Renuka Herath
Dunuthilaka Mudiyanselage Renuka Menike Herath commonly known as Renuka Herath (Sinhala: රේණුකා හේරත්, Tamil language: ரேணுகா ஹேரத், Born 7 September 1945 – 13 March 2017) was a prominant Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.[1] She was the Health Minister under President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Renuka Herath was the opposition leader of the Central Provincial Council[2] when she died.
Renuka Herath | |
|---|---|
රේණුකා හේරත් ரேணுகா ஹேரத் | |
 | |
| Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament for Nuwara Eliya District | |
| In office 1989–2000 | |
| In office 2006–2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 September 1945 Wewakale, Walapane |
| Died | 13 March 2017 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Other political affiliations | United National Front |
| Spouse(s) | Wimal Sisira Bandara Ranaweera |
| Children | Hiranya Herath |
| Residence | Wewakale, Walapane |
| Alma mater | Padiyapelalla Junior School, Poramadulla Central College |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Minister of Health |
During her tenure as the Minister of Health[3] while there was a tremendous amount of improvement to the healthcare system it was also a time where no strikes in the healthcare service sector was allowed to cause inconvenience the public. She was active in politics up until she died in 2017.[4]
She is still known today as one of the most outspoken and courageous political leaders who fought for justice and rights of the people.
Career
Renuka Herath was a member of the UNP[5] and came into politics by contesting in 1977 from her native Walapane electorate in Nuwara-Eliya district. She went on to win her first election and became a district minister.
In 1988, she was appointed as the deputy minister of cultural affairs. During President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s regime, she was the Minister of Health and women’s affairs. It was during her tenure in office that a major development in infrastructure and public service sector and uplift the quality of life for the people in Walapane and Nuwara-Eliya.
References
- "PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION - 02-04-2004" (PDF). Sri Lanka Department of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- https://www.cs.cp.gov.lk/downloads/telephone_directory.pdf
- "The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Issued by Hon. Renuka Herath" (PDF). Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka.
- "Central Provincial Council opposition leader Renuka Herath passes away". Sirasa News First.
- "Hon. (Mrs.) Renuka Herath, M.P. Parliament of Sri Lanka". Parliament of Sri Lanka.
