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JR: Man with a vision - Milinda

Former Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister and UNP MP, Milinda Moragoda........ 

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 Birds of a feather

By Henry Holdenbottle 

My darling Satty 

There was a heavy wet stench in the air yesterday as I rocked in my armchair puffing at my Cuban cigar. An astute sort of fella, even if I say it myself, I instantly knew something was up. And as I predicted so it was. The prices. Electricity up by five percent again. The way you are tampering with power and energy dear, Paradisians should not be doctors and.......

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Liaising with loonies

It was not so long ago that President Chandrika Kumaratunga took over the ministries of interior, defence and media from the then ruling UNF and subsequently dissolved parliament after forging an alliance with the JVP, despite the glaringly obvious policy contradictions between the SLFP and the Marxists. As it has been often said, the alliance was.....

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JR: Man with a vision - Milinda

Former Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister and UNP MP, Milinda Moragoda in his J. R. Jayewardene memorial speech at the commemoration ceremony of the late President last week said he admires Jayewardene's courage and steadfastness of purpose. "It was his unwavering determination to sustain the United National Party (UNP) and all that it stood for, that brought the party back from the brink of extinction after the debacle of its defeat in 1970 and restored it to dynamic political life," he said.

Moragoda further said that while he admired Jayewardene's 'vision,' which took into account the need for technology that would enhance the country's industrial capability and looked outward into the world with confidence, able and willing to deal and compete successfully, he would place second the coherence of Jayewardene's political and spiritual beliefs.

We serialise today part 1 of Moragoda's speech: 

Sri Lanka has been fortunate in being able to produce leaders of outstanding quality from time to time. But it would be hard to question the conclusion that it was Junius Richard Jayewardene who made the most comprehensive and far-reaching impact on the modern political history of our country.

Born to a family with a tradition of leadership in public affairs and equipped with both forensic skill and innate political acumen, J. R. Jayewardene made his mark early, defeating the veteran nationalist E. W. Perera to enter the State Council in 1943.

His own credentials as a committed nationalist are to be seen in his proposal on June 22, 1943 that Sinhala be made the national language and equally, in his ready agreement with his Tamil colleagues for the use of the Tamil language on par with Sinhala.

Elected to our first parliament in 1947, JR distinguished himself again, not only by his performance as the youngest finance minister in the Commonwealth but also in the field of foreign affairs through his initiative in 1950 to establish the Colombo Plan for Co-operative Economic Development in South and South-East Asia, as well as in his spirited defence of Asia's interests and Japanese post-war independence at the San Francisco Peace Conference at the end of the Second World War.

Spectacular impact

But undoubtedly his most spectacular impact on the political and economic life of our country came during his time at the helm of affairs, when, as prime minister, he addressed the nation on July 28, 1977, declaring:

"The UNP is dedicated to the creation of a new society based on the lofty teachings of the compassionate one. The UNP government under my leadership will dedicate itself to establish a just and free society in this land."

The innovations that he introduced - which include the executive presidency, proportional representation and an emphasis on commercial freedom aimed at encouraging foreign investment - started a trend that may well prove irreversible.

His goal of creating a just and free society was firmly rooted in his abiding belief in the doctrines of the Buddha, which had evolved steadily through reading and study at the feet of the Venerable Pelene Siri Vajiragnana Thero and the Venerable Narada Thero.

If I had to consider which of J. R. Jayewardene's many qualities I admire most, I think I would chose first, his courage and his steadfastness of purpose. It was his unwavering determination to sustain the United National Party (UNP) and all that it stood for, that brought the party back from the brink of extinction after the debacle of its defeat in 1970, and restored it to dynamic political life.

I would place second, the coherence of his political and spiritual beliefs. He often emphasised, while in office, that the economic policies he proposed had their foundation in principles prescribed for laymen by the Buddha himself. He laid stress on the need for discipline and urged that the country's educational system should seek to mould the citizen to play a constructive role in the new society.

Third, I admire above all, JR's vision - a vision which took into account the need for technology that would enhance the country's industrial capability; that looked outward into the world with confidence, able and willing to deal and compete successfully.

