it has to be people first...

One cannot be too gentlemanly, in dealing with both friend and foe in  politics. One must be firm, deal with stabbers in the back with  discipline, not forgive them and take them back into the fold time and  time again

Politics is a high profile profession and life is often like being in a  goldfish bowl, invariably being in the public eye. There is a need for  politicians to have a good hold on public perception. It has to be  people first, politics second, have a stab at real achievement which  means a grasp of real power and achievement

The news that young Ruwan Wijewardene was elected Deputy Leader of the UNP boosted my spirits and that of many of my friends. We had feared that the exit of Ranil Wickremesinghe at the end of the year, would be the end of an era of gentleman politicians. Ruwan is in, what is called in jest the ‘naughty forties’, is well equipped for his role in re-organisation of the party which will stand him in good stead to be the next Leader. He is the great grandson of the Father of the Nation, the late D.S. Senanayake, the grandson of the late D.R. Wijewardene and bears the same initials as the latter. Both his ancestors played a major role in gaining our independence. He has inherited his political acumen from his maternal side and his refined quiet wisdom from his paternal side. He is a Buddhist and the generosity to Buddhist causes from the Wijewardene family through many eras in our history will be plus points for him on his political journey. He has inherited the girth and kindly genial personality of the late Dudley Senanayake, but I do sense an iron will behind that cool patrician composure. To his credit; so far in politics, is that he never slanders or uses personal insults against anyone, is never arrogant or boastful about his heritage. 

Appreciation is sadly lacking in politics today as we have seen from recent events. Ruwan also maintains a friendly relationship with political opponents. This is something which was there among politicians of yore like the late Dudley

He never pushes himself or has tried to run before he could walk. I recall the late J.R. Jayewardene, his uncle saying that one must learnt to follow before one tries to lead. Ruwan has certainly followed that advice on his political path. He has also from his experience so far, had the advantage of learning from mistakes made by leaders past and present and from his peers in the political sphere.  

 One cannot be too gentlemanly, in dealing with both friend and foe in politics. One must be firm, deal with stabbers in the back with discipline, not forgive them and take them back into the fold time and time again. Others don’t have the same standards, have their own political agenda and don’t know the difference between right and wrong which has obviously not been instilled in them from childhood. Ranil was too forgiving, thought that others were of the same caliber as him. Appreciation is sadly lacking in politics today as we have seen from recent events. Ruwan also maintains a friendly relationship with political opponents. This is something which was there among politicians of yore like the late Dudley. Confrontational politics should be confined to political platforms and Parliament. Today, they accuse Ranil of deals with the Rajapaksas because he maintains a cordial relationship with them. I hope that Ruwan too, who is liked by all sides of the great political divide will continue these good relationships and that the unfounded fabricated myth of accusations of deals will be blown away by the wind.  

The voice and vision of youth at the fore, augurs well for the light of a not too distant dawn for the party and nation, not forgetting old social values which give life order and continue a sense of tradition

Ruwan had his early schooling at St Thomas’ Prep School from where he went to Stafford International and then on to the University of Sussex in the UK. He has developed as an orator, I have worked closely with him as a co-director of the Dudley Senanayake Foundation , at which he always gives the vote of thanks on behalf of the family. Like the late Dudley, and Ranil, I have confidence that he will never indulge in nepotism or desert the party, but will work hard to see its flag flying high once again. He has shown a capacity for self control, has never been fanatical on issues, or tried to seize power and position by force and threats. I hope that he will also remind party supporters about Ranil’s contribution to party and nation. We would never have had freedom of speech, regained an independent judiciary or GSP, started an ambulance service gifted by PM Modi of India in response to a request by Ranil, returned land to the rightful owners in the North or reinforced bridges of friendship and mutual understanding internationally, if not for him.  

Confrontational politics should be confined to political platforms and Parliament. Today, they accuse Ranil of deals with the Rajapaksas because he maintains a cordial relationship with them

Ruwan must also take care to watch his step in dealing with his peers on his own side of the fence, who can sometimes be disloyal, untrustworthy, greedy for power and position. Politics is a high profile profession and life is often like being in a goldfish bowl, invariably being in the public eye. There is a need for politicians to have a good hold on public perception. It has to be people first, politics second, have a stab at real achievement which means a grasp of real power and achievement. I wish Ruwan all success in his urge to break new boundaries for the party and in the not too distant future for our country. The voice and vision of youth at the fore, augurs well for the light of a not too distant dawn for the party and nation, not forgetting old social values which give life order and continue a sense of tradition. The late Dudley Senanayake once said that he hopes the day will come when every citizen of our beloved country could say with pride ’This is my own, my native land’. The UNP has always been a party for all citizens irrespective of race or religion. I end with two quotes from the late Winston Churchill which may help Ruwan in the rugged path ahead. ‘Diplomacy is the art of telling plain truths without giving offence’ and ‘Youth is for freedom and reform, maturity for judicious compromise and old age for stability and repose’.