Former Speaker of Parliament Joseph Michael Perera has passed away. He was 81 years old at the time of his death.
He passed away at his residence in Ja-Ela this afternoon.
Mr Perera was the 17th Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament from December 19, 2001 to February 7, 2004.
Born on September 9, 1941 he served as an Elected Member of the Ja-Ela Urban Council (UC) from 1964-1967. He was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Ja-Ela UC from 1967-1970 and as its Chairman from 1970-1971.
He was the Chief Organiser of the United National Party (UNP) from 1971-1976.
Mr Perera was elected as a Member of Parliament of the First National State Assembly from 1976-1977 and as an Elected Member of the Second State Assembly from 1977-1978.
He was an Elected Member of the First Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka from1978-1988.
My memory takes me back to 1979, to a moment etched in time when a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed military officer, a Master in charge of Cadeting at Prince of Wales College commanding a guard of honour presented to President J.R. Jayawardene by the cadets of 3CCC, consisted of Ananda, Nalanda and Prince of Wales Cadet platoons at the Prince of Wales College grounds.
An American national, who had been staying in Sri Lanka for nearly ten months without a valid visa while using a Sinhala name under his American passport, was arrested by the Tourist Police of the Kandy.
The Government is considering abolishing the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (OCDS) when the term of office of its incumbent General Shavendra Silva ends on December 31.
Former Member of Parliament J.R.P. Suriyapperuma passed away today, January 2, 2025, at the age of 96.
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