Gamini Jayasuriya

Gamani Nanda Jayasuriya (30 April 1924 – 26 April 1998) was a Sri Lankan politician, cabinet minister, and long-serving Member of Parliament for Homagama. He held the portfolios of Minister of Health and Minister of Agriculture Development, Food and Co-operatives, and served as General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP).

He was also chairman of the family-owned furniture firm H. Don Carolis and Sons.

Early life and family Gamani Jayasuriya was born on 30 April 1924 in Meegoda, Colombo District.

He was the son of Bernard Jayasuriya, a State Councillor, and Sumanadevi Hewavitarne daughter of Edmund Hewavitarne and granddaughter of Don Carolis Hewavitharana.

He belonged to the Hewavitarne family, which included figures such as Anagarika Dharmapala, Raja Hewavitarne, Neil Hewavitarne and multiple political leaders of the colonial and post-independence eras. Through this marriage he linked two branches of the Hewavitarne family. They had three children: Ananda, Prasanna and Devika.

Under his leadership, Don Carolis expanded its reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest furniture manufacturers, supplying homes, hotels, government buildings and export clients.

Political career

Entry into politics Jayasuriya entered politics through the United National Party. He was elected MP for Homagama in March 1960, holding the seat until 1970, and again from 1977 to 1987.

His responsibilities included agricultural pricing, co-operative reform, food distribution, and the national health system.

Opposition to the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord Jayasuriya is widely remembered for his principled opposition to the 1987 Indo–Sri Lanka Accord. Immediately after the signing of the agreement by President J. R. Jayewardene and Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi, he resigned from the Cabinet and from party leadership.

In business, he helped continue the Hewavitarne tradition of family entrepreneurship by leading Don Carolis into its fourth generation.