Sarath Muttetuwegama:

Articulate Communist voice

Prasad GUNEWARDENE

In thin Oppositions in Parliament, there were great men in the past score and 10 years. Among them was a sole voice of the Communist Party from 1980 -May 1986. He was the outstanding Communist Comrade, the amiable Sarath Muttetuwegama who always sported a mellifluous smile representing the Kalawana electorate. He was an ebullient representative of the progressive politics of our time.

Comrade Sarath was respected by both sides of the House. In the true sense of gratitude, this nation owes much for great men like Sarath Muttetuwegama.

His commitment towards the liberation of mankind, a doctrine held in high esteem by Nicolai Ostrowsky, space here demands to recall nostalgic memories of the human being and politician called Sarath Muttetuwegama, for the education of neophyte scribes and political pundits of today, who missed the golden opportunity to see and listen great socialist comrades of the past 50 years of the last century, to learn more on Parliamentary discipline and decorum.

Capitalist views

Sarath was a leader who fought a love battle with over 140 UNPers with capitalist views in his tenure as a MP in that Parliament.

He made fine debating speeches, speeches of an intriguing and self revealing kind, listened to speeches of recrimination and incrimination and offered speeches which lightened the long drawn hours of the Parliament he represented, giving necessary humour and entertainment at times the Capitalists were seen falling asleep after lunch in the Chamber.

Political legends who gave ear and admired Sarath's speeches included Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Anura Bandaranaike, Lakshman Jayakody, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, M H Mohamed, Appapillai Amirthalingam, S Sivasithambaram, Vettiveli Yogeswaran and R Sampanthan. The solitary Member who disturbed Sarath on his feet was - A M R B Attanayake, UNP's Deputy Higher Education Minister. President JR Jayewardene held the portfolio of Higher Education and Ministry Secretary, Dr Stanley Kalpage ran the operation.

Serious debates

Attanayake always ran into Sarath. And he did not admire Sarath's mellifluous smile which certainly turned mischievous when Sarath spotted him.

Whenever the duo confronted each other inside the Chamber, Sarath would crack, "Mr Speaker, the Deputy Minister holds the Guinness Book record of being the only undergrad to spend the longest number of years in a University to obtain a degree'. Attanayake would retort in Sinhala- "Sir, Meyawa Soviet deshayata patawanna" (Pack him and send him to Soviet Russia).

Sarath would then rise to a Point of Order to crack at the dark complexioned Attanayake - "Sir, when the Deputy Minister is clad in white tunic, white trouser and white shoes, he looks a Don Bradman without a bat in the dark" (Sir, Niyojya Amathituma sudu andala sudu sapaththu dammama, andakaraye inna piththa nathi Don Bradman kenek wage). That was the wit and humour of Sarath.

Whenever Sarath crossed Attanayake while going to lunch on the corridors of the first floor in Parliament, he would ask Attanayake- "Oya dawalta kaawe Noodles da nathnam Fried Rice da?" (Did you have noodles or fried rice for lunch?). An angry Attanayake would respond with some abusive words. And Sarath quips with a smile - "Ape Amathitumata kenthi gihilla wage, mama dawalta kanne kakulu hale bath" (The Minister appears angry and I eat red rice for lunch).

National unity

To Sarath, it never mattered whether one had a mote or a mite in his eye. In serious debates, he would seek elucidation on views expressed by government ranks.

When government members burst out in anger, Sarath responded with a cool smile and quipped, "Sir, the government is now trekking in the wrong direction". Sarath was a class by himself who needs no effigies of stone or bronze. He is carved in the hearts of those who knew and admired him.

His unremitting struggle for national unity among all progressive forces will be long remembered by all Tamil politicians though he did not live to see the end of a cruel war.

His life and deeds are eloquent enough to prove his contribution.

Tragic incident

Being a lawyer he never took silk or aspired to be a judge. He never held ministerial positions in a Government but preferred to be a backbencher. Sarath left us when he was an Opposition MP.

The tragic incident that took his life was reported to be an accident. Comrade Sarath never flinched from challenges in his lifetime.

He possessed the sense to silence any cacophony that emanated from the capitalist class. He was a good companion to all and a complex character in politics.

He died relatively at a young age. Parliaments will never see the likes of Sarath Muttetuwegama again.

His close friends, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dinesh Gunawardena and DEW Gunasekera will long remember Comrade Sarath Muttetuwegama's contributions to liberate mankind.

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