‘Dharmasiri Senanayake played key role in establishing UPFA govt’

Ariya RUBASINGHE

Today marks the 12th death anniversary of former Minister and SLFP General Secretary Dharmasiri Senanayake

Dharmasiri Senanayake played a prominent role in bringing down the 17 year UNP rule and establishing a democratic socialist oriented government in 1994 in his capacity as the General Secretary of the SLFP. His residence at Borella was the meeting place for many discussions held in this regard.

When Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga gained power in 1994, Dharmasiri Senanayake was appointed Minister of Media, Tourism, Civil Aviation and Telecommunications.

He accepted this position with a sense of humility. Dharmasiri Senanayake, who was well read and highly knowledgeable, had a very good memory and a sense of humour.

An honours graduate in economics from the Peradeniya University, he once functioned as a lecturer attached to the Vidyodaya University following the footsteps of his late brother. He studied the law and became an advocate and later entered politics.

As the Media Minister, he was an endearing personality for the members of the media.

He was friendly and accessible to the media and tolerated the agitations and protests made by certain journalists by giving them a wide birth.As a Cabinet minister, he acted with dignity and dedication by maintaining Cabinet responsibility even at times when certain Cabinet decisions were taken against his wishes.

The International Hotel School project which has today come into fruition is his brainchild. He had many grandiose plans for the progress and welfare of the media sector.

He had plans to free Lake House from state control and broad-base it under a new management and introduce a pension scheme for journalists, but he was unable to implement them due to his untimely death.

Had he been living today, he would have been greatly overjoyed by great development activities underway through the country including his own Dedigama electorate and the adjoining areas under the tenure of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who he foresaw as the country’s future leader as far back as 1997.