Jeyaraj B’day today

The 59th birth anniversary of late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who died on April 6th, 2008 following an LTTE suicide bomb attack at Weliveriya falls today.

Mr. Fernandopulle was born as the third of an eight member family of K.c.fernandopulle and Alice Mary Fernandopulle of Negombo on January 11, 1953 and had his early and secondary education at Ave Maria and Maristella Colleges, Negombo.

He served as an English and Math teacher before entering the Law College. He was a colleague of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Law College.

Mr. Fernandopulle was appointed as the SLFP chief organizer of the Katana constituency in 1984 and was elected to Parliament in 1989 for the first time.

He was appointed Finance, Plan Implementation, National Integration and Ethnic Affairs Deputy Minister of the Chandrika Kumaratunga regime that came to power in 1994 and in 1997 was given the Cabinet portfolio of Parliamentary Affairs.

He also held the portfolios of Aviation, Tourism, Trade and Consumer Affairs and Highways in addition to the great service he rendered to the SLFP as the Treasurer and Chief Government Whip before his untimely death.

Incidentally, he was the last government member assassinated by the LTTE. An all night Bana Preaching organized by Parliamentarian Dr. Mrs. Sudharshini Fernandopulle and children was held in memory of his 30 year service to the country at the Sri Jayasundararamaya, Bolawalana in Negombo which was constructed on the personal financial assistance of Mr. Fernandopulle before his death followed by the Heel Dana this morning.