MP’s saviour- Cranbourne MP Jude Perera will receive a kidney from his cousin, Lalitha. 26952

By Bridget Brady
CRANBOURNE MP Jude Perera will receive a kidney from his cousin after being diagnosed with kidney disease last year.
Mr Perera’s condition has been deteriorating over the past six months and he will have surgery later this month after finding a compatible donor – his cousin.
While the 55-year-old will be out of action for up to eight weeks, he said it would be business as usual at the office.
“I have very capable staff who will run the office in my absence so anyone needing help should not hesitate to contact them,” Mr Perera said.
“I look forward to returning to work for the people of my electorate refreshed and re-invigorated.”
Mr Perera’s cousin, Lalitha, has travelled from Sri Lanka for the operation.
Mr Perera is the first Sri Lankan-born parliamentarian to enter any lower house of parliament and the second Sri Lankan-born member of any parliament in Australia.
He has lived in the Cranbourne electorate with his wife, Ira, for about 10 years.
“Jude is widely known as a strong advocate for low-income families and has been instrumental in attracting funding for a number of infrastructure projects around Cranbourne,” co-worker Sammy Argiriou said.