Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said at Ruwanwella recently that the people of the country yearned for peace. The government is also committed to fulfil the aspirations of the people who voted it to power. It is not a question of who brings peace, Ranil or Chandrika. All what the people needed is permanent peace. That they can live in an undivided country. All races living together without suspicion hatred, happy and contented.

The occasion was the felicitation ceremony accorded to Kegalle district MP and Minister of Labour Athauda Seneviratne for completing 50 year in politics. The prime minister said that Athauda is a gentleman in politics. He has the ability to accomplish any task entrusted to him. He loved his country, his party, his people and especially the Tamil workers on estates in his electorate.

He has held various positions, an MP, deputy minister, chief minister and now a minister. He worked with Dr. N. M. Perera and followed his path. Owing to some misunderstanding he crossed over to SLFP and there was a rumour to say that he changed parties to get the chief minister’s post. But when this post was given to him he declined to accept showing the people that he does gentleman politics.

Professor Carlo Fonseka said Mr. Seneviratne looks to be a short, small person but like a mustard seed, there is no subject that he does not know. He is an orator who has the power to attract the crowd. If he (Fonseka) is invited to address any ceremony or function and if Mr. Athauda Seneviratne was also there, he (Fonseka) would always speak first since Mr. Athauda would have touched all topics in his speech leaving hardly anything for others to speak.

Chief Minister Maheepala Herath said as per the saying that behind every man’s success there operates a woman, Mrs. Athauda has been in the background in all activities of her husband who has made a name in Sri Lanka politics. Minister Athauda’s advice to him "to be patient" is delivering results, the CM said.