Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini had remained unwavering in her beliefs throughout her life, despite attempts to draw her towards different political viewpoints.
Speaking to the media at Dr. Malini’s funeral, Premadasa said he had wanted her to support the political views he represented and had made several attempts to persuade her, but she had never compromised on the principles she believed in.
“She held a particular position from the very beginning and remained steadfast in it. There were differences between the views I held and those she believed in. Because of those differences, she never joined us,” Premadasa said.
He described Dr. Malini as an exceptional artist who stood firmly by her principles and convictions without yielding to any individual or political force.
Premadasa also recalled an occasion when he proposed naming a model village after her in recognition of her contribution to the country.
“When I asked whether I could build a model village in her name, she said, ‘No, no. There is no need to name things after me,’” Premadasa recalled.
