5 March 2022 12:39 am Views - 722
This article is penned to mark the 40th death anniversary of former Deputy Speaker Piyasena Tennakoon which fell on February 25. He was born in 1917 at Galapitamada near Ruwanwella, in Sabaragamuwa Province. His father Mudalihami Tennakoon was the Post Master at Galapitamada. Little Piyasena had his early education at Galapitamada Rural School and in 1927 sat for the Denham Scholarship Examination held to select 5 rural students island-wide to study in the English medium. Earning success at this pivotal juncture he was selected to Ananda College Colombo to undergo secondary education. Later he passed with honours at both the Cambridge Junior and Senior Examinations.
In the meantime, having got through the Inter Arts Examination- conducted by the London University- he thereafter sat for the competitive examination which was the criterion to be appointed as Divisional Revenue officers. He was placed first. He made full use of this opening to serve rural masses and thought it was a blessing to help the downtrodden to gain social-headway.
From 1941 onwards, he served as the DRO for Hiriyala Hathpaththuwa in Kurunegala District, later switching over to Patha Hewaheta in Kandy and thereafter in Kolonna korale in the Ratnapura District.
Whenever he was transferred out from one station to another people in the area voluntarily came out to wish him well. One such citation presented at Hiriyala says thus: “During the 4 year tenure at Hiriyala, you carried out your duty to uplift the living standards of the ordinary folk. This should serve as an example for all Government officers. We are astounded by your frugal lifestyle, sincerity and populist outlook. You received nothing but respect from the ordinary people.”
During this period, as a result of his pro-downtrodden service to the community and the resultant popularity among them, he was transferred in and out on several occasions. In this backdrop, it was evident that he would not be able to carry out a sincere public service. Therefore, he resigned from Public service even foregoing his due pension which at that time stood at Rs 640.
He wanted to resign from Government Service and venture into the political arena to oppose the UNP which was aiming to take the country to an economic and political abyss. He also started studying law and passed out as an advocate in 1956 with honours.
His first political test was to contest Galaha electorate as an independent candidate at the 1952 elections. Despite being an independent he was able to wage a tough fight against the UNP candidate.
Since then, having actively been involved in populist activities, he was selected by the SLFP Leader S W R D Bandaranaike himself to contest the by-election held in 1954 for the Kandy electorate. This was the first by-election faced by the SLFP. His candidacy was due to the fact that Mrs. Tamara Kumari Ilangarathne, who was earlier selected to contest, withdrew her candidature. At this juncture, other candidates who were in the fray withdrew their candidatures in his support. There was a close fight and the UNP won with a mere 399 votes.
The next election was in 1956. He entered the fray, this time as the SLFP candidate for Kandy electorate. His stand was that UNP was not a party that would serve the country. The pamphlet issued by him at the election reiterated that an inefficient UNP should be voted out.
Due to his popularity and honesty he was able to win the election after a close fight. He was offered the position of Deputy Speaker. For the first time in history, a national dress-clad Deputy Speaker adorned the Chair.
Until 1960 there were no separate electorates for Kandy and Senkadagala. It was Kandy. Therefore, he was able to carry out development activities in both these areas. Accordingly, development work such as, the Kandy Water supply project, Kandy Public market, the Watapuluwa Housing Scheme, Technical Colleges at Aruppola and Kandy, Acquisition of 700 acres of land for the needy population in Kandy, Developing Kandy Hospital as a fully-fledged Health facility were carried out. All these were under his guidance.
He was aligned with the Progressive faction in the Government led by Messrs.’ Phillip Gunawardana and William Silva, which promoted a progressive agenda. He had good relations with Messrs.’ Maithripala Senanyaka and T B Illangarathna.
As a result of the right wing group within the government staging a campaign against the progressive left, Messrs Philip Gunawardana and William Silva resigned from their portfolios. In solidarity, he too resigned from the Deputy Speaker position. He stated that the reactionary group is waging war against the progressive policies of the government and he is resigning in protest.
Thereafter, he joined the MEP and contested subsequent election held in March 1960. Here, the UNP won. He did not contest in 1960 and instead supported the candidature of Shelton Ranaraja of the SLFP.
When Ranaraja later joined the UNP, he contested the 1965 election on the SLFP ticket and lost. IN 1968, he was elected as MC for Watapuluwa ward in the Kandy Municipal Council and did a yeoman service.
When Mr T B Ilangarathna who represented Hewaheta switched over to Kolonnawa to contest a by-election. In 1967 Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike appointed him to oversee the party organization in Kandy District. In 1970, election, he was put forward as party candidate for Hewaheta. He won the election and served as MP till 1977.
People in Kandy, Senkadagala and Hewaheta electorates have wholeheartedly appreciated his service.
We append below some accolades by eminent persons on him. The creator of Ibbagamuwa Central College, P M Jayathilaka in his memoirs and the book Maha Thakshila Wansha kathawa by Mr Bandara Jayaweera, states ( in page 135): When Mr Jayathilaka went to set up Ibbagamuwa Central College, the DRO for the area was Mr Tennakoon. At that time food rationing was in place. Mr Jayathilaka was in a dilemma whether the DRO would be helpful or other-wise. When he called over at his residence in the evening, he was cordially received. Not only was his request was granted, but the DRO offered to help in the putting up of buildings.
When the Vote of condolence on his demise was tabled in February 1982, several Parliamentarians spoke about his work ethic in glowing terms. Minister of Sports and Parliamentary Affairs Hon Vincent Perera said that he was a honest, efficient MP who tirelessly worked for the downtrodden and fought corruption and injustice. TULF Leader Sivasitthamparam, said that in his role as Deputy Speaker he had upheld decorum in the House. Maithripala Senanayake stated that he was fearless and had a way of adhering to such ideals.
It is pertinent to note that as a lawyer, he always appeared for the workers and never on behalf of Employers. He was a much sought after lawyer at Labour Tribunals and more often appeared without monetary considerations.
(This article is penned by his
daughter Mrs Sujatha Tennakoon Hemasiri )