A scholar and politician accepted by all

by S.V.D. Kesarralal GUNASEKERA

Nineteen years ago on the 23rd of April as I sat in the hospital veranda unable to muster enough courage to see the slain body of Lalith Athulathmudali, I had a sad and strange feeling that that was the end of great politics in our nation. Today, as we are challenged by the international community I still feel the loss.

There are only two names that comes to mind who could have saved the nation and the embarrassment that we are compelled to counter, Lakshman Kadirgamar and Lalith Athulathmudali. For our own misfortune, they are no longer with us.

Pragmatic analyst

First and foremost, he would have analysed and understood the reality of the matter.

Lalith Athulathmudali

He had the wisdom that in the arena of world politics, might is right and not the other way around. For example, everyone knows that there are human rights violations in China. But given China's economic might, no one dares challenge it.

In dealing with certain countries this is a fact and he would have explained this even to the Head of State. Sadly, the inability to see the reality and make disciplined steps to redress the situation is dragging us further into the issue.

Acceptance

It was no secret that Mr. Athulathmudali was accepted nationally and internationally. He was educated at Oxford and Harvard Universities. His oratory skills made him shine both as a scholar as well as a politician and statesman. He possessed the lingo of international politics, and with far sightedness, was on par with other players in global political arena.

He was well read and had up-to-date knowledge of almost everything. Given all these, he was accepted by all without a question.

Especially when dealing with other countries, it is imperative that the country presents someone whom others readily accept. People ponder whether it is a misfortune that we lack frontline politicians who have such acceptance. During the time when he held important Cabinet portfolios, he demonstrated that he is both competent and confident. Late President J. R. Jayewardene trusted him to lead many ministries such as Trade and Shipping, Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, Education and Higher Education and National Security.

At the Cabinet, his peers accepted his word and his juniors looked to him with awe. There was a time when people of the calibre of Mr. Athulathmudali were invited by international organisations and UN bodies especially the UNCTAD to address their fora and conventions.

But in the last decade or so, we rarely see any politician being sought after in that manner. Such invitations carry a lot of weight and recognition. But it is sad that Sri Lankan politics has been producing court jesters and not orators in the last few decades.

Dealing with media

Mr. Athulathmudali had both national and international media wanting to grill him. He faced some serious media attention in the 1980s with the same Channel 4 on issue of the LTTE.

The transcripts of that interview which is in my possession, show how professional he was in countering the arguments. Today, the only countering we see is pointing fingers at other nations and saying, they too are violating human rights.

His first principle in dealing with media was to be fully informed. The other was that he was the single voice that represented the country. In the present day context, the inability to have one voice is clearly seen by the conflicting statements being made by many ministers.

Political acumen

It also shows that the ministers are not in agreement with what is happening. Lalith Athulathmudali would have brought the entire Cabinet to comprehend and consent to the proper course of action in this situation.

His professionalism also showed in the way he handled media interviews. He would never antagonize the interviewer. His attempt was always to convince the interviewer and through that the audience.

Lalith Athulathmudali was full of political acumen; word hardly used in today's politics. He used every opportunity to attune himself to what is happening that gave him an advantage of being able to foresee problems. He would have foreseen this situation way before the end of the war and anticipated the repercussions.

He would have even come up with a plan of action following the end of the war which I am certain would have included a dossier to educate all these countries and the Human Rights Council, diplomatic engagement at the highest possible level, mediation with key countries and constant communication.

He would have used the diplomatic channels to the hilt to ensure that our story is heard and understood. What we have not understood is that if we continue to collide with the countries which raise concern, there is no escape.

Know thyself

Lalith Athulathmudali was a politician who knew himself. Today, we see politicians who are unaware of themselves taking seats in the Parliament. Some are well educated in the English language while others believe that because they are members of Parliament they are well informed of everything.

Such misconceptions make some politicians to make arrogant statements. There are so many things which we can learn from Athulathmudali's speeches (which were written by himself) including a clear policy of not insulting anyone.

While it may be entertaining to listen to politicians insulting one another as well as world leaders, it shows a definite lack of respect and class.

Foreign policy and economy

Recently someone asked me 'What is Sri Lanka's foreign policy'? And I was compelled to keep mum , because no one seems to know. Is it absolute stubbornness or arrogance or a mixture of both? Instead of antagonizing them, we need to engage with developed countries as nearly 70 to 80 of our trade is aimed at the USA and Europe.

Are we slowly, but surely making enemies of these countries due to a lack of foreign and economic policy?

End of the war

One question we need to ask ourselves is what have we achieved after the end of the war.

Have we improved our education? Have we become more united? Have we been able to manage our own economy? Are corruption and crime on the decline? Have, media standards dropped to despicable levels? At a time when the President needs all our support to steer this country towards lasting peace, politicians in the calibre of late Lalith Athulathmudali are wanted to heal this wounded nation.

The writer is the Deputy Chairman, Lalith Athulathmudali Foundation.