Anura Bandaranaike
The passing away of Anura
Bandaranaike removes from the local political stage a colourful
figure who adorned the country’s Supreme Legislature with great
aplomb.
His demise will certainly leave a huge void in the country’s
Parliamentary tradition which he upheld and defended with all
his might.
One has only to recall the historic ruling he gave as Speaker
of Parliament enthroning the sovereignty of Parliament over that
of the Supreme Court during an impasse that threatened to
challenge the supremacy of the House.
If there was one trait that stood out in his political life
most it was the courage of his convictions which he never
allowed to be blighted by party considerations and for which he
was held in high regard and respect even by his political
opponents.
Anura Bandaranaike had few peers for oratory and his ready
wit and rapier like thrust and parry during Parliamentary
debates are part of folklore and legend engraved in the annals
of Parliament. He held himself with poise and dignity and
brought in to Parliament that degree of character and decorum
which alas is a fast vanishing quality in our August Assembly.
Steeped in the volumes of Erskin May it was characteristic of
Anura to wind up a debate with significant quotes from world
authorities and the Hansards may be awash with Shakespeare or
Elliot during a speech of Bandaranaike in full flight that had
colleagues and visitors to the Public Galleries spellbound.
There surely will be many a tribute paid to this great son of
Sri Lanka in the days to come eulogising his contributions that
enriched Sri Lanka’ politics and also that part of his life as
the scion of the Bandaranaike family.
Suffice it to say that Bandaranaike was among a fast
vanishing breed of politicians whose who will be remembered for
their immense contribution to foster Parliamentary democracy.
There will also be commentaries by those who will analyse and
dissect his political career. Some would argue that there was an
inherent flaw in his judgment that kept him missing the road to
leadership and power.
Certainly his decision to join the UNP, the arch foe of the
party founded by his late father militated against his chances
of ascending to the throne. Only time will tell whether his
demise will spell the end of the Bandaranaike saga.
But in his lifetime Anura Bandaranaike was a larger than life
figure in all respects that hovered over and influenced the
course of the country’s politics earning him the reputation for
being an uncrowned prince in Sri Lanka’s politics.
Momentum for Democracy
The present trend of mor their
willingness to join the fray for the upcoming Provincial Council
Elections in the East is a salutary move that augers well for
the momentum of democracy in a region which has been reeling
under a culture for decades.
The chief opposition UNP is to make a decision today about
its participation but from all accounts the party will be taking
the plunge even though how it will explain it’s withdrawal from
the local poll in Batticaloa which had the identical ground
situation that will obtain at the Provincial poll will be
interesting to see.
The TNA too is on the fence so to speak and is awaiting the
arrival from abroad of its leader R. Sampanthan for a final
decision.
Here too the signs are in the affirmative for contesting the
poll.
All in all the possibility is open for a keen contest if all
actors are thrown into the fray which on its own would be a
positive sign for setting the ideal groundwork for democracy to
flourish among an embattled people.
For the Government this would no doubt be a test of its
popularity and a positive verdict would be tantamount to vote of
confidence in it and an endorsement of its development plans
under the Eastern Reawakening Programme.
It would also be a reiteration of people for the Eastern
Province to function as a single unit and be tantamount to the
final nail in the coffin of the LTTE designs vis-a-vis the
Eastern Province.
Therefore, unlike the Local Poll the upcoming elections will
throw up much larger stakes and it would be interesting to see
the configurations of the results that could send a message to
the Government to increase the momentum to reinforce democracy
in the East and put paid to the LTTE machinations once and for
all. |