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{{Short description|Sri Lankan politician (1941–2024)}}
{{Short description|Sri Lankan politician (1941–2024)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable|Hon.]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable|Hon.]]
Line 14: Line 13:
| term_end = 21 November 2019
| term_end = 21 November 2019
| predecessor = [[Udaya Gammanpila]]
| predecessor = [[Udaya Gammanpila]]
| successor = [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]
| successor = [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]<ref group="N">As [[Minister of Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs]]</ref>
| president1 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| president1 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| primeminister1 = [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]]
| primeminister1 = [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]]
| term_start1 = 25 August 2017
| term_start1 = 25 August 2017
| term_end1 = 26 October 2018
| term_end1 = 26 October 2018
| predecessor1 = [[Karu Jayasuriya]]
| predecessor1 = [[Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe]]
| successor1 = Udaya Gammanpila
| successor1 = Udaya Gammanpila <ref group="N">As [[Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs]]</ref>
| office2 = [[Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs|Minister of Wayamba Development]]
| office2 = [[Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs|Minister of Wayamba Development]]
| president2 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| president2 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
Line 26: Line 25:
| term_start2 = 20 December 2018
| term_start2 = 20 December 2018
| term_end2 = 21 November 2019
| term_end2 = 21 November 2019
| predecessor2 = [[S. B. Nawinne]]<ref group="N">As [[Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs]] </ref>
| predecessor2 = [[S. B. Nawinne]]
| successor2 = ''Vacant''
| successor2 = ''Vacant''
| office3 = [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife]]
| office3 = [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife]]
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| term_start3 = 4 September 2015
| term_start3 = 4 September 2015
| term_end3 = 25 February 2018
| term_end3 = 25 February 2018
| predecessor3 = [[Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa]]
| predecessor3 = [[Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa]]<ref group="N">As [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Minister of Wildlife Conservation]] </ref>
| successor3 = [[Sarath Fonseka]]
| successor3 = [[Sarath Fonseka]]<ref group="N">As [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development]] </ref>
| office4 = [[Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security|Minister of Food Security]]
| office4 = [[Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security|Minister of Food Security]]
| president4 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| president4 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
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| term_start4 = 12 January 2015
| term_start4 = 12 January 2015
| term_end4 = 17 August 2015
| term_end4 = 17 August 2015
| predecessor4 = [[P. Dayaratna]]
| predecessor4 = [[P. Dayaratna]]<ref group="N">As [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Senior Minister of Food and Nutrition]]</ref>
| successor4 = [[Chamal Rajapaksa]]<ref group="N">As [[Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security|Minister of Internal Trade, Food Security and Consumer Welfare]] </ref><ref group="N">Position vacant from 17 August 2015 to 22 November 2019.</ref>
| successor4 = [[Chamal Rajapaksa]]
| office5 = [[Minister of Irrigation and Water Management (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation and Water Management]]
| office5 = [[Minister of Irrigation and Water Management (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation and Water Management]]
| president5 = [[Chandrika Kumaratunga]]
| president5 = [[Chandrika Kumaratunga]]
Line 47: Line 46:
| term_start5 = 12 December 2001
| term_start5 = 12 December 2001
| term_end5 = 4 November 2003
| term_end5 = 4 November 2003
| predecessor5 = [[Sarath Amunugama]]
| predecessor5 = [[Sarath Amunugama]]<ref group="N">As [[Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management]]. </ref>
| successor5 = [[Ferial Ashraff]]<ref group="N">As [[Minister of Housing and Construction Industry, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Housing and Construction Industry, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development]]. </ref>
| successor5 = [[Ferial Ashraff]]
| office6 = 1st [[List of chief ministers of North Western Province|Chief Minister of the North Western Province]]
| office6 = 1st [[List of chief ministers of North Western Province|Chief Minister of the North Western Province]]
| governor6 = [[Dingiri Banda Wijetunga]]<br />[[Montague Jayawickrama]]
| governor6 = [[Dingiri Banda Wijetunga]]<br />[[Montague Jayawickrama]]
Line 96: Line 95:
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera''' ({{lang-si|ගාමිණී ජයවික්‍රම පෙරේරා}}; 29 January 1941 – 17 February 2024) was a Sri Lankan politician, cabinet minister and member of the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]] from the [[Katugampola Electoral District|Katugampola District]] from 1977 to 1989 and later the [[Kurunegala Electoral District|Kurunegala District]]. He has served in multiple ministerial posts, including the [[Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation|Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife]], [[Minister of Buddha Sasana]], [[Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs|Minister of Wayamba Development]], [[Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security|Minister of Food Security]] and [[Minister of Irrigation and Water Management (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation and Water Management]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/42677/thalatha-and-gamini-sworn-in-to-wijeyadasas-portfolios|title = Thalatha and Gamini sworn in to Wijeyadasa's portfolios}}</ref>


