COLOMBO : A wave of sadness has swept across Sri Lanka today following the death of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera fell victim to COVID-19 and passed away at a private hospital on Tuesday, August 24 . Messages of sympathies continue to flood in from many personalities from local and international arena reflecting the lacuna he has left in the field of politics.
Across the social media sphere messages of sympathy, posts on his achievements and unbiased contribution to the society could be observed.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the sudden demise of Mangala Samaraweera, a former Minister of the United National Party and a former Member of Parliament, an honored politician who made a significant contribution to the Sri Lankans by launching great transformations in the course of Sri Lankan politics. I express my deepest condolences on his passing.”
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of my friend & colleague Mangala Samaraweera. Today we have lost a great leader, a man who loved this nation. I thank him for his service to Sri Lanka. My condolences to his family. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbhana.”
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa
“Dear Mangala Samaraweera, you were a man of the age who respected humanity and was committed to the vision you believed in according to your conscience. May you attain Nibbana!”
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa
“Deeply saddened to hear the loss of Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera who was a humble human being and strong advocate for democracy and reconciliation. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends grieving this loss.”
Former President Maithripala Sirisena
Mangala, my dearest friend, brother, comrade-in-arms.
On this dark day, you have lost your battle for life. Your family and friends fought with you, cried and prayed to keep you alive. We too lost this battle.
But you have not died, Mangala. Your exceptional Vision for Lanka and the world lives on. The battle we fought side by side, will live forever.
Dearest Mangala, you will live with every battle waged to build a better Sri Lanka.
A country where Freedom, Honest governance, Inclusivity and respect for Diversity will reign supreme. A country with a governance system that truly cares for its people and not its politicians. You were the embodiment of this all. And you will live in the hearts and actions of everyone who will stand up against injustice and corruption.
I shall for ever remember the monumental service you rendered in diverse Ministerial posts. You led the modernization of our Communications and Media sectors. You hugely progressed our International Relations from the dismal pit it had descended into and took Sri Lanka to the world stage, making us once again a proud and strong Nation.
Most of all, your impeccable personal ethics will be hard to match in Sri Lanka’s political arena.
You shall always inspire our Youth, for generations to come.
Dearest friend, Rest in Power! and come back in your journey in Samsara, to join the battle for a better and decent Sri Lanka, before you attain Nirvana.
Former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Kumaratunga
“Mangala Samaraweera’s untimely demise is a great loss to the nation, the United National Party and to me, personally.
When I telephoned him yesterday afternoon, I told him that I was looking forward to meeting him on recovery. But it was not to be – as the uncontrolled pandemic raging in the country had claimed his life by this morning.
Mangala was an outstanding politician who always stood firm for his convictions which involved a Sri Lanka where all were free and equal and where human rights were upheld. He had an innovative mind that could think out of the box. Mangala was also a great communicator who championed reconciliation amongst all our peoples. In the Cabinet of 2015 to 2019, he was a key figure who handled the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Finance with immense dexterity.” Former Prime Minister and UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe
“Saddened to hear of the passing of former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. He was a dedicated public servant who contributed greatly to Sri Lanka and a strong advocate of Maldives-Sri Lanka friendship. Condolences to his loved ones and the Sri Lankan people.”
President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
“A warm and generous personality and a true friend of India. May his soul rest in peace,”
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar
“You had the courage to be different and to tell people what they ought to hear. You were the lone voice in the wilderness of politics in our country championing the causes of the people whose voices were not otherwise heard. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.”
Saliya Pieris PC – President of the BASL (on twitter)
“Deeply saddened to hear the untimely death of Mr Mangala Samaraweera. He was a pioneer in our camp during 2005 prez election & he became one of the key opponent to us since 2007. It’s an irreplaceable lost to SriLanka’s political arena. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.”
Member of Parliament , Prof. Charitha Herath (on twitter)
“As my boss at @MFA_SriLanka I got to know @MangalaLK for who he really was. What a professional. What an amazing human being. Honest to the core, always stood for truth n justice. I saw his unwavering commitment to reconciliation first hand. #SriLanka’s loss is irreplaceable.”
SJB parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva
“My deepest condolences to family, friends, and the Sri Lankan people on the passing of Mangala Samaraweera – a patriot, a humanitarian, and a leader. His passion for peace and democracy are an inspiration that shall not be extinguished.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz
“Dear @MangalaLK, I am plunged into grief over your passing. I will always cherish and hold in my heart the memories of happier and hopeful times together. You were the most fearless, decent, visionary, and big-hearted diplomat I ever met. May your beautiful soul attain Nirvana,”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Atul Keshap
“Deeply saddened by the death of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. His hard work to strengthen the UK-SL relationship and his commitment to achieve post-war reconciliation in Sri Lanka, will not be forgotten.”
The British High Commission in Colombo
“Saddened to hear of the death of Mangala Samaraweera, proud Sri Lankan, capable leader, warm-hearted and generous friend and host. On each of the many occasions we met an unfailingly determined and committed champion of human rights and reconciliation in his beloved island.”
Former UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris
“Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera always thought ahead of times & had a vision to make Srilanka a developed nation. He walked the talk, equally comfortable walking with kings and masses, humanitarian to the core, with impeccable integrity. We will miss him.”
Former Sri Lanka’s foreign secretary, Prasad Kariyawasam
“Mangala Samaraweera was one of the best Foreign Ministers we ever had. He was also a dynamic personal and a good human being. He would have made an excellent leader and chartered the country in the right direction. It is sad that it did not happen. We were not fortunate to have him as the leader.”
Former Sri Lankan Ambassador in Kuwait, S A C M Zuhyle
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Muslim community expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on the passing of Mangala Samaraweera. He has always stood by his principles and did not waver on issues of co-existence, reconciliation, ethnic harmony and human rights.
The late Samaraweera’s political career will go down in history as a model for young politicians. He was bold, sincere and forthright in his decisions of national importance. All who knew him will remember his sincerity, warmth and wisdom.
He contributed immensely to the development of Sri Lanka in successive governments as an important Cabinet minister and as a valuable member of the Parliament.
The late Samaraweera’s commitment to peace, democracy and national reconciliation was unmatched. There is no doubt that the high standards he set will be a challenge to emulate by future generations.
Hilmy Ahamed- Vice President
