Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella turns 58 today

Sri Lanka which was battered by cruel and ruthless terrorism embarked on a new path in November 2005 under the commandership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella

However, only a few could understand the determination and the right vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at that time. Many politicians in the Opposition viewed his call for everyone, especially to the politicians to join hands with him to establish a new Sri Lanka as a greedy appeal to strengthen his own political power.

But the Kandy District Parliamentarian of the United National Party Keheliya Rambukwella realizing the importance of getting the country freed from the terrorist thereat and the need to eradicate terrorism from the soil of this nation came forward to join the government without being engrossed in political ideologies.

No one realized that this new turn taken by Rambukwella will lay the foundation for a new culture in Sri Lanka. Most viewed it negatively as a traditional cross-over.

It was only after three years people realized that the step taken by Rambukwella, at a time opposing terrorism was similar to giving an open invitation to imminent death, had been taken ignoring the dangers to his own life and purely with a view to provide his indomitable dedication for the elimination of terrorism from this country. His advent to the government side at a time it was on a weak wicket immensely helped to strengthen the powers of the government.

It also paved the way for further cross-overs and to the unprecedented political cross over in the country involving the massive cross-over by 17 Opposition members. If that did not happen an unstable parliamentary power could have helped the terrorists and the megalomaniac Prabhakaran may still be living. It could have even strengthened the forces of terrorism and the illusory Eelam would have become a reality.

The political change made by Keheliya Rambukwella was the first stepping stone for obstructing the Eelam dream. The Tiger terrorists at that time were steadily becoming powerful with a territory of their own provided on the platter of an infamous ceasefire agreement, with powerful tri-forces, having their own banks, courts, and other administrative units. The people of this country at that time were unable to do anything against these terrorist encroachments other than to remain as silent spectators.

The propaganda machinery of the terrorists at that time was at its zenith. All over the world they had established the opinion as a liberation organization fighting against racial suppression and to overcome ethnic grievances. There were even Sri Lankans who contributed to the view that they cannot be defeated militarily and their demands should be granted.

It is in such a situation that the government took its resolute step of confronting and defeating them militarily.

Keheliya Rambukwella becoming a great strength to the right vision, dedication and determination of the President courageously raised the voice that our security forces are capable of defeating the terrorists and that Sri Lanka has no other alternative than defeating and vanquishing the terrorists militarily. In a country which was fearful of even calling Prabhakaran a terrorist or a murderer, Keheliya’s resonant voice against the terrorists created new hopes and injected confidence.

Steering the war related media machinery of the country he launched a massive campaign to enlighten the local and foreign media about the true facts relating to the war and shatter the distortions and myths against Sri Lanka being spread by various anti-national organizations, acting as “Dollar Vultures.”

Although the scourge of terrorism has been vanquished from our soil, the hidden hand of these dollar vultures sustained by the international elements, the rump of the Tiger terrorists, the disgruntled colonialists are still functioning against the country. This can be clearly seen through the abhorrent Darusman Report and the doctored films of the Channel 4 etc.

During the humanitarian operation carried out to liberate the people of the North who were under the jackboots of the terrorists the interference by the international elements became very much intense. However, the voice of Keheliya was very powerful to shatter the distorted propaganda of the Eelamists. He rendered this service uninterrupted for a period of continuous three years.

When the powerful Western countries including the United States, Britain, France and Norway, were pressing that solution for the war should be found through discussions, it was Keheliya who told the whole world vociferously and firmly that it is justifiable and it is the only solution to defeat terrorism militarily.

He received more chagrin and brickbats for this service from the anti-national elements more than its due appreciation. The cartoonists depicted him a washer of government’s dirty-linen.

There were several hundred cartoons depicting him carrying a bundle of cloth on his shoulder with a bucket in hand.

At that time only the Government Spokesman for National Security was there to tell the world about the true facts of the war and the government’s objectives.

Even the mud-slinging by the cartoonists and accusations by the pro-Tiger elements could not daunt the determination and the right vision held by Keheliya. Those who knew about Keheliya very well were aware that he cannot be stopped by death threats and claymore bombs.

He rendered his national duty well as a true patriot born in the hill country. It is only honest politicians who can work in a people-friendly manner at a time the country comes under threats.

It was at a time when the country faced with several problems that he came into politics leaving aside his comfortable and luxurious life as a popular businessman.

He was born in a luxurious background and had a very comfortable life. But it was for the welfare of the nation that he joined President Mahinda Rajapaksa regardless of the threat to his personal life.

It is something that he always says that “Only someone who contributed honestly for the victories of the motherland can spend the tail end of his life happily.” It is his opinion that if it was not done the people who supported him will curse him.

Keheliya and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party have a peculiar connection.

It was the founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the late Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike who named the first male child of the Rambukwella Walawwa “Keheliya”.

At this naming occasion the late Prime Minister had predicted that the name of “Keheliya” will become popular throughout the country.

During the 60th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Keheliya as a Central Committee member of the party and wished for every success in his future political career.

The patriotic leader of the upcountry who enters the age of 58 gets the blessings of everyone, including the religious dignitaries for a long and successful political future. (niz)

Sarath D B Dambawinne
Ex-Provincial Councillor
Minister’s Media Secretary

Translated by A A M Nizam