By Colombo Telegraph –

Wimal

Wimal Rodrigo was the Deputy Secretary of the LSSP for over years. Within the party, he took up the position that the Left parties in the Government should assert the Left identity and speak out on issues that affect the common people. In 2010, he took the position that the LSSP should not vote for the 18th Amendment which strengthened the executive presidency. After the LSSP MPs violated the decision of the Politbureau that they should abstain from voting for the 18th Amendment, he and several others proposed a separate resolution to the Party conference. This resolution was approved by the Politbureau as well as the Central Committee in preference to the resolution proposed by Tissa Vitarana. However, at the party conference, it was defeated. Wimal was elected to the Central Committee again but Tissa Vitarana removed him from the post of Deputy Secretary and membership in the Politbureau. This move was very unpopular even among members who supported Tissa’s resolution at the conference.Wimal Rodrigo had

humble beginnings and grew up in one of the many “wattes” in Colombo. He began life as a worker in the Wellawatte Mills and later joined the CTB, only to lose his job for joining the July 1980 strike.

He was attracted to the LSSP during his days in the Wellawatte Mills and became a strong supporter of Bernard Soysa, who not only taught him Left politics but also to be a gentleman in politics. He went on to become the Deputy General Secretary of the Party. Wimal strongly believes in maintaining the Left identity when the Left has to work within a coalition.

Wimal served 11 years as a member of the Colombo Municipal Council. His contribution to the environment of Colombo as a member of the Environment Committee is well-known. In 1996, when all Councillors were given a piece of commercial land in Pettah which could easily be sold for 30 lakhs at that time, Wimal was one of the two Councillors who refused to accept. Such is his honesty. Once, a senior member of the Council was asked what he thought of Wimal. “Good guy, but a fool” was the answer. Asked why Wimal was a fool, the member said: ” He even refused a prime piece of commercial land in Pettah”.

He is a wonderful human being, he is presently in the Cardiology Unit of the Colombo General Hospital because of a serious heart condition. We below reproduce a letter from his son.

My father, Wimal Rodrigo, is presently warded in the Cardiology Unit of the Colombo General Hospital because of a serious heart condition. Doctors treating him have advised us that a pace maker should be installed urgently, if he is to survive.

We have been advised that the pace maker that would save his life will cost Rs. 1,700,000.00. We simply do not have that kind of money and have to appeal to you, to assist us in this hour of great need.

To raise the required funds, we have been organized the best stage drama of the 2010 National Drama Festival “Colombo Colombo” in 11th November 2011 at the Lumbini Theater, Colombo. We are kindly requesting you to donate an advertisement for the souvenir and help us to save our father’s life. The page prices are given below

Full page Rs.20,000/-
Half page Rs.10,000/-
Quarter page Rs.5,000/-
Inner front Cover Rs.25,000/-
Inner back Cover Rs.25,000/-
Back Cover Rs.25,000/-

I need your help at this critical moment – Theja Buddhika Rodrigo

His contact number is 0094 777 718 556

You can also deposit any money help to the following bank details

Name of account: Y R T C Rodrigo
Account number: 086-2-001-3-1182292
Bank and branch: BANK of CEYLON – THIMBIRIGASYAYA
Swift code of bank: PSBKLKLX

The letter from the Institute of Cardiology