Ratne Deshapriya Senanayake was a popular name of the 70s which slowly faded away from the political scenario after 1977. But, his political character would not fade away similarly.
He was a man of many facets; a committed family man and humane political revolutionary with Marxist origins, who mixed Marxist ideologies with the aspirations of the common man, woven into a democratic focus. He was feared as a vehement politician, but in proximity, this was never observable.
He was the Deputy Minister of Planning and Employment under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He in his gruff voice would swear punishment seeing fault, but it was nA leading light in social activitiesever executed. Instead, he showered advice on the defaulter.
He was a journalist who was a Deputy Editor of Lankadeepa and the Secretary General of the Afro Asian Writers’ Bureau; a live wire of the editorial team of Dinakara. He was our ambassador in China; a lawyer who did not fleece clients and a speaker who could address issues to be heard by everyone.
My first meeting with him was during the Dedigama by-election when his brother Dharmasiri Senanayake contested against Rukman Senanayke. Later I had the good fortune of working with him in Polonnaruwa from 1975 to 1977, as the Additional Government Agent. Our experiences with him are memorable; especially, when political character in society has now deteriorated to Kelaniya or Kolonnawa or Siri Kotha levels.
We the public officials had two wonderful MPs in Polonnaruwa- Leelaratne Wijesinghe and Deshapriya Senanayake. The two were different in certain aspects such as dress, language capabilities, firmness etc but had common attributes such as being humane, friendly, people-oriented etc. These commonalities and differences have remained as mixed attitudinal hallmarks of successor politicians from Polonnaruwa.
In retrospect I reminisce a few episodes among many.
Deshapriya Senanayake [who was the final authority for the Decentralized Budget then] monitored it with GAs to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and economy of fund management for the wellbeing of the people, not only in Minneriya, but everywhere. His coordinating it at the District Coordinating Committee was so pleasant it gave us a great satisfaction to be working with a political leader like him.
He always had a personal approach in dealing with issues. Once he summoned me to Giritale circuit bungalow when Government Agent (GA) Amaradasa Gunawardena was away in India and asked me how the water shortfall in Parakrama Samudra could be resolved, irrespective of irrigation authorities’ rigid stipulations from Colombo. There was only one way; it was to become “terrorists” in water management by breaking the spills at Radavige Oya and “stealing” water. He wanted it done and repairs made afterwards for which I had the concurrence of an obliging Engineer.
I obliged. Deshapriya Senanayake did not mind breaking rules and regulations or spills for the greater good of the farmers.
The next week he thanked me for resolving the problem. I was told by his Private Secretary and journalist late Karunaratne Saputhanthri, who was killed by terrorists when the plane he was travelling in was blown up, that a certain SLFP supporter from Medirigiriya had complained against me as I was taking action against him for underhand disposal of state land reservations in Kaudulu Weva Stage II. He was angered when Deshapriya Senanayake refused to take action against me and said “Sir, you can do politics with the Additional GA and not with us.” Deshapriya Senanayake had reportedly said, “For heavens sake get lost. He (meaning me) does more valuable service than you do in colonization in Stage II and in providing water, which are more important to the people than illegally disposing reservations!” He had his evaluation of everyone.
Were these good turns to the people and public officers what defeated him at the 1977 elections, or the wave of defeat against the incumbent government?
We felt that the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government would be defeated at the 1977 elections, which was proved when the UNP won with a 5/6ths majority. After completing the count of Polonnaruwa where H.G.P. Nelson won, I met Deshapriya Senanayake seated opposite the GA, vehemently insisting that he should proceed to Colombo through Minneriya. But we had information that his good work and humane qualities were to be ‘rewarded’ with physical assault at Minneriya.
The GA, as a last move told Deshapriya Senanayake, “Sir, for several years as District Political Authority you ordered me. But today I order you to go through Bakamuna for your own safety.” Though he was unwilling we had late Major (later Brigadier) Tissa Jayatunga who ensured with Police assistance that Deshapriya Senanayake proceeded to Colombo safely via Bakamuna. It was history repeated with the more or less comparable fate faced in 1970 by the late Minister C.P. de Silva who “created the new Polonnaruwa District,” when ‘outsider’ Deshapriya Senanayake won.
I was GA Polonnaruwa for two years. In those two years he telephoned me only once –to tell me that a very qualified candidate was being discriminated in the appointment of Marriage Registrars and request justice be done. I did what he wished, as it was a rightful demand. He understood the difficulties faced by public officers in standing against a very strong government and was not a bother at any moment- when in power and out. Personally speaking I remember him as an extremely sociable personality.
There was always a dinner or lunch invitation when he was around. Of course, Leelaratne Wijesinghe went a step further and always had some delicious dish or two prepared to add to the cuisine, especially on circuits to places like Yakkure, where the Maduru Oya Scheme stands now. Those added to satisfying our taste buds especially in Yakkure when we had Mudiyanse Iskolemahattaya’s kurakkan pittu and curd, which Deshapriya Senanayake relished.
Once I was hosting him and some officers from the Kachcheri for dinner at home and we were in high spirits by about 10 p.m. when a man walked into my house and sought his intervention in a land dispute. Deshapriya Senanayake verbally ‘blasted’ him. “This is not the time to discuss land matters though I am with DLOs, the GA and Additional GA. They too should relax at home. Go to the Kachcheri tomorrow and make representations.” As soon as the man left, he said “Please look after that fellow’s case. But he shouldn’t have come here to tell his grievances. He should have come to Giritale.” I am confident the intruder heard him. That was Deshapriya Senanayake. No wonder we loved him; people loved him.
Quite recently I dreamt of him and I called Gloria Senanayake, his amiable wife and told her that I dreamt of him and promised to visit him, which I could not fulfil. But I do not regret it much because had I gone he would have revisited old memories that could not have been communicated, and he would have been sad since he was not communicating with visitors during the last days of his life, as I learnt from Gloria. It would have been equally painful for me to see a great communicator silent, as I experienced on January 22, seeing his lifeless body laid in a coffin.
His life was full of lessons to everyone in humane politics and if learnt and practised by present day and future politicians it would be the best tribute paid to a great gentleman politician. Due to a change in the political environment this may be a tough challenge.
May Ratne Deshapriya Senanayake attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Austin Fernando
A leading light in social activities
Gilbert Jayawardana
Gilbert Jayawardana of Bogahawatha Road, Pannipitiya passed away recently. He was a prominent figure who took part in many social activities in the area. As a Buddhist he lent a helping hand to the Buddhist temples of the area.
He hailed from Induruwa, down South and built a home close to my residence. Mrs. Jayawardana also passed away recently.
Mr. Jayawardana was a kind-hearted person who led a simple life.
We were saddened by his sudden death. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
M.G. Asoka Karunaratne
A husband
who cannot be
forgotten
Victor Fernando
Three years have passed since that sad day. My husband passed away on January 22, 2009. It is difficult to express my sadness without him. He was my companion and friend whom I looked upto for advice and assistance. He fulfilled his duties towards the family. He was such a loving father to our three daughters. He fully accomplished his mission in life.
He loved music so much that he wanted the three daughters to learn music. Our eldest daughter is at present the music teacher of St. John’s Balika at Panadura. He always wanted me to be with him. I cannot understand how he left me. He left us all for God’s call cannot be ignored. I am sure that he is still looking after us from heaven above.
May you rest in peace
Your wife,
Josephine Fernando |
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