Reginald Cooray Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Hon.
Reginald Cooray
Honorific-Suffix:MP MPC
Office1:Governor of Northern Province
Term Start1:16 February 2016
Term End1:31 December 2018
Predecessor1:H. M. G. S. Palihakkara
Successor1:Sarath Ekanayake
President1:Maithripala Sirisena
Office2:Governor of Central Province
Term Start2:12 April 2018
Term End2:13 April 2018
Predecessor2:Niluka Ekanayake
Successor2:P. B. Dissanayake
President2:Maithripala Sirisena
Office3:Chief Minister of Western Province
Term Start3:3 July 2005
Term End3:4 May 2009
Predecessor3:Nandana Mendis
Successor3:Prasanna Ranatunga
Term Start4:9 November 2000
Term End4:22 June 2005
Predecessor4:Susil Premajayanth
Successor4:Nandana Mendis
Constituency Mp5:Kalutara District
Parliament5:Sri Lankan
Term Start5:2010
Term End5:26 June 2015
Term Start6:2004
Term End6:28 May 2004
Successor6:Nirmala Kotalawala
Term Start7:1994
Term End7:2000
Successor7:Parakrama Bandula Gunawardene
Birth Date:12 November 1947
Birth Place:Wadduwa, British Ceylon
Death Place:Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Party:Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Otherparty:United People's Freedom Alliance
Profession:Teacher

Reginald Cooray (12 November 1947 – 13 January 2023) was a Sri Lankan teacher and politician.[1] He was a provincial chief minister, a government minister, and governor of the Northern Province. He was briefly governor of the Central Province in April 2018, his tenure lasting less than 24 hours, making it the shortest of any governorship in Sri Lankan history.

Personal life and death

Cooray was born on 12 November 1947.[2] He was a Roman Catholic and a wealthy land owner. Cooray's wife died in July 2011.[3] His daughter Muditha Sanjeewani died in December 2013.[4]

Cooray died of a heart attack on 13 January 2023, aged 75.[5]

Career

Cooray was an English teacher by profession.[6] [7] [8] He started his political career in Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).[9] He contested the 1977 parliamentary election as an independent candidate in Beruwala but failed to get elected.[10] He later joined Vijaya Kumaratunga's Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP).[11]

In 1988, the Communist Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Nava Sama Samaja Party and SLPP formed the United Socialist Alliance (USA).[12] Cooray was a member of the first and second Western Provincial Council (WPC).[13] [14] Cooray was one of the USA's candidates in Kalutara District in the 1989 parliamentary election but the USA failed to win any seats in the district.[15] [16] In 1993 the USA and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) formed the People's Alliance (PA).[17] [18] Cooray was one of the PA's candidates in Kalutara District at the 1994 parliamentary election. He was elected and entered Parliament.[19] He was re-elected in the 2000 parliamentary election.[20] He was appointed Minister of Ethnic Affairs and National Integration after the election.[21] However, shortly afterwards he was appointed to the WPC and on 9 November 2000 he became Chief Minister of the Western Province.[22] [23]

On 20 January 2004 the SLFP and the JVP formed the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).[24] Cooray contested the 2004 parliamentary election as one of the UPFA's candidates in Kalutara District and was re-elected to Parliament.[25] He was appointed Minister of Information and Media after the election.[26]

Cooray contested the 2004 provincial council election as one of the UPFA's candidates in Kalutara District and was elected to the WPC.[27] Cooray was accused of accepting bribes from private operators in return for bus route permits and of nepotism. Facing a no-confidence motion over corruption and abuse of power, Cooray resigned in June 2005.[28] [29] [30] A few days later he was re-appointed Chief Minister.[23] [31] He was re-elected at the 2009 provincial council election but lost his chief ministerial position.[32] [33] [34]

Cooray contested the 2010 parliamentary election as one of the UPFA's candidates in Kalutara District and was re-elected to Parliament.[35] He was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice after the election.[36] [37] He was appointed Minister of Minor Export Promotion in November 2010.[38] [39] He lost his cabinet position following the 2015 presidential election but a few days after the election he pledged his support for newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena.[40] In March 2015 Cooray was questioned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).[41] A few days later, when the SLFP joined the national government, he was appointed Minister of Aviation.[42] [43] [44] [45] Cooray did not contest the 2015 parliamentary election for financial reasons.[46] [47] He was however placed on the UPFA's list of National List candidates.[48] [49] However, after the election he was not appointed to the National List.[50] [51]

