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Sir Ivor Jennings, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ceylon, in his book on the Constitution has stated if not for Messers D.S. Senanayake and Olver Goonetilleke Ceylon would have remained a Crown Colony for a larger period of time.

We all know that Rt. Hon: D.S. Senanayake as the "Father of the Nation "who gained independence for Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) from the British Empire. It seems that all of us have forgotten the great person who was responsible for the birth of that independence. He is none other than Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke who became the first Ceylonese Governor-General. The leading role played by Sir Oliver Goonetilleke is unique in the gaining of independence for Sri Lanka in crucial negotiations with the British officials.

The trio

D. S. Senanayake took office as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Ministers of which the Chairman was the British Governor, when Sir Don Baron Jayatilleke took office as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in New Delhi in December 1942. Sir Oliver Goonetilleke was the Commissioner of Civil Defence and the Control Room of the Civil Defence Department under Sir Oliver Goonetilleke served as the focal point in the independence movement. I must state here the name of Sir Ivor Jennings for his hearty assistance extended to the duo Messers Senanayake and Goonetilleke in constitutional matters.

All these led to the British Rulers to issue the 1943 Declaration in order to grant entire responsible Government to this country in all the matters of civil administration.

However, the trio Senanayake, Goonetilleke and Jennings feeling little satisfaction over this as they Considered it was far below their expectation triumvirate drafted a fresh Constitution for the country.

This Draft Constitution which came to be known as "Ministers' Draft "was submitted to the British Government in February 1944.

Commissioner

It was at this juncture Sir Oliver Goonetilleke who was appointed the Commissioner of Food went to England to discuss an urgent Food supplies to this country. On his journey Mr. D.S. Senanayake wanted Sir Oliver Goonetilleke to do his utmost to iron out any differences between the British Government and the Ceylonese Ministers over the "Ministers' Draft". He was warmly received in London and he could discuss with the British Officials over all the matters in concern. Further he was directed to meet Lord Soulbury who has been assigned to lead a Commission to visit Sri Lanka to find out the views of the Ceylonese at lunch on the following day.

At the luncheon Sir Oliver impressed Lord Soulbury. The latter asked the former "tell me Sir Oliver, in confidence, want is wrong with the "Ministers' Draft" Sir Oliver promptly responded "Nothing whatever is wrong with it."

Sir Oliver who came back with much hope, the first task which he attended was to pacify the angry Mr. D.S. Senanayake and to advise on some important matters in good faith.

As the advice of Sir Oliver, D.S. Senanayake met socially and unofficially the members of the Soulbury Commission which arrived in Sri Lanka on 22,12,1944.

After the Report of the Commission was presented to the Secretary of State for Colonies Mr. Oliver Stanley in London, he invited Mr. D.S. Senanayake to London for discussions.

At the time when Mr. D.S. Senanayake arrived in London the Government had been changed as a result of a General Election and Mr. Oliver Stanley had been succeeded by Mr. George Hall as the Secretary of State for Colonies. Mr. Senanayake presented him a fresh report.

Mr. Senanayake had to return as a disappointed and a disgruntled person, as it was not accepted by the Secretary, and he continued his struggle for independence. Again Mr. Senanayake decided to reject a proposal made by the British Government to grant a Dominion Status to Sri Lanka.

At this juncture, it was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke who intervened and explained to Mr. Senanayake that it was reasonable to accept what was granted and then fight for the rest in an atmosphere and goodwill. Further he persuaded Mr. Senanayake to present this proposal to the State Council.

Since the proposal was accepted by the State Council, there had been a series of discussions in London for the purpose of deciding how it could be implemented.

Sir Oliver who held the post of Financial Secretary by that time, represented Mr. D.S. Senanayake for these discussions. After the conclusion of discussions the first of the necessary orders of Council was enacted on 15.05.1946.

In 1974 Sir Oliver had much arguments in London with Mr. Greech Jones who succeeded Mr. George Hall as the secretary of State for Colonies.

After all Sir Oliver realised that he had the goodwill of the Secretary of State and the Colonial Staff. Finally in June 1947 the British Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce the legislation necessary to confer independence to Sri Lanka.

Victorious

Sir Oliver came back victoriously with a draft for independence which referred to Sri Lanka the receiving of full responsibility the status with the British Commonwealth of Nations.

04.02.1948 was fixed the Independence day. The Duke of Gloucester representing the King, delivered the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament on 10.02.1948.

Although Sir Oliver was made to propose the Address of Thanks, he volunteered to give the opportunity to Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who did his best which hailed as one of the most brilliant in his life time.

One of who contributed to build-up of Sri Lanka during the post independence days Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke was born on 20.10.1892 to Mr. Alfred Goonetilleke who held the post of Post Master in the Trincomalee Post Office and Mrs. Goonetilleke as the 5th child and the only one son of the family.

A product of Wesley College, he firstly joined the staff therein in 1911. After a short spell of time, he resigned from the teaching profession and in 1921 he began to serve the Public Service as a Railway Auditor. From that position he stepped higher to become the Auditor General at the age of 38.

He got a new appointment as the Chairman of the Salaries and Cadres Commission.

He was appointed the First Civil Defence Commissioner. At that time the Japanese were surging forward South East Asia and an attack on Sri Lanka was expected at any moment. Further he became the first Sri Lankan and Sinhalese Finance Secretary of the Country.

After Sri Lanka regained independence from British he resigned from the Government Service and Became the Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development under the Premiership of Mr. D.S. Senanayake. He later resigned and was appointed the first High Commissioner of the United Kingdom. Again he returned and became the Leader of the Senate and the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

On 17.07.1954 he succeeded Lord Soulbury as the Governor-General. He served in this post till march 1962. He passed away on 17.12.1978 peacefully with a full accomplishment in life at the age of 86.

May he attain Nibbana.

- Walter Wijenayaka

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