John Amaratunga completes 40 years as a Parliamentarian

Wednesday, 24 October 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga completed 40 years of service as a Member of Parliament on 19 October.

Amaratunga had his secondary education De Mazenod College in Kandana and at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. He later entered Law College and passed out as an Attorney-at-Law in July 1966.

Amaratunga, who had a very successful legal practice in Negombo, cut his teeth in politics as a youth joining the United National Party. Amaratunga is an Attorney-at-Law, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Magistrate (JPUM).

Amaratunga was the first parliamentarian to be appointed to the august assembly without an election under the provisions of the 1978 Constitution. He was appointed a Member of Parliament for the Wattala electorate to fill the vacancy created by the demise of then Posts and Telecommunications Minister Shelton Jayasinghe.

He has held many positions important positions in a career spanning over 50 years as a UNP member.

Political career

Chairman/Sri Lanka Leather Corporation (1977-1978)
Member of Parliament and Organiser of the United National Party for Wattala Electorate (since October 1978)
Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (1984-1993)
State Minister of Finance (1988-1989)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs (1989-1994)
Subject Minister for Provincial Councils (1990)
Acting State Minister for Information (1990)
Acting State Minister for Defence (1992)
Cabinet Minister of Home Affairs and Provincial Councils (1993-1994)
Cabinet Minister of Interior and Christian Affairs (2001-2004)
Chief Opposition Whip/Acting Leader of the Opposition (2010-2015)
Cabinet Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs (Jan -Mar 2015)
Cabinet Minister of Public Order and Christian Religious Affairs (Mar 2015-Aug 2015)
Cabinet Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs (Since Sep 2015)
Additional Ministerial Portfolio of Land (May 2016-Aug 2017)
Member of the Working Committee of the United National Party
Chairman, United National Party Professional Group and Overseas Membership Development
President – Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya Trade Union
Leader and Member of several Parliamentary delegations abroad since 1986
Vice President – World Tourism Organization – South Asia

A special felicitation ceremony will be held on Sunday 28 October at the BMICH at 4 p.m. to mark Amaratunga’s 40th anniversary of service as a Member of Parliament under the distinguished patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.