8.4.2008
By Sumane Liyanaarachchi - Sydney
Australian
Chief Government Whip and Federal Member for Chifley has
expressed his great sadness about sudden death of Hon
Jeyaraj Fernandofulle, the Chief Government Whip of Sri
Lankan parliament and the Minister for Highways.Roger
Price MP: “It is a tragedy to loose anyone in such
a way and I ask that our thought be spared for the families
of the victims of this terrible crime.
In
a media release Roger Price further said “ It is
a tragedy to loose anyone in such a way and ask that our
thought be spared for the families of this terrible crime”.
Roger
Price was in the process of organising a meeting with
Minister Fernandopulle later in this year for establishing
links between parliaments of Australia and Sri Lanka.
In
facilitating the proposed meeting Sri Lanka High Commissioner
in Australia Balapatabndi wrote to Minister Jeyaraj Fernanofulle
“It would be an extremely happy event for me to
receive and assist you in every aspect of this mission.
I could also arrange a few other important events as well
in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland along with the SriLankan
expatriates, if you have sufficient time during your visit.
Given
below the full text of media release of Roger Price:
It
is with great sadness that Roger Price, Federal Member
for Chifley, has learned of the death of Sri Lankan Chief
Government Whip and Minister for Highways, Mr Jeyaraj
Fernandopulle.
Mr
Fernandopulle was attending a marathon race in his electorate
on the weekend when a suicide bomb exploded killing 11
and injuring 99 others. It is reported that the Minister
arrived at the starting point of the marathon to give
the starting signal when the blast occurred.
Mr
Fernandopulle was a father of two and aged 55. In 1989
he was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Gampaha
District. In 1994 he was elected as a Member of Parliament
for the second time and was the Deputy Minister of Finance,
Ethnic Affairs and National Integration. In 1997 he was
appointed as the Minister of Plan Implementation and Parliamentary
Affairs. In 2000 he was appointed the Minister of Civil
Aviation, Tourism and Christian Religion Affairs. In 2004
Minister Fernandopulle was appointed the Minister of Trade
and Chief Government Whip of the Parliament.
“It
is a tragedy to loose anyone in such a way and I ask that
our thought be spared for the families of the victims
of this terrible crime” Mr Price said.
Mr
Price was in the process of organising a meeting with
Mr Fernandopulle later in the year.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune