Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the need for a national transport policy was always emphasized by Anil Moonesinghe. He said this at the book launch of “The Golden Mark of Honest Politics, Philanthropist Anil Moonesinghe” written by Mahinda Ariyawansa held at the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium on August 27.

Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister stated that;

Anil Moonesinghe saw the need for a national transport policy integrated with railways, buses, passengers and services related to transportation. He stood for it as the Chairman of Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) and as the Minister of Transport.

There was a time when CTB was no longer a government agency. At that time Mr. Anil Moonesinghe was abroad serving as an ambassador. As the Minister of Transport, I requested him to return Sri Lanka for a week to discuss the ensuing steps on the transport sector. At that time, he assisted in preparing the second draft of the CTB Act, which was presenting to the parliament and passed.

Why was there a need for such a second Act for the CTB? If the economy collapses completely, the country and the people will not be able to endure it. When transportation is disrupted, the entire economy is influenced with its impact. In those days, people brought their harvest to the market through CTB. This bus service never stopped even at night.

Anil Moonesinghe tried several times to manufacture vehicles in this country. Even though the vehicles were manufactured and displayed, that procedure was later stopped. Mr. Anil Moonesinghe pointed out the need to choose a goal that the country needs and take serious economic decisions for it.

Most capable individuals are sent diplomatic postings to perform a unique role on behalf of the country. Anil Moonasinghe was appointed as Deputy Speaker without making him a minister. When it was done, I expressed my protest to Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

We should have the ability to identify the good things that make a nation great and the bad things that destroy a nation. Anil Moonesinghe was a person who was capable of contributing to the greatness of the country. He was a politician of the left camp who represented the lineage of Anagarika Dharmapala the National Hero. He was an unforgettable politician who always protected the rights of the people and fulfilled his duty.

Professor Induragare Dhammarathana Thera said;

Children need to have contemporary characters to choose as role models for future. The biographies are essential for disciplinary based education. A child who goes to sleep after reading and listening  to a biography of an ideal character, wakes up in  the next day as an ideal child.

Any country should have a dream to move forward. A country will move forward if it dreams of tomorrow. Anil Moonesinghe is someone who has seen such dreams of tomorrow.

State Minister Mr. Piyal Nishantha said;

If history and the present match together, Anil Moonasinghe was a unique political figure that the country has lost. An honest and humble political figure who developed the transport sector as a renowned transport minister of the country.

Member of Parliament Vasudeva Nanayakkara;

Anil Moonesinghe was an intelligent figure in the same social movement that started under the leadership of Philip Gunawardena. A politician with such a conscience, as an anti-imperialist national movement in this country, he managed to address the people by using sensitive words to touch people’s hearts in a better way.

Member of Parliament Mr. Kumara Welgama;

Anil Moonasinghe was a very calm person who could face anything. He fought with aristocrats. Contemporary young politicians can take him as an example.

Member of Parliament, Dr. Tissa Witharana;

Anil Moonesinghe was a giant in the left-wing political movement. An exemplary character who shined positions without being shining in positions.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Mr. D E W Gunasekara;

He used to enter the parliament early in the morning and leaves the parliament only at the end of the session. Today, at a time of crisis in national leadership, the character of Anil Moonesinghe is highlighted.

State Minister  Anupama Pascual, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Deputy Secretary of the People’s United Front, MP Channa Jayasumana, public representatives, Anil Moonesinghe’s son Vinod Moonesinghe and family members and the public attended the event.

Prime Minister’s Media Division