President pays floral tributes to Ilangaratne statue
President Rajapaksa paid floral tributes to the statue of late politician and writer T.B. Ilangaratne this morning.The commemorative ceremony was held at Navam Mawatha in Colombo. It was organized by the People’s Bank. He was elected to Parliament from 1958 to 1977 representing the Kandy, Galaha, Hewaheta and Kolonnawa electorates and had held several Cabinet Portfolios including Labour, Finance, Trade and Ports.
Mr. Ilangaratne who rendered yeoman service on behalf of the working fraternity, was instrumental in making May Day a public holiday and also launched the labour tribunals, Salaries Commission and the EPF. He was also the founder of the People’s Bank. He pioneered in the launch of the Lotteries Board, Salu Sala and many state institutions. Among those present at the commemorative ceremony were many Parliamentarians.