Twenty fifth death anniversary of former Deputy Minister Somaratne Senarath falls today:

A Man of the masses

Somaratne Senarath

An article to mark the 25th death anniversary of Somaratne Senarath former MP for Ampara and Deputy Minister of Irrigation, Power and Highways, which falls today (March 30)

Seelaratne Senarath

The advent of certain people's representatives who entered the Sri Lankan political field in the 1960 decade was most colourful and exemplary.

They had no access to thuggery, family power or black money to throw about according to their whim and fancy which are the factors leading certain groups to enter politic nowadays.

Although their lives were not endowed with a traditional political heritage they commanded people's confidence in very large measure.

They had identified the hopes and aspirations of helpless sections of the community subjected to social injustice like themselves.

The political field during that period was filled with noble qualities due to these disciplined and principled men who entered politics from among the masses themselves.

Mad chase for preferential votes (manapa poraya) or personal bickering was not created in the political battlefield at that time, because politics was not a money making business then.

Among the handful of such politicians who could set an example to present day politicians, the pilot of the development of the people of Digamadulla, the late Somaratne Senarath occupied an unassailable position.

The coincidence of the 25th death anniversary commemoration of Somaratne Senarath who rendered a noble service to the people of not only Ampara but also Digamadulla by representing them as the SLFP Member of Parliament for nearly 13 years with the 7th Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition which has poised the entire Ampara district for accelerated development can be described as a mark of gratitude for his colossal service.

Born in Palapatha, Beliatta in southern Sri Lanka the youthful Somaratne Senarath who came to Ampara as a professional attached to the Galoya Development Scheme became the Member of Parliament representing the people of Ampara in a matter of three years.

The character Somaratne Senarath became very popular in Ampara because he took the forefront regarding worker rights of employees attached to the Gal Oya Development Board. Imprisonment was the reward he earned for the services he rendered towards the people of Ampara during the 1958 communal riots.

However, no one was able to obstruct the people friendly programme of this strange man who went to jail on behalf of the people of Digamadulla.

Thousands of people settled in the Gal Oya Colonization scheme started by late Prime Minister D S Senanayake had to encounter various problems and difficulties. Since Somaratne Senarath studied those problems and found solutions to them he was endeared to the people of Digamadulla for the great services rendered.

He was an expert in turning the tide of people with a clear understanding of the people's mindset.

Somaratne Senarath who was an opposition member of Parliament in 1965 registered a convincing victory at the 1970 General Election. Appointed Deputy Minister of Irrigation, Power and Highways in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government of 1970-1977 he rendered a great service for the Development of Highways, Irrigation and Power sectors.

Since one could not travel from Bintenna Pattuwa to small towns such as Maha Oya and Padiyathalawa by even bullock cart leave alone by foot he built roads to help overcome the problem encountered by farmers in marketing their products.

Rehabilitation of Namal Oya Irrigation network, building of roads and Raja wewa and Karagowa wewa are some of the services he rendered for the benefit of the farmers in Ampara.

Somaratne Senarath who closed down two taverns built for the labourers of the Gal Oya scheme built two schools - Gamini Vidyalaya and Mihindupura Vidyalaya on those two plots of land.

Ampara Bandaranaike Balika Vidyalaya and Saddhatissa Maha Vidyalaya were also built by him.

As chairman of the Deeghavapi Cetiya Development Committee he cleared the title of lands belonging to the Deeghavapi temple and pioneered the settlement of Sinhalese on land surrounding the temple.

I have personal experience regarding the people friendly programme of Somaratne Senarath.

As Principal of the Ampara Siyambalawewa Vidyalaya in the 1970s I met Somaratne Senarath who was the MP for the area to get certain problems and shortcomings in the school attended to. That meeting transformed into a longterm mutual friendship between the two of us.

Somaratne Senarath was a fearless man who was highly principled and straight forward in his talk. Waste and corruption was never seen in his political life. He was an active politician. He made it a point to be with his people in Ampara almost every day except on days on which Parliament was in session.

He treated everyone in a friendly manner. He was a pleasant man for his associates. He appointed me as one of his regional representatives. He appointed me as a Director of the Weeragoda MPCS and entrusted me with several youth political projects in the area.

He made use of my knowledge of Tamil to clearly identify the problems of the Tamil Community. The two us constantly toured the Ampara and surrounding area together. Before long this, affable man became very popular among the people in Batticaloa, Kalkudah, Padirippu, Kalmunai and Chavalakade areas.

His oratorical skills and programme of action was loved by not only Sinhalese but also the Tamil and Muslim communities.

Among the great orators whom he invited for political activities in Digamadulla and Ampara were incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Lakshman Rajapaksa.

It is undisputed that it was late Somaratne Senarath who pioneered the extension of SLFP activities to areas such as Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, Kalmunai and Batticaloa.

Somaratne Senarath wanted to build a successor to carry forward his political agenda in the region after him. Accordingly, I took Tissa Thewarapperuma, a youth activists in Ampara to meet him.

A man with deep foresight Somaratne Senarath introduced him into politics. Subsequently, Tissa Thewarapperuma was elected as a Member of Parliament for Digamadulla. The honour of introducing H M Weerasinghe into politics also goes to Somaratne Senarath.

Somaratne Senarath did not use politics for personal aggrandisement.

As crown land was abundant in the Ampara electorate he distributed them among the farmers in the area without taking an inch of land for himself. The only property to call his own was the property in Pelapotha, Beliatta bequeathed to him by his parents.

The activities of such honourable and disciplined men should be disclosed for the benefit of the present generation.

The Rambaken Oya reservoir project in Maha Oya was launched in 1976 under his initiative.

Today Ampara has been transformed into a developed city. But the honour of laying the foundation for it during difficult times should go to Somaratne Senarath.

Although the present generation living in Digamadulla have not experienced the good work of this man who departed 25 years ago the name of Somaratne Senarath could not be erased from Ampara.

It was Somaratne Senarath who ushered in development to the Ampara district which is showcasing the 7th Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition today.

He leaves his wife Mrs Nirmala Somaratne and daughter Nelum.

A pinkama in his memory will be held at his residence at Sunethradevi Mawatha, Kohuwala today.

May Somaratne Senarath who was the staunch SLFP leader in the Ampara District attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.