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JRJ the most sketched politician in Lanka

by Ananda Kannangara

Launching of the anthology "J.R. in Cartoons", sketched by nine famous Sri Lankan cartoonists was the main feature at the 96th birth anniversary commemorative ceremony of the late President J.R. Jayewardene, at the Jayewardene Centre, Colombo on Tuesday.

Kalasuri Edwin Ariyadasa highlighted the importance of releasing the anthology and welcomed services of political cartoonists for portraying shortcomings of politicians through cartoons.

He said President Jayewardene is the most sketched politician in the country.

"It is admirable that the former President did not hate cartoonists for sketching him or portraying his political career through cartoons in numerous ways", Ariyadasa said.

"Once President Jayewardene invited three of the country's famous political cartoonists, Wijesoma, Yoonoos and Garryn, to a meeting with him. This is a graphic witness to the rapport he had with those who caricaturised him at each and every turn", he said.

Ariyadasa said President Jayewardene's sense of humour never weakened even in the late years of his life.

At a certain meeting, a journalist asked him where he wants to be re-born. President Jayewardene responded that he was not going to be re-born other than attain Nibbana for the sake of political cartoonists such as Wijesoma and Yoonoos and they will not be able to pursue him with their brushes and pens any more", he said.

Ariyadasa said the 20 pages of cartoons art sketched by cartoonists like Aubrey Collette, W.R. Wijesoma, Jiffery Yoonoos, Winnie Hettigoda, Mark Garryn, G.S. Fernando, Amitha Abeysekara, S.C. Opatha and Reggie Candappa.

"These cartoonists have shown all ups and downs JRJ had to face in his long and challenging political career", he said.

Former parliamentarian J.R.P. Sooriyapperuma said the late President pioneered the introduction of the new constitution in 1978 and took the challenge to develop the country by implementing large scale development projects such as the Mahaweli.

He focused on open economy with the objective of earning more foreign exchange instead of the earnings coming from the traditional exports such as tea, rubber and coconut, Sooriyapperuma said.

President Jayewardene converted the latter part of the 20th century to an electronic era. Under this, he introduced the television, computer technology, the internet and also gave a face-lift to information technology considering the country future needs, he said.

Sooriyapperuma said he had never seen a courageous politician like President Jayewardene.

Jayewardene Cultural Centre Secretary General Prematilaka Mapitigama said he released the anthology since President Jayewardene had admired political cartoons published in the newspapers, especially portraying his political life.

He said few copies of J.R. in Cartoons were available at J.R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre, 191, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7. at Rs. 300.

Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, W.J.M. Lokubandara and M.H.M Azwer and Mrs. Gamini Dissanayake were present at the ceremony organised by the J.R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre. 

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