Mr. Fernandopulle dropped in at my residence one evening before the 1989 parliamentary elections soliciting our support.

We who were not die hard political supports were planning to support a young and educated candidate, and we opted for Mr. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

One evening there was a fleet of vehicles parading with the candidates and their supporters. When they reached the village Dehiyagatha, the cheer was obvious, kegeda me balwege, Jeyraje balawege! The not too happy organiser spoke to a michrophone and said, if it is Jeyaraj’s balawsege let Jeyaraj speak first. A calm Jeyaraj declared" The organiser of the electorate has to be respected and he should speak first". About eight candidates spoke advertising their preference numbers and calling upon voters – to vote for them Finally Jeyaraj spoke. ladies and gentlemen your first preference must go to your organiser." And he mention the organiser’s preference number is…"

You have one more preference vote and that you select from the rest of the candidates who are contesting" He was brilliant. In spite of being a Colombo Chetty and a Catholic he polled heavily in the Gampaha district and was elected as an MP. Subsequently at every election he was elected comfortably.

In May 2003 I met him regarding a wedding invitation. He introduced me to the crowd and his family and said," He is a person who helped me in 1989, but never came for any favour.

His support for his electorate and the work he did for the upliftment of the down trodden was well know. Even his foes did not fail to appreciate the good work he did for the poor. He was a man who followed the teaching in the Bible’ Love they neighbor as thyself.

The spontaneous grief of the masses and the thousands who flocked to pay homage to This great man, irrespective of race, or creed was unmatched. Could the vacuum created by his untimely death at the hands of the terrorists be every filled? I wish to join the entire country in conveying our sympathy to the family and wishing and praying for him to attain Eternal Glory!.