Sunday Times 2
Nancy’s letter to Elina Jayewardene
View(s):This is the letter of condolence Nancy Reagan wrote to Elina Jayewardene when her husband and Sri Lanka’s President J.R. Jayewardene passed away in 1996. During a visit to the United States in June 1984, President Ronald Reagan hosted President Jayewardene to a state dinner at the White House.
President Jayewardene explaining a thing or two about elephants to President Reagan at the White House lawn.
Proposing the toast at this dinner, President Reagan said, “Mr. President, we understand Sri Lanka’s choice, as a small developing country, to remain nonaligned in matters of foreign policy. We respect genuine nonalignment. Your country consistently has been a forceful voice for reason and moderation in nonaligned councils. Your strong opposition to unprovoked aggression in Afghanistan and Kampuchea has swelled the international chorus calling for restoration of independence for these two brutalized countries. We hope that Sri Lanka will remain a strong moral force in world politics.”
President Jayewardene in response said, “I haven’t forgotten about the help your country has given us during the last few years. But I didn’t Come here to ask for help. That’s not my way. I’m waiting to hear Mr. Frank Sinatra sing “My Way.” That’s one of my favourite songs, but I understand he didn’t like it. I used it in part of my election campaign and asked the people to vote for my way, which they did.”
One of the highlights of President Jayewardene’s US visit was the presentation of a baby Sri Lankan elephant to President Reagan. Before long, the elephant died, but the freindship between the two leaders survived.