'''Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera'''({{lang-si|ගාමිණී ජයවික්‍රම පෙරේරා}}, {{lang-ta|காமினி ஜெயவிக்கிரம பெரேரா}}; 29 January 1941 – 17 February 2024), more commonly known as '''Gamini Jayawickrama Perera''', was a Sri Lankan politician. He was a [[United National Party]] member of the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]] for the [[Kurunegala Electoral District|Kurunegala District]] between 1994 and 2020, and had previously represented [[Katugampola Electoral District|Katugampola]] in the [[National State Assembly]] from 1977 to 1989.<ref name="PARLIAMENT">{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/125|title=GAMINI JAYAWICKRAMA PERERA|work=Directory of Members|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|access-date=18 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324202254/http://www.parliament.lk/directory_of_members/ViewMember.do?memID=125|archive-date=24 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Perera served many cabinet positions in various Sri Lankan governments, including being the [[Minister of Buddha Sasana]], [[Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs|Minister of Wayamba Development]], [[Ministry of Wildlife Resources Conservation|Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife]], [[Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security|Minister of Food Security]] and the [[Minister of Irrigation and Water Management (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation and Water Management]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passed away|url=https://colombogazette.com/2024/02/17/former-minister-gamini-jayawickrama-perera-passed-away/|access-date=18 February 2024|website=Colombo Gazette|date=17 February 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Former minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away|url=https://www.dinamina.lk/2024/02/17/breaking-news/65390/gamini-jayawickrama/|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Dinamina]]|date=17 February 2024|language=en}}</ref> Perera also briefly left national politics to become the [[List of chief ministers of North Western Province|Chief Minister of the North Western Province]] and serve in the [[North Western Province, Sri Lanka| North Western Provincial Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka Provinces from 1988|url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Sri_Lanka_prov.html|website=World Statesmen.org|author=Ben Cahoon|access-date=18 February 2024|language=en}}</ref> Perera also helped to represent Sri Lanka's interests internationally by being elected as the chairman of [[United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific]] in April 2016.<ref name="SO">{{cite web |title=Nation bids adieu to Gamini Jayawickrama Perera|url=https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2024/02/18/news/17100/nation-bids-adieu-to-gamini-jayawickrama-perera/|website=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Observer]]|author=Chamikara Weerasinghe|date=17 February 2024|access-date=18 February 2024|language=en}}</ref>
Additionally, Perera was elected as the chairman of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in April 2016. He was also the former Chairman of the [[United National Party]] (UNP).<ref>[http://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/125 Hon. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, M.P]</ref>


==Life and career==
==Early life==
Perera was born on 29 January 1941 in [[Kurunegala]] in the [[North Western Province, Sri Lanka|North Western Province]].<ref name="SO" /> He came from a large family, with one of his brothers being [[Lincoln Perera]], who later served as the Secretary of the [[Ministry of Plantation Industries]]. He received his primary and secondary education at [[Nalanda College, Colombo|Nalanda College]] in Colombo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Old Nalandians elected MPs to be felicitated|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/03/27/politicslead.html |access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020402045236/http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/03/27/politicslead.html | archive-date=2 April 2002|date=27 March 2002|language=en}}</ref>
Gamini was educated at [[Nalanda College, Colombo]]. He was a member of the college's first XI cricket team and captained the team in 1960.


