By Suranga Rajanayaka and Ranjith Rajapakse   

The late Minister Gamini Dissanayake who fulfilled his responsibilities as leader of the opposition in Parliament had often argued with prominent leaders including Dr.  N. M. Perera and Dr. Colvin R. De Silva on their foreign policy and hunger and other hardships facing the people, Kotmale Deputy Chief Adikarana Sanghanayake Ven.Madakumbure Lankananda Thera said.   

Addressing the 80th birth anniversary commemoration of the late minister, the Ven. Thera said usually the defeated formed the opposition in parliament and it was also the alternative government coming to power next. He pointed out that as opposition leader, Gamini Dissanayake was well convinced of this situation and that he was concerned about the needs of the people in Kotmale.   

The commemoration ceremony in front of the Gamini Dissanayake statue on the banks of the Kotmale reservoir had been organized by the Gamini Dissanayake foundation. “Kotmale has been the nurture ground of many a leaders, but former Minister Gamini Dissanayake was an outstanding character who always upheld his dignity as a leader from the upcountry. 

Addressing the ceremony former Minister Naveen Dissanayake said he was pleased about organizing a ceremony to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of his late father. He said if there had been a leader of my father’s calibre,  the people would not have suffered the present predicament.   
“I have never experienced a similar era of suffering as that of today. The United National Party is determined to regroup the defectors to see the dawn of a new era bringing relief to the people. We must be patient and act with restraint to save a country for our children. We have a great responsibility to relieve the people from the present predicament. However it would be a futile attempt to change the government by staging protests in front of the Presidential Secretariat. We must change the government through a campaign as my father always believed, and I am dedicated to fulfill that responsibility.   

“Two million of UNP sympathizers had not voted for Ranil or Sajith. Today we take this opportunity to study our shortcomings and to plan our future programmes. During the SLFP regime under former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the people had to stand in queues to purchase essential consumer goods and even a length of chintz cloth. Today people have to wait in queues to pump fuel for their vehicles or to buy a cylinder of gas. They are subject to unprecedented suffering. The UNP is like a broken plate and our challenge today is to reassemble its pieces the Samagi Jana Balawegaya polled about 90 percent of the UNP votes and the UNP about 10 percent. It is possible to decide the victory or defeat of the Rajapaksa government with that 10 percent of votes. We must wait and see and allow nature to decide.   

 The people who voted against us are rethinking about it today because they have realized that they want a country for their children. Thousands of young men and women are leaving the country today. I am sad that the UNP has failed in our role. As an opposition we have a large responsibility today to raise a voice for the people.. We must join hands with the people and launch a campaign I do not have any ill-will against people who did not vote for me, More than 20 percent of the UNP sympathizers had refrained from voting. If we could muster the support of that 20 percent we can change the Rajapaksa regime”, he further said.   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Mayantha Dissanayake also addressed the meeting.   
A large gathering, including the Mahasangha were present at the occasion.   

• Minister Gamini Dissanayake was an outstanding character who always upheld his dignity as a leader from the upcountry