To Sir with love

Premasara Epasinghe

A fine human being, a gentleman of the highest calibre, Highways and Road Development Minister, Government Chief Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was killed in an LTTE suicide bomb blast in Weliweriya, Gampaha.

I was very fortunate to serve this great man as his media secretary 2001-2003 when he was the Minister of Civil Aviation.

I pen these few lines with tears in my eyes and with a heavy heart, to pay my humble tribute to this great son of Sri Lanka.

Unassuming, charming, charismatic, personality, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle's demise is not only an irreparable loss to his wife and two children, kith and kin, but also the entire nation.

He was very much man of the people. I have served him for two years and realised he is a brave and courageous man who was born to serve the people. He possessed a golden heart.

Born on January 11, 1953 he had his primary and secondary education at Ave Maria Convent and Maris Stella College, Negombo. From his childhood he stood for fair play and justice. In 1997 he commenced his legal career.

One day when I asked him the question, how be became such a brilliant orator he replied, "I learned the art of speaking at Law College." In 1983 he became the organiser for Sri Lanka Freedom Party for Katana. There began his political career.

He was a man of honesty and integrity. He was the man who called a spade a spade. The people loved him. From 1989 he was elected to Parliament he got a good majority.

He was a man who walked with Kings and Presidents, but never lost his touch with the Common Man.

In Parliament he was one of the finest debaters. He played a formidable role on behalf of the Government. His powerful voice echoed within the Chamber. He was fearless.

At times he was witty. The beauty was that even the Opposition Members also gave a patient hearing to him. Of course, if a member was nasty to him, with a remark Fernandopulle replied forcefully with a smile. I have listened to his brilliant speeches in Parliament. They were unforgettable.

Today he is no more. We will never ever hear his voice live. I presume the Parliament Chamber without Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is like Hamlet without the Prince. He is a man who ignored caste, creed, race or religion. His philosophy was One Sri Lanka where Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and all the other races should live peacefully.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a God - Fearing Man. Although he was a Catholic he advocated religious and ethnic harmony. He was a true democrat.

Sports loving Jeyaraj Fernandupulle, held the prestigious positions as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and Elle Federation. I had the privilege of serving his Committee as the Press Officer of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation. This proves a point. He always wanted the poor to come up in sports. It was very unfortunate that he sacrificed his life at a sports event.

He was a man with high management skills. He was always punctual and started meetings on time. As I worked with him so closely, I saw another quality of this man. He always pick the correct man to do the correct job. We were motivated and guided by him. I must frankly state here, those were the unforgettable days. We worked hard. But it was a pleasure to work with a man of this calibre.

He was very fond of school children. He set up scholarships for poor school children in the Gampaha District. Whoever who came to his home was treated well.

There is a saying that success of any man lies with the wife. Dr. (Mrs.) Sudharshani Fernandopulle was the wind beneath his wings. He was a fine family man. They brought up their son and daughter in an exemplary manner. They are simple unassuming like the parents.

The life of this Great Gentlemanly Politician Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who served the country could be summed up in the words of Great Bard.

"His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed with him, that nature might stand up and say to the world THIS WAS A MAN".

Good Night Sweet Prince!!

May you rest in Peace!!