FDB I knew - a politician of a bygone-era

Nihal De Alwis

The birthday of late Minister of Justice and Finance, Felix Dias Bandaranaike and of my cousin Lukshmi falls on November 6. I had the privilege of working with him as his security as my elder brother was elevated to the post of Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1973.

I was attached to the Intelligence Division of which the Director was late L.D.C. Herath (later I.G. Police) another gentleman par excellence. FDB was a person of high integrity and a dedicated minister who was always focused on national issues and invariably neglected his visits to the electorate and one who never sought cheap popularity.

Prior to his becoming a minister in 1970, in 1960 when I joined the Police and passed out as a probationary sub-inspector, he was the chief guest at the passing out parade as Deputy Minister of Defence to the then Prime Minister – Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Again in 1969, when I was officer in charge of Alawwa Police in most of non summary proceedings connected murders and robberies he appeared on behalf of the accused as retained by late H.L. Premadasa – who was a dynamic lawyer and a person who had leftist views. I received one murder case when the suspects father approached me as the officer in charge of the police station, Alawwa and indicated to me that the late FDB wanted extracts of given statements and my investigating notes prior to his appearance in this particular case. I knew that this client of FDB's was aware of my connections to him and thought it best to make best use of this connection. I declined to give him, having well-known that FDB will never make an unreasonable request from me. But, the case was taken up at the Magistrate's Court, Kurunegala and the prosecution witness was grilled by him at least to get the witness confused and contradict the previous witness. However in the re-examination, I was able to ensure that there was sufficient reliable evidence for the case to be committed to Supreme Courts. He didn't appear to be happy, the way I conducted the case and remarked “A Potty Inspector is trying to be too smart'. I heard it but, pretended to not hear it and he did display some Bandaranaike arrogance.

Cabinet meetings

Later, when I had to serve as his Security Officer, he had forgotten the past and he treated me with great respect and concern. His birthday falls on “Guy Folks” day and strangely the budget was also presented to Parliament by him on the same day.

He was very methodical, systematic and made great preparations for Cabinet meetings. He never trusted anyone where his budget secrets were concerned, not even his wife. I remember in his office at home, using his portable typewriter to type all confidential matters and then went to the extent of discarding the carbon paper himself which he used for extra copies.

His honesty and integrity was clearly displayed when he returned from overseas trips as he always used to insist that I provide him a Custom's Declaration form so that he could declare whatever he had purchased abroad and insisted that I inform the Customs Officer to tax him as per the declaration, although many Customs Officers were reluctant. Such was his standard of honesty and eagerness to maintain a clean reputation.

He had a good sense of humour too and had the ability to laugh at himself and his family. He related to me a story when his father was a judge, an accused who had appeared before the father had great resemblance to his father and the interpreter was requested by him to find from the accused whether his mother had been a domestic in FDB's grandparent's house, but the accused also appeared to be too smart had said “no it was my father”.

National issues

FDB had a great ability to direct various investigations and he was involved in the rounding up of insurgents of 1971 getting assistance of Ian Wickramasinghe the Bribery Commissioner and Director of Public Prosecution. Few of us were also handpicked and there was an incident where a senior Police officer had whilst being in the Prime Minister's security misused his position with certain insurgents my arrest of a person revealed certain irregularities in handling an agent. When contradicted by FDB this same officer had said that he was handling this agent with the permission of the Hon. PM., not realizing that FDB will check with the Hon. PM and this he did in the presence of this senior officer and the Hon. PM denied and FDB proceeded to take prompt action through the IGP.

FDB had a knack for investigations and had a sixth sense and could never be misled. He disliked people who attempted to misdirect him or mislead him.

His neglect of the electorate and getting involved in national issues was the reason for his defeat. I did appraise him of the rumours and various comments made by his voters of Dompe and their families as they felt that they were not getting the required attention in securing employment and solving their problems in the electorate, despite his great compassion he had towards some of them in their times of sadness and other disputes.

Young MPs

I thought it my obligation to keep him informed and that there was a rumour spread that he was not going to contest Dompe as he had taken time off for his eye operation and the opponents used this opportunity to seek the assistance of some Buddhist clergy who had supported him at the earlier elections. But, he had his stubborn ways and he told me “Nihal this is a pocketbrough. I will even win by 5000 votes.” This he said whilst being driven in the car to be heard by his most loyal driver Odiris. I also had the privilege of most of the time acting for his Private Security as his wife Lukshmi was busy at the Public Administration Ministry. Our present President, Mahinda Rajapaksa admired him and sought his advice many a time.

