The wishes of Jeyaraj Fernandopulle

K.T.Rajasingham

1. To bring about peace and stability in the country

2. Tamils should live with peace and honour in the country

3. LTTE terrorism should be ended either by negotiation or else by militarily means.

4. UPFA should win the East Provincial Council elections Asian Tribune was in touch with Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. He used to call Asian Tribune almost every other day and discuss the political development in the country.

Some conversations were off the record. Only those meant for publication appeared in print. Asian Tribune recorded his interviews judiciously. The last time Asian Tribune spoke with the late Minister was on Saturday (April 5th) around 9.30 PM, Sri Lanka time.

He was talking about the trip he took to Trincomalee on the 3rd, to participate in the filing of the nomination papers of the UPFA in the provincial Council Elections.

His scintillating voice still reverberates in our ears. We played the recorded voice one more time; there was no words to describe our emotions.

He is no more with us.

He also talked about his ministerial office and also about his Office of the Chief Government whip. He said that he is keeping some of his staff there because he was sure that people would have taken copies of his communications to be distributed to the opposition. He said how badly he feels when one of his staff who was introduced by him has let him down.

He said we are watching those quislings and would take appropriate action soon.

However he said, "it felt as if a time bomb was ticking and someone would be passing information on his movements to the LTTE." He had a premonition. He said he was requested by President Mahinda Rajapaksa not to visit his offices on a regular basis, but to attend to his work from his residence.

So many things he narrated. His aim was to bring about peace and stability in the country.

He was loved and respected by the People of Sri Lanka and everyone loved him except the LTTE and Velupillai Prabhakaran. They hated him because that as a Tamil he voiced opposition to their so called parochial Tamil nationalism.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a nationalist and never a communalist. He loved Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankans.

Whatever said and done Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, a Good politician, a Good leader, a Good Tamil, a Good Catholic, above all a Good human being - a gem of a person is no more.

Goodbye sweet Prince!