From village to world of sports & politics

BY PREMASARA Epasinghe

THE word prolific and versatile are not applied to an average individual. Producing much offspring or output, abundantly productive could be defined as productive. Versatility, derives from the Latin word - "Versare", which means, able to do or to be used for many different things.

To deserve such attributes, a person must be truly above average in his field. In this instance, the subject of this essay, deserved to be described these words, over and over again, because his efficiency are not limited to one particular field.

This Gentleman, Member of Parliament from North Western Province (NWP). Galgamuwa Electorate, is today the Minister of Zoological and Botanical Gardens Promotion Bandula Basnayake. He has earned a name as a genius in the field of sports. But he kept a very low profile. This unassuming gentleman's personality trait, derives from his rural upbringing and village background.

When I met him recently, at his Ministry, I noticed him to be a "True Villager" who has Cultural sense of humility. Further, he speaks very little about himself.

At each and every turn exudes the fragrance of a deeply rooted rural background from him. But he has attained skills and efficiency in almost all sophisticated sports, Which are usually associated with urban styles of life.

Of this, current membership of our Parliament, probably, Bandula Basnayake, is the only representative possessing such a wide range of Sports Experience.

There are handful of sportsmen who were actively involved in sports, before they became Parliamentarian. To name a few, who are known to me, as sports personalities, are Arjuna Ranatunga (SL-Cricket Capt), Gamini Jayawickrama Perera. (A Teammate of mine in the Champion Nalanda Cricket Team 1957.

Opening Bowler-Left-Arm fast Janaka Bandara Tennekoon (Dharmaraja College) Wimal Weerawansa (Kalutara), Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Marketing Development-An outstanding Volleyball player, who was a former President of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation.

Basnayake is not only a National player, who won Sri Lanka colours for Hockey, he is an outstanding all round sportsman who excelled its Volleyball, Athletics, Gymnastics. He is a versatile sportsman.

Further, he was a fine sports administrator and a former Physical Training Instructor attached to the Department of Education. When we say, he has earned colours for Hockey-"Sri Lanka Colours" - people will tend to think of Matale, as Matale and Hockey, tend to be Synonymous.

After his education at Ehetuwewa Junior School, he joined Vijaya Vidyalaya, Matale for his Secondary and Higher Education. He blossomed as an outstanding National Hockey Player. Under the British Rule, Hockey too gain popularity and its Centres were the areas, where plantations flourished. Matale occupied the centre stage.

Like a Duck to Water

Born on 20/01/1947, Bandula's parents were Amarasinghe Basnayake and Ranmenike Basnayake. He started schooling at Ehetuwewa Junior School and later proceeded to Matale Vijaya Collage to further his studies.

He took upto teaching. He began his professional career as a Trained Teacher. He was trained at the Maharagama Training School in 1971. There are many "Disapamoks" produced by this prestigious Training School.

While in the training College, he did his external degree-offering Sri Lanka. Political Science and History as subjects and earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree. As a teacher, he chose the field of sports to become a School Physical Training Instructor.

Minister Basnayake's characteristics are very much similar to late Sports Minister and Speaker K.B. Ratnayake who hailed from Rajarata. He ushered in the "Golden Era of Sports in Sri Lanka" in the 1970's.

He too was somewhat similar to Basnayake. K.B. Ratnayake was an outstanding School Cricketer (Captained Hartly College, Point Pedro Jaffna) Soccerite, Athletic and Tennis Player.

They are both from distant rural areas, Wanni and achieved greatness through sheer determination, Commitment discipline, honesty and integrity. One things they never forget, their humble village background. They know, their roots are there in the village. Therefore, even today he remain as a villager.

Ehetuwewa Maha Vidyalaya - Second Mother

Basnayake blossomed as a sportsman after entering Vijaya College, Matale. But his love and attachment to his school-Ehetuwewa Maha Vidyalaya, where he began his schooling always remained intact. I improved and looked after my school Ehetuwewa Maha Vidyalaya.

She is like my second mother. I helped them through my decentralised budget. Today, I am proud to say, these rural children are taught Science from Garde 5 to Advanced Level in English Medium.

I am happy, I am giving of my best to my villagers in the Galgamuwa Electorate in North Western Province. I am always with my villagers. Immediately after my official duties in Parliament and the Ministry, I rush to my Electorate stated Basnayake.

With gratitude, the Minister paid a tribute to his coaches, who helped him in his sports career. He said that there were many who assisted him. He mentioned the names of Lakshman de Alwis, Makalanda, Shanthi De Abrew, Sunil Jayaweera, Tikiri Bandara and Weliwita.

Decathlon Champion - 1974

Basnayake won the Decathlon Championship, at the Athletic meet of St. Peter's college in 1974.

As a physical Training Instructor, he helped many sportsmen and sportswomen. He coached Sriyani Kulawansa in Athletics, taught Wannitileke and Jayathilake Bandara the finer points in Volleyball.

He played an important role organising a coaching camp for 250 teachers in the year 1984 and in the School National Sports Meet, he was in-charge of the Recorder's Table.

Entered Political Area

He entered the Political area in the 1990's and was elected Member of Parliament and held the Post of Deputy Minister of Irrigation. Today, he is a Non-Cabinet Minister in Charge of Zoological and Botanical Gardens Promotions.

His wife Prabha Basnayake is the wind behind his wings. She is a tower of inspiration. They have three children. Dilshan Taranath, Indeewari, Achala Visvanath.