To: Yoshitha with love

Denagama Siriwardena

News: The news of your joining the Navy shuddered all the patriotic hearts and engulfed you with love.

Why? Because, it reminds of Madduma Bandaras. In fact, what Madduma Bandara did was to demonstrate how to die. You took this bold step to show the country and the nation how one should live, to give a lease of life to the country. You have had ample opportunities to live a life prone to luxury and a burden to the country bereft of any service to the nation, like many children of powerful parents. But you chose the painful path in preference to a comfortable life.

We are aware that the self-reliance and patriotism to choose that difficult journey were injected into your heart by the dynasty of lions from the Ruhuna.

Our Navy is the major force hated by the Tiger Terrorists. Navy Force is the golden fence fortifying the country. The national task performed by the Navy by preventing the sea haulage of fire-arms to set the country ablaze and by sinking such vessels have become unbearable to the Tiger terrorists.

For that reason alone the Tigers sharpen their nails against the Navy Force. Dear son, you joined the Navy under this backdrop. This is an era in which our motherland is yearning for truly gallant sons.

Under a climate full of individuals who even betray their nation for self benefits, sons of your calibre who voluntarily come forward are a great pride to Mother Lanka.

You are a son of that calibre.

You remind me of your great grandfather D. M. Rajapaksa. He was renowned as the lion of the Ruhuna. He was a challenge to the White Empire. White Government Agents were target of his kicks at the Hambantota Kachcheri and the Hambantota Rest House. He was in the forefront of the Ruhunu Vanguard against repressers of the working class during the colonial era.

I am also reminded of your grandfather D.A.Rajapaksa. He lost his wealth in the service of fellow beings and ran through pecuniary embarrassments but he refused to vote for a capitalist camp even when the almirah was opened before him and offered any amount of money he wished.

His answer was "you better keep your money for yourself. I do not need them. Let my poverty remain with me." So saying moved away from the scene without surrendering his self-respect and the lion blood of the Ruhuna before money. The gallantry of your father's younger brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by leading the battle of Vadamarachchi and several similar battles are well known throughout the country.

Under the current dangerous situation you joined the Naval Force because you have inherited the noble patriotism and magnanimous traits from your ancestors.

I recall an incident when some time ago you came to the Verahera Licensing Office to obtain a driving licence. When an officer there inquired from you whether you have brought a vehicle for the test you answered in the negative and said that you will hire one.

The officer, having noticed the address given as Temple Trees and the name as Rajapaksa, identified you correctly and asked whether you were a son of the Prime Minister. You remained silent.

When the officer told you that without hiring a vehicle you could have mentioned it to your father your answer was "My father does not like that type of work."

There are Parliamentarians who influence the officers on the telephone to obtain driving licences for their sons, but this case is largely different.

You did not gate crash the queue. You did not want to obtain undue favours at the expense of your father's name. Your teachers talk of your humility, righteousness and respect for law from your childhood.

When your father was a student of Thurstan College he rode a bicycle in the night without a lamp for the purpose of pasting posters for the "Nari Bena" drama show of Dayananda Gunawardena. He was caught by the Police. He did not escape by mentioning that his father was the Deputy Speaker. The Police Officer, having identified him properly asked why he did not mention his father's name.

He said "My father does not like that type of work. Punish me for my offence." You are the son of such a father. When a son observes the virtues of his ancestors, he is called an "Athi Jaatha Puthra".

Worshipping the feet of parents on leaving home is the custom of yourself, your elder brother and your younger brother. You observe the same custom before bed time. We are aware that the love your parents extended towards you are always reciprocated towards them by you. Your joining the Naval Force at this crucial moment is a clear manifestation of your love to Mother Lanka as much as your love towards your parents.

Majority of personnel in the Armed Forces are children of poor cultivators and workers. It is rarely in deed that children of the affluent joined the Armed Forces after the year 1983. At present a son of the President is also a member of the Armed Forces.

This is a good example for the entire nation. Dear Son, may the refuge of the Triple Gem be with you.

Courtesy: Silumina