Cooray was appointed Governor of Northern Province in February 2016.[52] [53] [54] [55] [56] On 12 April 2018, he was sworn in as Governor of the Central Province. Less than 24 hours later on the morning of the 13th, he was sworn in as Governor of the Northern Province, and his governorship of the Central Province revoked, going to P. B. Dissanayake.[57] [58] [59] [60] The revocation has been attributed to an objection by senior Buddhist clergy from the Central Province on the basis of Cooray's Catholic faith and non-Govigama caste.[61]

Electoral history

Election! scope=col
Constituencyscope=colPartyscope=colVotesscope=colResult
Not elected
Not elected
Elected
Elected
Elected
Elected
Elected
Elected

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parliament of Sri Lanka – REGINOLD COORAY . 14 January 2023 . 13 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230113074011/https://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-past-members/viewMember/2880/ . live .
  2. Web site: Directory of Past Members: Reginold Cooray. Parliament of Sri Lanka. 14 February 2016. 18 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118205756/http://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-past-members/viewMember/2880. live.
  3. News: Minister Reginald Cooray's wife passes away. adaderana.lk. 18 July 2011. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222220141/http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=14166. live.
  4. News: Superstars And Wild Boars. The Sunday Leader. 8 December 2013. 14 February 2016. 23 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160223023603/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2013/12/08/superstars-and-wild-boars/. live.
  5. Web site: Former minister Reginald Cooray passes away . 13 January 2023 . adaderana.lk . en . 13 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230113024543/https://www.adaderana.lk/news/87548/former-minister-reginald-cooray-passes-away . live .
  6. News: Cooray Governor Northern Province. Ceylon Today. 15 February 2016. A2. 27 February 2016. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305054751/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/thumb/epaper-images/58456.jpg. live.
  7. News: Reginald Cooray to assume duties as new Governor of Northern Province. News First. 14 February 2016. 14 February 2016. 15 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160215094210/http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/02/reginald-cooray-to-assume-duties-as-new-governor-of-northern-province/128342. live.
  8. News: Reginald Cooray felicitated. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 1 July 2003. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222021108/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2003/07/01/pol04.html. live.
  9. News: Perera. Sunil C.. "JVP find it difficult to contain and control me" – Reginald Cooray. Asian Tribune. 15 May 2005. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222110903/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2005/05/15/jvp-find-it-difficult-contain-and-control-me-reginald-cooray. live.
  10. Web site: Result of Parliamentary General Election 1977. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717002624/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/General%20Election%201977.PDF. dead. 17 July 2011. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka.
  11. News: Balachandran. P. K.. Reginald Cooray Likely To Be Lanka's Northern Province Governor. The New Indian Express. 5 February 2016. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222010144/http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/Reginald-Cooray-Likely-To-Be-Lanka%E2%80%99s-Northern-Province-Governor/2016/02/05/article3262645.ece. dead.
  12. Book: Maher. Joanne. The Europa World Year Book 2004: Volume II – Kazakhstan – Zimbabwe. 2004. Europa Publications. 1-85743-255-X. 3933. 14 February 2016. 14 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230114164345/https://books.google.com/books?id=gP_-8rXzQs8C. live.
  13. Web site: Members of the First Council. Western Provincial Council. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222080839/http://secretariat.wpc.gov.lk/?page_id=27. live.
  14. Web site: Members of the Second Council. Western Provincial Council. 14 February 2016. 26 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141226214014/http://secretariat.wpc.gov.lk/?page_id=220. live.
  15. Web site: Result of Parliamentary General Election 1989. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090304101343/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1989%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF. 4 March 2009.
  16. Book: de Silva. W. P. P.. Ferdinando. T. C. L.. 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. 182. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623233447/http://noolaham.net/project/148/14715/14715.pdf. 23 June 2015.
  17. Book: Peebles. Patrick. Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. 2015. Rowman & Littlefield. 978-1-4422-5584-5. 267.
  18. Book: East. Roger. Thomas. Richard J.. Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders. 2003. Europa Publications. 1-85743-126-X. 486. registration.
  19. Web site: Result of Parliamentary General Election 1994. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101006015411/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1994%20GENERAL%20ELECTION-SM01.PDF. 6 October 2010.
  20. Web site: General Election 2000 Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100826002922/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/preference2000GE.PDF. 26 August 2010.
