News
Remembering dynamic duo

Gamini and Srima Dissanayake
By Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne
Gamini Dissanayake Foundation commemorates Gamini Dissanayake’s 79th Birth Anniversary on 20th March and Srima Dissanayake’s 2ndrd Death Anniversary on 29th March.
A visionary who forged ahead with undiminished zeal, Gamini Dissanayake was instrumental in making colossal changes which had a lasting effect in our Motherland. Like the flow and ebb of the Mahaweli River, his life had its sporadic moments of triumph and testing, but he flowed on towards his goal unperturbed by the daunting challenges that threatened to hinder his journey, until the diabolical monster called terrorism reared its monstrous assault on his life, on that fateful day in 1994.
‘A leader par excellence, Gamini Dissanayake was undisputedly a shining light in the political firmament of 20th Century Sri Lanka. Charismatic, erudite and honourable, he was one politician who early in his career demonstrated that he had all the qualities required to give true statesmanlike leadership to Sri Lanka.’
He was also the former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President and was among the former presidents of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) who received lifetime awards for his contribution to cricket at the ACC’s 25-year celebrations banquet. He waxed eloquent at the House of Lords in 1981, impressing the august gathering, which was a watershed moment resulting in Sri Lanka cricket being granted test status.
Charismatic leader
‘A greatness of a man is judged by the powerful and pervasive influence he exercises for the good of his generation and by the certainty of his influence on the generations yet unborn. Such people are National Leaders. To achieve this, they must be blessed with leadership qualities. Leadership is one of the most enduring human responsibilities. Leaders must take their ability to craft a vision, inspire action and empower others.
The first milestone on the journey to leadership, not only we demand leaders to be credible, but also, they be forward looking and that they have a sense of direction and a vision for the future. If you study leadership in depth, you would observe, the first and key principle of leadership is between a leader and a follower. Without a follower, there is no one to lead.’
Visionary
‘Gamini Dissanayake was a visionary. He was passionate, creative, flexible, inspiring, innovative courageous, imaginative, initiates change, experimental. This fine human being, possessed a charming, attractive personality and personal power and charisma. He is a man to inspire and motivate men. He had the ability to influence people toward the attainment of a country’s goal. He was a fine democratic leader, who delegate authority to others, encourage participation and relies on expert and referent power to manage subordinates.’
He comfortably secured his Nuwara_Eliya-Maskeliya multi electorate seat in the 1977 general elections and was appointed the Minister of Mahaweli Development. Dissanayake spearheaded the Mahaweli Development Project. This was a huge project which was expected to take 30 years to finish. But due to Dissanayake’s skills he managed to finish the project within six years. The Mahaweli Development Project is the largest development project conducted in Sri Lanka after independence. The whole country was affected by the project which focused on irrigation, hydro power generation, agriculture and town and country development. The majority of the energy requirement for local consumption is generated by these hydropower plants while an overwhelming majority of rice cultivation in Sri Lanka is practised in these Mahaweli areas.
‘He was always receptive to new and novel ideas that could march towards that vision. He knew the constraints in working through a slow-moving administrative system and was ever willing to support measures that could overcome them.
Minister Gamini was a champion of parliamentary democracy; he believed in the value of open and intense debate and dialogue to reach consensus as his parliamentary and public speeches would demonstrate; he accepted the role of intellectuals and professionals in the governance and development processes, the criticality of consistency and continuity in administrative and management structures for governance and the imperatives of keeping pace with emerging global trends through the medium of information technology that was beginning to sweep across the world. Armed with his wide knowledge base acquired through constant reading and combined with his remarkable communication skills as a public speaker Sri Lanka would have reached out to a very wide global audience and benefitted from their contributions the scale of which it is difficult to visualize in retrospect.’
