G. L. PEIRIS : A GENTLEMAN POLITICIAN
External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris is a philanthropist, enriched with an excellent character and remains unshaken before diplomatic issues as well as in praises and in disgraces. He was a clever lecturer, Professor, Vice-Chancellor and an intellect. He is a democratic and gentlemanly politician, who functions intelligently with the serene mind confronting successfully diplomatic issues directed by the European countries, other foreign leaders and the Tamil Diaspora.
He is a Minister, who has a strong personality and dedication to the protection of the independence and the dignity of the country manifesting his political experience and far-sightedness with patience before foreign powers.
It is well revealed that, he is making enormous efforts to create a civilized society where there is peace and harmony, through his political activities.
His father was Mr. Glanville Peiris who was a clever diplomat and an intellect. His mother was Mrs. Lakshmi Chandrika Peiris. His beloved grand mother was Ms. Louis Margaret Salgado and she had provided utmost contribution in achieving goals of the life of Hon. Minister. Being a well known social worker and the person who initiated to establish the Sripali Vidyalaya, Horana, Mr. Wilmet A. Perera was a close relative of his. His relatives have rendered immeasurable services to uplift Buddhist education in this country. They dedicated benevolently to establish Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo and Sumangala Vidyalaya, Panadura which were leading Buddhist schools.
Prof. Peiris was born on August 13, 1946 as the only child in his family. He had his education at St. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia. He was able to bring glory to his school due to his brilliant performances. He was the student who obtained the best results at the G.C.E. (O/L) and Advanced Level Examinations in his school.
He entered the Faculty of Arts in the University of Peradeniya in 1964. On the results, obtained in the first year examination he was privileged to enter the Faculty of Law in the University of Colombo for his second year. He was able to win the Mudaliyar Edmond Peiris Prize as a student of the Faculty of Law. He successfully completed his Degree in 1967. He read for his Doctorate in Philosophy. He was good enough to hold positions of Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professorship and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo.
He never went behind the higher posts but was appointed to such posts of due to his qualifications. Books on Law written by him in Sirihala and English are very useful and important for students local and foreign, engaging in legal studies. He is an excellent speaker. His contribution provided to the field of law studies is commendable.
After obtaining the membership of Youth Unrest Commission he made efforts to create a good path for the youth focusing his attention on the various issues related to youth. He has
He never go behind the higher posts but he was appointed to such posts taking into consideration of his qualifications. Books on Law written by him in Sirihala and English are very useful and important for the students of local and foreign, engaging in legal studies. He is an excellent speaker. His contribution provided to the field of law studies is commendable.
taken steps to implement active programme identifying the needs and aspirations of youth through such Commission. He functioned as a member of the Education Commission and contributed to prepare a suitable policy on necessity of a educational process which provides solutions to the issues of youth and the necessary steps to be taken for the accomplishment of that purpose.
Having convinced of the importance of entering politics he entered the active politics in 1994. With the intention of rescue the country from the grasp of terrorists in the North and the rebels in the South he chose the political arena. He is an ornament to the United People's Freedom Alliance as the contribution extended in the identification and seeking of solutions of domestic and foreign matters. While some persons brighten up due to the party or, the designation, which holds by Hon. (Prof.) G.L. Peiris, gives ever shine.
More learned persons and scholars gathered around the Sri Lanka Freedom Party owing to his honesty and sophisticated political knowledge. His attention was drawn to the manner of building the country through the social convention. Definitions and the solutions presented by the Hon. Minister on the paramount issues of the country have attracted the people. He extended his contribution to the United People's Freedom Affiance to prepare a people friendly manifesto scrutinizing the national and international matters deeply. Accordingly he has provided his utmost support to keep the United People's Freedom Alliance undefeated.
As a member of the Cabinet of Ministers in 1994 he held the portfolios of Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He has presented Budgets several times in Parliament as the Deputy Minister of Finance. He has performed immense role as a Minister, who prepared and presented a successful reform proposals in the field of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and focused special attention on the protection of fundamental rights of children, played a major role in the Commonwealth Conferences and Seminars relating to Finance Ministers' representing the country. It is a great fortune of the nation that G.L. Peiris' entry into the politics as a gentleman politician, who can encounter successfully against any challenge through his intelligence, experience and broad knowledge on politics and joining to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and presenting himself to support and strengthening the hands of the Presidents.
He has fulfilled the requirement of a Foreign Minister who can face strongly in the serious problems affected to the country internationally. There is no doubt that the President would also be pleased on the appointing of (Prof.) G.L. Peiris, who has strictly abstained from the misconducts, to his Cabinet of Ministers. May he have blessings of the triple gems to have a healthy and long life to enable him to achieve his future political activities and render an immeasurable service for the nation and the country.
Thilak Devagiribandara, Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament