Hirunika and mother meet First Family at Kande Viharaya

Hirunika Premachandra and her mother Sumana went on pilgrimage to Kande Viharaya in Alutgama on 11 January. President Rajapaksa, accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi and son Namal arrived at the temple when the Premachandras were participating in religious observances.

Hirunika Premachandra – Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

When later the Rajapaksas and the Premachandras were engaged in an intimate conversation, the Viharadhipati Thera also appeared on the scene. “I am happy to see Bharatha’s daughter also here. Janadhipatitumani, please look after her well,” Viharadhipati Thera told the President.

The President replied: “Ape Hamuduruwane, Hirunika is not a member of our party. She is a member of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya.”

“Mahajana Pakshaya is also part of the government. Therefore, she is with you!” chipped in Sumana Premachandra.

A smiling President with a glance at Shiranthi from a corner of eye said that Hirunika’s possibly best ‘fan’ comes from his own family.

After several minutes of small talk with the Premachandras the President, Shiranthi and Namal left the temple. Hirunika and her mother Sumana followed suit.

While on the way back home, Hirunika phoned up Shiranthi and thanked her for her goodwill and patronage. “You are like my daughter,” replied Shiranthi. “Call at Temple Trees before 7.30 tomorrow morning. Then we can further discuss our future plans.”

Sharp at 7.30 the following morning, Hirunika called at Temple Trees along with her mother Sumana. By this time Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Parliamentarian Vasantha Senanayake also had turned up at Temple Trees. The President invited all to have breakfast with him.

Later, Yoshitha, Rohitha, Namal and Shiranthi joined them at the breakfast table. When the others were swapping humorous anecdotes, Vasu, the leftist veteran offered Hirunika bits of down-to-earth wisdom from his long years in politics designed to heighten her political savvy.

When all were walking out after breakfast, Hirunika took the President’s hand and guided him to a settee and knelt at his feet when he sat down. Looking direct into the President’s eyes, she asked him whether he still loved her the way he did love her when she was a tot. “You have always been the daughter in my family,” President Rajapaksa reassured Hirunika.

When Hirunika and the President were thus engaged in an intimate conversation, Shiranthi, Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha, along with Sumana Premachandra, showed up. When the President inquired from Hirunika about her plans for the future, she replied that she was preparing for the Law finals. However, she said that she wished to take up a political career following in the footsteps of her father. “If you are keen on a political career, you have to be an organizer of some electorate,” the President told her.

Hirunika nodded her consent. First the President proposed that she be SLFP’s co-organizer for Colombo East. However, the majority of those present did not like the idea. Then, the President suggested that she be the co-organizer for Colombo Central. When Hirunika welcomed the suggestion, the President phoned up the Administrative Secretary at the SLFP headquarters, S.M. Ariyasena, and asked him to make arrangements to appoint Hirunika as the co-organizer for Colombo Central.

Hirunika receives her letter of appointment

Hirunika Premachandra received her letter of appointment at an auspicious time on 13 January at Temple Trees.

When Hirunika called at Temple Trees, along with her mother, Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, a veteran politician from the city too had turned up there. Minister Kumara Welgama too was at Temple Trees on some official business. Hirunika received her letter of appointment from the President amidst the blessings of all present.

After handing over the appointment letter, President Rajapaksa told Hirunika: “Politics is not a bed of roses. You all know how much I am slandered and vilified. But I don’t take the trouble to hit back at my detractors. You have to exercise utmost patience and restraint. Work hard to win the Western PC election. You can rest assured of my full support. Namal Aiya too will support you. Go canvassing from house to house. If you campaign well, you will lead the preference votes list in the Colombo District.”
COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY