Final rites of former minister – Mangala Samaraweera, who lost his life to Covid-19, was held in Colombo today (24) itself.
The cremation was held at 6.00pm at the Borella cemetery, according to Covid-19 regulations.
Mangala was a dreamer and as he pointed out in 2019 when he reached the milestone marking 30 years in politics. “Thirty years ago this month, when I first entered Parliament, my head was full of dreams; dreams for my beloved country, dreams for our people and also dreams for myself,” he said.
“Thirty years later, I still remain a dreamer. Many of the dreams I dreamt for my country still are unfulfilled but I feel that I may have been able to make a little difference along the way thanks to some of the very special people whom I had the privilege of associating,” he had added.
Speaking of dreams, he once lovingly referred to one of his beloved mother’s musical favourites – Julie Garland’s ‘Over the Rainbow‘.
“Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true”
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops that’s where
You’ll find me”
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