Old Boys of Maris Stella College Negombo North American Branch held an open memorial mass in memory of late Honorable Jeyaraj Fernandopulle (Highways and Road Development Minister) at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic church in Toronto Canada on Thursday May 8th 2008. The memorial service was solely dedicated in memory of the late Minister and all innocent civilians who perished due to the suicide attack that took place on April 6th 2008 in Sri Lanka. The service was well attended by a large contingent of Sri Lankans and various community members who ware deeply saddened by the tragedy. The priest shared everyone’s grief and conducted all catholic rituals in memory of Hon. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
At the conclusion of the mass Mr. Mano Fernandopulle a relative of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle voiced his sorrow for the demise of his close family member and thanked everyone for attending the mass. Special guest Consul General of Sri Lanka Mr. Bandula Jayasekara addressed the gathering about Mr. Fernandopulle’s scholarly intellectual abilities, vast contribution to the nation and his peace delegation work in Geneva. Mr. Consul General also read a letter from President Mahinda Rajapksa and ended his address by totally condemning the terrorist attack. The key note speaker of the night was Mr. Keerthi Perera, social secretary of Maris Stella College OBA who was a close classmate and a family friend of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Mr. Perera highlighted that Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s void will not be easily filled in the parliament as his passing is a tragedy to the College, the nation and all of man kind, he too voiced his disgust at terrorism which has been plaguing Sri Lanka for over twenty five years.
As Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a minister of all people, secretary of the OBA opened up the podium for anyone to address the crowd. Mr. Benedict took the opportunity on behalf of all Tamil Sri Lankan Catholics and spoke out against the terrorist act and pleaded with God to free Sri Lanka from clutches of terrorism. The secretary of OBA gave sincere thanks to all Jeryaraj Fernandopulle’s family members, community members, OBA members and the church for helping keep Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s memory alive. Secretary requested everyone to keep Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and all innocent civilians that deceased due to acts of terrorism close to their hearts and pray for peace and unity in Sri Lanka. The mass concluded with a hymn in memory of the minister who always worked tirelessly around the clock to bring peace to the nation and its people. The OBA is to forward the condolence book signed by all attendees at the mass to Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s family in Sri Lanka.
Prepared by
Secretary of MSC OBA NAB
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