But it is also a vision firmly rooted in our own culture, in particular, the doctrines of the Buddha which were, he insisted, a practical guide to right livelihood, and not an esoteric philosophy. Here is a passage, which epitomises his vision:

"We do not seek a solution to our problems in the context of Western theories alone. Let us not forget that we, a nation which in the past contributed our share to the culture and civilisation of the East, had and still have a heritage of our own. Material wealth and comfort did not attract us completely. Our philosophy stressed the development of the human mind rather than the mere acquisition of worldly riches. Let us then 'be lamps unto ourselves. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast as a refuge to the truth. Look not for refuge to anyone beside ourselves.'"

His vision

Viewed in its entirety, his was a vision of Sri Lanka no longer burdened by negative feelings of resentment and anger over past injustices but looking to the future united, dynamic and confident of its ability to meet the challenges of a competitive world. It was offered to us, his fellow citizens, long before the virtues of fostering individual enterprise and ideas of 'globalisation' were made fashionable by Western political leaders.

His vision differed from theirs in one important particular: he insisted that our effort to meet those challenges should always be humane, should always "consider how it benefits the humblest and poorest in our land."

That is a vision I can relate to completely and accept with enthusiasm.

For many of us, regardless of our ethnic origins or our political or spiritual beliefs, there surely exists in the mind the conception of a Sri Lanka that is united, industrious, tolerant, compassionate, caring and free. Just as surely, and in particular, over the last two decades that conception has dimmed and receded.

I would like to explore the extent to which such a conception survives today. A country is its people and thus, what I have to say is intimately connected with the nature of our society and what it means to be a Sri Lankan. Of course, not being a sociologist, I would expect those so qualified to assist and where necessary correct me in this endeavour.

My thoughts fall roughly into four parts. I shall speak first of the divisions in our society. These divisions relate to trivia and are based largely on prejudice; but they are persistent and they are disruptive.

National identity

Next, we may speculate on the ways in which these prejudices are divisive as well as their social and political effects. Third, I shall suggest how, despite the existence of these divisions, there could emerge a national identity, a Sri Lankan identity that is the product of our cultural values and yet looks outward, ready to deal with the world with an open mind.

Finally, I would ask you to consider how to instil in the Sri Lankan of tomorrow, if not of today, those qualities that will renew the greatness of our land.

Every one of us is, to some extent, a prisoner within the social environment in which each spent the formative early years of life. In that period we absorbed from parents, siblings and peers; from local personalities, actors, teachers and other 'role models,' the complex of predispositions and prejudices that would influence us throughout our lives.

To be continued next week

Birds of a feather

By Henry Holdenbottle 

My darling Satty 

There was a heavy wet stench in the air yesterday as I rocked in my armchair puffing at my Cuban cigar. An astute sort of fella, even if I say it myself, I instantly knew something was up. And as I predicted so it was. The prices. Electricity up by five percent again. The way you are tampering with power and energy dear, Paradisians should not be doctors and lawyers but candlestick makers. Ichabod old girl, it seems to me when you are around everything is on the up and up.

And if you ask me - as you so often do - ever since April the cost of living is on a high dose of viagra. If the COL were Anthony, you would be Cleopatra. Or if you - God forbid - were Camilla P. Bowles, the COL would be Charles...and I may as well tell you dear if the price of gas goes up any further the hapless people of Paradise would only be able to cook the books. And on that culinary matter they will all look to you to provide the exclusive recipe.

You could have knocked me down with a toothpick dear when I heard you describe your fellow alliance members as lunatics and rogues. And all this time I was under the impression you chaps were as thick as thieves, what! Thicker even. Now it appears the thickness is not between the members of the alliance but between the eyes of the members. And why are they lunatics and rogues, dear? According to your clinical diagnosis, because they want war and will not support the peace process. Hmm. You do have a shortish sort of memory darling. Ranil was branded a traitor by you and yours for being committed to the peace process and opposing war. Why don't you bring back that retired army chappie you have stuck outback in the bush capital in Aussie dear. Now there's a fella straining at the leash for the kill, metaphorically speaking. Let him loose and the bloodhound will be all over the Dravidians in a matter of seconds. As always I speak in metaphorical tongue of course. At least I don't speak with a forked tongue like you dear. One day it's yes, next day it's maybe and the following day it's no. You m'dear would bring a blush of shame even to Casanova's philandering cheek of modesty.

