Champika Ranawaka

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Patali Champika Ranawaka
පාඨලී චම්පික රණවක
Technology, Research and Atomic Energy
Incumbent
Assumed office
29 January 2013
Personal details
Born (1965-08-04) 4 August 1965
Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Political party Jathika Hela Urumaya
Profession Politician, Electrical & Power Engineer
Religion Theravada Buddhism
Website www.champikaranawaka.net

Ranawaka Arachchige Patali Champika Ranawaka (Sinhala:පාඨලී චම්පික රණවක) MP (born 4 August 1965) is the current cabinet Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy[1] in the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Originally a member of the Sihala Urumaya, a Sinhala nationalist political party, he joined the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) political party along with members of the Sihala Urumaya as only supportive and advisory personal, when it was formed in 2004 to wield candidates who were all Buddhist monks, for Parliament in the 2004 general election.

Early life

Champika Ranawaka entered Taxila Central College, Horana after being qualified from the Scholarship Examination. Been an all-rounder at different extra curricular activities, Champika got qualified from G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination ranking first from the Kalutara district to the Engineering faculty of the University of Moratuwa. In 1988 he was graduated with a bachelor degree in Electrical and Power Engineering. Ranawaka was writing articles to the newspaper in which the 'unofficial' editor was Prof. Nalin de Silva.Also, he wrote to the newspaper Vidusara, alias 'Sapumal Senanayake'[2]

He was an activist in the student movements in Sri Lanka during the late 1980s and was a member of the pro-J.V.P. student union. Quitting J.V.P. due to political and visionary reasons he formed the Non-political organization called, 'Janatha Mithuro' with some of his colleagues like Ven.Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Nishantha Warnasinghe and Malinda Seneviratne. 'Janatha Mithuro' was criticized for its right-wing anti-Tamil ideology and actions.[3] In the 1993 presidential elections they backed the People's Alliance headed by Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Member of Parliament

When the JHU joined the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2007 they were offered a cabinet ministerial position. Since an ordained monk could not hold such a position Rev.Dr.Omalpe Sobhitha Thero resigned from his seat in parliament thus making way for Ranawaka to be nominated to parliament as a national list MP (appointed by the party and not elected). Ranawaka then accepted the post of minister of environment and natural resources.

Minister Ranawaka contested the 2010 General Election under the UPFA from Colombo District and was placed third place by obtaining 120,333 votes securing membership in the Sri Lanka Parliament.[4]

Allegations of racism

In 2008 Ranawaka called the Muslim community in Sri Lanka 'outsiders' sparking widespread protests.[5] As a government minister he has spearheaded moves to construct Buddhist temples in predominantly Tamil and Muslim areas leading to an increase in tensions. He used his former post as Minister of Environment to secure land for these constructions. He has publicly stated that all terrorists must be annihilated by any means and that 'if the law can't do it then other means must be used'.[6] He has also called for the imprisonment and murder of journalists who questioned the war.

Who the hell are these so called journalists in Sri Lanka? Who are these 'Tamil Youth'? There are no such people. They are all NGO scum who depend on foreign money.[7]

Criticism of international interventions

Ranawaka has also been critical of international intervention in Sri Lanka stating that anyone who takes action against Sri Lanka will be supporting terrorism.[8] In April 2011 Ranawaka called the UN report on war crimes in Sri Lanka 'diplomatic terrorism'.[9] Ranwaka has also opposed airstrikes against Libya.[10]

Family life

Ranawaka had been married and has 2 daughters. He is divorced now.[citation needed].

Bibliography

  • 1991– End of Modern Development Paradigm (club of Rome) limit to growth elaboration in sustainable development.
  • 1993– Relational Relativity.
  • Sihala Abhiyogaya (The Challenge of the Sinhalese)
  • Koti Viniwideema (An insight of the LTTE ) Book Pre-view Book Download
  • Nagenahira Sinhala Urumaya (Sinhala Heritage in the East) Book Pre-view Book Download
  • Thrastha Virodi Jathika Salasma (The way to defeat the Tiger) Pre-view Book Download
  • Al Jihad- Al Queida (The past, present & the future of Islamic fundamentalism) Pre-view
  • Sangwardanaye Thunveni Yamaya (The Sunset of Development) Pre-view Book Download
  • Patisothagamiwa Tis Wasak (A self written Autobiography) Pre-view Book Download

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.dailynews.lk/2013/01/29/news23.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.champikaranawaka.com/common/pdf/paper_articles/kaalaya_saha_awakaashaya_01.pdf
  3. ↑ "Sri Lanka: State-owned newspaper publishes death threat against SEP". World Socialist Website. 
  4. ↑ Official Website
  5. ↑ "Muslims protest 'racist' remarks". BBC. 
  6. ↑ "Annihilate traitors by any means". Tamil Guardian. 
  7. ↑ "Annihilate traitors by any means". Tamil Guardian. 
  8. ↑ "Champika: Action Against SL Will Be Supportive Of Terrorists". The Sunday Leader. 
  9. ↑ "UN unleashes diplomatic terrorism". Daily News. 
  10. ↑ "Air strikes against Libya wrong". Daily News. 

External links

Technology, Research & Atomic Energy ministers of Sri Lanka
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