Dudley Senanayake :

Rare national treasure

The hundredth birth anniversary of Dudley Senanayake fell on June 19 this year. We should honour him as a national figure of significance. A respected political writer, during Dudley’s lifetime wrote ‘how many know the qualities he possessed of head and heart which were rarer than one in a million.’

As we look back in retrospect at the life of Dudley Senanayake, those of us who were privileged to know him; are aware that the things which mattered most to him, as a statesman were ethnic amity, his unwavering belief in an agricultural economy and law and order. He strove hard and long through the curves and junctions of his life on all three counts.

He believed in telling people the truth rather than in false promises which are inevitably, a surefire passport to popularity. Dudley Senanayake was a man who truly belonged to the people. He sensed the true gait of politics, and never strayed from the straight path. He did not believe in grandeur in any form whatsoever. He enjoyed the finer things of life but lived a simple life. Even as the Prime Minister, he would be seen driving his little Triumph Herald around.

Photography, music and reading were his hobbies and he was happy with them and his little dog, Pixie.

Although educated at Cambridge, he was able to travel the rough road of politics with distinction.

If we had continued with his agricultural economy, we would have been self sufficient in rice by now. He wanted to free people from poverty, which is a kind of enclosure; and lead them to unity, economic independence and freedom.

Law and order were a priority to Dudley Senanayake. He thought of it as the cement that held everything together; and the only thing we could cling to when we reach the final line. He would hate to see the lack of law and order.

He was an excellent speaker in Parliament, on political and other platforms; and could hold his own among the shining array of stars that were his peers in Parliament at that time.

That was undoubtedly the creme de la creme of Sri Lankan Parliament. Dr N M Perera, Dr Colvin R de Silva, Philip and Robert Goonewardene, Dr S A Wickremesinghe, Pieter Keuneman; all of them educated at British Universities.

Deeply instilled in them were qualities of justice and fairplay. Arguments, there were in abundance; but all in good spirit and they were the best of friends both in and out of Parliament.

Dudley’s hearty laugh, wit, humour and powerful voice are legendary in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary history.

A beacon of light, throughout his political life was his loyalty to his party. Even when he resigned, caused by enemy orchestration resulting in circumstances beyond his control, he refused to join or support another party.

This was in spite of being offered the choice of any office that he chose.

Whether in or out of the party, or as a backbencher, he never hurled abuse or attacked those who had succeeded him as Leaders. Just before his death, he was heartbroken by sections being formed within the party which caused discord and strife.

He was an exemplary statesman and one who commanded great respect, nationally and internationally.

There were absolutely no allegations of dishonesty thrown at him; be it commissions, missing state treasures or any hint of fraud or amassing wealth.

He was never self seeking and power obsessed, always full of innate kindness and a love for humanity. His funeral was a testament to these qualities.

Never in the nation’s history, had such a vast mass of humanity, gathered together on a single day, for a single purpose.

The people seemed aware that they had lost a rare national treasure.

Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne

Indra Gamini Perera:

Amiable lawyer and gentleman

The second death anniversary of Indra Perera fell on June 2. Indra Gamini Perera was born and bred in Panadura. His father was CS Perera, a proctor of the Supreme Court who practised in Kalutara as the District Court of Panadura was not established at that time.

Indra Perera was only five years at the time his father died and did not inherit his practice. His mother was Margaret Dias also from a well-known family in Panadura.

He was educated at St. John’s College, Panadura and his further education was at Alexandra College and later joined Law College and passed out as a Proctor of the Supreme Court. He apprenticed under DR de Silva who was the Doyen of the Panadura Bar during that time.

I believe he was his only apprentice and he accepted him as a duty to his deceased colleague and friend.

Indra Perera joined the Panadura Bar and practised mainly in the District Courts of Panadura, Kalutara and Horana.

He was a member of the Bar Association and held many posts. As President of the Panadura Bar he represented the Panadura Bar in the Bar Council.

He was also a Life member of the Organizations of Professionals Associations.

He contributed much to the discussions at these organzations.

He was very independent and outspoken. He was very popular with the Members of the Bar, both Senior and Junior.

He never missed a Bar Association function and attended all the farewell dinners to judges and participated in the other activities of the Association.

He was warm and friendly and reached out to people and gave a helping hand when his assistance was required.

Perera was accepted by the Bar and the Bench and the Community and he was respected for his independent views and righteous conduct.

He maintained the highest traditions of the Bar. He stands tall amongst Lawyers for his professional integrity.

He was very proficient in playing the Harmonica (mouth organ) and was a great lover of jazz and rock and roll music. He loved singing in his own throaty voice. Above all he had a good sense of humour.

He was very conscientious of his duties and obligations to his family. He was a very devoted husband and a caring father to his two children.

May he attain Nibbana!

Anton Fernando