Gamini Jayawickrama Perera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Gamini Jayawickrama Perera
Minister of Buddha Sasana
In office 20 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	Udaya Gammanpila
Succeeded by	Mahinda Rajapaksa
In office 25 August 2017 – 26 October 2018
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe
Succeeded by	Udaya Gammanpila
Minister of Wayamba Development
In office 20 December 2018 – 21 November 2019
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	S. B. Nawinne
Succeeded by	Vacant
Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife
In office 4 September 2015 – 25 February 2018
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa
Succeeded by	Sarath Fonseka
Minister of Food Security
In office 12 January 2015 – 17 August 2015
President	Maithripala Sirisena
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	P. Dayaratna
Succeeded by	Chamal Rajapaksa
Minister of Irrigation and Water Management
In office 12 December 2001 – 4 November 2003
President	Chandrika Kumaratunga
Prime Minister	Ranil Wickremesinghe
Preceded by	Sarath Amunugama
Succeeded by	Ferial Ashraff
1st Chief Minister of the North Western Province
In office 4 May 1988 – 19 October 1993
Governor	Dingiri Banda Wijetunga Montague Jayawickrama
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	G. M. Premachandra
Member of Parliament for Kurunegala District
In office 25 August 1994 – 3 March 2020
Member of Parliament for Katugampola
In office 22 July 1977 – 8 March 1989
Preceded by	Tikiri Banda Subasinghe
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (1941-01-29)29 January 1941 Kurunegala, British Ceylon
Died	17 February 2024(2024-02-17) (aged 83) Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	United National Party
Spouse	Rohini Perera
Relations	Lincoln Perera (brother)
Children	2
Alma mater	Nalanda College Colombo
Occupation	Politician

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera (born January 29, 1941 – died February 17, 2024) was an important politician from Sri Lanka. He was a member of the United National Party and served in the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He represented the Kurunegala District from 1994 to 2020. Before that, he represented Katugampola from 1977 to 1989.

Perera held many different jobs as a minister in the Sri Lankan government. These included being the Minister of Buddha Sasana (who looked after religious affairs), Minister of Wayamba Development, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Minister of Food Security, and Minister of Irrigation and Water Management. He also became the first Chief Minister of the North Western Province. Perera helped represent Sri Lanka on the world stage as the chairman of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. He was also the chairman of the United National Party for a long time.

Early Life and Education

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera was born on January 29, 1941, in Kurunegala, which is in the North Western Province. He grew up in a big family. His brother, Lincoln Perera, later became an important government official.

Perera went to Nalanda College in Colombo for his schooling. He loved cricket and played it actively during his school days. He was even the captain of his school's main cricket team. In 1960, he led his team in a special cricket match called the Battle of the Maroons against Ananda College, which ended in a draw.

Political Career Highlights

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera started his political journey in 1968. He joined the United National Party and began working in local government. He quickly became well-known within his party. By 1973, the party leaders noticed him and asked him to join national politics.

First Time in Parliament

In the 1977 elections, his party won by a lot. Perera won his first seat in parliament, representing the Katugampola area. In 1982, the President at the time, J. R. Jayewardene, made Perera the District Minister of Kurunegala. This meant he was in charge of that district.

Leading a Province

Later, Sri Lanka created Provincial Councils to manage regions. Perera decided to leave national politics for a short time to work in regional government. In 1988, he won the election for the North Western Province. Because of this, he became the very first Chief Minister of the North Western Province.

Return to National Politics

Perera returned to national politics in the 1994 elections. He won a seat from the Kurunegala District. For much of his time in parliament, he was part of the opposition. However, for a short period in 2001, he served as the Minister of Irrigation and Water Management.

Things changed for him when Maithripala Sirisena was elected President in 2015. A new government led by Perera's party was formed. During this time, Perera held several important minister jobs. These included Minister of Food Security, Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, and Minister of Buddha Sasana.

In 2018, there was a big political disagreement in Sri Lanka. Perera and other ministers were temporarily removed from their jobs. But after some important court decisions, they were put back in their positions. Perera continued as Minister of Buddha Sasana and also became the Minister of Wayamba Development. After the 2019 election, a different party formed the government. Perera then decided to step away from government work and did not run for re-election in 2020.

Personal Life and Passing

Gamini Jayawickrama Perera was married to Rohini Perera. They had two children. One of his children, Asanga Jayawickrama Perera, also became a Provincial Council member. Gamini Perera was a devoted Buddhist.

He passed away on February 17, 2024, at the age of 83. He had been unwell for some time. His funeral was held on February 20, 2024, in Pannala, Kurunegala District.