On the anniversary of his birth

The birth anniversary of the late Dudley Senanayake is on the 19th June . He is still famed as the Knight in Shining Armour of Srilankan politics, a gentleman to his fingertips, who was Prime Minister of this nation four times. The first was on the death of his father, the Father of the Nation, the late D.S. Senanayake, in March, 1952, the second when he won at the election held in May that year,again in1960 and in1965. 

 
He was a steadfast believer that each should be honoured according to their own worth, never categorized, penalized or suspected because of race or creed. In his political thinking he was a liberal democrat who always spoke the truth, never made false promises, walked the straight path, never used power to inflict pain on anyone, was a firm believer in justice, freedom and democracy. He looked far beyond his time, to the next generation,rather than of the next election. He was loyal to his party, the UNP,, never jumped sides, always remaining an UNPer in his heart even when out of politics for awhile.  He was a man of civilized interests, reading, music and photography, believed firmly in an agricultural economy and was totally against an Executive Presidency. His funeral drew perhaps the largest crowd ever, when a mass of humanity gathered together to pay homage to a man who was no longer an important public figure. This is proof of his popularity, which continues even today. Those from all sides of politics respected him, even though they may have disagreed with him on his political views. He also had a very good relationship with those in opposing camps like Dr.N.M. Perera and Dr.Colvin. R de Silva. They were good friends who walked across the floor in Parliament to shake hands, after vociferously attacking each other in their speeches. This is how it should be, although such friendships are frowned on today, and attacked as deals being made. He was extremely sensitive, one whose qualities of head and heart were rarer than one in a million. Thus he found it difficult to cope with threats of breakaway groups from his party, These were the circumstances that led to his fatal heart attack. His wit in Parliament was above all others, although the Parliaments that he was in, had very educated men, he held his own. He was above all other in quick replies, off the cuff speeches and remarks which remain unforgotten even today. He drove himself in his little Triumph Herald and would drop in on his friends , after a phone call to say he was on his way.  

I quote from a few speeches he made, some while being Prime Minister, which speaks of his vision which was far ahead of his time’ ‘Now, we have Parliamentary elections, village committee elections, Municipal Council elections and so on. And supposing we are to have district Council elections,can the country take all these numerous elections one after the other.’ “ We are fighting a reactionary measure for the suppression of the freedom of speech. This is the issue we are fighting and it is perfectly obvious in this struggle where is reaction and where is progress and who is fighting for progress’. ‘ The United National Party has always stood for making Ceylon a free, sovereign and Independent republic, and will continue to maintain that position. It is on record that The United National Party when it formed the government strove to achieve this objective, and when in Opposition invariably extended its fullest co-operation to any measure taken by the government of the time in this regard’. ‘ There are two issues in this country which to my mind should be taken up above party politics. One is the minority Tamil issue and the other is the Indian issue. I have always felt so. As long as these two issues remain items of party politics,I do not think we shall ever have a satisfactory solution to these questions.’  I also quote from a letter he wrote to his father.   

Dear Father,  
We both live under the same roof. As your son, it is embarrassing for me to act in this manner. I cannot agree with some of the motions presented by you to the State Council on behalf of the cabinet. On a number of occasions I had to oppose you. A similar thing happened today as well. This has put me under immense mental pressure. Therefore I have decided to resign from the State Council’.   Below is the reply from the Father of the Nation, the late D.S. Senanayake to his son.   

“ Though you are my son ,you have the absolute freedom to oppose me at any time. I brought you up and gave you the best education in order to make you an independent person, to make you act according to your conscience. I am proud that you have the courage and conviction to express your views boldly and accurately. It should never be allowed to undermine our relationship as father and son”   

These words speak volumes about both these great leaders of the past. Perhaps the following words are a fitting epitaph to the respect commanded by the late Dudley through life and beyond death.  ‘ A time like this demands  
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands!   Men whom the lust of office doesn’t kill,  
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy,  
Men who possess opinions and a will,  
Men who love honour, men who 
cannot lie.