Nalanda has come to stay and not fade away
KARU Paranawithana
COMMEMORATION: Nine years ago a cruel bullet aimed by a political
assassin silenced the life of a promising and shining young politician
from the Ratnapura District. He possessed a mellifluous character with a
sonorous voice that rocked the masses behind him.
![](z_p10-nalanda.jpg)
Nalanda Ellawala |
He was none other than the loveable, amiable young Nalanda Ellawala.
The cruel bullet of the assassin pierced through the lean physique of
Nalanda as people witnessed his young blood flowing on the road in broad
daylight.
It was one of the saddest days in the annals of Ratnapura. The young
politician Nalanda was just 29 when his life was plucked away.
Nalanda, the son of the popular Nanda Ellawala, began his political
journey while delivering the funeral oration of his father in the
presence of thousands of mourners at the Ratnapura esplanade.
He told the gathering, "My father never amassed wealth. The people
are the wealth he gathered. I will follow his footsteps and live with
the people".
This was the solemn pledge of this young man to the people to begin
his political journey. This promising politician began a new path to
politics.
He was a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council for a brief
period until he successfully contested and entered Parliament in 1994.
Before long, Nalanda, perhaps the youngest Parliamentarian in that
Parliament was the focus of the majority in the country.
He emerged as a young leader of the masses. Nalanda was bestowed with
a legitimate right to follow the path of progressive politics left
behind by his father and the party his father represented.
The dynamism in young Nalanda embedded in him the right virtues that
a young political leader should possess in evaluating the correct policy
towards finding resolutions on issues like unemployment, poverty, war
and the ethnic conflict.
Very few young politicians focused themselves on national issues of
this nature.
He was never greedy for power or position nor attempted to be
involved in power for politics. The Nalanda we knew was a man who
respected human values and lives.
The base of his politics was human values that spread love to
society. Instead of seeking the path of a rightist liberal, Nalanda
chose to be a social democrat of the society and the people.
During his brief political journey, Nalanda was a true patriot and a
firm believer in peace who challenged muddy racist politics. He was a
practical politician who set the pace for others to follow in an active
manner. These qualities made Nalanda an emerging young leader of the
masses.
The stepping stone to his bright political journey commenced from
Parliament in 1994. It was halted by that cruel bullet of an assassin.
Nalanda was a determined character who was committed to the task.
Unmoved by challenges, this young man always proceeded without fear
as the people loved him immensely.
Nalanda Ellawala was witnessed as a sharp character on the path to
establish peace to the national conflict by the then People's Alliance
Government. He was not only popular among the Sinhala youth but also
with the Tamil and Muslim youth population.
Senior Ministers respected this young man for his commitment towards
development of Ratnapura. Nalanda moved closely with the senior
politicians to bring benefit to his people. The Ratnapura Industrial
Zone is a monument to his memory.
He set the pace for the establishment of that Zone as a young
Parliamentarian. Unfortunately, he was only able to function as a
Parliamentarian only for just three years. But this young man rendered a
yeoman service during that period and the people recall them with much
gratitude.
Nalanda was a politician who was disgusted with the low level
political culture in the country. Even within his own party, he
fearlessly raised his voice against corrupt politics.
His sonorous voice was heard by those who condemned corrupt politics.
His lifestyle was a model for others who never believed in
responsibility and openness as politicians. Nalanda was never boastful
of his achievements. He was a fine speaker who believed in facts.
He addressed the masses in the people's language that made easy for
the people to understand follow the policies of his party and the
Government.
In an era where cow dung shines while gems are buried, Nalanda was
one priceless gem from the gem city of Ratnapura that was plundered and
destroyed by political assassins.
Nalanda's memories grow young day by day in minds of his friends and
those who loved him affectionately.
The day politics become more decent, cultured and strong in this
country, the political image of this young man, Nalanda Ellawala will
stand like a giant monument before the people. Nalanda Ellawala has come
to stay and not fade away. |