An ardent [[cricket]] enthusiast, Perera actively participated in the sport during his school years. He was a member of the college's first XI team and eventually became its [[Captain (cricket)|captain]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=28th Battle of the Maroons|url=http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_1957.html|access-date=18 February 2024|website=28th Battle of the Maroons|date=2020|language=en|author=Manjula Fernando}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leslie Narangoda top sportsman|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/05/spo10.htm|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604130115/http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/05/spo10.htm | archive-date=4 June 2011|date=5 September 2005|language=en|author=Premasara Epasinghe}}</ref> He led the team in the ''Battle of the Maroons'' [[Big Match|Big match]] against [[Ananda College]] in 1960, which ended in a [[Result (cricket)#Draw|draw]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=31st Battle of the Maroons|url=http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_1960.html#2|access-date=18 February 2024|website=Battle of the Maroons|date=2020|language=en|author=Manjula Fernando}}</ref>
Perera died on 17 February 2024, at the age of 83.<ref>[https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=97342 Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away]</ref>

==Political career==
Perera's political career began in 1968 when as a member of the [[United National Party]] he began to participate in [[Local government in Sri Lanka|local government]] politics.<ref name="PARLIAMENT" /> He quickly rose through the ranks of the party, attracting the attention of party leader and then [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] [[J.R. Jayawardene]], who enlisted him into national politics in 1973.<ref name="SO" />

In the [[1977 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1977 elections]], which saw a resounding victory for Perera's UNP, he secured his initial parliamentary seat representing the [[Katugampola Electoral District|Katugampola]] constituency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/General%20Election%201977.PDF|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1977|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717002624/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/General%20Election%201977.PDF|archive-date=17 July 2011|access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref> Subsequently, President J.R. Jayawardene appointed Perera to the position of District Minister of Colombo in 1982 within his [[Jayewardene cabinet|cabinet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka Year Book 1982|url=http://noolaham.net/project/148/14703/14703.pdf|date=1982|language=en|publisher=Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka|pages=12–14|access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref>

With the advent of the [[Indo-Sri Lanka Accord]] and the establishment of [[Provincial government in Sri Lanka|Provincial Councils]] in Sri Lanka, Perera pursued a role in regional governance. In 1988, he contested and triumphed in the provincial council elections for the North Western Province, thereby assuming the position of its inaugural [[Chief minister (Sri Lanka)|Chief Minister]].<ref name="PARLIAMENT" /><ref name="SO" />

Returning to national politics in the [[1994 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1994 Elections]], Perera emerged victorious from the [[Kurunegala Electoral District|Kurunegala District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1994%20GENERAL%20ELECTION-SM01.PDF|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1994|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006015411/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1994%20GENERAL%20ELECTION-SM01.PDF|archive-date=6 October 2010|access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref> Throughout much of his tenure in parliament, he found himself situated on the opposition benches, apart from a brief interlude when he served as Minister of Irrigation and Water Management under the [[Chandrika Kumaratunga]] [[Kumaratunga cabinets|administration]] in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Ministers|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2001/12/13/new11.html|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]| url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202034840/http://www.dailynews.lk/2001/12/13/new11.html|archivedate=2 February 2012|date=13 December 2001|language=en}}</ref> These dynamics of his political involvement experienced a shift with the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|election]] of [[Maithripala Sirisena]] in 2015 and the establishment of a UNP-led administration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New cabinet ministers take oath|url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=29396|access-date=18 February 2024|website=Ada Derana|date=12 January 2015|language=en}}</ref> During this period, Perera assumed various ministerial portfolios, including the Minister of Food Security, the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, and the Minister of Buddha Sasana.<ref name="SO" />

Following a [[2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]] in 2018, Perera and his colleagues in the sitting administration faced temporary dismissal from their governmental posts under the [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]-led government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46019280|title=Sri Lanka crisis: Fears of a 'bloodbath' in power struggle|work=BBC News |date=29 October 2018 |access-date=18 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030132740/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46019280|archive-date=30 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, subsequent no-confidence motions and Supreme Court rulings led to their reinstatement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |last2=Bastians |first2=Dharisha |title=Sri Lanka's Disputed Prime Minister Will Step Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/world/asia/sri-lanka-rajapaksa.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=18 February 2024|date=16 December 2018}}</ref> Perera resumed his duties as Minister of Buddha Sasana and was additionally entrusted with the portfolio of Minister of Wayamba Development.<ref name="SO" /> However, with the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|election]] of [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] and the formation of a [[Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna]] government, he opted to depart from governmental responsibilities and chose not to seek re-election in [[2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2020]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka Prime Minister to Resign After Presidential Loss|url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/sri-lanka-prime-minister-to-resign-after-presidential-loss-1.1350792|website=[[BNN Bloomberg]] |access-date=18 February 2024|date=20 November 2019|author=Anusha Ondaatjie}}</ref>
===Controversies===
During his tenure as Minister of Buddha Sasana and Minister of Wayamba Development, Perera faced allegations of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power, regarding his management of the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund. He vehemently denied these accusations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayawickrama Perera unable to appear before PCoI|url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=57046|access-date=18 February 2024|website=Ada Derana|date=13 August 2019|language=en}}</ref>

In 2021, he deviated from the party line by openly criticizing UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Perera alleged that Wickremesinghe was attempting to broker a deal with the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government at the time. Furthermore, he lamented the significant losses suffered by the UNP in the 2020 elections.<ref>{{Cite web |title=There’s no point of Ranil making a ‘deal’ with a failed government… Like the government, the opposition has failed|url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=57046|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Divaina]]|date=17 July 2021|language=si}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=More than 70 former MPs were defeated|url=https://www.lankadeepa.lk/General-election-2020/%E0%B7%84%E0%B6%A7%E0%B6%B4-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%BB-70%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%A9-%E0%B6%A1%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%BA/206-576796|website=[[Lankadeepa]] |access-date=18 February 2024|date=7 August 2020|author=Editorial Board|language=si}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Perera was married, with one of his children being the former Provincial Council member, Asanka Perera.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The President visits his friend, with whom he entered parliament together in 1977|url=https://divaina.lk/77-%E0%B6%91%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%A7%E0%B6%B8-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%92-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B6%E0%B6%BA%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B6%86-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F-%E0%B6%B6%E0%B6%BD/|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Divaina]]|date=12 February 2024|language=si}}</ref> He was a devout Buddhist.<ref name="PARLIAMENT" />

===Death===
Perera died on 17 February 2024, at the age of 83 in his residence situated in Kurunegala. He had been seriously ill for some time at the time of his death.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away at 83|url=https://www.hirunews.lk/goldfmnews/362344/former-minister-gamini-jayawickrama-perera-passes-away-at-83|access-date=18 February 2024|website=[[Hiru TV|Hiru News]]|date=17 February 2024|language=en}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=N}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite web
|url=http://www.parliament.lk/directory_of_members/ViewMember.do?memID=125
|title=Biographies of Present Members
|work=parliament.lk
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324202254/http://www.parliament.lk/directory_of_members/ViewMember.do?memID=125
|archive-date=2010-03-24
}}
*{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/03/27/politicslead.html | title=Old Nalandians elected MPs to be felicitated | work=Daily News | access-date=2002-03-27 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020402045236/http://www.dailynews.lk/2002/03/27/politicslead.html | archive-date=2002-04-02 }}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_1960.html#2 | title=31st Battle of the Maroons | work=2010 Battle of the Maroons | access-date=2010-02-28}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/05/spo10.htm | title=Leslie Narangoda top sportsman | access-date=2011-04-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604130115/http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/09/05/spo10.htm | archive-date=2011-06-04 | url-status=dead }}
* [http://www.battleofthemaroons.lk/history_1957.html 28th Battle of the Maroons - Nalanda Team]


{{Members of 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}
{{Members of 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}

