House pays tribute to Speaker over honour conferred by Malwatte Chapter

MPs from the Government and Opposition came together in Parliament this morning (21) to pay tribute to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and offer their congratulations to the Speaker on him being conferred the “Shashana Keerthi Sri Deshabhimani” award by the Malwatte Chapter.

By Sandun Jayawardana

The “Shashana Keerthi Sri Deshabhimani” award is the highest honour the Malwatte Chapter awards to a layperson for services rendered to the Buddha Sasana and the nation. The honour was conferred on the Speaker on Tuesday (19) during a ceremony held at the Malwathu Maha Vihara in Kandy.

Prior to the commencement of the Committee Stage debate of the Budget this morning, Chief Government Whip Gayantha Karunathilake and Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella offered their congratulations on behalf of the Government, praising the Speaker for his services to the Buddha Sasana and the country throughout his life.

They also paid tribute to the Speaker for his exemplary leadership provided to safeguard democracy during last year’s Constitutional crisis, and for the role he played in ensuring that the crisis was resolved peacefully.

Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera, along with UPFA MPs Bandula Gunawardena, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and JVP MP Nihal Galappatti offered their best wishes from the Opposition, wishing the Speaker the strength to continue rendering his services for the good of the country.