Anil Moonesinghe:
Unique political leader
Anil represented all aspects of the social democratic political life
of our times. His life and work was a complete picture of the public
aspirations of a political leader. He was well accomplished in almost
all spheres and dimensions of public life and intellectual ability.
Truly he was a unique political personality in the post-colonial history
of our land.
I disagreed with him and I was shattered when he left the LSSP to
join the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. But I could understand why he did so,
listening to his reasoning. The democratic and progressive block
represented by the several alliances and fronts of the center-left is
now taken for granted. But the birth pangs of this formation was not
easy.
Progressive reforms
Anil bore the brunt and pioneered the idea inside the left. He often
asked what is the use of being a commander without an army. But I cannot
yet reconcile with our (LSSP's) role in a center-left Cabinet dominated
by an equivocal leadership, unless it was a limited strategy which it
was not.
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Anil
Moonesinghe |
Anil underscored the need of developing a left tendency within the
block strong enough of impact on the policies of the government together
with mobilization of the people around their demands and expectations
and thus move on with progressive reforms. Anil never failed to be in
the thick of such struggles.
His youthful days in UK absorbed the left program and the Marxist
ideology as the worthwhile purpose of life.
He dived into the depths of the labour movement and the debates of
the Left. He believed that the revolution would blossom out of the
movement of the masses demanding reforms and participating in the
process. For this he advocated the need to be entrenched in the midst of
the progressive forces without being in revolutionary isolation.
He walked the streets of London in the shivering winter mornings
taking the party paper from door to door.
He returned to the island as a young Sama Samjaist with a vision and
as a qualified barrister.
He was never content with public speaking without joining the people
in arduous tasks and political action. He believed more in real life and
action to advance the cause than spend time in theoretical expositions.
And impatient Anil will do it himself - any task even before the
comrades came along.
He was a romantic and nurtured an idealism but never lost the
bearings of the practical approach. He introduced a life style quite new
to the Sama Samaja Movement.
Western culture
A simple and down to earth man who shared with his people any, and
all circumstances, of hardships. he taught us the frugal way and exposed
us to the splendour of nature, when he promised us a comfortable night
and parked his vehicle on the bund of the Tissa Vewa to take out a
folding bed for a good night's sleep.
He was emotional and laughed merrily as much as he wept with his
heart for the joys and grievances of his people and comrades.
He was well exposed to the Western culture but he was firmly rooted
in his cultural heritage.
He took pride in being a grand nephew of the anti-imperialist
Anagarika Dharmapala.
He was quick to find the vacant areas of Sinhala consciousness in the
Sama Samaja Movement and he tried to infuse that element into the party.
But this was resisted as chauvinism.
He was committed to the hilt in defending the rights of minorities
and even welcomed Tamil national consciousness inside the party. He
believed that the two nationalisms could be fused whilst others thought
that a common nationalism should be invented.
Worker's enthusiasm
As a Minister or a Chairman he demonstrated the way to harness the
worker's enthusiasm in raising productivity and efficiency. He was a
role model as a Minister or Chairman.
He was out on the streets meeting with public and sensing their mood.
The constituents from his distant electorate never failed to find the
warm hospitality in their MP's home. He shared with them whatever he
had.
The 'Bolsheviks' in the party looked down on these kind traits of
Anil as a popularity quest. He dared to do anything in furthering the
cause of social reforms and for this he braved dangerous encounters.
He built up a formidable Trade Union in the corporations and
cooperatives sectors within a very short time. For this he vigorously
travelled to all corners of the island and his weakness was motor
vehicles and the joy of tireless driving.
Commitment to democracy
His debating skills as a Parliamentarian and later, his prowess as
Deputy Speaker, were distinguished.
The deep commitment to democracy within socialism was manifest in his
passionate opposition to Stalinism and dictatorship. For him democracy
and democratic rights was sacred.
Anil was endowed with the rare qualities of leadership, strength of
character, vision, commitment to social democracy in actual practice, a
heart warming concern for the poor, national pride mixed with a
conviction of internationalism and a unique capacity to face challenges.
He was eminently suited to be this country's leader of his generation
to take the country in a left of center direction.
- Vasudeva Nanayakkara
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