Revision as of 08:00, 18 February 2024

Hon.
Gamini Jayawickrama Perera
Minister of Buddha Sasana
In office
20 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byUdaya Gammanpila
Succeeded byMahinda Rajapaksa[N 1]
In office
25 August 2017 – 26 October 2018
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byWijeyadasa Rajapakshe
Succeeded byUdaya Gammanpila [N 2]
Minister of Wayamba Development
In office
20 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byS. B. Nawinne[N 3]
Succeeded byVacant
Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife
In office
4 September 2015 – 25 February 2018
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byGamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa[N 4]
Succeeded bySarath Fonseka[N 5]
Minister of Food Security
In office
12 January 2015 – 17 August 2015
PresidentMaithripala Sirisena
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded byP. Dayaratna[N 6]
Succeeded byChamal Rajapaksa[N 7][N 8]
Minister of Irrigation and Water Management
In office
12 December 2001 – 4 November 2003
PresidentChandrika Kumaratunga
Prime MinisterRanil Wickremesinghe
Preceded bySarath Amunugama[N 9]
Succeeded byFerial Ashraff[N 10]
1st Chief Minister of the North Western Province
In office
4 May 1988 – 19 October 1993
GovernorDingiri Banda Wijetunga
Montague Jayawickrama
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byG. M. Premachandra
Member of Parliament
for Kurunegala District
In office
25 August 1994 – 3 March 2020
Member of Parliament
for Katugampola
In office
22 July 1977 – 8 March 1989
Preceded byTikiri Banda Subasinghe
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Member of the North Western Provincial Council
In office
4 May 1988 – 19 October 1993
ConstituencyKurunegala District
Personal details
Born
Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera

(1941-01-29)29 January 1941
Kurunegala, British Ceylon
Died17 February 2024(2024-02-17) (aged 83)
Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partyUnited National Party
RelationsLincoln Perera
Alma materNalanda College Colombo
OccupationPolitician

Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera(Template:Lang-si, Template:Lang-ta; 29 January 1941 – 17 February 2024), more commonly known as Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, was a Sri Lankan politician. He was a United National Party member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the Kurunegala District between 1994 and 2020, and had previously represented Katugampola in the National State Assembly from 1977 to 1989.[1] Perera served many cabinet positions in various Sri Lankan governments, including being the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Minister of Wayamba Development, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Minister of Food Security and the Minister of Irrigation and Water Management.[2][3] Perera also briefly left national politics to become the Chief Minister of the North Western Province and serve in the North Western Provincial Council.[4] Perera also helped to represent Sri Lanka's interests internationally by being elected as the chairman of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in April 2016.[5]

Early life

Perera was born on 29 January 1941 in Kurunegala in the North Western Province.[5] He came from a large family, with one of his brothers being Lincoln Perera, who later served as the Secretary of the Ministry of Plantation Industries. He received his primary and secondary education at Nalanda College in Colombo.[6]

An ardent cricket enthusiast, Perera actively participated in the sport during his school years. He was a member of the college's first XI team and eventually became its captain.[7][8] He led the team in the Battle of the Maroons Big match against Ananda College in 1960, which ended in a draw.[9]

Political career

Perera's political career began in 1968 when as a member of the United National Party he began to participate in local government politics.[1] He quickly rose through the ranks of the party, attracting the attention of party leader and then President J.R. Jayawardene, who enlisted him into national politics in 1973.[5]

In the 1977 elections, which saw a resounding victory for Perera's UNP, he secured his initial parliamentary seat representing the Katugampola constituency.[10] Subsequently, President J.R. Jayawardene appointed Perera to the position of District Minister of Colombo in 1982 within his cabinet.[11]

With the advent of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and the establishment of Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka, Perera pursued a role in regional governance. In 1988, he contested and triumphed in the provincial council elections for the North Western Province, thereby assuming the position of its inaugural Chief Minister.[1][5]

