Unique personality

Prime Minister DM Jayaratna shares his reminiscences about President Mahinda Rajapaksa with our Staffer Rasika Somaratna.

I have seen many politicians in my long career in politics spanning 60 years. President Mahinda Rajapaksa towers above most because he is a visionary leader who at all times believed in propagating the wishes of the people and their well-being.

All these years he has been my colleague, lawyer, friend, leader and mentor. His late father, former Parliamentarian D A Rajapaksa was a tower of strength to Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) and the country in general. He was instrumental in forming the Party along with the late S W R D Bandaranaike.

D A Rajapaksa was truly a peoples politician. He understood the rural peoples psyche. Throughout his political career, he never lost that common touch. That was the secret behind his success.

President Rajapaksa too has followed in the same path. He achieved great heights in politics, because he was a very pragmatic, people oriented politician. Amidst the turbulent waves of politics, President Mahinda Rajapaksa always stood tall as he had utmost belief in the politics he practiced and his ability to make them a reality.

In 1970

I clearly remember his entry into big time politics. His first foray into the then National State Assembly in 1970 as its youngest member ever, created quite a sensation at the time. He was also a budding Lawyer at that time. During the budget debate in 1970 he made the first speech as that privilege was reserved to the youngest member in the house.

He built a name for him as a budding star in politics at that time. His contributions during parliamentary debates amply demonstrated his oratorical skills. Although he came from a well-known political family in the country he was able to shape his own unique personality as a politician in a very short span of time.

As a lawyer

It was March 20, 1994 and I was erroneously implicated in a shooting incident which happened in the Suriyawewa town in Hambantota.

However, I was fortunate enough to get the services of a young lawyer to appear on behalf of me at the Embilipitiya Magistrate Courts.

That Lawyer who bailed me out was President Mahinda Rajapaksa. That day I saw another facet of his abilities.

In 1977

The SLFP faced its worst crisis following the landslide victory of the UNP in 1977. Our party members were harassed, some lost their lives, others their property. However I clearly remember that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was never deterred by UNP thuggery.

He stood for the rights of our party members and those who were harassed in general. During difficult times he was able to organize the party cadre. We held ‘Paada Yatra’ and other protest campaigns under his guidance. He also went to Geneva to bring to the attention of the international community, the undemocratic acts of the then Government.

Climbing the ladder

It did not take long for young Mahinda Rajapaksa to climb the ladder in politics. He became extremely popular with the party cadre, specially at the grassroots level. During our previous Government’s he served as the Labour Minister and later as the Fisheries Minister. His popularity within the party took him to greater heights.

This propelled him to the Opposition Leader’s post and later the party leader.

He also served as the Prime Minister before becoming President. When he contested the Presidential Elections in 2005 for the first time, even some of our own party members did not support him openly.

I clearly remember that the inaugural Presidential campaign meeting of President Rajapaksa was held in my electorate at Gampola town.

We had our lunch at ‘Ambuluwawe’ and later went to the ‘Polwatte Pirivena’ to declare open a ‘Nenesala’ before coming to the meeting. That day Gampola town became a sea of heads. That is how he began the successful campaign which propelled him to Presidency.

Country first

One of his foremost characteristics I saw from an early age was his undying love for his Motherland. During his political career of which I saw him becoming a MP, a Minister, the Opposition Leader, the Prime Minister and then the President he was a politician who never hesitated to take decisions which he thought would benefit his Motherland and its people.

He also was a leader who did not take decisions with personal benefits in mind.

This characteristic stood well for him and the motherland in the battle against terrorism. As he very vehemently said, many times, his first, second and third priority at all times was Sri Lanka.

I would always like to identify the President as a people’s representative and a guardian because he truly cared for their well-being and never hesitated to help them in their need.

As he did during happy tidings, he never neglected them during difficulty.

He was so close to the people, he knew their heart beat, their sorrows, fears and needs. One can never forget the scenes witnessed in the immediate aftermath of the Kebithigollewa bomb blast where an emotional President flew to share his grief with the bereaved families despite security concerns.

I believe that this genuinely honest trait in him helped to achieve dizzy heights in politics.

Saviour of the nation

When the President ordered our Armed Forces to launch a humanitarian operation as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, he had clear goals such as to liberate people under the clutches of LTTE, re-establish democracy in the North and East, wipe out the scourge of terrorism and achieve honourable peace.

However the challenges he had to face in this endeavour was enormous.

I truly believe that any other leader would have succumbed to pressures which originated from both within and outside.

But he stood firm with unwavering commitment in the face of all odds.

As a result the Armed Forces, politicians, and the general public rallied round him to forge ahead a future of freedom, progress and harmony. He achieved something which four other President’s before him could not achieve.

The future

President Mahinda Rajapaksa represents tolerance and freedom, not repression and terror.

Under his leadership Sri Lanka has re-emerged from a state of despair to one of determination and hope.

However Sri Lanka yet face a number of challenges in its quest to achieve permanent peace and prosperity.

But under his guidance we look forward to meeting them with new hope and vigour.