Speaker Karu Jayasuriya last week became the recipient of the highest civilian honour conferrable upon a lay person by the Malwatte Chapter, for his contribution to Buddhism and service to the country.
Ven.Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera presented the scroll conferring upon Speaker Jayasuriya the honorary title Sasana Keerthi Sri Deshabhimani, in Kandy last Wednesday.
“I will leave politics when the time comes, the same way I entered it – with clean hands and a pure heart,” the Speaker of Parliament said, when making a few remarks after the title was conferred upon him.
 Karu speaks at the event |
He had striven to engage in clean politics throughout his career, and to avoid character assassination and conflict, he said.
“In spite of obstacles and threats, I have never lost the resolve to protect democracy, the people’s rights and the integrity of the public service, police and judicial service,” the Speaker said.
At the event in Kandy, Speaker Jayasuriya vowed before the Sangha that he would protect the honourary title conferred upon him until his dying day, and strive to fulfill his social, religious and national obligations.
The Malwatte Chapter has recognized the Speaker of Parliament for his role in safeguarding democracy and constitutional governance during the 52 day political crisis that unfolded in Sri Lanka between October and December 2018. Throughout his career in politics, Jayasuriya has been a crusader for corruption-free governance, de-politicisation of key independent institutions, democracy and the rule of law. Guided by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, Jayasuriya gave leadership to a movement of civil society organizations struggling to clean up governance in the country. Joining Sobitha Thero’s struggle from the outset, Jayasuriya has been a staunch advocate of abolishing the Executive Presidency.
In his role as Speaker, he has worked to uphold the rights and powers of Parliament, particularly during last year’s constitutional crisis, culminating in the eventual reversals, and restoration of the pre October 26 status quo.
As Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Jayasuriya has striven tirelessly to perfect appointments to independent commissions and the judiciary, as part of his vision to strengthen democratic fundamentals and de-politicise Governance.
Jayasuriya has presided over a parliamentary renaissance, that has seen the introduction of specialized oversight committees to vet draft legislation, creating a legislative process that is both consultative and replete with checks and balances that ensure restrictions on executive power.