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| Monday, 18 October 2004 |
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The Pieter Keuneman - I knew
My first contact with the then young revolutionary was, when he came soon after World War II to Matugama to address a well attended mass meeting of mostly rubber-tappers in the area prominently present. He was bellowing into the microphone, emotionally agitating the cause of the down-trodden. He argued when an estate rubber plant is blistered the European Suptd. himself visited the affected plot and takes remedial steps but when a rubber-tapper falls sick, Kangany would visit his lineroom only to find out when the sick man would attend the next roll call. Though we were educated in the English stream at the first Central College, the language was not spoken or heard outside the classroom. In that era Daily News used to report exhaustively House of Rep. proceedings in long columns. Our English Master's exhortation was for us to read the long speeches in the Daily News. Our Master would say, "if you are to improve the English language, read lucid, idiomatic and forceful speeches of young Cambridgeon Mr. Keuneman who was also a sub editor for a spell before." In the seventies I happened to work as an Asst. Commissioner in the National Housing Dept. implementing one of Minster Keurneman's Housing Laws, Tenants' Protection (Special Provisions) Act, under which I held nearly 2000 inquiries into perennial disputes between tenants and landlords. Some of the decisions I gave were challenged by way of Writs to Supreme Court where such decisions without exception was upheld and SC's comments therein have gone into 4 New Law Reports which I preserve to this day in my retirement as my redeeming forte in my career. That became possible due to non-interference by Minister Keuneman in the work of what he considered as honest public servants. Once I was called by the Deputy Minister to his office in Transworks House where I was accosted by 2 other Deputy Ministers and their indirect urging was to help a doctor landlord who was supposed to have worked in their respective electorates and was most helpful to them. I felt that they were trying to show their gratitude in return at my expense and assured them I would do the right thing after my investigations at the premises in a few days. As I walked out of the Deputy Ministers' presence I saw Minister Keuneman entering his office. I followed him merely to tell him that 3 Deputy Ministers have indirectly requested me to help a doctor landlord and I thought of keeping him merely informed about it. He did not want me to elaborate and abruptly asked me how long I had worked in the Dept? I replied a little over 2 years. Next question was: "Have I asked you to do anything in favour of anyone?" My answer was "none". Next he said: "Anyone can ask you, why are you worried, give your decision based on facts and according to your conscience". I thanked him and left the room. A few days later my decision was conveyed to the parties. One of the Deputy Ministers came on my phone and blamed me for non-compliance with 3 Deputy Ministers' requests. I explained to him I merely implemented the new piece of legislation they had passed, faithfully and thereupon he banged the phone in anger. The Minister, 3 Deputy Ministers, perhaps doctor landlord, tenant are no more but I live to tell the tale. Whatever one may think of Communist Comrade Pieter Keuneman outwardly under his fair skin he was a very conciliatory, judicious, humane democrat, perhaps a trait earned from his clan known to hold the scales, a like, a human being we may not be fortunate to have amidst us for many more years to come. W. Samaranayaka, |
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Produced by Lake House |
The 87th birth anniversary of Pieter Keuneman fell on August 3rd and
arrangements were afoot to commemorate the occasion in a fitting manner.
