Dudley Senanayake’s 99th birth anniversary falls today:

The Signpost Of Revered Politics

B. Pragnaratne

Dudley Shelton Senanayake, the honest and solid humanitarian in the full meaning of the word who performed an unparalleled mission for protection of Democracy in Sri Lanka, was born at the Residence of Botale on June 19, 1911.

Being the senior son of D.S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka who held also the eulogy of the ‘Father of the Nation’, and Lady Molly Dunuwila, he also had a younger brother named Robert.

Dudley got his Primary education from S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia - the college of which his father also was an old boy. At the College, this boy was found very clever in curricular activities as well as in extra-curricular activities including sports events such as cricket, football, rugger, boxing and wrestling - the events of his particular interest.

Admitted to Cambridge University in England for further education, Dudley passed the examinations of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Barristers.

After returning to Sri Lanka, he entered the profession of Law as an Advocate. Meanwhile, he also spent his time and labour on promotion of work in his ancestral properties and graphite mines in Mirigama.

Following the lead of his renowned father, D.S. Senanayake, and father’s elder brother, F.R. Senanayake, Dudley got into politics and got himself elected as the Member of Parliament in the electorate of Dedigama, by winning the seat with a clear majority of votes at the second State Council in 1936.

Later he joined the National Union established, in collaboration, by a number of patriotic public leaders including his father and father’s elder brother, and vehemently fought against the actions of British officers including the Governor of the then government that were disastrous to the country. Dudley also wrote his name in the history books as one who played a leading role in the struggle for freedom to the country from the clutches of British rule.

Winning the Dedigama electorate in the first General Election in 1947, Dudley received a Ministerial portfolio and took over the Premiership which fell vacant by the sudden demise of his sovereign father on a request of a majority of the Councillors. Being then just in his 41st year of age, he is considered as the youngest person to have taken over that responsibility, a record unbroken uptodate.

It was Dudley’s habit to act conscientiously and honestly, never inclining to hurt the feelings of anyone. The incident that took place in August, 1953 in which an agitator participating in the strike was shot dead on the spot by the Police can be considered as one that gave him immense mental pain. Due to the disappointment and grief generated by this turn of events Dudley bade farewell to his Premiership as well as political career.

In 1956, Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike came to power by defeating United National Party by a clear margin. J.R. Jayawardene who then took over the responsibility of invigorating the Party, understood the clear need of the hour and, with party activists, met Dudley and invited him to take over the leadership of the Party. In response, Dudley undertook that role and joined hands with JR to strengthen the Party.

He also conciliated Tamils by forwarding progressive Acts to the House such as Sinhala - Tamil Language Provisions Act to repair the broken relations between Sinhalese and Tamil people after the language issues.

But, the greed for power of certain elements in the then Opposition saw no bounds and created a situation of unease in the government.

Dudley was an exemplary character to his present day followers in how to behave themselves in the Parliament.

He had very friendly relations with the Parliamentarians such as NM, Colvin, Peter and Dr. S.A. Wickramasinha and Maithripala Senanayake. In 1965-70 era, there were instances of his cracking extremely funny jokes in the Parliament.

Although there were certain instances where Mrs. Bandaranaike was provoked by such jokes of Dudley, they rendered much lightness and happiness to the Council.

Once Dudley rushed with agitation and anger towards Maithripala Senanayake by mishearing a word when NM grasped and stopped him on the way. But, after realizing his mistake, Dudley was so humble as to come to Maithripala Senanayake and apologize by embracing him.

Dudley was also a clever driver with fast-driving skills. It had become a routine for him even in his period as the Prime Minister to drive in his choice car of Triumph Herald all alone for Sirikotha meetings. It was a common scene at the time for Dudley who was also a skilled photographer to be seen with a camera hanging from his neck.

Being so fortunate as to wear the pinnacle of the Great Stupa of Mahiyangana, Dudley was a great Buddhist devotee in full meaning of the word. He never drank liquor and hated them. Paying a great regard for the general public, he led a very unblemished political and personal life.

This noble man who had earned nothing from politics but a good name, passed away in late hours on April 13, 1973 due to a heatstroke.

When he was living, all his requirements such as food and clothing had been provided by his brother Robert. Dudley, who had held the Premiership of Sri Lanka four times by the time of his death had only some Rs. 400 in his bank account.

From the date of his death on April 13 up to the date of his cremation on April 20, 1973 the number of people that poured into Woodland Mansion to pay last respects to their beloved leader had been over 3.5 million.

This vast number of people that amounted to more than half of the then total population in Sri Lanka, silently, but very strongly, testified only one thing.

That is Dudley Senanayake was the most revered and clean gentleman of politics that the motherland of Sri Lanka ever had the luck of keeping on her lap.