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| Sunday, 17 April 2005 |
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Eighty Ninth Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister Sirimavo R. D. Bandaranaike : Mrs B laboured to uplift indigenous medicine by W. J. M. Lokubandara, The Speaker, Parliament of Sri Lanka
The name of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who was born on 17th April, 1916 at Mahawalathenna Walauwa, Pussaliyadda, Bulugahagedara, Balangoda in the Ratnapura District is a name which in internationally acclaimed. She was the loving daughter of former Senator, Barnes 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 if refers to Mrs. Bandaranaike. That was the image she had created among us. I take great pleasure in issuing a message of felicitation on the 89th birth anniversary of such an extraordinary mother of our nation. Having been born in a remote area of an innocent and rustic populace, she received her primary education at the Fergusion Girl's High School in Ratnapura and secondary education at St. Bridget's Convent, in Colombo. Following her marriage with Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, who was the then Minister of Local Government and Health in the United National Party, she came to reside the Horagolla Walauwa on October 10, 1940. Mr. Bandaranaike founded the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1951 and with a resounding victory was elected as the Prime Minister in the 1956 General Election. After his death in 1959 at the hand of an assassin, this prestigious national leader achieved the zenith of her political career through sheer perseverance and dedication. Being fortunate to become the World's First Woman Prime Minister on 21st July 1960, she steered the progressive socialistic policies pioneered by her late husband. She was the Leader of the Opposition during the period 1965-70. She became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka twice between the periods of 1970-1977 and 1994-2000. In 1941 she became a member of the Mahila Samithi Movement and held the office of its Chief Treasurer too in 1946. Deriving a great deal of satisfaction by working with rural women in the Mahila Samithis, she trained herself to be a skilful orator. In 1959 Mrs. Bandaranaike became the President of Lanka Mahila Samithiya after Dr. Mary Ratnam. We should appreciate the way she cherished the great heritages of a Sinhala Buddhist mother throughout her life. She brought fame to the entire womenfolk of Sri Lanka. It is with great pleasure I mention here that 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 to 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, delivered a moving speech for the last time in Parliament on 16th November 1995. With a broken voice she referred to the conduct of MPs in Parliament bemoaning the very sad deterioration of decorum and decency in the House. My admiration of that speech made by our Prime Minister giving expression to the feelings she had kept in her heart was so great that as the present Speaker I took steps to quote and publish that speech in newspapers. When I was the Minister of Indigenous Medicines, I received special instructions from her which I recall even today with such happiness. She used to teach me about the indigenous herbal gardens and Ayurvedic physicians of the Mahawalathenna Walauwa, like a mother teaching her child. Her great love for the protection of all that is indigenous was amply demonstrated when she explained to me how very rare herbs should be preserved. When I consider the manner in which Mrs. Bandaranaike laboured herself for the uplift of indigenous medicine and crafts. I can truly call her the model to be followed by anyone who cherishes things of one's own. |
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