OBITUARIES MR SATHIAMOORTHY SUNASSEE

Yes, hon. Prime Minister, obituaries!

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that we have learnt of the demise of Mr Sathiamoorthy Sunassee, also known as Moorthy Sunassee, former Member of Parliament, who passed away on 22 January 2026 at the age of 81. Mr Sunassee was born in 1944 in Port Louis. He was the son of Mr Kistnasamy Sunassee, a loyal member of the Labour Party and a close ally of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and he played a key role in the independence movement. He was also a member of the National Assembly. Mr Moorthy Sunassee completed his secondary education at St Andrew’s school. He pursued his tertiary studies at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom where he earned a Master’s degree in International Marketing. He had a distinguished professional career as Trade Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, making significant contributions to Mauritius’ international marketing and trade policy. He played a crucial role in the development of the Export Processing Zone and in the negotiation of key textile agreements under the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade and the Lomé Convention with the European Union. Mr Moorthy Sunassee was a firm believer in regional integration and support in Mauritius engagement with the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union. He stood as a candidate at the 1991 election for the Legislative Assembly under the banner of the Alliance Parti Travailliste/PMSD for the Constituency No. 8 but he was not elected. He contested the 1995 National Assembly Elections under the banner of Alliance Parti Travailliste/MMM for Constituency No. 13 and was returned as the second member. In January 1996, Mr Moorthy Sunassee was appointed Deputy Chairman of Committees, a position he held until July 1997, when he was appointed Minister of Industry and Commerce. In September 1999, he was appointed Minister of Housing and Lands, a portfolio he held until August 2000. In 2007, he was elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.O.S.K.) in recognition of his distinguished services to the Trade Sector. Madam Speaker, Mr Moorthy Sunassee belonged to a generation that bridged Mauritius’ entrepreneurial community and its political institutions in the decades following independence. He leaves behind a legacy of serving both to the economic and public life in Mauritius. With these words, Madam Speaker, may I request you to kindly direct the Clerk to convey the profound condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family, particularly to his children. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Leader of the Opposition, please.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, I fully associate myself to the tribute paid by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister to late Mr Sathiamoorthy Sunassee. Madam Speaker, may I kindly request you to direct the Clerk of the National Assembly to convey our deep condolences to the bereaved family. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Members, I associate myself with the tribute paid to the memory of the late Mr Sunassee Sathiamoorthy, former Member of Parliament, by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister, by the hon. Leader of the Opposition, and I direct the Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family. Yes, hon. Prime Minister. MR THAKOORDATH PADARUTH

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that we have learnt of the demise of Mr Thakoordath Padaruth, former Member of Parliament, who passed away on 24 February of this year at the age of 76. Mr Padaruth was born on 03 July 1949 in Montagne Ory. He had his primary schooling at the Edith Cavel Government School and his secondary education at the Port Louis High School. He then pursued his tertiary studies at Punjab University in Chandigarh where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English Language, Economics and Political Science. Mr Padaruth had a distinguished professional career, both in the public and private sector, holding numerous positions. He first stood as a candidate in the 1982 General Elections for the Legislative Assembly under the banner of the MMM/PSM for Constituency No. 2 and was returned as second member. In June 1982, he was appointed member of the Public Accounts Committee. He contested the 1983 General Elections under the banner of the MSM/Parti Travailliste/PMSD for Constituency No. 2, but he was not returned. Mr Padaruth had a very active and rich social life, assisting in the organisation of socio- religious activities. With these words, Madam Speaker, may I request you to kindly direct the Clerk to convey the profound condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family, particularly his wife and children. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. Hon. Leader of the Opposition, please.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, I once again associate myself to the tribute paid by Dr. the hon. Prime Minister to late Mr Thakoordath Padaruth. Madam Speaker, may I kindly request you to direct the Clerk of the National Assembly to convey our deep condolences to the bereaved family. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Leader of the Opposition. Hon. Members, once again, I associate myself with the tribute paid to the memory of late Mr Padaruth Thakoordath, former Member of Parliament, by the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Leader of the Opposition and I direct the Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family. Thank you.