Late C.V. Gooneratne was the second son of the late Major L.V. Gooneratne. He received his education at Royal College, Colombo and chose to follow in the footsteps of his father who rendered an unparalleled service for the people of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
Gooneratne being remembered even after laps of 22 years is indeed a clear testimony to the fact that people are ever grateful to work accomplished by him with a missionary zeal.
We are aware of the contribution by Gooneratne as a leader of opposition in the Dehiwala-Mt Lavinia Municipal Council. He was the chief organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party for the Ratmalana electorate, a trade union leader and a member of central committee and the Deputy General Secretary of the party. He was elected a Member of Parliament for the first time at the 1989 General Election.
We vividly remember how he raised his eloquent voice in Sinhala and English against corruption and violence on the part of the then Government.
He practised honest and principal politics and distributed among the less privileged the proceeds of the sale of properties he inherited from his father and spent such monies on political activities. The Gooneratne had cultivated close relationship particularly with the fishing community and remained a gentleman politician until the time of his passing away.
The contribution by Gooneratne as Industrial Minister in 1994 till 2000 was commended by all. Seethawaka Awissawella, Hambantota, Matara, Homagama, Ratmalana Industrial estates set up by him even today contribute in no small measure to the country’s economic development.
He was firmly determined to develop a National Industrial Policy using his diplomatic skills aimed at attracting foreign investments and providing job opportunities for the youth.
Despite repeated warnings by the former President to her cabinet colleagues regarding threats to their lives, he accompanied his wife and thousands of people so bold as to walk the street on ‘Heroes’ Day. On June 7, 2000, he was killed in a ruthless terrorist bomb attack. Even though the battle against terrorism that lasted three decades has ended, the name of C.V. Gooneratne will be written in golden letters in the roll of national heroes.
May he rest in peace!
M.Nimal Perera,
Lanka Janatha Party