Returning to national politics in the 1994 Elections, Perera emerged victorious from the Kurunegala District.[12] Throughout much of his tenure in parliament, he found himself situated on the opposition benches, apart from a brief interlude when he served as Minister of Irrigation and Water Management under the Chandrika Kumaratunga administration in 2001.[13] These dynamics of his political involvement experienced a shift with the election of Maithripala Sirisena in 2015 and the establishment of a UNP-led administration.[14] During this period, Perera assumed various ministerial portfolios, including the Minister of Food Security, the Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, and the Minister of Buddha Sasana.[5]

Following a constitutional crisis in 2018, Perera and his colleagues in the sitting administration faced temporary dismissal from their governmental posts under the Mahinda Rajapaksa-led government.[15] However, subsequent no-confidence motions and Supreme Court rulings led to their reinstatement.[16] Perera resumed his duties as Minister of Buddha Sasana and was additionally entrusted with the portfolio of Minister of Wayamba Development.[5] However, with the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the formation of a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna government, he opted to depart from governmental responsibilities and chose not to seek re-election in 2020.[17]

Controversies

During his tenure as Minister of Buddha Sasana and Minister of Wayamba Development, Perera faced allegations of corruption, fraud, and abuse of power, regarding his management of the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund. He vehemently denied these accusations.[18]

In 2021, he deviated from the party line by openly criticizing UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Perera alleged that Wickremesinghe was attempting to broker a deal with the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government at the time. Furthermore, he lamented the significant losses suffered by the UNP in the 2020 elections.[19][20]

Personal life

Perera was married, with one of his children being the former Provincial Council member, Asanka Perera.[21] He was a devout Buddhist.[1]

Death

Perera died on 17 February 2024, at the age of 83 in his residence situated in Kurunegala. He had been seriously ill for some time at the time of his death.[22]

Notes

  1. ^ As Minister of Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs
  2. ^ As Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs
  3. ^ As Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs
  4. ^ As Minister of Wildlife Conservation
  5. ^ As Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development
  6. ^ As Senior Minister of Food and Nutrition
  7. ^ As Minister of Internal Trade, Food Security and Consumer Welfare
  8. ^ Position vacant from 17 August 2015 to 22 November 2019.
  9. ^ As Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management.
  10. ^ As Minister of Housing and Construction Industry, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "GAMINI JAYAWICKRAMA PERERA". Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passed away". Colombo Gazette. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Former minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away". Dinamina. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  4. ^ Ben Cahoon. "Sri Lanka Provinces from 1988". World Statesmen.org. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Chamikara Weerasinghe (17 February 2024). "Nation bids adieu to Gamini Jayawickrama Perera". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Old Nalandians elected MPs to be felicitated". Daily News. 27 March 2002. Archived from the original on 2 April 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  7. ^ Manjula Fernando (2020). "28th Battle of the Maroons". 28th Battle of the Maroons. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  8. ^ Premasara Epasinghe (5 September 2005). "Leslie Narangoda top sportsman". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ Manjula Fernando (2020). "31st Battle of the Maroons". Battle of the Maroons. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1977" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Sri Lanka Year Book 1982" (PDF). Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka. 1982. pp. 12–14. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1994" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  13. ^ "New Ministers". Daily News. 13 December 2001. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  14. ^ "New cabinet ministers take oath". Ada Derana. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Sri Lanka crisis: Fears of a 'bloodbath' in power struggle". BBC News. 29 October 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  16. ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Bastians, Dharisha (16 December 2018). "Sri Lanka's Disputed Prime Minister Will Step Down". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  17. ^ Anusha Ondaatjie (20 November 2019). "Sri Lanka Prime Minister to Resign After Presidential Loss". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Jayawickrama Perera unable to appear before PCoI". Ada Derana. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  19. ^ "There's no point of Ranil making a 'deal' with a failed government… Like the government, the opposition has failed". Divaina (in Sinhala). 17 July 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  20. ^ Editorial Board (7 August 2020). "More than 70 former MPs were defeated". Lankadeepa (in Sinhala). Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  21. ^ "The President visits his friend, with whom he entered parliament together in 1977". Divaina (in Sinhala). 12 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera passes away at 83". Hiru News. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.


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