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| Sunday, 23 October 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Fond remembrances of a gentleman politician
With elections due in the near future my mind went back to an incident which took place eleven years ago, when Dr.Gamini Wijesekera lost his life-killed by a terrorist suicide bomber. A good man who laid down his life in the cause of just and fair political standards for his beloved native land. Dr. Gamini was an "idealist". He thought that he could bring in the concept of "gentleman in politics" and to achieve this he worked tirelessly in the pursuit of the high norms and goals that he visualized might help the common man, if the politicians possessed them. He believed in equality, he treated his patient who came from all walks of life with equal care and attention. He never discriminated between the rich and the poor, to him they all possessed human dignity and they all were his friends. He used this same yardstick in his political life also. He treated all his constituents and anyone else who needed assistance with equal attention and concern. He was honest in deed and word; he never violated a trust placed in him that is why the leader of the UNP had no hesitation in appointing him as the General Secretary of the party. This post he held until his untimely death. He was loyal to his leaders and this loyalty was boundless. Perhaps it was prompted by faith in their dedication to true patriotism. He was erudite - even though he was a medical man he did not confine his way of thinking only to science. He possessed a keen mind, he knew what his country needed to develop its economy, so he studied, investigates and balanced each economic issue that arose. He carefully weighed possible solutions to all types of crises before reaching a suitable result. He applied this same tactic to social, educational, cultural, medical and ethnic problems as well. He possessed one quality that few politicians possess today. He had the capability to "Listen"- to listen to the people before formulating theories whose outcome may be detrimental to the welfare of the people of the country. He had a pragmatic approach when he looked out for solutions. His honesty and integrity combined with a sense of rectitude was foremost in all his dealings. When he functioned in the C.T.B as the chairman he acted correctly and rightly and when he could not do so he relinquished his post rather than sacrifice his ideals. He was General Secretary of the E.L.J.P and he served its cause with diligence and fortitude until the party joined the UNP, within the portals of the UNP he continued to work with the same enthusiasm and dedication. When he entered parliament in 1994 it was the culmination of all his efforts to find a suitable position where he could better serve his country. He felt that within parliament he would be in a position of accountability rather than outside and thereby be a force to be reckoned with by all parties and that his "voice" would be heard. Unfortunately his death put an end to all these aspirations - a great man-cut down at the prime of his life. Dr. Gamini's early education at Ananda College and his later years spent at Trinity College exposed him to the high ideals of Christian & Buddhist education. He always sought the haven of the temple and shared with his family the blessings of the Buddhist way of life. However he was tolerant and respectful of all other religions and supported their altruistic causes. His mercurial nature provided him with so much versatility. He enjoyed sports and in the days of his youth he played cricket and later as a spectator he did enjoy watching matches and joining in all the "bon homi" that existed among old boys. He loved his family - he was proud of his father and mother and all his siblings. He delighted in their successes and admired their achievements this delight and admiration went down to the second generation as well. He used to talk so much about his nephews and nieces with so much pleasure. His wife Daisy, his daughter Bavani and son Dumesh were the very core of the existence. He doted on them. He was very appreciative of all the support and devotion he received from his wife who valiantly stood by him throughout his medical and political career. Daisy in her quite and unobtrusive manner provided him with a haven of peace after a hard day's work. He hoped to build a future of peace and prosperity not only for his children but for all the children of this country, it was one of his chief aims. |
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