A Monument between Truth and Reality

Prasad Gunewardene

As a Lobby Correspondent for a national daily, way back in 1989 I saw from the Reporters' Gallery, a young lawyer turned politician seated in the fourth row of the then opposition SLFP in Parliament.

The man was pleasant but fiery. What did he witness? He saw the denial of dignity of the people and the land. He believed that all human beings were equal in value. His fiery speeches as a young man then, beckoned the crowds to follow him. At home he was fighting a political veteran like Wijayapala Mendis in Katana.

The quantum of his political encounters in his electorate gave him added vigour to pursue a strong political career devoid of fear. History will record this man's phenomenal achievements as a lawyer and a politician of enormous skill with an extra dimension in everything he handled in politics.

Vibrant politician

Who was this young man I saw way back in 1989? He was none other than the vibrant politician in the making of a future leader, the strong but mild hearted Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. I associated him much closely from 1989.

He was fearless and called the spade a spade. Representing liberal democratic values, Jeyaraj believed in pluralism, freedom of expression and opinion and dissent. He always said that freedom should be exercised in a manner where people reap the fruits of freedom.

Members of Parliament and the crowds in the country awaited his beguiling flow of the speeches that came like rolling waves to a silent river bank. That was his inborn talent to attract his colleagues and the masses. A cruel suicide bomber put this man who fought for a truly multi cultural society to eternal sleep last Sunday morning.

Glamorous figure

The stubborn and hard fact of our mortality is brought to our homes in a most forceful manner when somebody known to us passes away at a relatively young age. If that somebody was a popular and glamorous figure who had taken his country by storm, the poignant nature of his death is even more deeply carved in our hearts.

It was in that backdrop, our friend Jeyaraj Fernandopulle made his exit relatively at the young political age of fifty five. He was a man who wanted a change in the existing system. His political journey was blessed with simplicity.

Gradually Jeyaraj progressed into more complexed textures in the field of politics. This amiable man's voice appealed to the lumpen and downtrodden in our society. The oppressed class awaited his voice from the centre stage of the country's politics.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle the futuristic politician believed that the hour has come to develop a truly multi-cultural society in Sri Lanka. A forthright and fearless man, Jeyaraj started to voice his protest against terrorism and the enemy of the land, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran.

Because he wanted a country with the Rule of Law and the fundamental rights and freedom that are embodied in our constitution. He spoke out strongly against terrorism, travelled widely to educate the people on the danger posed by LTTE terrorism. He took the lead because, Jeyaraj's character was made of sterner stuff.

The long queue of people to pay homage to their leader who goes on his final journey tomorrow is an eloquent testimony of the response he evoked. That is why Jeyaraj Fernandopulle stands more relevant today and in the future than ever before. Today his memory stands as a Monument between Truth and Reality.

Challenge

This fiery politician was a man who braved to take any challenge to any leader. He less cared for positions. These vibrant virtues of Jeyaraj prompts me to unfold an incident that happened in the 1994 administration of President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

President Kumaratunga decided and called explanation from Jeyaraj over a controversial statement made by the latter over her Government. I telephoned Jeyaraj to check whether he had submitted his explanation." Why should I? I am not wrong and I will never ever reply her even if I am removed from my ministerial office", he shot back.

I asked him whether I could quote him in the news story for the next day's 'The Island' issue.' Yes, you should quote me and I will not deny like others', Jeyaraj asserted.

Stood firm

The Island and the Divaina led with headlines the following day with the banner saying 'Jeyaraj will not reply CBK'. In Parliament that morning a number of ministers told Jeyaraj that the President was annoyed and requested him to deny the news item. But, Jeyaraj stood firm and told his colleagues that it was he who gave the statement to the newspapers.

He immediately called me from his mobile phone (which is on round the clock and the number never changed till the time of his death) and related the request from his colleagues in Parliament.'

You don't worry I will not deny it, I am Jeyaraj', he said. He learned the Chemistry of Politics early to stand firm on all issues. Therefore, his conscience was clear as a crystal. He earned bouquets from the people for his fearless conduct.

That was why the Opposition in Parliament treated him with much respect. The collocation of the three languages at his command made it easy for Jeyaraj to confront any Member in the House during debates.

When President Ranasinghe Premadasa was expected to prorogue Parliament at the tail end of January 1993, the question of extending the State of Emergency became a delicate issue. From the Reporters' Gallery I sent a note to Jeyaraj in the Chamber seated with John Seneviratne and Lakshman Kiriella (both lawyers) seeking a clarification as to how could Parliament meet to debate and pass the State of Emergency.

Jeyaraj walked up to the Gallery and quoted the relevant Article and Clause which empowered the President to summon Parliament at any given time on national issues.

In the young Parliamentarian called Jeyaraj, I saw professionalism gaining momentum to be a professional Parliamentarian in the future. In the process he was well versed with the Standing Orders, Parliamentary Privileges and Parliamentary Business.

His dedication and commitment made him rise to the office of Chief Government Whip.

Competent politician

Jeyaraj was a competent politician quite compendious on the curriculum of politics and was able to speak with elegance on any subject at any fora. It was in that compound nature this promising politician countered arguments in correctitude to his conscience.

He was a minister committed to the task who spoke with authority on the subject he dealt with. He believed in a methodical system that could be made open to debate. Jeyaraj was a man who never lost his cool during heated debates. Instead he would sport a mellifluous smile to calm the opponent.

As a SLFPer he sang the "Blue Chorus" to a sense of pitch till the end of his political journey last Sunday. On the ethnic problem, he knew we were blind to the light at the end of the tunnel. He believed that the problem should see an early end. And that a moratorium would only delay the process and not allay fears.

Jeyaraj repeatedly warned in the House that niggling with the ethnic problem would only take the nation to a night without light. He sought a new political etiquette for the national problem in the country. Because he believed that all people were equal irrespective of the race they belonged to. Such was the national minded character of the ministering angel, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who was snatched away from us by a cruel suicide bomber last Sunday morning.

The silver tongue of the SLFP is no more. The country has lost a future leader. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has lost an asset of his Government. The people are deprived of a great friend and a good human being. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle will abide in our hearts as his fond memories will always linger to inspire us in our lifetime. All that is because Jeyaraj was an honest, sincere and true friend of all people.

"Across the bridge there's no more sorrow
Across the bridge there's no more pain
The sun will shine on you forever
And you'll never meet with tragedy again"
Goodbye my friend, Parliament will never see the likes of you again.