  21. Web site: New cabinet sworn in today. Current Affairs. Government of Sri Lanka. 19 October 2000. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171946/http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200010/20001019new_cabinet.htm. 3 March 2016.
  22. News: Weerarathne. Chitra. Reginald Cooray's appointment as CM of WP challenged. The Island (Sri Lanka). 6 August 2003. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222063302/http://www.island.lk/2003/08/06/news08.html. live.
  23. Web site: Sri Lankan Provinces from 1988. WorldStatesmen.org. 5 June 2012. 19 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120519020837/http://worldstatesmen.org/Sri_Lanka_prov.html. live.
  24. News: SLFP-JVP alliance signed in Colombo. 20 January 2004. TamilNet. 14 February 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054634/http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=11003. live.
  25. Web site: General Election 2004 Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100304015514/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Preference2004GE.pdf. 4 March 2010.
  26. Web site: The new UPFA Cabinet. 11 April 2004. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000140/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040411/news/5.html. live.
  27. Web site: Results of Provincial Council Elections 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20090107101529/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/2004Provincial.pdf. dead. 7 January 2009. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka.
  28. News: UPFA Chief Minister for Western Provincial Council. TamilNet. 22 June 2005. 14 February 2016. 17 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160217082303/http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=15233. live.
  29. News: Ratnatunga. Sinha. Chief minister of Sri Lankan province resigns. Gulf News. 21 June 2005. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222081103/http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/sri-lanka/chief-minister-of-sri-lankan-province-resigns-1.291470. live.
  30. News: Gnanadass. Wilson. I was compelled to prorogue the council. The Sunday Leader. 1 May 2005. 14 February 2016. 15 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130515174934/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20050501/interviews.htm. live.
  31. News: Cooray reappointed Chief Minister. TamilNet. 2 July 2005. 14 February 2016. 17 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160217090202/http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=15299. live.
  32. Web site: Preferences Kalutara. https://web.archive.org/web/20091210032041/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/PrefKalutara.pdf. dead. 10 December 2009. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka.
  33. News: MR picks WPC ministers: Prasanna CM Duminda, Thilanga, Reginald overlooked. The Island (Sri Lanka). 5 May 2009. 14 February 2016. 5 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160105102842/http://www.island.lk/2009/05/05/. live.
  34. News: People 'do not vote for pledges'. BBC Sinhala. 4 May 2009. 14 February 2016. 8 May 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090508080344/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2009/05/090504_wpc_prasanna.shtml. live.
  35. News: General Elections 2010 – Preferential Votes. 11 April 2010. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2016. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232633/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100411/News/page1.pdf. live.
  36. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 26 April 2010. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1651/3. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100524225519/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2010/PDF/Apr/1651_3/1651_3E.pdf. 24 May 2010.
  37. News: New Cabinet Ministers & Deputy Ministers. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 24 April 2010. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222052912/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/04/24/news00.asp. live.
  38. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 22 November 2010. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1681/2. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024545/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2010/PDF/Nov/1681_02/1681_02%20%28E%29.pdf. 22 February 2014.
  39. News: New Faced Boost Cabinet as Hopes Rise. 28 November 2010. The Nation (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044010/http://www.nation.lk/2010/11/28/newsfe1.htm. 4 March 2016. dead.
  40. News: Dharmasena. Ranil. Balasuriya. Anura. SLFP split again; 11 more pledge support to MS. The Island (Sri Lanka). 12 January 2015. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222053858/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=117477. live.
  41. News: Bribery Commission questions Reginald Cooray. Ceylon Today. 6 March 2015. 14 February 2016. 22 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160222154111/http://ceylontoday.lk/16-86582-news-detail-bribery-commission-questions-reginald-cooray.html. live.
  42. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 26 March 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1907/48. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223820/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Mar/1907_48/1907_48%28E%29.pdf. 23 September 2015.
