14th September 1997

Gopallawa: people’s president

By A. B. Elkaduwe

The value and significance of the contributions to public life made by some of the national leaders of post - independence Sri Lanka have come into sharper focus and been all the more appreciated as the years go by, making it possible to place their achievements in historical perspective. Foremost among such leaders and statesmen whose singular contributions have received greater recognition and praise with the passage of time, is the late President William Gopallawa who was the last Governor- General of Ceylon and the first President of the Republic of Sri Lanka.

Looking back after almost two decades, one can truly say he adorned these offices which he held with such distinction during a long tenure spanning about sixteen years.

The formal and traditional role of a constitutional Head of State is limited in scope when compared with that of a Head of Government or Head of State and Government with political power. The late President Gopallawa was destined to lead the country only as a constitutional Head of State - the first as the late Governor-General of Ceylon, representing the Queen under the Soulbury Constitution, and later as the first President of the Republic under the Republican Constitution of 1972.

The winds of change that had blown across the land and the body politic since 1956 had left ‘Queen’s House’ virtually untouched in the early years. The public perception that it was a bastion of colonial traditions and alien values remained unchanged until the advent of William Gopallawa who assumed office as Governor-General on March 2 1962.

The changes in lifestyle and socio-cultural environment of Queen’s House which soon became visible evoked a most appreciative response from the people, and came to be widely acclaimed. Attired simply in immaculate white cloth and tunic devoid of unnecessary trappings of office, setting an example by leading a simple and unostentatious life, stressing the importance of spiritual values and virtuous conduct by giving pride of place to religious observances in daily life, he endeared himself to the people with his simple charm and dignity.

He earned their respect as someone who epitomized the core values and cultural traditions which we as a nation had collectively inherited. In the transformation that was ushered in, he was ably supported by his gracious wife, the late Seela Gopallawa. What is remarkable was that the innovations that attracted public attention and came to be spoken of approvingly were merely external manifestations of genuine traits of character and conduct which were normal features of their way of life.

The late President Gopallawa remained non-controversial and acceptable to governments with different political persuasions by always acting correctly, properly and constitutionally in the best traditions governing the role of Heads of State. That he presided over the orderly transfer of power from government to government on three successive occasions with complete acceptance is a measure of his accomplishments in steadfastly upholding the constitution.

It was during the Administration of the late Mr. Dudley Senanayake that I was privileged to serve the late Governor-General William Gopallawa as his Secretary, and I recall vividly the fine rapport and mutual respect that existed between the Governor- General and the Prime Minister of the day. It is apposite to mention that it was during this period that the Governor-General was called upon to undertake the first ever State visit to a neighbouring country.

Privileged as he was to serve the country both as the last Governor-General and the first President under the first Republican Constitution, the role the late President Gopallawa played in enabling a smooth and orderly transition from the status of ‘Queen’s Representative’ to a fully fledged independent Head of State of the Republic was equally noteworthy.

Even as Governor-General he had already given up some of the trappings of gubernatorial office and ‘nativised’ the position in keeping with the times and national ethos. Adhering to protocol and form to the extent required for maintaining the dignity and symbolic value of the office, he sought to throw the establishment open to elements of local tradition and socio-cultural practices which, in the context of the times, also served to enhance public confidence in, and respect for, the institution.

The late President Gopallawa also made a noteworthy and valuable contribution in the sphere of diplomacy and inter-state relations by projecting an excellent image of Sri Lanka to visiting dignitaries and diplomats accredited to the country. His diplomatic skills which had been nurtured and honed during his stints as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America immediately prior to his appointment as Governor-General, came to be used to good purpose during his long service as Head of State. His personal charm and geniality went a long way in making friends easily and establishing cordial relationships in general. The most notable achievement in this area, however, was his State visit to India in his capacity as Governor-General.

The invitation to pay a State visit was an unprecedented gesture on the part of the then Indian government and was indeed indicative of the high regard and esteem in which the late Mr. Gopallawa was held by the Indian leaders. To my mind it was a reflection of their appreciation of the example he set, leading as he did a simple and unostentatious life, in keeping with the ideals and values which had been held aloft by their own leaders. Be that as it may, having had the honour of accompanying him on this visit, I do recall vividly the warmth and cordiality with which he was received by the then President, the late Dr. Zakir Hussein, the Vice-President the late Mr. V. V. Giri and the late Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister, and other leaders both at the centre and elsewhere.

All in all, President Gopallawa’s achievements were many faceted and wholly impressive. What stands out, however, was the vital role he played by setting a fine example to the nation with his impeccable official and personal conduct. As a shining symbol of virtuous and exemplary conduct at the highest level he became a stabilizing and unifying force contributing immensely to good governance and national well being.

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