Srima-wind beneath the wings
Following her husband’s untimely demise, his vision for Sri Lanka seemed to have been extinguished but the flames were reignited through the Gamini Dissanayake Foundation (GDF) which paved the way for Gamini Dissanayake Institute of Technology & Vocational Studies (GDITVS) – the brainchild of his wife, Srima Dissanayake. The enchanting lady by his side was a wonder woman in her own right and much ahead of her time, supporting her husband in his political quest to transform the lives of Sri Lankans. Thereafter, Srima, a lawyer by profession, dedicated her life to taking care of her children; Former United National Party MP, Navin Dissanayake, Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya candidate and former MP, Mayantha Dissanayake and daughter, Varuni Dissanayake. During this period she founded GDF, a magnanimous venture that reflects Gamini’s vision for the youth of Sri Lanka and actively lobbied for innovative methods to motivate them, until her passing on 29th March, 2019.
The month of March brings to mind the dynamic duo, Gamini and Srima Dissanayake who left a strong legacy.
(The italicized sections are excerpts from articles:
A LEADING MAN: Qualities of Gamini Dissanayake by Premasara Epasinghe on October 31, 2012, Daily News
Gamini Dissanayake – the Visionary by Nanda Abeywickrama on October 24, 2020 in The Island Newspaper).
Reflecting Dissanayake’s vision for the youth of Sri Lanka through GDF
GDF was formed with the intention of giving a new dimension to the youth of this land by equipping them to participate equally and with dignity in the mainstream of economic and cultural activities. They are provided with a plethora of opportunities to learn new skills while emphasis is given to human resource development to help hone entrepreneurial skills. The Foundation focuses on socially disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable communities to help them achieve a better quality of life as well as working toward the creation of mutual understanding, harmony and fellowship among all cultural, religious and ethnic groups.
At GDITVS, knowledge is disseminated through the STEM method which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM is important because it extends throughout every part of our lives. Science is everywhere in the world around us. Technology is continuously expanding into every aspect of our lives. The basic designs of roads and bridges are derived from engineering, but it also tackles the challenges of changing global weather and environmentally-friendly changes to our home.
Mathematics has relevancy in every occupation, every activity we undertake in our lives. By exposing students to STEM and giving them opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts, they will develop a passion for it and hopefully pursue a job in a STEM field. A curriculum that is STEM-based makes use of real-life situations to help the student learn. Programmes like Engineering for Kids integrates multiple classes to provide opportunities to see how concepts relate to life in order to hopefully spark a passion for a future career in a STEM field. STEM activities provide hands-on and minds-on lessons for the student. Making Math and Science both fun and interesting helps the student do much more than just learn. The demand for jobs centred on STEM Education is on the rise and GDF has provided the opportunity for kids aged between 11 and 18 in Nuwara-Eliya to make their lives better in the future. During the lockdown period due to the pandemic, classes were conducted successfully through online platforms which proved to be equally successful and innovative.
News
Students from Mawatagama Central College, Kurunegala and Sri Koneswara Hindu College, Trincomalee visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House

A group of students from Mawatagama Central College in Kurunegala and Sri Koneswara Hindu College in Trincomalee had the opportunity to participate in the “Vision” programme organized by the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (11), as part of their educational excursion.
This programme is jointly conducted by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Communications Department of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, with the aim of educating school children. As part of the programme, the students were also briefed on the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and its conceptual importance in promoting environmental consciousness.
Delivering an engaging lecture to the students, Senior Advisor to the President on Science and technology Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya emphasized the importance of not limiting oneself to a single field of knowledge, but rather exploring all areas through experimentation from a young age. He also highlighted how life’s challenges can be overcome by treating every experience as a subject of inquiry and learning.
Reinforcing the importance of environmental conservation, valuable saplings were donated to the participating schools.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President K.N.M. Kumarasinghe, Director of the Tri-Forces Coordination Unit of the Presidential Secretariat Air Commodore Asiri Gallage, Assistant Director Major Nadika Dangolla, as well as teachers from both Mawatagama Central College and Sri Koneswara Hindu College.
