Gamini Dissanayake made people's hopes a reality

The veteran politician and UNP stalwart, Gamini Dissanayake, the architect of the accelerated Mahaweli Development scheme passed away 17 years ago. I wish to recall the memory of this pleasing man with whom I had acquainted from my student days, on his 17th death anniversary.

Gamini Dissanayake was a youthful Parliamentarian during my student days in early 1970s. He was an efficient and sincere politician. His youth and handsome features attracted the youth. Like the veteran politician UNP leader Dudley Senanayake, he too had a political road map. Although he was an amateur politician his sense of dedication to the job helped him elevate to great political heights. He had the ability to identify the promising youth who could eventually take over the leadership in their respective fields. He left a legacy of youthful followers dedicated to gentlemanly politics following his political vision. Gamini who left his immortal name in the political arena was an eloquent speaker. His oratory, learning and youthful features won him the people's hearts.

I had the good fortune to assist Gamini Dissanayake during his political career as his one time Coordinating Secretary after completing my higher studies in late 1978. We all worked as a team towards a common goal. He outshone many in the then Opposition through efficiency and skill. This helped him transform into a mature politician in double quick time. In 1979 he was appointed Minister of Lands, Land Development and Mahaweli Development. This was the biggest Ministry in the then government encompassing 28 institutions such as Departments, Corporations and Authorities.

Whatever political critics may say it was to mature him as a future leader that J.R. Jayewardene entrusted him the Ministry of Lands, Irrigation and Power. He telescoped the Mahaweli Development scheme, which was the only alternative to develop Sri Lanka economically, from 30 years to six years. This was the largest development scheme launched in Sri Lanka since Independence.

When the Mahaweli project was launched he hand-picked engineers, engineering firms; officials and his personal staff who would be useful in the country's forward march. His Ministry was linked to the engineering field. Although Gamini was an advocate by profession he handled a Ministry which was associated with engineering technology. As his Coordinating Secretary I had the opportunity to accompany him during his travels. While travelling or at circuit bungalows he made it a point to enrich his knowledge by reading. He used this knowledge on water reservoirs, engineering technology and the building sector to coordinate and liaise with engineers. When the 30-year Mahaweli Development project telescoped into six years was in progress for about two years he said that he had confidence that it could be completed in another four years.

At the time the foundation stone for the Mahaweli Seya was laid in Kotmale in 1983, he showed signs of political leadership. On that occasion President Jayewardene presented Gamini Dissanayake with a biography of India's first Prime Minister, Sri Jawaharlal Nehru as a birthday gift and exclaimed that Gamini could take the mantle of the country's leadership if he followed that path.

The positive feature I see in Gamini Dissanayake was his marvellous ability and strength to complete any work undertaken in a stipulated time. This quality was a fine example to the youth. I recollect the most unfortunate situation he faced in his entire political career in 1988 - the denial of the post of Prime Minister despite receiving the highest majority of preferential votes at the 1989 General Election. Gamini Dissanayake was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber while campaigning as the UNP Presidential candidate at the 1994 Presidential Election.

Although Gamini Dissanayake was in the forefront to build a peaceful Sri Lanka by defeating LTTE terrorism the terrorists themselves thwarted his efforts.

The memory of Gamini Dissanayake will live forever as long as the blue waters of the Mahaweli flow to provide a bountiful harvest for people in all walks of life.

Lakshman Hulugalle