A noble son of Sri Lanka:

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle

Premasara Epasinghe

The fires that brightened the lives of many thousands were untimely extinguished on that fatal day - April 6, 2008.

‘An admirable quality in Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was that he had a fair and open mind free of petty prejudices. He was a politician par excellence’

A bomb exploded on April 6, 2008 at Weliweriya in the Gampaha District, creating a gaping hole in the ground, and left a great void in my life. I also believe that a painful trauma still lingers in the hearts and minds of all Sri Lankans. There is a saying that all heartache fade with the passage of time. But the qualities of this incredible personality is etched deep within me, to such an extent, that many memories I have of this great national leader will never be erased from my mind.

A great human being

It is with a feeling of deep sorrow, that I pen these lines on the unexpected and untimely demise of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. At the time of his death, he was the Highways and Road Development Minister, Chief Government Whip, Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Member of Parliament for Gampaha District and above all, a great human being.

He will live forever in the hearts of those he left behind, and will certainly be a memory that will not be lost in the mists of time. He was most respected as an unwavering proponent and an advocate of the ideals of democracy.

An admirable quality in Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was that he had a fair and open mind free of petty prejudices. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was a politician par excellence. What he contributed and achieved in the principles and practice of democracy were so laudable, they will forever be remembered far into the distant future.

It is a tragic, treacherous and an inhuman act that snuffed out the life of Fernandopulle, a man of great vision and lofty ideals. I always remember him for an outstanding combination of intellectual brilliance, warmth, humour and courage. The loss of such an able politician, a brilliant speaker and a promising leader, was an irreparable loss to the country.

I was very fortunate to be his Senior Media Secretary when he was the Civil Aviation, Airport Development, Tourism and Christian Affairs Minister (2001-2003). During the two years I served under him I realised that he was a brave and courageous individual, born to serve the people, and with a golden heart.

Impeccable character

I have never come across anyone so meticulous, methodical, organized and flawless in whatever he did. He was a man of impeccable character and integrity. His contribution has been outstanding, and as such will be remembered at all times. May be in the future his performances could be matched, but it is certain that they will never be surpassed and eclipsed.

When I met him for the first time at the Civil Aviation, Airport Development, Tourism and Christian Affairs Ministry, he impressed me at once with his charming, attractive and winning ways. He had a pleasant smile, a sense of humour and love for the mankind. Very often I accompanied him to Parliament.

He played a formidable role on behalf of the Government and was fearless and witty too. All Parliamentarians of the Government and Opposition respected him.

Brave politician

He was a shining star in the political arena, who bravely stood the test of time. His effort was to unite the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays as a one nation. He was a colourful, forceful and dynamic personality.

Even the Opposition gave a patient hearing to him. But if any member stepped out of line and was nasty, Fernandopulle responded with appropriate and forceful effect.

I have listened to his brilliant speeches. He was a polished speaker, a good debater and an extremely impressive orator. The Chamber of Parliament without Fernandopulle is like ‘The Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark’.

Politics is almost exciting as war and fraught with danger. In war, you can only get killed once, but in politics many times over. “Always forgive your enemy, nothing should annoy that much”, he followed this policy to the letter. The greatest talent in a politician is the ability to convey sincerity. Fernandopulle possessed this noble quality in abundance.

Stood for harmony

He was always sincere and a man of honesty and integrity. He never considered caste, creed, race and religion that important.

The philosophy was “One Sri Lanka”, where Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and all races should live peacefully. He was a God fearing person, and being a Catholic, he always advocated religious and ethnic harmony, and as such was a true democrat.

He was a great social worker tireless in his ventures and improved life and standard of the people, specially in the Gampaha District.

Fernandopulle’s Educational Foundation which he started, helped many poor children in the Gampaha District. He was extremely fond of children; our future citizens.

The sports loving Fernandopulle held the prestigious positions of Chairman of both the Volleyball and Elle federations. During his tenure of office, I functioned as the Press Officer of the Volleyball Federation. He always stood to elevate the standard and level of these ‘poor man’s’ sports.

Great leader

There are many definitions of leadership. As Gary Yuke states “Leadership involves influencing task objectives and strategies, influencing commitment and compliance in task behaviour to achieve these objectives, influencing group maintenance and identification and influencing the culture of an organization”. Fernandopulle followed this philosophy to the letter.

He always motivated and guided us. Those were unforgettable days where we worked hard. It was a pleasure to have worked with a man of his calibre. The fires that brightened the lives of many thousands in Gampaha district were untimely extinguished on that fatal day - April 6, 2008.

To conclude this humble appreciation of this great son of Lanka, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, I quote a verse from Alagiyawanna Mukaveti’s Subashithaya.

Amitha guna nuwana uthu uthumo pabadha
Anatha vehesa laduwath noma vethi duhadha
Digata pathala suwandathi sonda sadun kanda
Siditha maditha eka lesa pethirei suwanda

Even under extreme pressure, the virtuous, intelligent and noble beings harbour no ill will.

Likewise, the sweet scented sandalwood trunk though felled and crushed, still spreads forth its fragrance more and more.