Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has paid tribute to veteran politician and former Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara, describing him as an important figure in Sri Lanka’s left-wing political history.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while attending the launch of a book documenting Nanayakkara’s long political career and contribution to the country’s politics.
Speaking at the event, Amarasuriya said that although she and Nanayakkara had agreed on certain issues and held different political positions on others, she had always respected his contribution to the left-wing movement in Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister also recalled her time serving in Parliament alongside Nanayakkara, noting that they had conversations about his lengthy political career and the experiences he had gained over the years.
She stressed the importance of preserving the political history of figures such as Nanayakkara for future generations.
“Future generations should know about figures like him who made an impact on Sri Lankan politics,” she said.
Nanayakkara, a veteran left-wing politician, has held several senior positions in Sri Lankan politics and served as a Cabinet minister in the government of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
He is also a relative of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. In recent months, Vasudeva Nanayakkara has expressed support for the National People’s Power (NPP) government on several issues, despite his long association with traditional left-wing and opposition politics.
The book launched at the event records aspects of Nanayakkara’s political journey and provides an account of his role in Sri Lanka’s evolving political landscape.
