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by Supun Perera

President Ranasinghe Premadasa

"Leaders are not born but made leadership consist of habits and skills which are not inherited but are acquired by constant practice. The human relations is considered to be the most important asset of a leader. It is the deliberate, planned and sustained effort of a leader to establish and maintain mutual understanding, trust and respect, right speech, action untiring effort, immense concentration and clear understanding will provide the rare wisdom to fulfil the genuine leadership".

I feel the above sentiments are still far behind from the best to begin and pay tribute to the Late President Ranasinghe Premadasa who was born to serve the common man and made the supreme sacrifice also on a most revered day which is confined to the "labour".

Young Ranasinghe Premadasa had the privilege of coming under the tutelage of such erudite French and Lankan scholars who not only set high standards and traditions regarding their profession; they also left as their successors men of sterling character equally equipped to hold aloft and pass on to generations of students the torch of "Knowledge and virtue" of which they were exemplary models.

"Let us learn the fruits of virtue and stood firm for our main food freedom; till the mountains disappear", said the late President observing a large debt to his alma-mater and also for his mentors Rev. Fr. Maurice Legol an erudite French Scholar and Rev. Fr. D.J. Anthony the vice rector.

Political career

The long and distinguished political career of Ranasinghe Premadasa started way back in early 1950 s which spanned for little over four decades. Like many other renowned politicians the "cradle" for him too had been municipal politics. This young energetic and enthusiastic politician hitched his "political waggon" to a May Day Hero late A.E. Goonesinghe the founder of the labour party.

In the year of 1955 he was elected as the Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council and in the year of 1956 he took the plunge into national politics by contesting late Dr. N.M. Perera as a candidate for the United National Party at Ruwanwella. Though he was defeated at this rather unequal contest he reaped his reward at the general election of March 1960 by being elected as the third member of parliament for Colombo Central. It became more significant to this unassuming politician since it was the first occasion he got selected to the parliament.

Considering the ups and downs in our general life; Ranasinghe Premadasa too experienced his share of defeats and victory. Consequent to a second general election being held in July 1960 Mr. Premadasa was edged out of his seat but he continued in municipal politics till his election to Parliament again in 1965. The facts were indeed stubborn where his victory prompted him to be appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary and Deputy Minister of Local Government when Mr. Thiruchelvam was the Minister. With the resignation of Mr. Thiruchelvam from the Cabinet in 1968 Mr. Premadasa succeeded him as Minister. As the Minister he amply demonstrated his administrative drive and ability from 1968-1970.

During the dreary years from 1970 to 1977 Ranasinghe Premadasa was an able lieutenant to the then leader of opposition J.R. Jayewardene (who later became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka). It was during this period in the opposition that he built a tremendous reputation as a debater and a parliamentarian with his impeccable source of eloquence. The role he displayed in the opposition from 1970 to 1977 and the effectiveness of his appeal to the rural voters in the July 1977 elections creatly contributed to the victory of the United National Party. This convinced President J.R. Jayewardene that Mr. Premadasa was the best choice for the post of Prime Minister.

In the year of 1989 Mr. Premadasa was crowned in his illustrious political career by being elected as the second executive president of Sri Lanka.

Invaluable service to public

The dynamism of President Ranasinghe Premadasa is unparalleled. His invaluable commitment, service and the innovation is still respected. His achievements as Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and Housing followed by as President of our country is still fresh in our memory.

His one million housing program, Gam Udawa program of village re-awakening and the Janasaviya Program for the alleviation of poverty will go down in the political history of Sri Lnaka as some of the precious contributions of a man who was a "saint" and a "prince" to the needy and the poor.

In addition his work as Minister of Local Government and Housing from 1977 has brought him international fame. He was instrumental in proposing that the year 1987 be declared as the International Year of Shelter for the homeless by the United Nations. In recognition of this contribution towards housing the University of London has awarded a post graduate scholarship in his name in the field of Housing and Urban Planning. The introduction and the invention of 200 garment factory project was another gentle aspect to resolve the unemployment.

Many of his opponents challenged his vision and ultimately became a "Bunch of jokers" when they witnessed the reality. It is little over a decade the garment industry is a mainstay of the country's export economy.

Besides above; Sevana Sarana Foster Patents Scheme providing free mid day meals to schoolchildren mobile ministry program etc a few of many programs which helped and assisted the poor.

As a politician with a vision, mission and a broader concepts he paved the way for many more youngsters to join the political fray and this was proved beyond true during the last local government elections where most of the elected candidates were youngsters. It was on the 1st of May, 1993 exactly nine years ago, patriot, politician and the "People's President" made his supreme sacrifice when a cruel suicide bomber blew himself up in Colombo; leaving behind not only his remarkable trail of political prowess but also thousands of near and dear ones in silent tear.

The "Guiding light" of many prospects, hope of his colleagues, an accepted and a natural leader above all a true son of mother Lanka has departed.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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