The genial gentle politician

Harold Herat 3rd death anniversary:

In our small country, some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. Harold Herat was unique in that he was blessed with all these.

Harold Herat’s greatness was that he was able to mingle with the poor and the rich; the humble and the powerful and even kings whom he met during his tenure in office. I knew him as a teenager and felt he was cut out to be somebody when the time was ripe. He became a lawyer and his passion lay in planting and cars.

With his extremely good looks and oratory excellence both in Sinhala and English, he took up to politics like a duck taking into water. It was the late President J R Jayewardene who coaxed him to take up to politics which resulted him being in Parliament for over 23 years wining the hearts of all voters in the Puttalam District. Session after session he contested, never losing but gaining more votes even when he sat in the Opposition. Within the first year, he was appointed Coconut Industries Minister by President Jayewardene who found potential in this young Minister. True to his foresight, coconut became number two in the export industries, vying with tea almost on equal terms.

Foreign Minister

Herat who gave up his flourishing career as a lawyer, championed the cause of the downtrodden. Within years he turned around Nattandiya to what it is today. It became a hub of activity for agriculture and fishing industries along with the humble batiks at that time which he pushed to international trade, popularizing it among the tourists. Today, Marawila batiks are global.

With time, Herat’s career zoomed under Presidents, Jayewardene and Premadasa. He was appointed Deputy Minister of JEDB and Plantations, Finance Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister. He created a precedent in Parliament when he presented the Budget as a Deputy/Finance, he also represented President Premadasa at the UN sessions when he was the Foreign Minister.

A colourman at tennis, he represented his college and club at national level. A voracious reader when he found the time.

Herat moved very closely with the people of Nattandiya. He was at their call any time they needed him. A remarkable aspect of his political career saw him display compassion to his opponents. He never sidelined them but helped each and everyone. He was blind to prejudice and never saw the difference between green, blue or red.

A devout Christian, he never failed to attend church (St. Stephen’s, Marawila) with his family and as the Bishop’s warden.

Political dynasty

He is the youngest son of Dr Albert Herat and Mrs Herat and a nephew to Sir Claude Corea and former Speaker Shirley Corea, two great politicians during their time and hails from a political dynasty in the Puttalam District. The monumental work done in the Puttalam District speaks for itself and lovingly remembered. He was ably assisted by wife, Gwen especially at grass-root levels in Nattandiya electorate.

Essentially a family man he adored his wife and three children and they came first in his life no matter how burdened he was at times when he held two ministries simultaneously. With foresight for an honourable citizen, he named his son, Awanka which means honesty in Sinhala.

Herat had many more years to sit in Parliament if not owing to another blundering mistake made by the weak leadership of the UNP which resulted in the UNP losing all elections thereafter to date in Nattandiya.

It is three years since our beloved leader left us. He was our friend, mentor and saviour and we remember him with much respect, love and adoration.

May the green grass keep growing gently over his grave.

- Frank Lawrence