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| Monday, 20 October 2003 |
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The 119th birth anniversary of Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake : The Leader with an eye on agriculture by Florence Wickramage English speaking "farmers" confirmed Lord Soulbury's assessment of the English knowledge of the nation in addition to other qualifications required for Ceylon to gain her independence. This was due to the clever machinations of D.S.Senanayake popularly dubbed as the Father of the Nation. This is one among many stories woven round the life of D.S.Senanayake.
Independent Ceylon's first Prime Minister Don Stephen Senanayake as the chief Lankan spokesman in the transfer of power from Britain to Sri Lanka in her attaining of Independence on February 04th 1948 is undisputed. His contribution in the formulation of policies on agriculture, irrigation, colonization and in foreign policy has been acclaimed as those of a man of vision. Born at Botale Walawwe on October 20th 1884 as the second son of Mudaliyar Spater Senanayake and Katherine Elizabeth Perera, Don Stephen Senanayake had his secondary education at St. Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia. A tutor who visited the Botale Walawwe taught Sinhala to the young Senanayake. Whilst at St. Thomas' College D.S. excelled in extra-curricular activities such as cricket, football, tennis and boxing. A story which circulates about his school life says how he brought a report to his father at the year-end examination of the 5th Standard. His father inquired from him "What is your position son?" To which D.S.replied "Fourth".
The father was pleased and said,"good, very good." This prompted peals of laughter from his brother F.R. When his father inquired from F.R. as to why he laughed, F.R. before running into the house to escape D.S. replied, "there are only four boys in his class Father". Young D.S. after completing his education began life as a clerk in the Surveyor General's Department but resigned his post to manage the family properties. His father had amassed a substantial fortune that became the economic base on which the political careers of the Senanayakes were built. In the year 1910 D.S. married Miss M. Dunuwila and their son Dudley was born in July 1911. Frederick Richard (F.R.) his eldest brother was a Cambridge educated barrister and was among the most prominent nationalists of the early 20th century. His brother's untimely death propelled D.S. to fulfil his brother's destiny. All three brothers were "prison-graduates" in 1915, jailed for alleged complicity in the anti-Muslim riots of that year. Recorded is the fact that they had all worked hard to check the spread of riots and to maintain law and order. However they came out of prison with the determination to form a national society and in 1919 founded the Ceylon National Congress. Political life D.S. Senanayake entered the national legislature in 1924, pushed into the political arena by his elder brother. He remained a member of the legislature through the years of its transformation from representative status to Parliament. Throughout his political career only once in 1947 did he face a contest.
"Within the legislature he established a reputation for sound commonsense and shrewd judgement of men and policies, no mean achievement in a milieu which placed so much faith in academic attainments and professional standing - as a lawyer or doctor- in both of which Senanayake was conspicuously lacking. Agriculture and irrigation were his main interests. Largely on the basis of his reputation as a practical agriculturist and commitment to uplift the lives of the rural poor, he was appointed a member of the Land Commission in 1927. It was recognition also of his position in public life as a rising star of the island's political leadership". (A Pictorial Biog raphy). In 1932 Senanayake wrote: "Colonization of the dry zone is the only way out: the distribution of population in the various parts of the country is such that immigration from the over-populous zones to less crowded areas will soon become not a matter of choice, but a grim necessity". This vision prompted D.S. to launch the Minneriya Scheme which marked the beginning of the rehabilitation of the Polonnaruwa district. He rehabilitated many other tanks built by ancient Sinhala Kings for colonisation schemes.
The Elahera Project, the Balaluwewa Farmer Colonisation Scheme, the Minipe Scheme, the Kalawewa-Kagama Farmer Colony, Alla-Kantale Project, Bathmedilla Project stand testimony to D.S's far-sighted vision. An artificial lake built for agricultural purposes has been named after him, the Sena nayake Samudra. An interesting story relates how Lord Soulbury visited Ceylon to assess the country's eligibility to receive independent status. He made several research assessments from inquiries made at different levels of society. He concentrated mainly on the literacy rate and level of education. Soulbury was of the view that since the standard of English was poor in the country, independence was out of the question. Lord Soulbury was to visit Anuradhapura as another step in this evaluation work. D.S. arranged for Oliver Goonetilleke to accompany Lord Soulbury with a pre laid out plan which he would accomplish. On nearing the destination, the party noticed a group of 'amude-clad' farmers knee-deep in the mud ploughing their fields. Oliver Goonatilleke drew the attention of Lord Soulbury to the farmers with a request that they go and watch them at work. On reaching the farmers, pointing to a plough, Lord Soulbury asked the farmer what it was. The farmer, his body smeared with mud gave a clear and a clever detailed explanation of the plough in English. He was also joined by other farmers and much to the surprise of Lord Soulbury replied in English to all his queries. Lord Soulbury then decided that in Anuradhapura too farmers knew English. (The creator of this drama - the despatch of "English speaking farmers" to Anuradhapura was none other than D.S). Simplicity Simplicity is another hallmark of D.S.'s character. Even after becoming the Prime Minister D.S. did not give up the practice of walking to "Gabriel's Barber Salon" for a hair-cut. He loved to mix with the ordinary people especially farmers in the villages. Horse-riding was one of his favourite hobbies and he would often be seen having early morning rides on his favourite horse. On March 21st of the year 1952, D.S. called his loyal servant and said "Carolis, I am going to Galle Face. If anyone calls over ask him to wait, I will come soon". Thus saying he rode his horse to Galle Face not knowing that this was destined to be his last ride. He fell off his horse at Galle Face and `bade' his final farewell to the nation he steered towards independen ce and prosperity. Deeply religious, D.S. is also considered an environmentalist. He loved nature and enjoyed his life to the fullest in the 6 room mansion that is Botale Walawwe set amid a sprawling 5 acre estate. The gardens of this mansion are home to animals reared as pets. There are 16 horses and ponies, 2 asses, 10 ducks and 2 peacocks still living and roaming free in these lands. It is said that Ven. Tangalle Thera on scrutinising the horoscope of the infant D.S. had predicted: "According to this horoscope, the child would reach the highest position in the country. There is a powerful "Raja-Yoga". Do not send the child abroad for studies. Keep him here", the Ven Thera advised the child's parents. The "Raja Yoga" of D.S culminated in his being loved as the "Minneri Deviya" by the Minneriya Villagers and being revered as the Right Honourable D.S. Senanayake - the Father of the Nation by grateful Sri Lankans for steering the country through turmoil to independence and the path of prosperity. |
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