Twelfth death anniversary today:

Sirimavo Bandaranaike, a far-sighted leader

Miran Perera

The 12th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike falls today, October 10. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who was born on April 17, 1916 at Mahawala Thenna Walauwa Pussaliyadda Bulugahagedara Balangoda in the Ratnapura District, bears a name which is internationally acclaimed. She was the loving daughter of former Senator Barns Ratwatte Disave and Mrs. R.M.K. Kumarihami, a reputed Ayurvedic physician.

The Sinhala term Methiniya was a household word, so much so, that even a child of the country by the mere mention of that word would know that it refers to Mrs. Bandaranaike. That was the image she had created among us. Having been born in a remote area of an innocent and rustic populace she received her primary education at Ferguson Girls' High School in Ratnapura and secondary education at St. Bridget's Convent in Colombo.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike

Following her marriage to S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who was the then Minister of Local Government and Health in the United National Party, she came to reside at Horagolla Walauwa on October 10, 1940.

Mr. Bandaranaike later became Prime Minister in April 1956, eight years after independence. But his government was racked by infighting and lacked direction. She seemed contended in a role as mother and retiring wife. Mrs. Bandaranaike attributed her success to the people's love and respect for her late husband and urged her supporters to practise simple living, decorum and dignity. Mrs. Bandaranaike only entered politics after her husband was shot by an extremist at their home on September 25,1959.

First woman Prime Minister

In 1960, when Mrs. Bandaranaike became the world's first woman Prime Minister, everyone nationally and internationally was struck by the fact that the world's first woman Prime Minister should emerge from this small island nation, an Asian country where at that time, women were expected to stay in the background and not enter public life. That is why when Mrs. Bandaranaike became Prime Minister, her critics raised their collective eye brows remarking that she had emerged from domesticity to public life.

But this was quite wrong. She was the President of the Lanka Mahila Samithi, which did a lot for the uplift of rural women. When her husband S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was canvassing support for the newly formed SLFP, it was left to Mrs. Bandaranaike to canvass support in the Attanagalla electorate, which was then much larger than it is today.

As for Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike who died on October 10, 2000, we grieve for a lost generation which lived better than us and for the values, the wisdom and the graces which were buried with the mighty to leave us bereft and anxious about the destiny of our nation.

Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was mightier than most, born gracious to an ancient tradition which gave her wisdom. She followed the Buddha to tread the right path to bliss.

She moved with us, as she moved with them, reconciling us little folks' contending interests as she did the contentions of vast groups of mankind in India, China and even in the Middle East.

SLFP loyalists

After her husband's assassination, when a group of strong SLFP loyalists appealed to her to head the party, it took a lot of mental strength to take a decision to give her undisputed leadership to the party which she held for over 40 years. When C.P. de Silva contested and lost, it was left to Mrs. Bandaranaike to take on the mantle of leadership. Being fortunate to become the World's First Lady Prime Minister on July 21,1960 she steered the progressive socialistic policies pioneered by her late husband. She was the Leader of the Opposition during the period 1965-1970. She became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka twice in the period 1970-1977 and 1994-2000, apart from her tenure in 1960.

Youth uprising

Mrs. Bandaranaike's well balanced experience, far -sighted vision and courage was appreciated and respected by the people of Sri Lanka on many an occasion, such as, the taking over of all denominational schools under government control, nationalization of oil companies and life insurance companies, repatriation of illegal Tamil immigrants to India under the Sirima - Shasthri agreement initiated in 1963, obtaining the ownership of the kachchativu island for Sri Lanka in July 1974, extending the boundaries of Sri Lankan territorial waters, and the nationalization of tea, rubber and coconut estates owned by foreign companies.

Mrs. Bandaranaike had grace and dignity which prevailed even at international level and was part of a reason for her success across the world.

She defied an arrogant West successfully, leading the Non-aligned Movement when the world was facing extinction before the bitter unreasoning rivalry of the major nuclear powers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Leaders of the calibre of Chou en Lai, Nasser, Tito and Nehru respected this leader from such a little country as ours because they saw her as an equal internationally but superior as an individual to their rivals.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a far-sighted leader. She was a gifted politician. She created something from nothing. She brought tangible results to the country with political acumen. She was a compassionate leader who understood the problems faced by the poor masses. Though she didn't have university degrees she was capable of bringing the smartest politicians to the table.

Political giants like Dr. N.M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, Pieter Keuneman and Leslie Gunawardene were some of the politicians who served her government. It is an amazing story: a testimonial to her intelligence and leadership.

She was subjected to severe criticism personally and politically by her opponents. With a smile she faced all the challenges such as the conspiracy to overthrow her government in 1962, youth uprising in 1971, withdrawal of her civic rights in 1980.

Closure of the SLFP headquarters and physical threats by a group of political thugs - she was not intimated a bit by these events.

She gained more popularity for her brave, consistent approach to overcome all her difficulties. As a practising Buddhist she believed in the noble Middle Path delivered by the Buddha. She lived by the Dhamma, law and justice. One who lives by the Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma itself according to Buddhism.

She saw with her eyes how her opponents left this world prematurely. She was protected by natural forces. Among her greatest contributions is the adoption of a new constitution, making Sri Lanka a republic in 1972, nationalization of foreign owned estates and placing limits to 50 acres by the Land Reform Commission. She was a great leader of Sri Lanka who made a name on behalf of all citizens of Sri Lanka, prominently to be reckoned with in the international arena.