Ranil condoles Jayalalithaa's demise

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today expressed condolences on the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and said she did much to establish and maintain a strong sense of fellowship between India and Sri Lanka during her lifetime.

In a message of condolence he said the passing away of Jayalalitha Jeyaram, a stateswoman who won the hearts and minds of not only the people of South India but all of India was a sad occasion.

“The people of South India elected her as their Chief Minister six times; she was not in the best of health when she won her last election yet it was a firm display of the trust people had placed in her as their leader,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said.

He said although she had political differences with Sri Lanka, to her credit as a stateswoman, she maintained that the issues faced by Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen must be solved in a humane manner.

“Fondly known as Amma by her people, Jayalalitha Jeyaram will be remembered for the selfless service she rendered unto her people,” he added.