Palitha Thewarapperuma Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Palitha Thewarapperuma
Office1:Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment
Term Start1:21 December 2018
Term End1:21 November 2019
President1:Maithripala Sirisena
Primeminister1:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister1:Daya Gamage
Predecessor1:Ranjan Ramanayake
Successor1:Vacant
Office2:Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development
Term Start2:2 May 2018
Term End2:26 October 2018
President2:Maithripala Sirisena
Primeminister2:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister2:Sarath Fonseka
Predecessor2:Sumedha G. Jayasena
Successor2:Ananda Aluthgamage
Office3:Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs
Term Start3:6 April 2016
Term End3:2 May 2018
President3:Maithripala Sirisena
Primeminister3:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Minister3:S. B. Nawinne
Predecessor3:Harsha de Silva
Successor3:Edward Gunasekara
Constituency Mp4:Kalutara District
Parliament4:Sri Lanka
Term Start4:22 April 2010
Term End4:3 March 2020
Birth Date:3 May 1960
Birth Place:Ceylon
Death Place:Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Nationality:Sri Lankan
Party:United National Party
Occupation:Politician
Residence:Mathugama
Alma Mater:Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama
Native Name Lang:si

Palitha Kumara Thewarapperuma (si|පාලිත තෙවරප්පෙරුම, ta|பாலித்த தெவரப்பெரும; 3 May 1960 – 16 April 2024) was a Sri Lankan politician who served as a United National Party member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the Kalutara District between 2010 and 2020.[1] [2] He served as the Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment, Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs during the Presidency of Maithripala Sirisena.

Early life and education

Thewarapperuma was born on 3 May 1960 in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon). He received his primary education at Ananda Sastralaya National School in Matugama.[3]

Political career

Thewarapperuma embarked on his political career with the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, serving on the staff of Anil Moonesinghe. Later, he moved to the United National Party, initially engaging in local governance activities. His foray into the political arena commenced with his candidacy for the Matugama Divisional Council, ultimately culminating in his appointment as the council's chairman in 2002.[4] Subsequently, he contested the provincial council elections for the Western Province, representing the Kalutara District, where he secured electoral victory.

He was first elected to Parliament in 2010, and was subsequently re-elected in 2015. As a part of the UNP-led Good Governance administration headed by President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015, Thewarapperuma assumed significant ministerial responsibilities.[5] These included roles such as Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife, and Regional Development, as well as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development, and Cultural Affairs.[6]

In the wake of a constitutional crisis in 2018, Thewarapperuma and his cohorts faced temporary removal from their governmental positions under the brief the short-lived Sirisena-Rajapaksa-led government.[7] However, subsequent no-confidence motions and judicial interventions resulted in their reinstatement.[8] Following this episode, Thewarapperuma undertook new duties upon his swearing-in as Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment.[9]

Nonetheless, by 2019, he was compelled to resign once more, prompted by the transition to a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led government following Gotabaya Rajapaksa's election as president.[10] Despite his efforts to contest the 2020 Parliamentary elections, the UNP suffered unprecedented defeat, leading to his electoral loss.[11]

Thewarapperuma was popular amongst the local masses for his social service activities and philanthropy. He rose to fame among people of the entire island especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka for having provided food, dry rations and other necessities to the rural population of the Kalutara Electoral District.[12]

Controversies and incidents

Thewarapperuma was suspended from parliament for a week in 2016 for a brawl.[13] He was part of the brawl on 15 November 2018, and had a blunt knife in hand which he appeared to want to use but was held back by fellow UNP MPs.[14]

In July 2016, Theewarapperuma went on a hunger strike demanding authorities admit nine children into a public school. During the events, he attempted suicide by hanging himself. However, he was admitted to the hospital and underwent a bypass surgery. Following the incident, the students were admitted to grade one of the school.[15] [16] [17] [18]

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, he, on several occasions, distributed food supplies to the people of the village of Atalugama, which was under lockdown due to COVID infections.[19]

Personal life

Thewarapperuma was married and had two children, Sahan Thilanka and Roshan Thilakshana. His elder son Sahan died of a sudden illness in August 2015 at the age of 23.[20] He was a devout Buddhist.

