C. E. Victor S. Corea, National hero and pioneer in freedom struggle

Text and pictures by Christie Fernando, Chilaw special correspondent

“C. E. Victor S. Corea, an Advocate of the Supreme Court who was named a national hero by the State, was a pioneer in the struggle for freedom and independence. He worked unstintingly and assiduously for the emancipation of the common man and the disadvantaged.

With a memorial constructed and opened in his honours, the present and future generations will draw inspiration from what he had done and been to the people and the country during his time, “said Chairman, Urban Council, Chilaw W. Hilary Prasanna Fernando.

Fernando was speaking at a meeting after unveiling and garlanding a life-size statue of late Victor Corea, erected at the venue adjacent to the Chilaw Court Complex, in the presence of a large and august gathering that included the Advisor to the President, Sunimal Fernando, Victor Corea’s son, Sri Sangabo Corea, grandson and veteran radio artist, announcer and compere Vijaya Corea, family members and the public.

The Memorial erected, was a result of a unanimous decision of the Urban Council, Chilaw to pay tribute to C. E. Victor S. Corea for his dedicated services to Chilaw and the nation. It was a fitting tribute to a national hero who hailed from Chilaw, by his son, Sri Sangabo Corea.

Chairman, UC, Chilaw who initiated the project to honour the late Corea, took a keen interest to make this memorial a landmark in Chilaw under the personal supervision of Quintus Fernando, Secretary, the C. E. Victor S. Corea Commemoration Committee.

He said: “When the beating of “hewisi’ at the Dalada Maligawa was stopped on the orders of the then Government Agent, who was British, it was Victor Corea, the spirited and doughty statesman, who defied the order, single-handedly and threatened to beat the “hewisi” himself if the Diyawadena Nilame did not order the temple to resume the beating of “hewisi” drums.

Victor Corea in no unmistaken terms told the GA to change his residence if the noise was disturbing his household, instead of changing religious traditions treasured by the Buddhists, which had come down from the time of the Sinhala kings. Since Victor Corea who was known to be a man, who lived up to his word, and fearing a revolt, the GA revoked the order.”

Fernando enumerated that late Victor Corea was jailed for opposition and compelling the British government to abolish the iniquitous poll tax where every male over 18 years had to pay the government Rs. 2 by way of a Poll Tax.

He had informed the governor that as a mark of protest, he was breaking their law and continued as a doughty fighter on behalf of the people of his country. Fearing that Victor Corea was being hailed as a hero who would emancipate the common man, the British Government then decided to abolish the Poll Tax and released him after spending a month in prison.

“He championed the cause of the common man. Even at the age of 90, Victor Corea was the oldest lawyer practising in Chilaw, Kuliyapitiya and Puttalam courts.

Though he was a Christian, Corea initiated the construction of two Buddhist temples in Chilaw, which cemented a strong bond of friendship between the two religious faiths. He was by tradition closely associated with the Munneswaran temple, Chilaw and also handled its legal affairs”.

“Dissatisfied with the newspapers, Corea started his novel newspaper at “Sinhapura,” his home and published the Sinhala journal “Lanka Tharuna Handa” in order to inculcate a feeling of nationalism and distaste for what was alien and foreign, as was done by Mahatma Gandhi in India and Anagarika Dharmapala in Sri Lanka.

India paid Victor Corea her greatest tribute by including his photograph in a 15” x 20” colour poster that featured all the national heroes of India under the caption: “Fighters for Swaraj” and was personally presented to Victor Corea by Mahatma Gandhi when he visited Chilaw and was hosted to a grand banquet held at “Sigiriya”, the home of Victor Corea’s Sister.”

The Chairman added that he was a fearless fighter who restored the rights and privileges of the masses. Thus it is meet and right to revere him.

Vijaya Corea, late Victor Corea’s grandson, popular radio artist, announcer and compere delivered the vote of thanks.