Gregory’s Rd is R. G. Senanayake Mw
Hewasinstrumental in initiating the RubberRice Pact with China
Glowing tributes were paid to the late statesman R.G. Senanayake yesterday by members of the Government and the United National Party (UNP) when former Gregory’s Road was officially renamed ‘Srimath R.G. Senanayake Mawatha’ at a ceremony attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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Mr. Geetanjana Gunawardene said Mr. Senanayake played a prominent role in initiating the Rubber-Rice Pact with China. It was considered as one of the most successful trade pacts Sri Lanka had ever entered into.
He said China had become a successful state as predicted by him just after the signing of the rubber-rice pact in 1956. He said Mr. Senanayake also played an important role in the political revolution of 1956.
Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil said the road was renamed on a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He said, as Colombo Mayor he was happy to play a role in this process. Mr. Mu- zammil recalled that together with former Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, F.R. Senanayake fought for the independence of the country and that he had held an important portfolio in the government headed by the then Prime Minister John Kotelawala.
A large number of distinguished personalities including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MPs Ruwan Wijewardene, Karu Jayasuriya, Vasantha Senanayke former UNP Chairman Rukman Senanayake, Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapa, members of the clergy including the Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera and the Ven. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera participated in the ceremony.
Late Mr. Senanayake’s family members including his grandson Chathura Senanayake and Ms. Surani Senanayake were also present. Mr. Senanayake played a prominent role in initiating the Rubber-Rice Pact with China. It was considered as one of the most successful trade pacts Sri Lanka had ever entered into
Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake (November 4, 1911 - December 22, 1970) was Trade and Commerce Minister from 1952 to 1956 and from 1956 to 1960. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from Dambadeniya in 1952 and in 1956 from Kelaniya, having held concurrent seats from the two constituencies. He retained the Dambadeniya seat in 1960 and 1965. He was the eldest son of freedom fighter F.R. Senanayake.