Late D A Rajapaksa, a unique human being - Prof Ananda W. P. Guruge

Chaminda PERERA

"The Late D.A. Rajapaksa was a unique human being with the great quality of boundless compassion to humanity, said Sri Lanka's former Ambassador to the United States and France and adjunct professor of Buddhism, Hinduism and Peace Studies at California University Prof Ananda W.P. Guruge.

Prof Guruge was delivering the D.A. Rajapaksa memorial lecture on "Sri Lanka from the Euro-Asian commercial hub to pan-world socio-Political Importance," at Temple Trees yesterday. Asgiriya Chapter Mahanayake Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Thera chaired.

Prof Guruge who resigned from the Ceylon Civil Service in 1967 to go abroad said the Late D.A. Rajapaksa stood for justice and fair-play and he never made an unreasonable request.

"If he ever took any side it was always in favour of the disadvantaged, the less privileged", he added.

Prof Chandrasiri Palliyaguru gave the preamble. Senior Minister DEW Gunasekera garlanded the statue of Late D.A. Rajapaksa. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and the Cabinet of Ministers, including Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, were among the gathering. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the members of the Colombo based diplomatic corps were also present.

Prof Guruge said he was introduced to Late D A Rajapaska by former Galle District parliamentarian Wijayananda Dahanayake way back in 1956 when he was the Assistant Secretary of the Education Ministry. "We met frequently on matters pertaining to education in the Beliatta electorate, in particular and in Hambantota district in general", he added.

Prof Guruge said he became friends with the late Rajapaksa as he was an unassuming, down to earth and extremely courteous person who considered the welfare of the people as his foremost consideration.

Prof Guruge added that the Late Rajapaksa was behind Former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike when he crossed to the Opposition.

He said that the Late Rajapaska has given to the nation a united , patriotic and dedicated family whose manifold services to the country are to his credit.

Prof Guruge stated that they earned credit and reputation from people of all communities for eradicating terrorism in Sri Lanka which plagued the country for over 30 years.

He said that they removed the fearpsychosis from the minds of thousands of people in Sri Lanka by eradicating the menace of terrorism.