Paul Perera dies

One-time Justice, Science and Technology and Lands Minister E.P. Paul Perera passed away last afternoon at a Colombo nursing home after a brief illness. Mr. Perera (78), was a prominent figure of the United National Party (UNP) and a key figure in the J.R. Jayewardene Government from 1977-1989. He was a lawyer with a wide practice before he engaged in active politics.

Born in 1929, Mr. Perera and had his early education at Maris Stella College, Negombo. He obtained a BA ( Honours ) degree in History from the University of Colombo. He served as the Assistant Government Archivist at the Department of National Archives before entering the Sri Lanka Law College.

He was enrolled as an Advocate in 1960 and joined the Port Cargo Corporation as the Board Secretary and Legal Officer. He joined the private Bar in June 1967 where he enjoyed an extensive practice and was appointed a President’s Counsel in December 1988.

In 1977, with the advent of the J.R. Jayewardene Government, Mr. Paul Perera was appointed the Competent Authority of Times of Ceylon newspapers, Director of Bank of Ceylon, Director General (Administration) of the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (GCEC) and in 1982 made the Director General of the GCEC.

The late Mr. Perera entered Parliament in July 1983 representing the Kaduwela seat and was appointed District Minister of Polonnaruwa for one year in October 1983 in the aftermath of the race riots of that year . He was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice in 1988 and later served as Minister of Justice. During the first Parliamentary elections under the proportional representation scheme, the late Mr. Perera contested and won from the Attanagalla electorate in the Gampaha district. He served as Minister of Science and Technology from 1989 and as Minister of Lands from 1993.

A frontline Working Committee member of the UNP, the late Mr. Perera was in active politics until he was taken ill and is survived by his wife Mrs. Kulaseeli Perera, former Chairman of the Western Provincial Council and four sons, Ronald, Arnold, Harold, Rodney and daughter Pushpamala.

The Cremation will be at Borella General Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon (August15). The cortege leaves his residence No 71, Ward Place Colombo 7 at 3.00 p.m.