Jayantha de Silva - common man’s politico

by Ananda Kannangara

“Priority will be given to uplift the education standards of street children and the living conditions of a large number of poor families living in shanties as well as in state-owned buildings will be my prime objective after becoming a parliamentarian” Jayantha de Silva.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer, founder of the Pragna Pradeepa educational concept and Western Provincial Councillor, Jayantha de Silva recalled his political career which began at the age of 21 and his service, the value of which could only estimated by the recipients whose social status, caste, religion or the political party, the least concern of his.

“My immediate objective is to become a member of Parliament from the Borella electorate, to fulfil the needs of poor children not only in the city of Colombo but also in the suburbs.

Unlike others, Jayantha de Silva visits houses in Maradana, Kuppiyawatta, Borella and Pettah areas with his assistants every evening to look into their necessities.

“Whenever, I am informed of a funeral, I visit the house or send one of assistants to find out their requirements, especially financial, if that may be on several occasions he takes charge of all the funeral expenses even to purchase a coffin. Apart from this, he has also started a program known as `Gal Sarana,’ to provide bullock carts and hand carts to those in need, in the area.“The objective of this program is to encourage them to start self-employment projects like the sale of vegetables, fish, fruits and king coconut and also to transport goods from places.

When people are aimless they tend to resort to unlawful activities to earn quick money but if help and guidance are provided, they will keep themselves occupied in meaningful activities, he reasoned.Commenting on the current political situation in the country, he said that at a time when peaceful atmosphere prevails in the country, new large-scale employment generating projects are needed.

While thanking the Government for the construction of a highway network, he also recalled the massive employment projects, introduced by the then UNP Governments, the garment industry, Free Trade Zones and the television industry, which resulted in the generation of thousands of jobs for the jobless.

He said the time has come to start many more large-scale employment projects in the country, in order to bring down the rate of unemployment.The UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe has the motivation and strength to generate new employment avenues, with help from foreign investors.Educated at Ananda College, Colombo, Jayantha de Silva took part in several social activities during his school days and that experience had helped him to move into active politics.

He said he started the Pragna Pradeepa Educational Equipment Distribution program 20 years ago had spent over Rs.7.5 million every year being the cost to purchase school books and stationery materials.

With the current peaceful atmosphere right throughout the country he is encouraged to undertake free school books distribution programs in the North and the East in the future.

Last year, apart from various social activities, Jayantha de Silva also started an annual school book and educational equipment distribution program for children who are living with their mothers at the Welikada prison.

I wish to expand this program to all other Prisons in the country, after I enter the legislative next month, he said in earnest.

His name, Jayantha de Silva will also go into the history books as the first Sri Lankan to launch a school book distribution program in a remote village in Tamil Nadu, South India last year. He admitted that he had spent over Rs.five lakhs on this project and that he expects to do so again as an annual event from next year.His next agenda is to commence a foreign scholarship program for the underprivileged children and also an employment training program for school leavers, granting financial assistance to sports clubs in the Borella area and in the outstations.

In recognition to his service to the community he was presented with the ‘Man of the Era’ award by the Sarvodaya Movement, the Desha Shakthi title by the Sri Lanka Social Welfare Peace Foundation and the Kciko Muragahaki award by the Government of Sri Lanka few years ago.