MEMORIES OF GREAT AND GOOD MAN – A TRIBUTE TO LAKSHMAN KADIRAGAMAR

On the twelfth of August fifteen years ago, Sri Lanka lost a dazzling jewel in Lakshman Kadirgamar. It was at the hands of a demented, brutal and cowardly man espousing a mad design of an “Independent Eelam”

Lakshman, I believe had a premonition of impending disaster. As he, as a small boy, wrote in the Album of a mutual friend, Singha Weerasekera, “Dulce et decorum.propatria mori” – it is beautiful and honourable to die for one’s country” this was typical of his precocity, that a youth of a mere 10 years could pen such a lofty sentiment. I would however paraphrase his words slightly, to “It may be noble for a man to die for his country, but nobler still to let the other bugger die for his”.

More so, when the dream of his brutal murderer (“assassin” could be overly generous) proved to be so illusory. It may be a fortunate coincidence, that a fellow schoolmate, Major- General Denzil Kobbekaduwa played such a key role in the ultimate dispatch of this evil force. Lakshman diplomatically and Denzil militarily meshed well. I recall, that at the funeral house of Lali’s father, Kenneth Ratwatte (another worthy Trinitian,) I was in the small “special” enclosure with LK and DK!). I can only hope that I will not “complete the circle of coincidence”!

There are several little anecdotes that flash through my (dimming) mind, when I remember our youth, particularly at that institution wickedly described as “all steps and drains but little brains”.

Athletics Lion (Only the second after Duncan White), Ryde Gold Medalist, Captain of the Cricket and Rugby Teams, silver-tongued Orator, (Personification of) Personality, Deportment, Good Looks and Immaculate Presence and Courteous to a fault. One had to either envy or admire him.

As Senior Prefect and Ryde Gold Medalist, it was his task to thank the Chief Guest (who happened to be the Admirable Bishop Lakdasa de Mel.) at the Annual Prize-giving. A speech elegantly crafted and delivered, spoke our subject “My Lord Bishop de Mel, it is the custom to declare a holiday. Remembering the mercy of Jesus Christ, as his servant, I ask you, remembering the lesson of generosity and understanding of our Lord, you will honour the Trinity of our faith, and declare a three-day holiday! In reply the Bishop intones “Recognizing the commendable brilliance of his speech, how can I possibly disappoint him? He asks for three holidays and – three holidays you shall have” (rapturous applause) –” Monday, Sunday and Saturday”. Deflated and barely polite hand clap. Kadiri flummoxed for once!

Many years later, LK was the Chief Guest at The British Scholars Meeting at the British Council, I asked him what his title was to be. His reply was, “The subject, I do not know but the Object would become clear as I speak”. This to me was a hint that things are to happen. I was to meet him on another matter at his Thummulla House. He was a little delayed in arrival, he declared “You might be surprised to hear that I will venture into politics. My initial (and possibly unjustified) reaction was “Why the heck do you want to get into that cesspit?” His simple reply was, “Sri Lanka has done so much for me, that I feel it my duty to do something in return. I know the riff-raff that engage in it for crude personal ambitions. I hope that I would be able to do some to contribute my bit, to change things. I was flattered to hear him refer to “a friend” who had recounted an earlier incident. The UNP of Mr Dudley Senanayake had won an election and as is usual a Press Conference was held. A reporter started “Sir, now that the UNP is in power….” DS (Jnr) says “Forgive me for the interruption, but other parties may “Come into Power,” but our UNP “comes into Office. Please carry on.” LK was probably wishing to take this as an example. He pledged to sacrifice much. As for gratitude (as the cliché goes), – the rest is history.

A belated contribution by a person who knew LK closely for more than half a century. Bias is understandable.

Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda.