D. A. Rajapaksa, a politician who led by example

By Rev. Sarath Hettiarachchi

Some present day politicians display inborn talent and skill. Professors, lecturers, Attorneys-at-law and graduates, artistes and entrepreneurs are representing the masses as Members of Parliament. On the Government side and the Opposition a large number of members are recognised intellectuals. Such great men and women of Sri Lanka hold responsible positions in local authorities too.

If this human resource were to be properly managed and they were to extend their cooperation to the President, it would make this country the wonder of the world or at least of Asia. But the sad fact is that this virtue is hard to come across. Most of our elites have forgotten the fact that ‘example is more valuable than advice'.

Practical man

We are discussing today about a great personality who had lived as an exemplary politician in the annals of our country's history. He is none other than late D.A. Rajapaksa whose name will be remembered in this country for a long time. Being a person who did not want to show-off he was a practical man who engaged in agriculture on and off the field.

Therefore, he was able to recognise the rhythm and heartbeat of the peasants. In a way, he really came to represent the masses in the State Council directly from the paddy fields of Ruhuna.

He rendered yeoman service for the improvement of livelihood of the farmers engaged in agriculture thereby endeavouring to make Ruhuna self-sufficient in agriculture. Many food crops such as paddy, gingelly, meneri, ragi, corn, jak, bread fruit, mangoes and drumsticks were found all over the place.

Late D.A. Rajapaksa was aware that the lot of the ordinary farmers could be raised by encouraging and giving assistance to them.

Today, most of our politicians who wish to uplift the living standards of the poor, resort to demonstrations and protest marches in major cities such as Colombo.

They organise demonstrations in front of Colombo Fort Railway Station or Lipton circus. The media personnel cover such demonstrations and at the end of the day the demonstrators just go back to their homes carrying the placards with them.

Downtrodden

There are Non Governmental Organisations, national and international, which even sponsor and assist such protest campaigns with ulterior motives. However, there was no force to silence the voice of the Lion from Ruhuna as he was representing the real and practical issues of the downtrodden peasantry in his day. He was really a 'voice for the voiceless'.

The example, he had given to those politicians who try to feed themselves on the misery of the poor masses would not be erased from the mind of the people of this country, till eternity.

Having spent the last cent he inherited from his parents on the welfare of the poor masses, the late D.A. Rajapaksa was taken to hospital in a motor car belonging to a neighbour when he fell seriously ill just before his sad demise.

Although there was no strict divisions based on caste and creed in this country at the time, compared with the society in India, some sections of society were, however, alienated on various grounds.

There was a superior class in society comprising of wealthy and powerful people. Some took it for granted that those from the lowest rungs of society had to be at the beck and call of such superiors. These innocent people were at the mercy of the powerful and wealthy lords of society.

It is sad that such innocent people did not have the fundamental freedom of covering the upper parts of their bodies when confronted with the so-called lords. There was nobody even to talk of such injustice caused to these sections of the society. The Rajapaksa generation was in the forefront of the battle against such elements.

Fearless

They were the pioneers in completely changing this situation. The lions of Girivapattuwa took the lead in completely transforming society for the better. They did not fear anybody and late D.A. Rajapaksa was one among such brave and fearless leaders of Ruhunu.

D.A. Rajapaksa was elected uncontested as MP for Hambantota since 1954. D.A. Rajapaksa who held different posts until 1964 served as Deputy Chairman of Parliamentary Committee from 1960 to 1964.

In 1964, he served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees. In a country where some politicians are engaged in earning money for generations, he spent the money he earned on people-oriented politics.

Born as a villager and brought up among villagers, he spoken in Sinhala and ate food such as jak, bread, kurahan, roots and sweet potatoes and he was a true leader who followed a Buddhist way of life.

Revolutionist

His main objective was to improve the living standards of the people of Ruhuna who were oppressed due to the non-availability of infrastructure facilities. He was a true revolutionist who continuously fought against the Kachcheri system and Mudliyars. Today, his dream has come true.

His beloved son, the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa has made his late father's dream come true. Today, a large number of development projects have been launched for the people of Ruhuna as never before.

A large number of projects including the Hambantota harbour and Mattala Port have been vested with the people. More projects are in the process of being completed. Infrastructure facilities and employment opportunities are vigorously increasing.

The grateful people of Ruhuna will never forget this Lion of Ruhuna. When he passed away, white flags came up in every corner of the entire Ruhuna. The people wept and cried. The poor people who could not afford to buy a piece of white cloth went to the extent of putting up their white sarong or a white saree as a flag because they loved late D.A. Rajapaksa from the bottom of their hearts.

Diyasena Kumaraya

True freedom dawned on our country through the heroic character of Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was he who brought an end to the three decades of terrorism that prevailed in the country. We are aware that several leaders who ruled our country earlier made attempts to end terrorism. All the attempts failed because of the barbarian methods of fighting adopted by the LTTE.

They attacked innocent Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people. The LTTE was backed by international conspirators. They helped terrorists with weapons, other materials and cash. A saviour (Diyasena Kumaraya) came to us, Sri Lankans, to save the country overcoming all obstacles.

Most of the people brand him as a 'leader with a backbone'. Mahinda Rajapaksa did not fear international conspirators.

He provided an opportunity for the people of this country to enjoy sustainable peace by fighting with anti-government elements to regain independence for our motherland despite the threats to his life, obstacles and his own freedom.

Today, large-scale development can be seen in the North and in the South. A development trend never seen before can be seen in ports, fisheries harbours, airport, expressways, industries, agriculture and technology. The Yal Devi train which was exploded by the terrorists some time ago is now running to Jaffna strengthening the North-South relationship.

At a time we celebrate the 47th commemoration of late D. A. Rajapaksa we pay homage to the social and political service rendered by him. We are grateful to him as he has produced a great leader who rescued our country. We wish a happy future for the President who rules the country according to the examples set by his father and the Government and the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher people of this country.