S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike an epoch making leader - Prime Minister

COLOMBO: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake in a message to commemorate the 47th death anniversary of the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike yesterday described the late leader as an epoch making personality who left an indelible memory in the political arena of Sri Lanka.

The late Premier had his own motto "the supreme duty of man is service to mankind", a motto he reiterated many a time and assiduously upheld, the message said.

Till 1956, the working class was none but the workers whose labour was exploited for the benefit of the Capitalist class. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who followed the middle path as his political theory arrayed the working class to secure rights and to secure its due place in society.

He brought the five fold social plains "the Sanga, the physicians, the teachers, the farmers and the labourers," in to one strong force to launch the social revolution of 1956, which was a success to overcome a host of challenges both domestic and foreign," the message continued.

The Premier's message further said that after the Revolution of 1956, a spate of Socialist legislations followed enabling the nationalisation of several utilities such as the public transport service, conversion of pirivenas to the status of universities, recognition of national languages, recognition of indigenous medicine, entrance of swabhasha educated youth to public service including the administrative service and building of diplomatic relations with Socialist countries like China and the USSR. Bandaranaike was the first to introduce the portfolio of culture in to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike who was the acclaimed Silver Bell of Asia was a great pride to Sri Lanka. He was never a racist. In Parliamentary debates his retorts were not sarcastic but humorous. He was an eloquent orator while being humble and sympathetic.

He was a patriot who loved the country and its people and the faith he believed.

The best tribute the SLFP party men can pay him is their adherence to his political concept, "the supreme duty of the man is service to mankind", a theory that made him immortal in human memory, the message concluded.