First elected representative of Sabaragamuwa Province
138th Birth Anniversary of Rev. Canon W. E. Botejue:
Vernon Botejue Attorney-at-Law
Rev. Canon Welatantrige Edwin Botejue’s 138th birth anniversary fell
yesterday. His revered memory is respectfully recalled on this day for
his outstanding contribution as a Priest, Politician and Patriot, being
certainly one of the most eminent citizens of Ceylon of the Twentieth
Century: The Canon’s devotion and dedicated service to his faith, his
motherland and her people spanned over three quarters of the last
century.
Canon Botejue was the eldest son of Rev. Welatantrige Louis Botejue
and Welatantrige Elizabeth Botejue both of whom hailed from the
Welatantrige Clan of Kotte, Elizabeth his mother was a teacher of
English of no mean repute in the days of British Colonial era that had
introduced the Anglican Faith to Ceylon through its missionary arm the
“Church Missionary Society” popularly known as the “CMS.”
Rev. Canon Edwin Botejue |
In his memoirs written in his own hand which was not published Canon
Botejue confesses that his desire to follow his father’s footsteps and
enter the Holy Order of the Anglican Church however was delayed till his
father’s death because of the racist policies advocated and practiced by
the CMS during the colonial era.
He has noted that the CMS was creating a division among the
Christians by referring to the local converts to Christianity as native
Christians and segregating them into a Church called a Native Church and
in other Churches native Christians were confined to separate pews.
Canon Botejue stood up valiantly against this racist policy openly
practiced by the CMS “It was very fortunate”, Canon Botejue has further
noted, “that the Bishop of Colombo then, The Rt. Rev. Dr. R. S.
Copplestone who was physically, intellectually and morally head and
shoulders above the rest of the clergy opposed the policy of racial
churches and supported the battle against the racist policy of the CMS.”
Canon Botejue has recorded an incident that occurred in the Mirihana
Parish when His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. R. S. Copplestone refused to take
the Chair at a public meeting at which he had been invited to preside,
till the Sinhala Parish Priest Rev. Father Silva was also accommodated
on the stage.
Cannon Botejue has also recorded in his memoirs that his rebellious
spirit led him to trouble that caused him to face an inquiry held by the
Metropolitan of India when he stood up for his brother Tamil Priests who
had a grievance at that point of time.
Canon Botejue even as a student of Trinity College, Kandy had earned
a reputation by contributing articles to Newspapers of that day in
particular to “The Ceylon Independent” edited by George Wall on matters
of political and public interest. Later he was invited to write leading
articles and had become a versatile writer and speaker in both English
and Sinhala.
He has noted that his entry into active politics was due to his
popularity that he had earned as a political analyst through his
contributions to Newspapers of that time including the “Ceylon Daily
News” printed and published by Lake House founded by the late D. R.
Wijewardene who was among his closest friends and supporters of his
political career.
Canon Botejue has recorded in his memoirs that at or about the time
of his father’s death he had taken to teaching as a stepping stone to
enter the legal profession. He was a teacher in a Christian School at
Ambalangoda when he had intimation of the death of his father who was
then the parish priest of the Anglican Church of Kesbewa.
He has faithfully recorded that from the moment he heard the news of
his father’s death an invisible voice kept on ringing in his ear, urging
him, “step into your father’s shoes.” That was the turning point of his
life.
He decided to forsake the worldly path of a more lucrative profession
of a lawyer for a less remunerative but more glorious one of greater
spiritual value in the service of his faith and God.
He acted in positive response to the invisible voice. Cast away his
earlier prejudice against the CMS and decided to enter the Priesthood of
the Anglican Church of his father’s faith that he served unflinchingly
till his last breath.
Canon Botejue is remembered for his contribution towards the good of
the Anglican Church effecting radical changes in its administration and
later when the question of Church Union arose advising and guiding its
destiny as the President of the Anglo Catholic Union.
In his political career, he is counted as a “freedom fighter” among
the pioneers of the Reform Movement of Ceylon in her struggle for
Independence from colonial rule. He was the first Clergyman Legislator
to be elected to the Legislative Council of Ceylon to represent the
Sabaragamuwa Province when the British Raj in 1921 extended the
principle of elected representation and granted a limited number of
elected members to represent the nine provinces in a Council dominated
by an official majority that acted and voted en bloc on the direction of
the then colonial Governor Sir William Manning who presided.
Canon Botejue has publicly said that life as a legislator at that
point of time was frustrating and disappointing. No motion or resolution
in the Legislative Council moved by the elected members that was not
acceptable to the Governor saw the light of day. But the elected
representatives of the day acted together in unity for the common good
and public weal at all times.
On one occasion the elected unofficial members were able to convince
the colonial Government of their importance and the need for more
liberal reforms to ensure wider more significant and effective
representation.
As a protest against the implementing of the Woodrenton - Fernando
salaries scheme for upper grade Government officials, despite the
unanimous vote of the elected members against it, 14 of them resigned.
At the By-election held thereafter all fourteen were re-elected,
(including the Canon then Hon. Rev. W. E. Botejue) and returned to the
Legislative Council demonstrating manifestly the quality of both the
legislator and the voter then.
However, despite the frustration and constraints faced by the elected
representatives then, Canon Botejue had the distinction of achieving
success. Although a priest of the Anglican Church he stood up valiantly
for the rights and privileges of the Buddhist Clergy guaranteed under
the provisions of the 1815 Convention signed by the British Raj. In the
Legislative Council he spoke in glowing terms of the pride of place to
be given to the yellow robe and moved the Government to grant the
privilege of reserved compartments and free railway warrants in the CGR
to the Buddhist Priests when there was a need for it.
M. P. de Z. Siriwardene speaking on behalf of the SLFP and the entire
opposition endorsing the sentiments expressed by the Leader of the House
added, “Canon Botejue fought for the issue of Railway Warrants for
Buddhist Monks when there was an agitation for it. He also fought for
the rights of those in the gemming industry.”
The Bishop of Colombo the Rt. Rev. A. R. Graham Campbell who unveiled
a portrait of Canon Botejue on the occasion marking the Golden Jubilee
of his ordination said.
“The Courageous and Honourable One who has ever sought to tread the
path of duty and has laboured alike to serve his Country and his God.
May the example of such as Canon Botejue continue to inspire the
generations of the future.” |