Karu Jayasuriya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hon.
Sri Lankabhimanya Karu Jayasuriya
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| ශ්රී ලංකාභිමාන්ය කරූ ජයසූරිය | |
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| 20th Speaker of the Parliament | |
| In office 1 September 2015 – 3 March 2020 |
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| Deputy | Ananda Kumarasiri Thilanga Sumathipala |
| Preceded by | Chamal Rajapaksa |
| Succeeded by | Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena |
| Chairman of the Constitutional Council (Sri Lanka) | |
| In office 9 September 2015 – 20 August 2020 |
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| President | Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapakse |
| Minister of Buddha Sasana | |
| In office 12 January 2015 – 17 August 2015 |
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| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Preceded by | D. M. Jayaratne |
| Minister of Public Administration, Democratic Rule | |
| In office 12 January 2015 – 17 August 2015 |
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| President | Maithripala Sirisena |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Preceded by | D. M. Jayaratne |
| Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs | |
| In office 2007–2008 |
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| Minister of Power and Energy | |
| In office 12 December 2001 – 6 April 2004 |
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| President | Chandrika Kumaratunga |
| Prime Minister | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Member of Parliament for National List |
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| In office 2015–2020 |
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| Member of Parliament for Gampaha District |
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| In office 2000–2015 |
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| Mayor of Colombo | |
| In office 1997–1999 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 September 1940 Gampaha, Sri Lanka |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Alma mater | Ananda College, Colombo |
| Occupation | Politics, diplomat |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Branch/service | Ceylon Army Volunteer Force |
| Years of service | 1965–1972 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | Ceylon National Guard |
| Battles/wars | 1971 JVP insurrection |
Sri Lankabhimanya Karu Jayasuriya (Sinhala: කරු ජයසුරිය, Tamil: கரு ஜயசூரிய; born 29 September 1940) is a well-known politician from Sri Lanka. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, which is like being the main leader of the country's law-making body. Before that, he was the Mayor of Colombo, the capital city, and held several important roles as a government minister. He has been a Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District for many years. He also worked as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany. As Speaker of Parliament, he also led the Constitutional Council.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Karu Jayasuriya was born on September 29, 1940, in Mirigama, Gampaha, Sri Lanka. He went to school at Kandangamuwa Vidyalaya and Ananda College, Colombo. He later became a professional in shipping and logistics, which is about organizing how goods are transported. He also received advanced training in business management.
Military Service
In 1965, Jayasuriya joined the Ceylon Army Volunteer Force. He became a Second Lieutenant in the Ceylon National Guard. He was called to serve during the 1971 JVP insurrection. He helped to fix train lines between Colombo and Anuradhapura during this time. He left the army in 1972.
Business and Diplomatic Roles
After leaving the army, Karu Jayasuriya worked in the private sector. He became a senior leader in many companies. He was the Chairman of the National Chamber of Commerce and other business groups. He also served as a Director of the Export Development Board.
In the early 1980s, President J. R. Jayewardene appointed him to a special commission. Later, in 1991, he became the Chairman of the organizing committee for a big trade exhibition called ‘EXPO 92’. From 1992 to 1994, he was Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany. He also represented Sri Lanka in Austria and Switzerland.
Political Career
Mayor of Colombo
Karu Jayasuriya became active in politics in 1995. He was asked to become the party chairman of the United National Party (UNP). In 1996, he ran for Mayor of Colombo. He won the election and became very popular. He was known for efficiently managing the city. He served as Mayor until 1999.
Provincial Council
After being a successful Mayor, Jayasuriya ran for the provincial council elections in 1999. He was the UNP's candidate for Chief Minister of the Western Province. He lost by a small margin. He then became the opposition leader in the Western Province council until 2001. During this election, he chose not to use posters, saying they caused violence and made the city dirty.
Member of Parliament
In the General Elections of 2000, he was elected to Parliament. He represented the Gampaha District. Even though his party lost, he received many votes. After this, he was chosen as the Deputy Leader of the UNP.
Cabinet Minister
When the UNP won the General Elections in 2001, Karu Jayasuriya became the Minister of Power and Energy. This was a challenging job, but he made sure there was a steady power supply. He also started changes to the Electricity Board.
In 2004, the President dissolved Parliament, and the UNP lost the election. Jayasuriya then returned to the opposition. In the Presidential Elections of 2005, he was named as the person who would become Prime Minister if his party won. He traveled widely and campaigned for his party leader.
Return to Government
In January 2015, after the presidential election, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Jayasuriya as a Minister. He was in charge of Public Administration, Democratic Rule, and Buddha Sasana.
Speaker of Parliament
On September 1, 2015, Karu Jayasuriya was elected as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament. This is a very important role, as the Speaker leads the parliamentary sessions. His name was suggested by the Prime Minister and supported by other members.
Honours
Government of Sri Lanka – Deshabandu - 1992
Japanese government – Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun - 2016
Abdul Kalam Institute of Technological Sciences - Pride of Asia - 2019- Rāmañña Nikāya - Vishva Keerthishri Lanka Jana Ranjana - 2019
- Malwathu Maha Viharaya - Sasana Keerthi Sri Deshabhimani – 2019
- Amarapura Nikāya - Sadhu Jana Prasadhini Lankaputhra – 2019
- Government of Sri Lanka - Sri Lankabhimanya – 2023
See also
- List of Govigama people
- List of political families in Sri Lanka
- List of Sri Lankan non-career diplomats
