By Yohan Perera

The late Mangala Samaraweera was a great political icon which Sri Lanka has seen since independence and a leader who spoke fearlessly, said what he had to say no matter it being politically unfavourable to him, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

“Matara and Mangala were not two separate entities for him. Yet he used his political philosophy to develop the entire nation,” Mr Wijewardene said in a special statement. 

 
 It was Mangala who took the first steps towards making Colombo a beautiful city. During his tenure as the Minister for Urban Development.”

“He showed the country that nationalism is more powerful than communalism. He preferred to build up an integrated society by bringing the North and the South together. This is why he requested people to treat Sri Lanka as their mother. He can be identified as a patriot who embraced liberal democracy. He stood out for the small man like a giant. He raised his voice for equality and civil rights throughout his life. Mangala never hesitated to use his voice for the needs of Sri Lankan society. The COVID pandemic has taken away such a great person. His demise not only creates a void in the political field but in the entire society. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana,” Mr. Wijewardene said.