So now we have another kind of asylum seeker in Paradise. The lunatic who clings on to the alliance to get into the ultimate asylum - the House by the Diyawanna. Finally many matters stand classified. Since April I have seen - if you will through a glass - darkly. But ever since your statement many mysteries stand clarified. I now understand why Paradise is being taken down the drain into a cess pit. With lunatics and rogues running the show - as you so bravely admit - what else can we expect?

A word of caution, if I may dear. People are usually known by the company they keep. And too often I have caught glimpses of your sari pota as you rush hither and thither with some of those very lunatics and rogues you now seem to deplore so very much. Whether you wear three sheets to the wind to get in with them or whether they were two throws to the loony bin to get in with you, that is the question. Personally darling, I find that birds of a feather do tend to flock together. 

Enough about that dear. I must congratulate you without further ado on your excellent speaking slot at the UN general Assembly in New York. Right after Dubya. Will give you a chance to tell him off on the war in Iraq darling. Do tell. Will you call him a lunatic and a rogue too for wanting to go to war in Iraq? I recall your vociferous belligerence against Ranil who you thought supported Bush on the war. How you screamed like a turkey with laryngitis from every election platform about Ranil and his Bush-fetish. Now you can finally tell Bush off. In fact you could take Laura behind a bush and tell her off too. It is the perfect opportunity. Give him a piece of your mind. Ranil unfortunately kept all of his and merely spoke on other matters relating to Paradise. The JVP war-mongers who you now refer to as lunatics and rogues will be able to give you some pointers on the contents of your speech.  

Meanwhile darling, paradisians willl continue to make their way towards nirvana and nothingness. And the funniest thing that ever happened on the way to the cemetery is that you are still president. toodle oo m'dear  

Liaising with loonies

It was not so long ago that President Chandrika Kumaratunga took over the ministries of interior, defence and media from the then ruling UNF and subsequently dissolved parliament after forging an alliance with the JVP, despite the glaringly obvious policy contradictions between the SLFP and the Marxists. As it has been often said, the alliance was a definite case of marrying in haste and repenting at leisure and after five tedious months in governance with an increasingly irrepressible coalition partner, it looks like Kumaratunga's vacation of repentance is going to be a long, hard one.

Beset on all sides as she is with a stalled peace process on one hand, an economy in the doldrums on the other and the LTTE indicating that their patience is running thin, Kumaratunga is undoubtedly antsy about restarting the peace negotiations, and her greatest stumbling block remains the JVP, prompting the latest verbal attack on her coalition partner in Mahiyanganaya last week.

Her comments about parties with blood on their hands some time ago received wide media play and last week, when she resorted to hinting that the JVP were a bunch of war-mongering lunatics, it became a clear indication that the marriage had gone incredibly sour. In fact, her recent run ins with the Marxists resemble that of a fussy mother hen trying to rein in her truant brood, what with petroleum strikes, anti-peace seminars et al.

"Everyone should think of the country initially and thereafter think of one's own party. Unless we follow this precept we will be unable to seek the help of the opposition. All parties in the government should work in unison to achieve peace. None of us should make the programme a failure. Without making rhetorical, partisan statements, all political parties should act with dedication to find a permanent and lasting solution to the problem in the north and east.

"Only about one percent of this country's population hold the view that the ethnic problem has to be solved through war-and this groups includes commission agents and Sinhala and Tamil lunatics!"

-President Chandrika Kumaratunga, speaking at a rally at the inauguration ceremony of "Mahiyangana Navodaya" project at the Mahiyangana public playground on Tuesday, September 14.