Numerous problems engulfing the country today have given rise to comments that the post independent rule of 74 years have led the country towards ruination. Hence it is worthwhile examining whether it is actually so.

DS Senanayake

Undoubtedly the dawn of independence brought many a blessing to our country. D.S. Senanayake, our first Prime Minister, who worked for the country’s independence along with others, need not have done better to have been called the “Father of the Nation”. True to that honour, he saw to it that his children in this land were a happy lot with the poorest of the poor enjoying a hearty meal. Even today we see through past news reels how Senanayake with his hands tucked-up inside his usual bushcoat pockets, addressed farmers in the remote villages more as a friend than as the country’s Prime Minister.

Massive development projects including the Senanayake Samudra and the Gal Oya Development Board were fruits of his labour, compared to present day’s happenings, it is almost unbelievable to hear that these projects were completed with our own funds. Garbed in fatherly and friendly qualities, Senanayake was a crafty strategist with his politics. At a time when seeds of parity were taking root in the North, he formed his Cabinet to consist of a thorough combination with minor races. The Kankasanturai Cement Factory, Paranthan Chemicasl Corporation and Eastern Paper Mills, Valachchanei were results of such foresight.

The free Education System was ushered in even a year before independence by C.W.W. Kannangara, who later became the Education Minister in the same cabinet. In those days even when government finances were not so lucrative, children in the vernacular schools were fed with a free mid-day meal. This writer is proud to say that he is one who really enjoyed that meal prior to his walk home after school. Kannangara who opened the doors of education to the rich and the poor alike with no burden on their parents and paved the way for many to reach high places in society, led a simple life after his retirement from politics.

Sir John Kotelawala, as the Minister of Transport and Works in the same cabinet, was there to give the political backing to the first Hydro Electric Scheme of the country at Laksapana. It was said that there had been many obstructions and pit-falls when the construction was ongoing. Sir John who was thoroughly crestfallen when a number of workmen lost their lives was advised by the villagers to make a vow to God Saman to provide Adams Peak with lights if the project was accomplished. So it was said, and so was it done and Sir John was gifted with the privilege of illuminating Sri Pada with Hydro Power from Laksapana.

Sir John who lost his Premiership at the 1956 General Election retired from politics, gifting to the country his 48 Acre Kandawala Property, to later become Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy. Prime Minister’s official car in use at the time was a luxury Chrysler that too had to be passed on to the new Prime Minister Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. Anyhow, Sir John was not a man to be outdone, with such losses. He purchased the then latest model of the Chrysler and got it registered as 1-Sri-1, that is preserved to date at the Sri John Kotelawala Defence Academy as a mark of respect to its donor.

The Premier with the shortest stint in office was W. Dahanayake M.P. for Galle. When travelling to Colombo from Galle while he was a Member of Parliament (M.P.) he used to put his car as luggage in the train he was travelling on his official 2nd class railway ticket, before being driven away to the Parliament in Colombo. Dahanayake goes down in history as the Prime Minister who conducted the most disciplined General Election in 1960. Banners, cutouts, poster were all taboo. It was also an offence for a house-holder to exhibit any election poster even within this own residence. Only the candidate was permitted to fly a flag with his election symbol on his vehicle. Unlike the previous General Elections that were conducted on three days, this election was held in one single day with the results being announced immediately after. Having lost his Premiership at the Election, Dahanayake is said to have left “Temple Trees” and taken the Central Transport Board (C.T.B.) bus to Galle.

Dudley Senanayake, who became Prime Minster more than once, and fed the Nation with a free measure of rice per person, was hooted and geered at, when he was passing the Borella Juncion following the loss of his Premiership at the 1965 Election. The gentlemanly Ex-Premier stopped and alighted from his car, to tell the ungrateful crowd that they were not hooting at him, but at themselves only. True to his saying, a few years later followed a season with great scarcities with jaggery taking the place of unavailable sugar. While cleaning the residence following the demise of Dudley, the house-keeper came across his Bank Savings Book that showed a balance of Rs. 460.

The above are just a few random-picked examples of our National Leaders of the Immediate Post-Independent era. They were statesmen who worked not for themselves but for the country. The M.P. monthly allowance at the time is said to have been Rs. 750/- and a Minster’s just twice the amount, with no official cars or city bungalows. Their perks were the goodwill and the gratitude of the people. Their dedication to duty had been such, that even the God’s from wherever they were would have showered blessing on this land and its people for whom they worked so that even the poorest of the poor lived happily. Their performance against that of today’s leadership is only an open secret.
So it was then, is it so now?