I recall the President who was also known to me as I had been to his ancestral home at Weeraketiya with Chamal who was a schoolmate and later in the Police with me.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and I had a mutual friend in K.D. De Silva who was an old Thomian and a petrol shed owner at Beliatta popularly known as Hinni Mahaththaya and we used to meet at the Inspector's mess quite often. But, KD was brought by President Rajapaksa to see FDB and he explained the problem to me and sought my advice in seeking help from FDB. I did advise him about how he should truthfully present the case in relation to this friend an accused in a fatal accident case. He did as advised and the problem of K.D de Silva was solved.

He used to give a patient hearing to all young MPs including Mahinda Rajapaksa and sorted the problems. He never dodged any issue but resolved them very sensibly and in a very practical way and never lost his temper in such situation. But, he never tolerated anyone trying to mislead him.

His meetings in various departments were always minuted and followed up very well. He was thorough with all matters pertaining to meetings and had an excellent memory. Procrastination was never permitted by him. He could evaluate without delay and action was always speeded up. If department heads failed to take follow up action, he was stern with them and meant 'No Nonsense'. Fortunately, he had very clever and dedicated officers working with him - example: Baku Mahadeva, Prince Siriwardena, George Wijesekara, Gamini Wickramanayake etc. He always ensured that he had a good team to work with and they were hand picked by him.

Character assassination

He never used his position to help his relatives and friends in an unfair manner. In fact, when I decided to leave the Police Department in 1976 due to delay of promotion, I did make a request to him to get my release form the Defence Ministry as I was selected as Chief Investigations Officer, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. He made a request to the IGP to release me to the Trade Ministry but he refused and FDB decided that he should not interfere and refrained from speaking to the Prime Minister on my behalf.

He was prepared to take any challenge and character assassination of him. For eg: film starred by Gamini Fonseka when he acted as 'FDB' making serious insinuation did hurt him. But he, with the defeat as an MP took it in great strides.

He told me that the best he could do was to see the film himself and then take appropriate steps. After viewing the film, he told me he was fascinated in some parts as they were mostly fictious and I too viewed it and agreed with him. Thereafter, when he instituted court action and the result was known by us.

Civic rights

The fact that certain sections of the UNP tried to make certain insinuations was quite evident by accusing him of selling eggs from his farm to the Marketing Department and then made moves to remove his civic rights.

Probably, the leaders of the UNP at that time had an axe to grind with him, as he was always considered an 'Enemy' by them, starting from the time the Coup of 1962.

It was a pity that a politician of his status was not there to guide the SLFP in the later years as he had a great ability to plan a strategy and achieve it knowing that obstacles they may face. He was a man of courage and fortitude whose absence is felt in today's situation. He had the ability to study any situation and assess it, achieve this objective within a time frame.

We as Security Officers used to accompany ministers when they attend the Cabinet meetings and after one such meeting he commented about the 1972 constitution which was in draft by late Dr. Colvin R. De Silva. He made the following remarks "Colvin, there are several loopholes, can we discuss?" to which the late Colvin R de Silva replied "Felix, you and I are lawyers, loopholes must be there for both of us to practice as lawyers." FDB smiled and had a hearty laugh together.

Trouble and worries did not deter FDB from following his religion and he took it with much vigour after his defeat in politics. He obtained a doctorate in divinity and sought solace in the Bible. The following remark of Helen Steins Rice is what he did.

"He died as a true Christian with a perpetual faith where life seems empty and there is no place to go, when your heart is troubled and your spirits are low, where friends seem few and nobody cares. There is always Lord to hear your prayers and whatever you are praying will seen much less. When you go to God and confide and confess, for the burden was seem too heavy to bear. God lifts away on the Wings of Prayer. If we pray for the strength to keep us strong. So, go to our Father when troubles assumes you, for his graces suffice and he will never fail you."

His wife Lukshmi, daughter Christine and those close to him, with close friends stood by him with sincerity during his illness still his last.

Trust that there will be some young politician and lawyer who will emulate him in the years to come.

May he rest in peace!!!