Dayasritha Tissera

Anton Dayasritha Tissera is a Sri Lankan politician. He was a member of Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2015 and is currently a member of Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP).

Hon. Dayasritha Tissera
Deputy Minister of Ports & Aviation
Incumbent
Assumed office 2010
In office 2004–2007
Minister of Skills Development
In office 2007–2010
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament for Puttalam District
In office 2001–2015
Personal details
Born	(1966-04-14) 14 April 1966 Wennappuwa
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Other political affiliations	United People's Freedom Alliance
Children	3
Residence	Kusumsiri, Kolinjadiya, Wennappuwa
Alma mater	St. Anthony's College, Kandy, Maris Stella College Box Hill Institute

Early life and family

Dayasritha Tissera was born 14 April 1966, the son of Protus Tissera, a member of parliament from 1970-1977, and Anyshia. He has seven siblings (Shanthi, Sunitha, Kamani, Sudarshani, Susil, Pushpanath and Laksiri). Tissera had his primary education at Maris Stella College, Negombo and secondary education at St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. He was a member of many societies at both schools and was very active in extracurricular work at St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. He later joined Boxhill TAFE College, Australia for his higher studies.

He married his wife Cheril Perera in 19 August 1993, and they have three daughters: Danushkie, Dulanga and Ruweena.

Political Career

Father's Political Involvement

Tissera got into politics by following his father, Protus, who was involved in politics in the 1960s. His father was a member of a Kammal Katuwa Gamsabahawa and then contested for general election in 1970 from Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and got elected to the parliament by securing 10,657 votes. He was given the organiser post for SLFP for Nattandiya Electorate.

Dayasritha's Political Career

Tissera entered into politics in 1988 by joining to People’s Front. He contested for general election from the People’s Alliance and could not get enough votes to get elected for the parliament. He then contested for the Provincial Counsel election and won a seat in North Western Province. In 2000 General Election Tissera contested for a parliamentary seat from People’s Alliance and secured a seat with 38,885 votes. The Peoples’ Alliance government faced a blow because of the decision of most SLMC MPs to leave coalition government and were planning on bringing a no confidence motion against the president. Therefore, Chandrika Kumaratunge called for a sudden general election just a little year after the 2000 General Election on 5 December 2001.

Throughout the turmoil, Tissera had been supporting president Kumaratunge along with rest of People’s Alliance MPs. With that popularity Dayasritha again contested for the General Election with the same alliance in 2000 and won a parliament seat by securing 32,457 votes in Puttalam District which was 3^rd highest votes secured by People’s Alliance MP in the district. In 2004 President Chandrika Kumaratunge appointed Tissera as the Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation. He worked with Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Ports and Aviation who was a member of Sri Lanka Freedom Party back then. In 2007, Tissera got appointed as the non-cabinet minister of Skill Developments and Vocational Training where he had to put his all strength for empowering youth and improve the vocational training programs all over the country.

In 2010 General Election Tissera contested from United People’s Freedom Alliance (SLFP) and secured a seat from Puttlam District with 38,704 votes. It was a land sliding victory for Mahinda Rajapaksha and United Freedom Alliance (SLFP). Along with Dayasritha’s seat, United People’s Freedom Alliance (SLFP) could secure 6 seats when United National Front could only secure 2 seats. President Mahinda Rajapksha appointed Dayasritha as the Cabinet Minister of State Resource and Enterprise Development. Tissera’s ministry was given a huge role in developing infrastructure in country after the end of 30 year long civil war.

Electoral History

Electoral history of Dayasritha Tissera

Election	Constituency	Party	Votes	Results
1994 General Election	Puttalam	SLFP	-	not elected
1999 Provincial Council	North Western Province	SLFP	-	elected
2000 General Election	Puttalam	SLFP	38,885	elected
2001 General Election	Puttalam	SLFP	32,457	elected
2004 General Election	Puttalam	SLFP	41,190	elected
2010 General Election	Puttalam	SLFP	38,704	elected

References

• "DAYASRITHA Tissera". Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 2010-10-06.