Sitting on two chairs with one umbrella in hand

Continued from September 19

W. Annesley Sumith Fernando

E. W. Perera handed over his nomination papers to Kelaniya by-election. E. W. was a true patriot who has played a vital role during the struggle for independence. He was reputed to have carried a petition in his shoes against the atrocities committed by the then British occupiers to the English King, amidst much peril and danger through sea voyage. During the election campaign JR set loose religious feelings against E.W. and managed to win Kelaniya with an over 10,000 votes.

JR was in full agreement with the arrangement to absorb members from the Communist Party to the National Council. DS who helped JR to win Kelaniya did not see an eye to eye with JR on this issue. As a mark of protest he left the National Council. RG who had no fascination with politics deeply resented JR's actions and he rose up to lock horns with JR. Thus, he was compelled to enter politics. JR and RG had some personal, family related issues too.

RG, a man of principles did not drag them to politics, but RG saw JR's actions, as breeding ground for an unholy alliance. He decided to take the fight to the doorsteps of JR, the politician. He challenged him to resign from Kelaniya and try his might at a by-election. Was it a reflection of an unresolved vengeance they carried between them?

Once Lenin of Russia has lamented over the unavailability of an instrument, similar to a thermometer, to measure the integrity, the inner cravings of people. The true reasons remained elusive, as a mirage. Whatever the outcome, it was election results which mattered most in political affairs. RG stood out as prominent politician who could contribute in good measure to defeat UNP of the day. He had the political clout to build up socialist bent, progressive front to withstand capitalist UNP regime.

It's true that personal issues at hand cannot be determining factor of political issues at stake. However no one can deny the fact that personal issues act as a good omen for political developments in the future. The truth and the fact of the matter could be easily identified through the challenge for 'Kelaniya Battle', which RG threw to JR.

Even while holding a responsible cabinet portfolio, RG had a liking to associate with the members of the opposition in preference to his colleagues in the Cabinet and UNPers. At tea breaks RG found good company among the members of the opposition.

As far as RG was concerned, the word he most hated in Sinhala was 'Vairaya' i.e. hatred. RG was a gentleman to the core; he was never hard on his opponents, even in hotly contested issues and hotly debated matters. He never lost his composure. He treated his opponents with the contempt they deserved, but always with a smile. Arrogance and abhorrence were alien to him.

Turbulent 1954 gave way to 1955. A number of issues, including those relating to langauge raised their heads. Some saw an opportunity to unite the Buddhists and the Sinhalese through the langauge issues.

The other troublesome issue, i.e. ban against liquor too appeared to be a crowd puller. Buddhists in the UNP including RG thought on those lines. RG was a front runner in the campaign against liquor.

RG's stand was in direct contrast to the stance taken by JR and the battle between RG and JR was thus rekindled.

RG felt JR should be defeated at any cost; but he did not leave UNP. He continued his struggle against JR stealthily while remaining in UNP. RG wanted to extricate from a trouble. In 1956 RG entered the parliamentary elections. As a UNPer he contested at Dambadeniya, his home ground; but strangely and inexplicably he challenged JR at Kelaniya, as an independent candidate. Victory at Dambadeniya was a foregone conclusion. He retained it with a majority of 24,907 votes. 'Battle at Kelaniya', the duel between RG and JR drew the attention of the entire country. RG made history and established records by defeating JR with a thumping majority of 22,836 votes. Many a eyes were wide opened; many mouth were made speechless. The elusive Holy Grail was in the hands of RG.

As if to make matters worse UNP, the unshakeable rock, the invincible force took a nose dive and managed to win just 8 seats. 1956, thus became a turning point in Sri Lankan politics.

RG who contested the Dambadeniya electorate at the general election in March 1960 from SLFP roamed home with effortless ease.

He won the July general election too and entered parliament as leader of SLFP, but he did not accept any ministerial portfolio in the Sirimavo Cabinet. Conflicts and confrontations cropped up soon after and they continued unabated in frequency and ferocity. RG had no option but to say 'good bye' to SLFP and taking his seat as an independent MP at House of Parliament.

At the 1965 general election RG entered the fray as an independent candidate. SLFP chose to forget the past strained relationship. As a conciliatory measure SLFP assured their cooperation to RG.RG won the race, defeating the UNP candidate P. B. Waettawa by 2483 votes. RG attacked the government of Dudley, his nephew vigorously and reestablished his links with SLFP.

By 1969 RG was on his own; he formed a party under the name of, Sinhala Mahajana Pakshaya and contested both Dambadeniya and Trincomalee electorates at the general election 1970. RG had to taste the bitter frit of defeat for the first time in his political career. At Trincomalee he could muster just 601 votes. He lost his citadel in Dambadeniya. As fate has decreed it, he lost to a man whom he had beaten soundly in a previous encounter in 1965, P. B. Waettawa, a former UNPers contesting from SLFP unleashed a death blow to RG and his political fortunes by a majority vote count of 12688.

RG did not attempt a comeback. He stands out as the one and only person who stood up to JR and cut him to size in the political arena.