In a personally signed letter to Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, President Rajapaksa extolled the services of the late Minister, who lost his life in a traffic accident on Tuesday (3rd June 2014), as “a far-sighted leader who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people throughout his political career”. Recalling his meeting the late Minister at the ceremonial inauguration of the new government last month in New Delhi, President Rajapaksa stated that his personal sense of sadness had deepened.

The full text of the President’s letter to Indian Prime Minister Modi is as follows:

I am greatly saddened to learn of the tragic demise yesterday of Hon. Shri Gopinath Munde, Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation.

I am aware that the late Minister was a far-sighted leader who worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people throughout his political career. His wide popularity was manifested by his resounding electoral victory in Maharashtra at the recent Lok Sabha elections.  The government and the Bharatiya Janata Party have lost a true stalwart with the untimely demise of Shri Munde. The recollection of my meeting the late Minister at the Ceremonial Inauguration of your government last month in New Delhi has deepened my personal sense of sadness.

I convey my heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of a loyal Cabinet colleague, and through you to the members of the bereaved family and pray that they will find the strength and courage to overcome this irreparable loss.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration." (KH/SI)