Love at first sight

Thamara speaks of life with parliamentarian S. B. Dissanayake:

by Lakmal Welabada

Some say his power of speech hypnotises listeners and viewers. His wit and high pitched voice that emanates with his knowledge and experience have helped him break many heaty contentions over two to three decades in Sri Lankan political arena. "He has been like that since I met him in the campus.

His speeches were inspiring. We used to become so impatient when we heard that he was coming to address the Student Council.

He was the President of the Student Council of Vidyodaya (University of Sri Jayawardenapura) since he was in the Second Year for three consecutive years, and the President of the Inter University Students' Council for two years, which has still had such a rare opportunity in the students' unions in the campus," says his best friend and the best critique, Thamara, who begins to recall her campus day love affair with S.B.Dissanayaka.

"Living with a husband who was deprived of his civic rights has never been a problem to me. This is because still when he steps out of the house he gets a "salute from people'. Still many people call him 'Amathithuma' (Minister). His vehicle is given priority wherever he goes. S.B. has worked for the people. He is a people's man," smiles Thamara.

At present S.B. has no official titles in politics. Hence, after many years the Dissanayaka couple is enjoying a break in life, at their newly built residence at Battaramulla and in their elegant country home at Hanguranketha in a farm plant-nurseries where lovely roses, lilies and green vegetables grow, and herds of cattle enjoy the green grass and the freshness of open land.

But, still one thing draws him to politics; that is the general public who flock around him wherever he goes as well as his sheer determination. A bit about the past and present of this conspicuous figure, S. B. Disssanayake.

"I was at the Fine Arts College, Colombo. S.B. is two years senior to us and was doing a Degree in Public Administration at the Sri Jayewardenepura Campus. Being the students' Union leader he fought for the rights of the campus students. He was one of the pioneers who fought to promote the Fine Arts College to what it is today, a University.

And we were the first batch to get the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree affiliated to the University of Kelaniya. I'm happy to hear that today it is operated as a separate body as the University of Visual and Performing Arts," says Thamara.

"Everybody liked him, even the female students. His personality and wit made him a great man. I was the Secretary of the dancing section of the College. So we used to move a lot together, but never had any close relationship as such, as we were very much engrossed in the work of the unions," Thamara says.

"That was not true as I already had a crush on her since I first saw her. She was a beauty," butts in S.B. and Thamara begins to blush. "Since I was a Union Leader, it was not accepted to 'carry on' with another student. So had to keep it under cover," he laughs.

However, it was a matter of being patient for a few years and I got her finally. Thamara Abeysiridara Samarakoon was born on March 6, 1953 to a landed proprietor, Don Davit Abeysiridara Samarakoon and Somawathie Darlina, a school Principal who lived in Ratmale, Matara. Thamara was the third in the family of five.

After completing her studies at Vijitha Central College, Dikwella, Thamara entered the Fine Arts College in 1969. "Since my cousin brother, R. K. W. Ratnayaka and other relatives had been very much into politics with Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe of the Communist Party, we had been quite familiar with politics since we were young.

That provoked me also to get involved in the Students' Union in the campus," she recalls.

"My first appointment as a dancing teacher was to Morawaka Maha Vidyalaya. But within a short period I was able to get a transfer to Matara town and stayed at Ratnayaka Aiya's place," recalls Thamara.

Meanwhile, S.B. got his first appointment as the General Manager of the Land Reforms Corporation at Kamburupitiya. He was looking for a place to stay. He had known Ratnayaka since he was also following a diploma course at the Jayawardenapura University. But S.B. was unaware that Ratnayaka was Thamara's cousin.

One day S.B. visited Ratnayaka at Matara. After a brief discussion Ratnayake and his wife agreed to provide food and lodging to S.B. at their house. It was a big relief, S.B. sighed. He was excited at the idea "My! what are you doing here?" he almost stood from his chair when Thamara walked into the sitting room. "I'm here too," she laughed.

Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sumanaweera Banda Dissanayake was born on September 18, 1951 at Hanguranketha. His father, Ukkubanda Dissanayaka was a school Principal and his mother was Grace Prema Panditharatne. S.B. was the second in a family of four boys and two girls. S.B. was a popular guy even when he was at Poramadulla Central College. His wit and sport skills had always won him fame.

After S.B. went to stay at Ratnayaka's place, he saw much of Thamara thereafter. He was a free man in love with a beautiful girl with plenty of time to pledge his love to her.

Every minute seemed precious to them. When he visited the Fine Arts College. S.B. and Thamara got married on October 4, 1979.

Two years before they tied the knot S.B. contested the Hanguranketha seat for the Communist Party, but lost. S.B. began to work at Marga Institute, Colombo where he was able to work for the poorest of poor in the remote villages.

His research work revealed the problems faced by the poverty stricken people of Sri Lanka due to malpractice and irregularies of government authorities. This turned into a bad spell for him. It was the period of insurgency in 1989.

S.B. was on his mo-bike on the way back home, when he was taken into custody. By then S.B. and Thamara were parents of their two sons Narada and Tharaka. "We got really scared. It was a very bad period. People who were taken to the police rarely came back. However he came out within 3 months," she recalls.

S.B. is a clever ping-pong ball who stood tall when he was pressed down. He became a Member of Parliament in 1989 on SLFP ticket. Since things were easier S.B. was the Minister of Samurdhi, Youth Affairs and Sports. In 1999 he was the Samurdhi, Sports and Up-country Rural Development Minister.

He was the Minister of Samurdhi and Agriculture in 2002. But on December 7, 2005, S.B. was sent for a two-year jail term for contempt of Court. S.B. has been known as a man of bravery. But, sometimes it doesn't work that way. A slip of a word changed his life. "But it was all temporary. He never fell as such," smiles Thamara. "We launched a Walk from Hanguranketha to Colombo.

And then proceeded with a hunger strike. He was released during our hunger strike," she reminisces. I (the writer) could recall how she worshipped her hubby after offering a sheaf of Beetle just as S.B. came out of Prison. "Ammi, has been beside with me through out. Can't do anything without her help. She is my life, private secretary and friend," said S.B.

Question: Once there was a turmoil against S.B. over an issue of a female figure in the sports field. This was given much publicity by some private media. How did you face this situation?

Thamara: It was terrible as I had been with S.B. through out where ever he went. I still couldn't imagine how people could manipulate things.

It was hard as I was worried about the reputation of our sons who were teenagers, and also of S.B. I blame S.B. for that as he was a person who would do things for any one and go out of his way to help others, even for his electorate and the young Olympic team of Sri Lanka he formed. He treated these sports team, as of his own children. But that was how they showed their gratitude. So I knew my husband, and we let the rumour die a natural death, she (laughs).

Question: How do you see him as your husband and the father of your sons?

Thamara: 'Appachchi' is a good man (she calls S.B. by 'Appachchi'). He is a very friendly person, even with the two boys. I couldn't stay a day without talking to him.

He is very impatient, and sometimes temperamental. He reads a lot. Even when he is travelling he reads. That's why he is versatile in any subject.

Question: Would you mind if your two sons step into politics?

Thamara: Narada got married recently. They are in Australia. And Tharaka is in the aviation field and at presently studying in Florida. Hmmm.... we don't know whether they would want to get involved in politics or not. That's their wish.

Question: S.B. lost his Civic rights. What's going on now?

Thamara: We are waiting for the verdict from the Human Rights Courts in Geneva. However, he would get his Civic rights automatically by 2010. Question: It was Mrs.Chandrika Kumaratunga who did that. But, you had once worked for her as her Private Secretary?

Thamara: Yes, when she became the Chief Minister of the Western Province I had a good rapport with her though things were topsy-tervy.

Question: S.B. is still attached to the UNP. If he gets a good offer would he agree to join the Government?

Thamara: He has been already asked. But he has said 'No'... S.B. is not just a politician, but a 'people's man'. He works for the people. The country needs the guidance of such people. His strength is wasted. But he lives on with his own policies.

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