PM, Opposition Leader pay homage to Singapore founder in P’ment

Wednesday, 25 March 2015 00:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew was remembered in Parliament yesterday by both Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva, both of whom identified Lee as a statesman and regional leader with a clear vision and unparalleled dedication.

Expressing his condolences over the death of the former Singaporean Premier, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said: “I remember in 1955 when I was a student I went to the Majestic Theatre where the current Majestic City stands. They were showing a news film where the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew was standing on the steps of the municipal hall in a white trouser and a shirt announcing in tears that the country’s union with Malaya had ended. Nobody thought Singapore would survive. But 60 years later Singapore, an island with no resources, has become a wonder of the world by using its strategic location and manpower. It is a country which created a strong middle-class and a developed economy. He made a nation out of an island which was discovered almost two centuries ago and colonised by Governor Raffles.” Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva, in his address to Parliament, confirmed that Lee was a friend of Sri Lanka. “He was a lawyer by profession who came into politics in 1956. He was the Prime Minister for 30 years, which is a world record. He followed a new vision to make Singapore one of the strongest economies in the world using only limited resources.”

Condolence book at Consulate General Office

A Condolence Book has been opened at the Office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore in Sri Lanka for those who wish to express their condolences during office hours (9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.) After office hours the book will be available at the Main Reception of the Nawaloka Hospital. For further details please contact: Mrs. D Crutchley Consular Assistant, 1st Floor, Nawaloka Hospital Building, No. 73, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 2 Tele: 0115577300 Mobile: 0770044868