30 years in politics
View(s):Tribute to W.D.J. Seneviratne
‘Encouragement is more effective than criticism,’ is the proverbial phrase, the tenet by which, senior politician W.D.J. Seneviratne has served his ministry and his country during the 30 years of his illustrious political career. I have been privileged to know and be associated with him over the past 25 years and our friendship remains ever fresh.
Welathanthrige Don John Seneviratne, widely known as John Seneviratne, affectionately known as ‘Sene’ or ‘WDJ’ by his friends, is full of joie de vivre. I grew acquainted with Sene personally during the horrendous JVP insurrection in 1988, when the UNP was in power. He was then a successful lawyer with a lucrative practice due to his good faith and sincerity towards people, particularly the people of Pelmadulla, Kahawatte, Nivithigala, Rakwana, Balangoda, Embilipitiya and Ratnapura. He was never motivated by money.
He always sought to retain his identity by remaining in the place where he was born at Lellopitiya in Ratnapura and his greatest joy was to be with his constituents. He could very likely have become a senior President’s Counsel and enjoyed a life of comfort rather than becoming a politician.
As far as I recollect, when I was Officer-in-Charge of Kahawatte Police, Sene was a frequent visitor there, especially when the JVP launched sporadic attacks. I was duty bound by the then powerful UNP regime not to keep in touch with the Opposition politicians, but for the sake of fairness, I was acquainted with everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations.
My first memorable recollection of Sene was when he visited Police Headquarters trekking through vast security barriers, where no one took notice of a newly elected government Parliamentarian who had come alone to pay me a visit, equipped only with his winsome smile. It was an unforgettable event in my life when I found him that day, tired and sweating by climbing the steps of the old building of Police Headquarters, as I was then in the pool, as Officer-in-Charge of Police Crime Prevention and Public Relations Bureau. He left requesting me to visit him whenever possible.
The second memorable incident was when he introduced me to a large public gathering at Kahawatte Maha Vidyalaya and the people applauded me as guest of honour and praised my appearance with him during his election campaign. I was then head of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA), the post of Chairman haviing been given to me by him under his Ministry of Labour when it was bankrupt and had to surmount financial difficulties. The SLFEA was then running at a loss but I was able to turn it around to a profitable foreign exchange earner.
I remained very close to him, particularly when he was in a state of isolation when the former President, took steps to move him in the event of a Cabinet reshuffle from the Labour Ministry to Health and thereafter demoted him as deputy in the same Ministry where he had worked. He never grumbled or complained. When I reached his bungalow, I saw him seated alone in casual dress engaged in a telephone conversation. I later learned that it was Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe, who had tried to persuade him to join the UNP and pledged that he would get a key cabinet post. Sene inquired “Sarath, what shall I do?” My immediate reply was “Go ahead, Sir,” but he declined Mr. Wickremasinghe’s offer and said that he was a far sighted SLFPer with political principles which he would not change for political gain and that he would continue with his party till the end of his political career. That was testimony of his party loyalty.
In his political life, he rose to hold diverse portfolios. He carried the portfolios–Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Labour, Health, Justice and Law Reform, Power and Energy and presently he is Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs. He had discharged all his duties with equal aplomb.
He has a remarkable ability to listen, to demonstrate flexibility and during his tenure in Higher Education there were no clashes with the educational sector or universities. No strikes or labour disputes occurred when he was Minister of Labour. No issues arose when he was in charge of Justice and Law Reforms; conversely he achieved remarkable strides in setting up a new court complex and Pallekelle prison. The Norachcholai, Upper Kotmale and Kerawalapitiya Power Projects were initiated during his tenure as Power and Energy Minister.
As Chief SLFP Organizer in Ratnapura, public utilities such as water, electricity, housing, employment, education and other provisions and infrastructure were provided by him throughout the electorate. As a result, he has been successful in garnering victory without a single defeat since 1989.
In conclusion, I wish to record a little phrase from the Dhamma Pada – “Naparesan vilomaani – Naparesan katha kathan.” (He who receives a benefit should never forget it. He who bestows should never remember it.) May he have a long and fulfilled life overflowing with all the noble qualities he brought to it.
Sarath Dhanapala
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