First and last a patriot

The greatest newspaperman in the history of journalism in Sri Lanka, D. R. Wijewardene was born 121 years ago – on February 22, 1886. His was a unique influence on the public life of this country for at least four decades.

"First and last a patriot," is how his biographer, one time editor of the 'Daily News' the influential English newspaper he founded, summed up D. R. Wijewardene. "It was the love of his country which led him to prepare, as a student in England for his life's work. It was his realisation that the struggle for independence was the one most worthy of a wealthy young man's energies, that guided him to politics," he wrote.

Wijewardene himself wrote that his interest in politics began during his undergraduate days at Cambridge University. He was influenced by other kindred spirits from India, Ceylon and other parts of the East, who felt the surge of the nationalist revival. Among them was G. K. Gokhale, considered the first Indian statesman of his time, who visited England in connection with the Indian question in South Africa.

Wijewardene, along with E. W. Perera, was instrumental in arranging for the first reform deputation from Ceylon to meet a representative of the Secretary of State. It resulted in the grant of a seat for the Educated Ceylonese in the Legislative Council, the only one for which the general public could elect a member. He arranged for a second deputation to meet and protest against the setting up of toddy taverns in various parts of the country.

"When I returned home after being called to the Bar, I was brought into close contact with most of the prominent political leaders of the time. But politics had not gone beyond personal and communal issues and what there was of it came chiefly from the Law Library at Hulftsdorp. I was anxious to see a more positive approach to local problems," Wijewardene wrote of the early days.

Having been elected Secretary of the Ceylon National Association, he revived a dormant organisation into a live force in the country. Together with Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam and Sir James Peiris, he organised the Social Service League working as one of its three secretaries.

Recalling the impact that the 1915 Riots had on the struggle for independence, he wrote: "The Riots marked the point when the people of Ceylon decided that without political freedom, any relationship between the ruler and the ruled was one of master and slave... From now on the political history of Ceylon was to be different." Those who were devoted to temperance came over to politics. A massive public meeting was held to protest against the inequities which had been committed. The National Association continued to take an active interest in all political events of the day. Frequent meetings were held, memoranda drafted, memorials sent to the Secretary of State and public meetings held.

Wijewardene persuaded the up and coming Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam to deliver his epoch-making address on, 'Our Political Needs,' at a meeting of the National Association. It was both a starting point and a blueprint for the important constitutional changes which followed. In 1917, the Ceylon Reform League was formed, with Wijewardene as joint secretary. The sole purpose was putting forward the case for a substantial measure of responsible government for Ceylon. Soon the Ceylon National Congress was formed.

Wijewardene is best known for his role as a newspaper proprietor and the contribution he made through the newspapers in the freedom struggle. He recalled the words of F. H. M. Corbett, a Ceylon-born English lawyer with progressive views, with whom he had close ties: " When I was in England, Mr. Corbet emphasised to me the importance of a well-informed public opinion for which a free and independent Press was a 'sine qua non'."

He started by buying up the 'Dinamina' in December 1914, along with one of his brothers. "I had the inestimable advantage of the close cooperation of Sir Baron Jayatilaka. He not only gave me his advice and encouragement but wrote many of the leaders and special articles," he wrote later. He started the 'Ceylon Daily News ' in January 1918 after buying the newspaper, the 'Ceylonese' with its plant and goodwill for Rs. 16,000. A. V. Kulasingham who was on the editorial staff of the 'Ceylonese' was editor for a brief period and was succeeded by S. J. K. Crowther who established the paper on a secure footing.

Contributing to the 25th anniversary issue of the 'Daily News' (1943), Wijewardene wrote: "The new (Donoughmore) Constitution brought new factors into Ceylon politics. Ministers and Executive Committees now formulated policy and promoted Government measures. The 'Daily News' was often obliged to criticize old friends and attack their policies when they were wrong."

Touching on his contribution, biographer Hulugalle wrote: "Before he was fifty, D. R. Wijewardene had established several flourishing newspapers, built up a great business and influenced the course of the Island's history. Perseverance, courage and a high sense of public duty were the main elements of his success."

Writing to the 'Daily News' on June 14, 1950 (the day after Wijewardene died), Hulugalle said, "He loved books, pictures, trees and flowers, but he denied himself of the pleasures they give. There is no respite for mortal creatures. Even a noble achievement must be paid for. By the death of D. R. Wijewardene, six years short of the Psalmist's six span, Ceylon loses one of its few great men."