It was of significance that the commemoration was held, as usual, near the historic Mahogany tree planted by Che Guevara in Yahalakele Estate in Horana during his visit to Sri Lanka on August 7, 1959 on the invitation of then Governor General of Ceylon Sir Oliver Gunatilleka. The watcher of the estate W.A. Dingiri Banda who joined Yahalakele Estate at the age of 14 years had been caring for the historic tree for the last 52 years.

The Cuban Ambassador paid floral tributes followed by Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardene, D.E.W. Gunasekara, Parliamentarian Vidura Wickremanayake and other distinguished invitees. Addressing the gathering, the Cuban Ambassador said Che Guevara gave his life, the most precious thing he had, in defence of the revolutionary ideas.

“He left us an example, a line of conduct to transform ourselves into better human beings. Che was a man of exceptional qualities who believed firmly in a better world with justice and equality, He was not only a profound thinker with radical word views but many take his example as inspiration in their search for a better world. For Cuba, to protect, and enhance, Che’s legacy is a commitment unavoidable, In doing so we are preserving the Cuban revolution, which is also a tangible part of his revolutionary work,” she said.

Cuban Ambassador, Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and other guests at the commemoration ceremony.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka