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| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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D. A. Rajapaksa: "Lion of Ruhuna" : Left elitist education at Richmond to work alongside farmers by K. Balapatabendi PC
The struggle of the people of Ruhuna against British colonial rule, foreign domination and the local bourgeoisie prior to independence and their struggle for development and free and just society in the period after independence is associated with the Rajapaksas of the Hambantota district. In the run-up to independence, DM Rajapaksa was the undisputed leader of Ruhuna. His younger brother DA Rajapaksa was his lieutenant: and after the sudden demise of DM, he took on the responsibility of continuing the struggle against oppression and bringing it to a successful completion. DA Rajapaksa who was also destined to be the father of a future Prime Minister was elected uncontested to the State Council from the Hambantota constituency in 1945. He was re-elected to Parliament at the next election and when the late SWRD Bandaranaike quit the UNP and crossed the floor of the House to join the opposition, DM Rajapaksa followed him across the floor. He was one of the few candidates to win the parliamentary election in the 1952 general election, contesting under the newly formed SLFP led by Mr. Bandaranaike soon after the party was formed. From 1947 to 1965 DA Rajapaksa continued to be elected to parliament from the Beliatta constituency whose people looked up to him as the 'father of the people of Giruwa Pattuwa'. Today the people of Ruhuna remember him fondly as a 'Lion of Ruhuna' loved and respected by the common people - the peasants and the workers - whose cause he championed. Added to this role today is that of 'father of a future Prime Minister' - the father of Mahinda who has inherited most if not all those qualities for which the Late DA Rajapaksa was loved so deeply by his people. DA Rajapaksa in his own right was an epoch-making patriot who left an indelible image on the history of Ruhuna. His thirty-second death anniversary was on the 7th of November and in the course of this month, each year ceremonies are held at this home at Medamulana near Weeraketiya, at the foot of his statue in Tangalla and in the capital city of Colombo, to honour the memory of the great man. At these ceremonies in particular and during this month in general, the noble qualities for which he is remembered are recalled by those who knew him - the qualities of fearlessness, patience, tolerance, kindness, gentleness, integrity, honesty and identity with the underdog and the weaker segments of society. Today he is also remembered with a deep sense of gratitude for fathering a future Prime Minister in every sense of the term, for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen to reflect in his own personality the great and noble qualities for which his father was known and loved. DA Rajapaksa had noble qualities that go to make great people. He treated the rich and poor alike. While serving his people, he was never known to discriminate on ground of caste, creed, class or race. He was humble and always kept his finger on the pulse of the common man. He always kept in touch with the people whom he represented - more so in times of distress than in times of happiness. His niece, Kamala Wickremasuriya, recalled an interesting incident. When DA Rajapaksa, then Deputy Speaker, was motoring with his wife from their home in Medamulana along the bund of the Udukiriwila Wewa, he saw a man coming along with a heavy bundle of clothes on his head. He asked the driver to halt the car immediately. He got the bundle of clothes tied on to the hood-rack of the car, asked the man to get into the car and drove him upto his destination. This little incident expresses the depth to which DA Rajapaksa was able to identify himself with the poor and the downtrodden. Social standing was of no value to this living Buddhist, blessed with humanitarian values. Another matter that if often recalled is the manner in which the people of Ruhuna had to make a great effort to get him to agree to contest the Hambantota by-election in 1945. At the untimely death of his brother DM Rajapaksa, the people of Ruhuna were convinced that DA Rajapaksa was the most suitable person to succeed him by contesting the vacant seat in the then State Council. But DA Rajapaksa was not keen to do so. The former Vice Captain and record holder of the Richmond College cricket team and Captain of its football team, the former student of that great Methodist Mathematics scholar Rev. W. J. T. Small (principal of Richmond College, Galle) - DA Rajapaksa - had taken leave of his elitist English education to work alongside the farmers in a traditional rural paddy field where his people converged on him one day, inviting him to succeed his brother. Unwilling to let them down, he washed the mud off his hands, gave his consent to contest the Hambantota by-election and entered the State Council uncontested. DA Rajapaksa was a man of deep humility. He never sought power and status. Position such as those of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Lands and Deputy Speaker were not sought by him, but offered to him and accepted with humanity and a certain degree of reluctance. The Late SWRD Bandaranaike goes on record as saying that, when he crossed the floor of the House after quitting the UNP government, he sensed a shadow behind him. When he looked back to see who was following him, he saw DA Rajapaksa. He could hardly believe his eyes because he had never discussed his decision with him nor lobbied his support. DA Rajapaksa's decision to leave the UNP with SWRD Bandaranaike was an inspired decision - spontaneous, authentic, deeply genuine and personal. Having quit the UNP he remained in the SLFP up to his death and served the common people of Hambantota. From the time that DA Rajapaksa consented to succeed his brother, the Rajapaksas have continued to serve not only the people of Ruhuna, but the Sri Lankan nation at large. When DM's children, Lakshman and George entered politics, their uncle DA Rajapaksa worked hard for their success and guided them into parliament. He also never failed to see to the welfare of his brother's family at all times. At his death in 1967, his second son Mahinda entered politics and few years later his eldest son Chamal too followed in his father's footsteps. DA Rajapaksa, like SWRD Bandaranaike had periodically sold his lands and spent his money on politics. He lost his wealth, but won the hearts and minds of his people. DA Rajapaksa, like SWRD Bandaranaike was never fond of wealth and material assets-a rare but noble quality that has been fortunately inherited by his son Mahinda for which he too is loved and respected by the people. Though DA Rajapaksa died several years ago, the life he lived and the norms and values that he represented continue to inspire us and will surely continue to do so for decades and centuries to follow. For the values and norms that inspired him and to which he gave life and form were timeless values, relevant for all people at all times and in all circumstances. The ease with which he combined morality and politics, integrity and politics, honesty and politics and humility and politics are an object lesson for the political community of our country and a tower of strength and a beacon of hope for our country's future. The writer is Senior Advisor to the President |
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