A tribute to D. A. Rajapaksa

41st Death Anniversasry today:

Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera

The late D. A. Rajapaksa closely collaborated with S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike to dawn the epoch of a new era, the age of the common man.

At a time when the progressive forces in the country were struggling to instal a people-friendly Government in power, it was D. A. Rajapaksa who took the lead in organising the Ruhuna peasantry to share their lot with it.

His untiring efforts to steer the national politics clear of pro-imperialist loyalties at the time of gaining national independence, are worth remembering.

D. A. Rajapaksa joined the Bandaranaike bandwagon at a most crucial time of history when the progressive forces were fighting heart and soul to secure a niche in the national politics. The South in the country for some time was the bastion of leftist politics and it was no less a person than D. A. Rajapaksa who took up the cudgels to substitute SLFP instead.

His largesse to the country is enormous; his son Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently the executive President of Sri Lanka in whose hands the destiny of the country rests at this critical juncture; Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, his eldest son is fully committed to ensure the country's development; Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as head of the Defence establishment is engaged in the herculean task of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the mother from the menace of terrorism; Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa spends days and nights in trying to give a new lease of life to the Eastern Province, recently liberated from the LTTE jackboot.

It is a unique achievement of the Rajapaksa family that it has been able to retain its unbroken identity with the masses of the Ruhunu throughout. Patriotism, simplicity, generosity and patience are the starting legacy left by D. A. Rajapaksa to his decedents.

Endowed with such qualities, President Mahinda Rajapaksa progressively climbed the political ladder and has reached its zenith today.

D. A. Rajapaksa was born, lived and breathed his last in the partoral tranquillity.

That he had a mystical empathy for the toiling masses was legendary. Rajapaksa who always held Buddhism in high esteem assigned to it the pride of peace. They never lost their touch with the peasantry.D. A. Rajapaksa was a king among the kings and a peasant among the peasants.

Translated by

K. D. M. Kittampahuwa