Today completes 12 years since the demise of Dr. Gamini Wijesekera, who was a very popular figure among the people as a specialist in child health. I consider it a meritorious act to reflect on the virtues of Dr. Gamini Wijesekera at a time his loss is felt very badly. His life was a fine example for the present day youth who aspire to become politicians.

By providing medicine and transport free of charge to poor people he showed his humane qualities to other doctors by example. He entered politics without expecting any personal gains.

We know that the politician whom Dr. Gamini Wijesekera admired most was none other than the late Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. Dr. Wijesekera never used public properties or funds for his work. He entered politics not on his own, but due to immense pressure from his friends and the public to take to politics. He did not confine his service to one specific area or a district, but strove to serve the whole country. Though he rendered yeomen service to many state organisations he never wanted any publicity. He enjoyed immense pleasure in working. On Poya days he used to visit temples and spend his time there.

Dr. Gamini Wijesekera’s father was the late Prof. O. H. de A. Wijesekera who was a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and Professor of Sanskrit and Oriental Languages.

His mother is Mrs. Mabel Wijesekera. Dr. Gamini Wijeseskara was the eldest in the family. Daisy Wijesekera is his beloved wife. Bhavani Wijesekera is his eldest daughter and youthful Dumesh Wijesekara is his only son. Dr. Jagath Wijesekera, Consultant Neurologist is his brother.

In 1963, he became a member of the Socialist Students’ Front and has done immense service for the betterment of the United National Party. He has also held the post of Secretary of the General Medical Officers’ Association.

In 1973, he entered active politics through the Youth Wing of the United National Party. In 1975, he left Government Service and started his own private medical practice. He was appointed to the Executive Committee of the United National Party in 1977. In the year 1979 he was appointed as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and in 1980 he became the Secretary to the Ministry of Highways and Transport. He has also served as the Vice-Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. He contested the Maharagama Parliamentary seat at the by election held in 1983.

Dr. Wijesekera has served as a director in various state sector organisations such as Lanka Milk Foods, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, Employees Trust Fund, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka Ports (Dockyard) Ltd., and was the first President of the Rotary Club of Maharagama and also President of the Maharagama Cancer Society.

Dr. Gamini Wijesekera left the United National Party in 1986 and formed the Eksath Lanka Janatha Party with Mr. Rukman Senanayake and became the General Secretary of the party. In 1990, this party was dissolved and he rejoined the United National Party and worked with late President R. Premadasa. He was elected a Provincial Councillor in 1993. In the year 1994 he was appointed the General Secretary of the United National Party and in August the same year he was appointed as a Member of Parliament. Unfortunately, he was able to serve as a Member of Parliament only till October 24, 1994.

On 24th October 1994 he died in a bomb blast.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!