Historical Memorandum of Understanding:

A gateway to peace and harmony

By S. D. Bandaranaike

Late S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike as the Leader of the Sinhala Maha Sabha gave his fullest co-operation and actively supported the late D. S. Senanayake to form the United National Party in order to strengthen the struggle for national freedom and to ensure the establishment of a democratic form of government consequent to gaining independence. The entire country enjoyed the full benefits of this action.

However, due to the political trend that evolved subsequently, a form of "Divide and Rule" based on the Westminster system which was introduced to meet the needs of the British Empire came into being. This led to the establishment of an Opposition that opposed whatever action the Government in power took even those that were beneficial to the country, giving rise to a tragic situation.

The Memorandum of Understanding recently signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, should be hailed as a momentous event that would create a new political culture altering the prevailing disastrous situation and creating a better tomorrow for the future generations.

This brings back to my mind an event that occurred three decades ago. In the year 1982, I as a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party stressed the necessity of the two main political parties joining hands in the interest of national unity but under the then prevailing political environment most of the people failed to grasp the gravity of my suggestion. As a consequence, I was expelled from my party and a recommendation was made to deprive me of the Gampaha seat I held. I could have gone to the Supreme Court to challenge this decision but I opted to seek redress from a Special Committee appointed by Parliament under Standing Orders. A Parliamentary Special Committee was duly appointed under the late Lalith Athulathmudali, the then Minister of Trade before whom I was represented by Dunstan de Alwis P. C.. Subsequently my appeal was upheld and all my rights were restored to me by the Report of the Special Committee submitted on June 8, 1983. This saved me a great deal of trouble and afforded me an opportunity to invite the then Ministers Ranil Wickremesinghe and Lalith Athulathmudali to a meeting held at Kehelwatugoda in Yakkala.

In 1956, when our Party Leader, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike led the silent revolt of the five-fold forces of the Buddhist Monks, Physicians, Teachers, Farmers and the Workers, I was offered a portfolio in his Cabinet. Before accepting the portfolio I wanted to find out from S. W. R. D Bandaranaike what was his Government's stand on two categorical policy matters, i.e., whether he would take action to replace the Westminster system of Administration of "Divide and Rule" with one more appropriate to our aspirations and whether he would create a situation that affords opportunities for the Sinhala only educated children of the vast majority of the poor to advance to higher positions in the Administration of the Country. As I felt that the Prime Minister could not give a satisfactory reply, I declined to accept any portfolio.

All political parties and peace-loving citizens of Sri Lanka should welcome with both hands the valiant effort taken by the President in the face of challenging risks to come to this courageous decision and extend their whole-hearted support in one voice to both the President and the Leader of the Opposition to implement this decision forthwith. Sri Lankan political history is strewn with many a pact signed but not seen the daylight. As a person who for over a period of more than fifty years had been raising a solitary voice in the wilderness for national unity, I welcome this momentous decision which will and shall become a gateway to national unity and sustainable peace. I offer my respectful and sincere thanks to both Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka and Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition.

Let us tread along this path with firm determination to seek national unity, peace and prosperity for our Motherland notwithstanding race, caste, creed or political colour. May all peace-loving patriots have the strength and the courage to make it a reality.

It is also a paramount obligation on the part of the International Community to support this Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the successful implementation of the four points stipulated therein.

May this MoU be the key to open the gateway to build a beautiful country full of hopes and equality for all.

(The writer is a former member of Parliament for Gampaha)