970-77 United Front Government. In addition to cutting off two years from the period of school education, the O/L and A/L examinations were cancelled and some other system of education was introduced in their place.

This placed the Sri Lankan student community in a state of loneliness without conforming to any international education standard.

The greatest service rendered by late Dr. Wijeyaratne as Education Minister in the 1977 Government was to restore these lost educational opportunities to our child generation. He restored the 12-year education period to Sri Lankan children and provided them with a secure future both locally and internationally and the whole nation's honour and gratitude was due to him for this service.

"Even after retiring from politics and public service, he gave us advice and counsel on many occasions. I am personally aware that he had a habit of meeting his children at least once a month to provide them with such advice and counsel."

"While recalling such services, I wish him the eternal bliss of Nibbana. I also take this opportunity to convey my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Wijeyaratne and their children including Mano and Neranjan.

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Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwer

COLOMBO: Presidential Advisor and Media Ombudsman A. H. M. Azwer in a message on the death of Dr. Nissanka Wijeyaratne says: The passing away of Dr. Wijeyaratne removes from our midst a colourful personality who rode the local scene like a colossus.

He surpassed many of his contemporaries in excelling every field of activities, be it religion, politics, academic pursuits, or intellectual disposition.

I came in close contact with this dynamic figure during the 1977 Election.

I had the privilege of interpreting many of his public addresses. With his overwhelming Buddhist background, he also cultivated close friendship and affinity with the Muslims and Tamils.

He had an open mind and proved to all that he was a great student on contemporary religions.

Dr. Nissanka vexed eloquence on Islamic subjects quoting with grace, ease and skill from the writings of renowned International Islamic scholars and Jurists like Ibnu Arabi, Imam Gazzaly, Jalaludeen Rumi, Muhiyadeen Abdul Qader Jeelani and many others.

Dr. Wijeyaratne was an enthralling and entertaining conversationalist who could convinced anyone with his words of wisdom and intellectual discourse.