Sri Lanka, April 10 -- Dr. A.C.S. Hameed entered Parliamentary politics in March 1960, representing the Akurana Parliament seat, which was later changed to the Harispattuwa electorate.

He continued to represent Harispattuwa until his death on September 3, 1999, after a short illness, serving 39 years in Parliament, without a break.

In 1977, when the U.N.P. under President J.R. Jayawardene returned to power, Dr. Hameed was appointed as the 1st Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose portfolio was held by the Head of Government until this period.

It was noted that President J.R. Jayawardene rarely intervened on Foreign policy matters, seeking to act through his foreign minister.

President J.R. Jayawardene had implicit faith in Dr. Hameed to ...