Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced in Parliament Tuesday that that Peralto "had done the country well and this country owes him a debt of gratitude".

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller welcomed the announcement and said that Peralto was a true patriot and a gentleman.

"There is something special about him. He never allowed politics to get in the way of being friendly with others who were not supportive of his political party," Simpson Miller said.

Outstanding gentleman

She added: "I hope that this honourable House and perhaps the Government will do something in the memory of this outstanding gentleman".

Peralto died at age 75 last Friday morning at the Andrew's Memorial Hospital, after he complained of not feeling well a day earlier. He is to be buried on February 9 at 2 p.m.

Peralto was a member of the Electoral Advisory Council and is credited with leading the reform of Jamaica's electoral system. He was Mayor of Kingston and a Member of Parliament between 1983 and 1989. He also served as a senator.