DUDLEY SENANAYAKE: AN APPRECIATION ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

• Dudley was not in favour of Buddhist clergy engaging in politics
• He strode the political arena like a Colossus and shone as an orator in  Parliament
• He stuck to UNP, even when he was out of politics, but returned to lead the party again
• He had a golden heart and was extremely sensitive
• Late Dudley will be mourned forever in the hearts who had the privilege of knowing him

The birth anniversary of the late Dudley is on June 19. As we ponder with a measure of apprehension on the future of our beloved nation, the vision and thinking of this late revered Leader  

return to our minds and thoughts. As people from all walks of life are voicing their protests against the Executive Presidency, I recall that the late Dudley was always against it. He argued against it most vociferously with the late President JR Jayewardene who was all for it. It was long after Dudley’s’ death that it became the reality which has ruined our nation. 

"The late Dudley’s dream was that every citizen should have equal rights, and there shouldn’t be discrimination against anyone because of their race or religion. He wanted every citizen to be able to practice the religion of their choice in peace"

Perhaps JR didn’t realize that some who came after him would abuse their power to the extent they did. But he somehow saw it through with the help and advice of others in the party. This was perhaps the worst mistake he made in his tenure of office.  I listened recently to an interview the late Dudley had with a foreign journalist many decades ago. Here again his vision and wisdom was displayed. He was asked what he thought about Buddhist priests entering politics. He said that he was not for it as it was not conducive to Buddhism and that he felt it would take away the respect shown by the public to the Buddhist clergy. This too has been a bone of contention among people who are against priests of any religion entering the political arena, some of them inciting racist hatred.

"He was an exceptional person with simple tastes; reading, music, driving around in his little Triumph Herald and his dogs were his main interests as was his legendary appetite! He had an uproarious laugh and would often laugh at himself, this too is rare among one and all, particularly among politicians. He had a golden heart and was extremely sensitive"

The late Dudley’s dream was that every citizen should have equal rights, and there shouldn’t be discrimination against anyone because of their race or religion. He wanted every citizen to be able to practice the religion of their choice in peace. He strode the political arena like a Colossus and shone as an orator in a Parliament, which had giants of the calibre of the late Dr. NM Perera, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, Pieter Keuneman, Philip and Robert Goonewardene among others. He had a good relationship with his political opponents, and was often seen crossing the floor to shake hands with them, after scathing attacks in Parliament. This was a time when one could do this, be friends although on different sides in politics and not be accused of making deals! He stuck to the UNP, even when he was out of politics for a while and returned to lead the party again at the request of those who had wanted him out earlier on.  Those who stood by him like the late G.G. Ponnambalam and the late Sir Lalitha Rajapakse were thrown out of cabinet by the late Sir John Kotelawala for this.  If Dudley was alive today he would be appalled at the political jumping going on now!  

"He stuck to the UNP, even when he was out of politics for a while and returned to lead the party again at the request of those who had wanted him out earlier on. Those who stood by him like the late G.G. Ponnambalam and the late Sir Lalitha Rajapakse were thrown out of cabinet by the late Sir John Kotelawala for this.  If Dudley was alive today he would be appalled at the political jumping going on now!"

He was an exceptional person with simple tastes; reading, music, driving around in his little Triumph Herald and his dogs were his main interests as was his legendary appetite! He had an uproarious laugh and would often laugh at himself, this too is rare among one and all, particularly among politicians. He had a golden heart and was extremely sensitive. He found it difficult to take harassment by threats of breakaway from the UNP. This was what led to his heart attack which held to his untimely death. He was no longer Prime Minister, but the nation paid him homage and mourned him like they have no other before or after that. It was a great mass of humanity of every political hue who gathered in their thousands, as he was deeply respected and loved, even by those who didn’t share his political views.  Later, there were ironically. Deaths of Leaders which were celebrated nationwide! 

One of the rules of his life was to reject any course of action which was morally unjustifiable. He was a man of exceptional discernment and intellectual capability.  We stand today somewhat unsteadily on the shifting sands of politics, hoping against hope for a distant dawn and a better tomorrow.  The late Dudley will be mourned forever in the hearts who had the privilege of knowing him. ‘Here was a man, when comes such another’?