Mangala’s demise was great loss to nation, UNP and me: Ranil

The late Mangala Samaraweera was an outstanding politician who always stood firm for his convictions, which involved a Sri Lanka where all were free and equal with human rights upheld, said former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in his condolence message.

Mangala’s untimely demise is a great loss to the nation, the United National Party and to me, personally. When I telephoned him yesterday (23) 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 yesterday (24) 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.