D. R. Wijewardene’s 126th birth anniversary:

Great patriot who rendered yeoman service for Independence

Chelvathamby MANICCAVASAGAR

The 126th birth anniversary of Don Richard Wijewardene, founder of The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) falls today (February 23). In fact, the passing away of D. R. Wijewardene in 1950 at the age of 64 was indeed the passing away of a patriot and a great man.

D. R. Wijewardene

His devotion to his country was evident indeed, not in words. He was a patriot in action not so much in speech. The tremendous service he rendered to his country and his people must be determined not by searching for what he said but by searching for what he did.

Today, newspapers enjoy a vast range of resources undreamt of hundred years ago. In fact, there are now modern printing techniques, computerization, worldwide communication, networks, high speed transport, well equipped buildings, skilled workers. But back in 1917 when D. R. Wijewardene bought the 'Ceylon Daily News' all he had was inadequate machinery housed in haunted decrepit building in Maradana, two rickshaws to transport his newspapers to the railway station for outstation delivery and an incompetent staff.

He was a Barrister-at-Law returned from Cambridge during World War II and Secretary of the National Association. The only experience he had of journalism and newspaper management was in his part time direction of the Dinamina, a Sinhala daily bought in 1914. But, he had a rare asset which was more potent than men or machines. ‘A vision splendid’, ‘A vision of free press in a free country, combined with a dauntless spirit in achieving his goal.’

Great social reformers

When the Daily News made its appearance on the scene on January 3, 1918, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam in his message to the new newspaper said: “The Daily News is fortunate in the time of its birth.” New forces are at work among us, a new era is dawning for the country. She needs the devoted service of all her children and will, I am confident to find none more zealous than the new daily.”

Encouraged by the response to his newspapers, he bought the Ceylon Observer and the Baillie Street Office in 1923. Here he worked till late in the evening. An incident took place in 1926 in the local press, the Baillie Street office of the Observer was raided on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police Herbert Dowbiggen. The reason for the raid was its publication of extracts from the Police Gazette.

The next morning the Daily News splashed the story on its front page and attacked the authorities responsible for the raid in its editorial columns. Officials' disapproval of the newspapers policy produced a studied silence when requests were made for government advertising. But, the Daily News had outstripped its rivals in the battle for circulation and Sir Charles Collins, a fair and liberal minded Assistant Colonial Secretary granted a subsequent request. He even shocked the newspapers representative by saying that he admired the outspoken editorials of the newspapers. Indeed, it is very often said that great men whether great social reformers, eminent lawyers, or veteran journalists or even great judges defer from common man only in one thing. They give life a meaning, a purpose and dedicate themselves to that purpose. They testify to truth and refuse to compromise whatever the cost.

The secret of D. R. Wijewardene as a powerful newspaper proprietor was due to his high degree of discipline, dedication, devotion, commitment combined with loftiness of his character and versatility of his intellect. Further, no field of human endeavour was left untouched by the swaying amplitude of his imagination, encompassing sweep of his thought, felicity of his words and the indefatigable zeal of his actions. No wonder, he left an indelible impression in most of what he touched with rare dynamism and exemplary zeal.

Seven newspapers

His greatness was unique. There was a ring of authenticity and nobility of courage and earnestness in whatever he did. Besides, he was always of the opinion that noble means, noble ideas and noble actions would certainly have noble consequences and convoluted thinking and contorted behaviours would lead to calamitous consequences.

Indeed, D. R. Wijewardene was one of the Ceylon remarkable personalities of the era. The running of a newspaper is more hazardous than any other venture. If it is succeeded one may derive sufficient wealth and power to influence a country, a nation or a government. If it fails, the owner will be completely crushed.

Further, D. R. Wijewardene established seven newspapers; The Dinamina, Silumina, Daily News, Sunday Observer, Thinakaran and Sunday Thinakaran. He trained a generation of gifted journalists to man the newspapers. Besides, he organized an able administration and installed printing machinery which could print large number of copies per hour.

In fact, he used to go to Newspapers Office at 10.00 o'clock in the morning and would first examine the financial section and the printing section to ensure that the papers reached the outstations in time.

Great sacrifice

Although, D. R. Wijewardene possessed a strong personality, he had no sufficient confidence in his ability to excel in debate or sway crowds by the power of his speech. As such, he chose the far more effective method of influencing men by establishing newspapers among the best in Asia and published in National languages as well as in English.

D. R. Wijewardene was born at Sedawatte, where his father Muhandiram D. P. Wijewardene, a wealthy merchant and contractor, lived within the reach of Colombo, where he had a very successful business.

He was educated at S Thomas' College when Read was warden and Rev G. A. A. Arndt was Sub-Warden. From S Thomas Wijewardene went to Peter House, Cambridge and came in contact with great personalities like 'Surendranath Baner Ji' generally known as the silver tongued orator of Bengal, 'Gopal Krishna Gokhale' a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, a statesman who made great sacrifice in the service of the country.

In fact, Wijewardene was very much impressed by 'Gopal Krishna Gokhale' sacrifice for the independence of India.

D. R. Wijewardene's friend and mentor during his student life in England was F. H. M. Corbet, influential Barrister with Ceylon Connections.

Furthermore, Wijewardene's major contribution was the moulding of public opinion through the highly successful newspapers he established. This success was not only due to his business ability and political knowledge, but even in greater measure to a flair for journalism.

Solid foundation

Although, he had never been a reporter or political correspondent, he was always the best news gatherer of his papers. Though, he rarely put pen to papers, the columnist and the Leader writers were inspired and encouraged by his uncanny gift of reading the public mind.

His interest in Journalism was stimulated by daily reading of the 'London Daily News' then edited by A. G. Gardiner. When he founded a newspaper himself Wijewardene called it the 'Ceylon Daily News'. In the meantime he owned a half share in Sinhalese newspaper called Dinamina published from Norris Road in which Sir Baron Jayatilaka wrote most of the editorials. Wijewardene was a good judge of men and matters. There was an Editor by the name Crowther who Wijewardene had known in England joined him in 1919 as Editor of the Daily News. The partnership of both was happy and fruitful one and helped to form a solid foundation.

Producing seven newspapers and high success in a risky venture would naturally give rise to pride. Pride in achievement is the only joy available to the able man who does not seek public praise or fame. But, Wijewardene's brand of pride hurt nobody despite his success as a press magnate. He was compassionate, kind and sympathetic.

Undoubtedly, Wijewardene was a man of exemplary life, an international intellectual and a man of business with mind of noble thoughts. He was unique in his generation of Freedom fighters because he alone had the vision and foresight to gauge the importance of public formed, led and reflected in a National Press. Indeed he was multi-faceted personality in the whole history of Sri Lanka's Journalism.