President pays tributes to Cuban revolutionary icon Fidel Castro

Delivering a poignant message to commemorate the life of ex-Cuban leader Fidel Castro President Maithripala Sirisena called the man a great revolutionary leader who set an unparalleled example for true commitment and leadership to the world. “There are no Castros, Marx or Lenins in the world and there are only Batistas and Tzars. Hence, the people themselves will have to fight for their aspirations and rights,” said Sirisena in his message.

President Sirisena made this statement at the Remembrance Meeting held to pay tribute to Fidel Castro held at the President’s House in Colombo yesterday.

Since launching the great Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, taught an exemplary lesson to the world on freedom, democracy, justice and equality and every politician in the world can take lessons from the life of this great humanist leader who gained international respect and honour, President Sirisena said.

“Fidel Castro was one of the heroes I admired since childhood. Today, as President, I decided to open the doors of the President’s House to pay tribute to this great leader as that is the most befitting respect I could pay in his memory,” he said.    

The President recalled that Sri Lanka Freedom (SLFP) founder S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, whom he respects as his political leader, recognised the Government established by Fidel Castro through the Cuban Revolution within 48 hours. “He made Sri Lanka the first country in Asia that officially recognised the government of Fidel Castro”, he said.

The keynote address of the event was delivered by Communist Party Leader and Vice President of the Sri Lanka-Cuban Friendship Association D. E. W. Gunasekara who made a significant contribution for the friendship between Sri Lanka and Cuba.

A one-minute silence was observed in memory of Castro, following which the President paid a floral tribute to a photograph of the former leader. The Ambassador of Cuba to Sri Lanka Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez also joined the President at this occasion.

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Ministers and MPs, Parliamentarians Dinesh Gunawardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Tissa Vitharana, political party leaders, diplomats and other dignitaries took part in the ceremony.