Death

On 16 April 2024, Thewarapperuma was engaged in gardening at his private residence in Matugama when he suffered an accidental electric shock. He was transported to Nagoda Hospital in Kalutara, where he died. He was 63 years old.[21] He had already prepared his burial plot in Kalutara.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PALITHA THEWARAPPERUMA. Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. 12 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20101020095232/http://www.parliament.lk/directory_of_members/ViewMember.do?memID=3142. 20 October 2010. dead.
  2. Web site: Parliamentary Elections −2010. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. 12 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20100513041219/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/GE2010_preferences/Kalutara_pref_GE2010.pdf. 13 May 2010. dead.
  3. Web site: Former Minister of State Palitha Thevarapperuma was electrocuted and died. 17 April 2024. Dinamina. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417011906/https://www.dinamina.lk/2024/04/17/%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A/82827/%E0%B7%84%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%A7%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94-%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%BA-%E0%B6%85%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%92-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92/ . 17 April 2024. 16 April 2024. si. Pothupitiya. Rakshana Sriyantha. Bandaragama . Sumith Prematilaka . Jayasinghe . Bimal.
  4. Web site: Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution. Mawbima. Samman. Tharaka. 16 April 2024. 17 April 2024. si. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417004234/https://mawbima.lk/2024/04/16/palitha-thewarapperuma-passes-away/. live.
  5. Web site: Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution. Lankadeepa. Jayasinghe. Bimal Shyaman. Pothupitiya. Sumith. 16 April 2024. 17 April 2024. si. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417003521/https://www.lankadeepa.lk/latest_news/%E0%B6%B4%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%AD-%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B4%E0%B6%B4%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%B8-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%BD-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%BB-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%A7/1-650640. live.
  6. News: Narin . Jordana . New State and Deputy Ministers sworn in before President . 29 October 2018 . . 2 May 2018 . Colombo, Sri Lanka . 31 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181031065609/http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/05/02/political/149807/new-state-and-deputy-ministers-sworn-president . live .
  7. News: Sri Lanka crisis: Fears of a 'bloodbath' in power struggle. BBC News . 29 October 2018 . 18 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20181030132740/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46019280. 30 October 2018. live.
  8. Web site: Abi-Habib . Maria . Bastians . Dharisha . Sri Lanka's Disputed Prime Minister Will Step Down . The New York Times . 18 February 2024 . 16 December 2018 . 15 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174438/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/world/asia/sri-lanka-rajapaksa.html . live .
  9. Part I : Section (I) — General – Appointments & C., by the President . The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary . 26 December 2018 . 2103/14 . 1A–3A . 28 December 2018 . Colombo, Sri Lanka . 17 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240417195138/http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2018/12/2103-14_E.pdf . live .
  10. Web site: Sri Lanka Prime Minister to Resign After Presidential Loss. BNN Bloomberg. 18 February 2024. 20 November 2019. Anusha Ondaatjie. 18 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240218080102/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/sri-lanka-prime-minister-to-resign-after-presidential-loss-1.1350792. live.
  11. Web site: More than 70 former MPs were defeated. Lankadeepa. 18 February 2024. 7 August 2020. Editorial Board. si. 18 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240218080102/https://www.lankadeepa.lk/General-election-2020/%E0%B7%84%E0%B6%A7%E0%B6%B4-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%BB-70%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%A9-%E0%B6%A1%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%B4%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%AF%E0%B6%BA/206-576796. live.
  12. Web site: Notes On Covid-19: Politics Reshaped. 10 April 2020. Colombo Telegraph. en-US. 15 April 2020. 3 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200503064641/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/notes-on-covid-19-politics-reshaped/. live.
  13. Web site: Parliament fracas : Palitha, Prasanna suspended for one week. 24 April 2019. 24 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424011402/http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/05/06/local/80924. live.
  14. Web site: P'ment brawl report presented to House | Daily FT. 24 April 2019. 24 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424011401/http://www.ft.lk/front-page/P-ment-brawl-report-presented-to-House/44-673385. live.
  15. Web site: School admission drama: Thewarapperuma IN suicide bid. Corr. Lahiru Fernando and Agalawatte Group. Daily News. en. 15 April 2020. 20 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020082445/http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/07/01/local/86246. live.
  16. Web site: Deputy Min. Thewarapperuma walks into Kalutara school with 'rejected' child. 9 May 2016. Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. en. 15 April 2020. 28 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220528163315/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/05/09/deputy-min-palitha-thewarapperuma-intervenes-enrolling-child-school/. live.
  17. Web site: Palitha Thewarapperuma Fiasco: Children Get A New School. Hiru News. en. 15 April 2020. 21 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160721124633/http://www.hirunews.lk/138519/palitha-thewarapperuma-fiasco-children-get-new-school. live.
  18. Web site: Thewarapperuma fiasco: children get a new school. www.dailymirror.lk. en. 15 April 2020. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417194040/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Thewarapperuma-fiasco-children-get-a-new-school/108-112815. live.
  19. Web site: Notes On Covid-19: Politics Reshaped. 10 April 2020. Colombo Telegraph. en-US. 15 April 2020. 3 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200503064641/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/notes-on-covid-19-politics-reshaped/. live.
  20. Web site: MP Thewarapperuma in tears at son's death – Photos – Hiru Gossip English Edition. gossip.hirufm.lk. 15 April 2020. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417194132/https://gossip.hirufm.lk/english/434/2015/09/mp-thewarapperuma-in-tears-at-sons-death-photos.html. live.
  21. Web site: More information about the death of Palitha Thevarapperuma. 17 April 2024. Ada Derana. 16 April 2024. si. 17 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417014812/https://sinhala.adaderana.lk/news/195699. live.
  22. Web site: Final rites of Thewarapperuma to be held on Friday – Breaking News Daily Mirror . 20 April 2024 . www.dailymirror.lk . English . 20 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420185622/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Final-rites-of-Thewarapperuma-to-be-held-on-Friday/108-280832 . live .

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