  43. News: More Ministers appointed. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 22 March 2015. 14 February 2016. 31 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131010544/http://www.dailymirror.lk/66935/more-ministers-appointed. live.
  44. News: Cabinet balloons to 40 as 26 more SLFPers luck out. The Island (Sri Lanka). 23 March 2015. 14 February 2016. 31 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131010545/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=121883. live.
  45. News: Weerasinghe. Chamikara. SLFPers take oaths as ministers in National Govt. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 23 March 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150329061438/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local%2Fslfpers-take-oaths-ministers-national-govt. 29 March 2015.
  46. News: Balachandran. P. K.. Sirisena Appoints Left-Liberal Reginald Cooray as Northern Province Governor. The New Indian Express. 14 February 2016. 14 February 2016. 15 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160215094059/http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/Sirisena-Appoints-Left-Liberal-Reginald-Cooray-as-Northern-Province-Governor/2016/02/14/article3277194.ece. dead.
  47. News: Karunarathne. Waruni. I Don't Have Money For Polls Campaign – Reginald Cooray. The Sunday Leader. 19 July 2015. 14 February 2016. 23 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160223025653/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2015/07/19/i-dont-have-money-for-polls-campaign-reginald-cooray/. live.
  48. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT, No. 1 OF 1981 List of Persons submitted under Article 99A of the Constitution. 13 July 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1923/02. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223754/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Jul/1923_02/1923_02%28E%29.pdf. 23 September 2015.
  49. News: UPFA, UNP national lists announced. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 13 July 2015. 14 February 2016. 25 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225140132/http://www.dailymirror.lk/79387/upfa-unp-national-lists-announced. live.
  50. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION — 2015 Declaration under Article 99A of the Constitution. 21 August 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1928/25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223732/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Aug/1928_25/1928_25%20E.pdf. 23 September 2015.
  51. News: UPFA finalises National list. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 21 August 2015. 14 February 2016. 4 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151204180015/http://www.dailymirror.lk/84379/upfa-finalises-national-list. live.
  52. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 17 February 2016. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1954/16.
  53. News: Reginald Cooray sworn in as Northern Governor. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 14 February 2016. 14 February 2016. 16 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160216064941/http://www.dailymirror.lk/105404/Reginald-Cooray-sworn-in-as-Northern-Governor. live.
  54. News: Hannan. Rishan. Reginald Cooray appointed Northern Province Governor. News First. 14 February 2016. 14 February 2016. 28 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160228233130/http://newsfirst.lk/english/2016/02/just-in-reginold-cooray-appointed-as-governor-of-the-nothern-province/128326. dead.
  55. News: Reginald appointed Northern Governor. The Island (Sri Lanka). 15 February 2016. 27 February 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045737/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=140399. live.
  56. News: New Governors take oaths before President Sirisena. 12 April 2018. The Sunday Times. sundaytimes.lk. 12 April 2018. 19 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190119090921/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1042054/new-governors-take-oaths-before-president-sirisena. live.
  57. News: Reginald Cooray sworn in as NP Governor again. 13 April 2018. Daily Mirror. dailymirror.lk. 14 April 2018. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010411/http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Reginald-Cooray-sworn-in-as-NP-Governor-again-148640.html. live.
  58. News: Reginald Cooray reappointed as Northern Province Governor. 13 April 2018. Daily News. dailynews.lk. 13 April 2018. 13 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190147/http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/04/13/local/148362/reginald-cooray-reappointed-northern-province-governor. live.
  59. News: Cooray reappointed as Northern governor. 13 April 2018. Asia Broadcasting Corporation. Hiru News. 13 April 2018. 13 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185927/http://www.hirunews.lk/188292/cooray-reappointed-as-northern-governor. live.
  60. News: P.B Dissanayaka appointed Central Province Governor. 13 April 2018. Daily News. dailynews.lk. 13 April 2018. 13 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190019/http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/P-B-Dissanayaka-appointed-Central-Province-Governor-148642.html. live.
  61. News: Acquiescence to oppression: Caste, the Sangha and theocracy. 14 April 2018. The Sunday Leader. thesundayleader.lk. 14 April 2018. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414234237/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/04/14/acquiescence-to-oppression-caste-the-sangha-and-theocracy/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Reginald Cooray".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.