Anura laid to rest

COLOMBO: Former Minister Anura Bandaranaike was yesterday laid to rest amidst a large gathering of Parliamentary colleagues, politicians diplomats, party followers and people from all walks of life, at the Horagolla Bandaranaike Mausoleum in the family seat of Attanagalla in Gampaha.

Crowds kept streaming in to the Horagolla Walawwa where the body lay since Monday to get a final glimpse of the scion of the Bandaranaike family, who was hailed as a gentleman politician and an outstanding Parliamentarian.

Mourners ranged from the mighty to the humblest who were nurtured and sustained by the famous family, many of whom wept inconsolably reminiscing the past while religious leaders, leading lights of various professions and other fields including artistes too were present in large numbers.

A grey pall hung over the vast sprawls of the Bandaranaike Estate as the body was removed from the Horagolla Walawwa to be taken to the section of Bandaranaike Samadhi, for religious rites.

Prefects of Royal College accorded a special guard of honour as the coffin reached the outdoor premises.

Funeral proceedings started with Panchaseelaya being administered by Siyam Mahanikaye Anunayaka and Viharadhipathi of the Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Galagama Attadassi Thera after the casket was placed on a special platform near the Bandaranaike Samadhi.

The Anunayake Thera in a short anusasanawa said Anura Bandaranaike followed in the footsteps of his parents who left an indelible impression in the country's political arena and world affairs.

"He strove throughout his career to highlight the importance of their parents' policies being exercised in the country.

The Thera conveyed the condolences of the Malwatte Mahanayaka Most Ven. Thibotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera and Asgiri Mahanayaka Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera to the family members. Kelaniya University Chancellor and Colombo and Chilaw Adikarana Sanga Nayake Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thera of the Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Piriwena conducted religious rites.

The Thera said the Bandaranaike dynasty dedicated their lives and wealth to the welfare of the down trodden. "Former Minister Anura Bandaranaike laboured for over four decades to whip the country's polity into a new shape which is beneficial to the poor.

Former Prime Ministers S.W.R.D Bandaranaike and Mrs. Bandaranaike created a new political culture in Sri Lanka which was also followed by their daughter and son at a later period.

These great Prime Ministers removed us from the shackles of colonialism and brought a sense of total independence to Sri Lanka.

Anura Bandaranaike played a leading role behind the scenes and gave much needed vigour and stamina to his mother's administration.

Ramanya Maha Nikaye Mahanayake Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera in an Anushasana said the Bandaranaike offspring were born and bred in a Buddhist environment and always sought the advice of Buddhist monks.

"The Nittambuwa Vidyananda Pirivena was frequently visited by them and they looked into the welfare of Buddhists. Anura Bandaranaike had the courage of tell what he believed and had malice or hatred to none.

Amarapura Sanghasabha Lekakadhikari Ven Kotugoda Dhammawasa Nayake Thera of the Dhammapalaramaya, Mount Lavinia said Anura Bandaranaike always gave a patient ear to his critics. He respected them which ultimately helped shape his political life.

ArchBishop of Colombo Rt Rev Oswald Gomis praised Anura Bandaranaike's relentless efforts to uplift the dignity and independence of the legislature. "He himself set an example to the legislator. Parliament is a symbol of dignity. I on behalf of the Christians honour him for his courageous steps to keep the decorum and dignity of the legislature undiminished.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka on behalf of the Government and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party said former Minister Anura Bandaranaike was a pillar of strength and courage who carried candid opinion with bias to none.

"I had a very close association with him and he always carried independent ideas. As a son of two Prime Ministers and a brother of an Executive President, Bandaranaike strove to serve the public to his best.

He preferred friendship to politics. He admired friendship more than all. He was not proud of being a son of influential politicians and did not lose his touch with the downtrodden, the Premier said.

Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara described Anura Bandaranaike as the quintessential gentleman who had a natural gift of the gab and a man with the right phrases and vivid quotations.

Not only was he able to do much for the uplift of Parliamentary democracy as the Speaker, he was recognised as a gentleman who upheld the independence and the autonomy of the legislature, he said.

A voracious reader equally eloquent, Bandaranaike was blessed with exceptional finesse for politics inherited by his great parents who took the country to the helm of world politics by treading the Non-aligned path.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said Anura strove relentlessly to uplift the dignity of the Parliament and its independence and sovereignty.

"I first met Anura Bandaranaike at the Royal Primary and thereafter in Parliament in 1977. He had exceptional skills for debating which was inherited from his ancestors. Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne read the President's message.

TNA Parliamentarian R. Sambandan, CWC leader, Minister Arumugam Thondaman, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and Western Provincial Councillor Ranjith Rupasinghe also spoke.