[PMD]
News
Utilize capital allocated by the government effectively to reach targeted economic development goals – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that this year’s budget has allocated the highest capital expenditure by a government in recent history for development activities, amounting to nearly Rs. 1,400 billion. The President stated that it is the responsibility of both the political leadership and state officials to ensure that these funds are utilized effectively to meet the economic growth targets before the end of this year.
President Dissanayake further stated that the general public, who are not involved, have fallen victim to the choices made by the political authority and state officials, stressing that this situation must not persist.
The President made these remarks on Friday (11) while attending the Matara District Special Coordination Committee meeting held at the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat.
Highlighting that the government expects an economic growth rate of 5% this year, the President stated that increased state investments will contribute significantly to this growth. He added that the country now has the opportunity to restart its development efforts.
The President advised that if the allocated capital expenditure is not used as intended, the entire development cycle could collapse. He emphasised that everyone must commit to spending the funds effectively. The President also recalled that the country had a history of not receiving the allocated funds for capital expenditure in a timely manner.
During the meeting, the allocations made for development projects in the Matara District under the 2025 Budget at the level of ministries, departments and institutions, along with the progress of the projects that have already been initiated, were reviewed.
Discussions were also held regarding issues in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, health, education, rural road development, land and irrigation, along with potential solutions.
The President paid special attention to the issue of the Nilwala River Salinity Barrier, highlighting the necessity to address the longstanding problems faced by the local community. He directed that a Committee comprising specialists in the relevant fields be established within a month to evaluate previous findings of the investigation reports conducted on this matter and to prepare a report.
The President also highlighted the need for a comprehensive master plan to fully manage the flood situation in the Matara District. He suggested that the Asian Development Bank or the World Bank carry out a renewed study on the matter. In the meantime, he stressed the importance of implementing short-term solutions to address the day-to-day challenges people face until long-term solutions become operational.
Attention was also drawn to the waste management problems in the district and the measures being taken to address them.
The President noted the importance of using currently unused large government buildings in the district for productive development activities. Referring to the Matara Cultural Centre, he mentioned that despite the significant funds spent on its construction, it has not yet been utilised for any effective purpose. He instructed officials to submit urgent proposals to make a final decision regarding the deteriorating structure.
The proposed Polhena Cricket Training School was also a topic of discussion, and the President directed that a proposal be submitted concerning this matter. He guaranteed that measures would be taken to secure Cabinet approval for the project.
The meeting was attended by Co-Chairs of the Matara District Coordination Committee, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Southern Province Governor, Bandula Harischandra and Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj. Also present were public representatives of the Matara district including Members of Parliament Lal Premanath, Ajantha Gammaddage, Chathura Galappaththi, Arkam Ilyas, L. M. Abeywickrama, as well as government officials including Matara District Secretary, Chandana Tilakaratne.
News
ITAK demands immediate release of all findings related to Chemmani mass grave probe

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) yesterday demanded the immediate public release of all forensic reports, and DNA findings, related to the Chemmani mass grave investigation, warning that symbolic gestures of reconciliation will remain hollow without legal accountability.
In a strongly worded three-page letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the party urged urgent action to ensure truth, justice, and international collaboration in the ongoing exhumation process in Jaffna.
The letter, signed by senior party leaders C.V.K. Sivagnanam and M.A. Sumanthiran, raised concerns over the transparency of the current procedures and emphasised the need for independent international forensic oversight. The ITAK also called for the consolidation of legal cases filed in 1999 and 2025 and the return of remains held in Glasgow for further forensic analysis.
ITAK said that more than 65 skeletons, including those of infants, have already been recovered—pointing to the scale of atrocities allegedly committed in the area.
The party stressed that forensic transparency, proper victim identification, and prosecution of perpetrators are essential for genuine national healing and justice.
