Condolence Messages

"Neethirajah stood by his friends and never hesitated to help a worthy cause"

Speaker K. B. Ratnayake presided when parliament met at 9.30 a.m. Thursday 8th October 1998.

After presentation of petitions and Ministers answered oral questions, House sat in condolence sessions, to pay tributes to departed members of the House.

Leader of the House Ratnasiri Wickremanayake moving the condolence vote said: Mr. Thambimuttu Neethirajah, a former Senator passed away on 12th March 1998. The late Mr. Neethirajah was born on 25th July, 1921 at Manipay, Jaffna and was the son of Late Mr. and Mrs. M. Thambimuthu.

He received his education at Hindu College, Jaffna.

After migrating to Colombo as a youngster and establishing himself as a businessman, Late Mr. Neethirajah commenced his political career in 1966 being elected a member of Jinthupitiya Ward in the Colombo Municipal Council as a nominee of the United National Party and continued to serve as a Member of this Council till 1977.

Mr. Neethirajah was elected as a Senator in October 1967 by the UNP government of late Mr. Dudley Senanayake and continued in that capacity till October, 1971. During his tenure as a Senator, he played a significant role in the Upper House and contributed much to the debates and brought his valuable experience and understanding of life of the people to bear on the very important social reforms introduced by the legislature for the benefit of the poor.

Late Mr. Neethirajah was the Chairman of Greenlands Hotels Ltd., a very popular vegetarian cafeteria in the Metropolis and Proprietor of the well known Elephant Beedi Co. He was a devout Hindu who was a generous benefactor of many Hindu Temples and was also the Vice-Chairman of the Vivekananda Society for a long time.

Besides, late Mr. Neethirajah was not only a thriving entrepreneur and businessman and dedicated politician who made a notable contribution both in local and national politics but also a well known benefactor who financially and materially supported many social welfare and religious activities and institutions both in Colombo and Jaffna.

In spite of his success as a leading businessman, late Mr. Neethirajah was a simple and noble man, who will be sadly missed by many who benefited from his kindness and generosity. With his passing away, the country has lost a sincere and dedicated servant of the people.

R. Sampanthan (TULF — Batticaloa Dist.) said: Mr. Neethirajah was a leading businessman and great philanthropist. He took a great interest in religion and culture and endeavoured to promote activities in these areas. He helped the poor at all times. Mr. Neethirajah, although supporting the UNP, supported the Federal Party in the North. He stood by his friends and never hesitated to help a worthy cause. Above all he was a great family man and in every sense of the word he was content.

I am honoured to be given this opportunity to join the other members in conveying my condolences to Mr. Neethirajah's family.

U. L. M. Mohamed (SLMC — (National List) said: Senator Neethirajah protected Tamils during the violence in 1956 and 1983. Tamils were living in the Ratmalana Hindu College as refugees. I was moved by the actions taken by him to support the Tamil refugees.

He spent his money to help Tamils in distress. The Tamils of Colombo will never forget him. Though he is no more his services are in the hearts of his own people.

Tyrone Fernando (UNP — Colombo District) said: Mr. T. Neethirajah was a symbol of the United National Party. He was born in Manipay, Jaffna and attended Hindu College, Jaffna. He moved to Colombo where he set up large establishments.

He became a member of the Colombo Municipal Council. At the age of 42 he became a member of the Senate which he served for 4 years. He is a symbol of what this country needs — the ability to mix and prosper in any society in any part of the country.

He was a member of the Vivekananda and Colombo Hindu Congress. We salute this great symbol of national integration and convey our condolences to the members of his family.

P. P. Dewaraj (CWC — Colombo District) said: Neethiraja who started life as a trader became a leading businessman. He had an amicable and cordial relationship with the Sinhalese.

He led successful family life. His grandchildren were a pride to him. I express my condolences to his bereaved family for their great loss.

A. H. M. Azwer (UNP — National List) said: Neethirajah started his life as a businessman and social and religious worker quite early in life.

He was guided by religious principals. Late Minister Sugathadasa was a great friend of his. It was Neethirajah who persuaded the UNP leadership to appoint M. Thiruchelvam as a cabinet minister.

Neethirajah helped both Sinhalese and Tamils to live in harmony. But his wife had to die of shock when burglars broke into his house.

Though he lived in the city he was a man of the village. He established the Greenland Hotel in Bambalapitiya and the Greenwood Hotel in Vavuniya.

He helped develop music, literature and aesthetic arts among Tamils in Colombo.

He also helped Muslims both in Colombo and in the Eastern Province.

There were picketing campaigns in hundreds of schools from Sammanthurai to Akkaraipattu. There are protesting against the alleged sale of answer papers to students who sat for the recent A/Level exam in the East. Names of same politicians are being linked with this racket. The government must investigate into these fraudulent deeds and bring the wrong doers to book.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Rauf Hakeem who was presiding, associated with sentiments expressed by both sides of the House and ordered the Secretary General to send a copy of today's proceedings to the bereaved family.

(Contd. on tomorrow)