N M

Humanist leader and orator:

Damien Silva Vice President, Parish Committee Yatiyantota St Mary’s Church

Dr N M Perera, humanist politician who strove to ensure justice, fairplay and humanism in the Sri Lankan civil society for nearly four decades is remembered on his 31st death anniversary that falls today. Dr N M Perera Memorial Hall built in memory of the great political leader will be opened in Ruwanwella today.

Dr N M Perera obtained a double doctorate from the London School of Economics. he utilized his vast knowledge in economics for the betterment of the country and its people

There was a leader who had created an indelible mark in the country’s history loved and cherished by the five fold forces comprising the Sangha, nature physicians, teachers, farmers and workers but the mere mention of whose name drove instant fear into the minds of capitalist forces which usurped the country’s economy by oppressing the rights of the imminent masses.

He is none other than Nanayakkara Pathirage Martin Perera who strove the political firmament of this country for four decades from 1940s to 1970s like a colossus.

Brilliant economist

A student of world famous economist Harold Lasky, he obtained a double doctorate from the London school of Economics, a feat unequalled by any other politician in this country.

No other Finance Minister in this country has been or will be able to surpass the political or economic feats he performed in Parliament by putting his vast economic knowledge and political acumen into practice.

As Finance Minister, he introduced the demonetization scheme to draw the black money hoarded by the capitalist class and utilize it for the country’s development effort. The National Savings Bank which was his brainchild has become a leading bank paying higher interest rates to the savings of the common masses while utilizing them for the country’s economic development.

He was a leader who always honoured and upheld longstanding Parliamentary customs and traditions. He always maintained strict discipline within and outside Parliament and made rich and lengthy speeches in Parliament giving due respect to his Parliamentary opponents.

A comparative study of Parliaments he submitted as the thesis for his doctorate has been highly acclaimed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Fighting malaria

The Malaria Epidemic raised its ugly head in the country in the 1930s with the Thunkorale being one of the worst affected areas.

Learning aside his double doctorate for a moment NM donned a pair of shorts and ventured into the Thunkorale to save the innocent people from the dreaded disease with politics furtherest from his mind. He traversed the length and breadth of the Thunkorale visiting homes distributing medicine and food items including dhal and sugar among the affected people. This action endeared him so much to the people of Thunkorale that they affectionately called him ‘Parippu Mahattaya’. It was the trials and tribulations suffered by the people of Thunkorale which led NM to change his life’s course and become their undisputed leader for nearly four decades.

Respected all faiths

As a true Buddhist who practised the religion with great fervour, NM helped to disprove the myth that Samarsamajists considered religion as the ‘Opium of masses’. As a person who honoured and respected other faiths, NM took the lead in protesting against the transfer of Yatiyantota St Gabriel Vidyalaya Founder Principal Rev Fr Yannakone. As MP for Yatiyantota and the Opposition Leader NM organized a protest campaign by students of the school by getting them to block the Yatiyantota-Karawanella road opposite the school to prevent the priest from moving out from the school. This is the first time that a left leader had taken the forefront to launch a struggle on behalf of a Catholic Priest.

NM worked for the educational progress and welfare of the children in the area by working in harmony with the then Bishop during the take over of lands belonging to the Catholic Church.

When people clamoured for the take over of adjoining Catholic Church lands for extensions to the Yatiyantota St Mary’s Tamil Vidyalaya, NM stood firm to protect church lands by helping to shift the school to a more spacious five acre plot in Ives Estate Yatiyantota. This school is to be upgraded as a National school this year.

Towards a new society

NM who strived to create a novel society always spoke about planning for the future.

Although NM always spurred the limelight, volumes can be written eulogising his political character and nature.

When the Peoples Republic of China volunteered to donate a fully equipped conference hall to the people of Yatiyantota in his honour, NM said he has no need for memorials because his name will be etched in the hearts of the people in the area for ever.

However, that proposal has become a reality almost after 30 years today. The Dr N M Perera memorial hall opened today will be a fitting tribute to this great politician and a valuable endowment to the people in Yatiyantota. Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana, Parliamentarian Y G Padmasiri and all other members of the organizing committee should be thanked for pioneering the setting up of this hall which will be a monument for justice, fairplay and humanism.