Full text of the ITAK letter: “We write on behalf of Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi to express profound concern regarding the ongoing exhumation at Chemmani. We urge urgent and decisive action to uncover the truth, ensure forensic protocols meet internationally recognised standards, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Chemmani has come to represent Sri Lanka’s unresolved legacy of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings extending into the mid-1990s. In 1998, Lance Corporal Somaratne Rajapakse convicted for the rape and murder of Tamil schoolgirl, Krishanthi Kumaraswarny, and family members, revealed at his sentencing hearing that between 300 and 400 Tamil civilians had been buried there. This disclosure prompted excavations in 1999 that yielded fifteen skeletons, two of which were identified as disappearances from 1996. Despite forensic confirmation of assault and execution prosecutions stagnated and no meaningful justice was delivered to the day.
“In early 2025, during redevelopment work at the Chemmani Ariyalai Siththuppaaththi Hindu crematorium in northern Jaffna human skeletal remains were uncovered, prompting the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court to formally declare the site a mass grave and order a court-supervised excavation under judicial supervision. As of today, approximately 65 skeletons including infants and children had been exhumed in two phases, accompanied by personal artefacts such as a school bag, toy, bangles, sandals and fragments of clothing. All remains are held at the University of Jaffna for forensic examination.
“These excavations, along with several other mass graves in the Tamil areas of the North and East, constitute clear evidence of war crimes and a genocidal campaign against the Tamil population in this country, a grave history that must be acknowledged in full.
“Truth seeking must serve as the foundation of any transitional justice process. Hundreds of families continue to seek answers, more than sixteen years after the war ended in 2009. These families are asking an imperative question about the fate of their missing loved ones
“The silence of successive regime is not merely a political failure but a grave moral one. Every year without truth undermines the possibility of national healing and closure. The fifteen bodies removed in 1999 are connected to the same criminal context as the current discoveries. However, the pending case in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court relating to that excavation has not been formally integrated with the present investigation. These must now be treated as part of a single criminal transaction. Only consolidation of both investigations can enable meaningful account ability,
Sri Lanka’s limited domestic forensic capacity and the history of opaque handling of mass graves make transparent protocols and credible international oversight indispensable Chain of custody must be documented meticulously
“Independent forensic experts of recognised international standing should be engaged to oversee excavation, identification and analysis. Interim and final reports must be publicly disclosed to victims’ families, civil society, international observers and the wider public.
“It has come to light that the fifteen bodies exhumed in 1999 were reportedly transferred to the University of Glasgow for analysis. To date, successive Sri Lankan governments have taken no meaningful steps to repatriate those remains, identify the victims or facilitate their proper last rites. Those remains must be urgently returned to Sri Lanka so they may be re-investigated under the same internationally monitored protocols applied to the current Chemmani excavation contributing but unified and coherent truth-seeking process.
“The earth at Chemmani is speaking again. Over forty skeletons, including infants, have emerged with personal artefacts that painfully affirm their civilian status and innocence. Yet many perpetrators remain at liberty. Symbolic gestures of reconciliation ring hollow without real legal action.
“We therefore respectfully but firmly urge Your Excellency to implement the following without delay:
1. Consolidate the legal cases related to the 1999 and 2025 exhumations into a single judicial and forensic inquiry under the Colombo and Jaffna Magistrate’s Courts.
2. Engage independent, internationally respected forensic experts to oversee all stages of the investigation, ensuring forensic integrity and public trust.
3. Publicize all interim and final forensic reports, DNA profiles and identification results, and facilitate access for victims’ families, civil society and international observers.
4. Repatriate the remains excavated in 1999, currently believed to be held in Glasgow, to they may be examined under the same protocols and returned to their families with dignity.
5. Allocate significantly enhanced financial and logistical resources to ensure that the current excavation is completed under international standards; hundreds of families continue searching for missing loved ones, and without truth and accountability, reconciliation remains a facade. Concurrently take steps to prosecute those responsible for these heinous crimes, which is essential for national healing.
These actions are essential to uphold Sri Lanka’s moral and legal obligations and to chart a credible path toward truth and justice.We remain ready to support constructively in facilitating these measures and ensuring their timely implementation.”
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