A Queen’s funeral, republicism and common decency

Having just read Dr. Upul . Wijewardena’s article in “The Island” (12.Sept), I am encouraged to write this piece. The Government’s decision to declare a period of mourning, to fly flags at State buildings at half-mast and the President signing the “Condolence Book” at the UK High Commission, to mark the civilized and conventional expression of sympathy on the Nation’s behalf.

It is disappointing that the “Social Media” has also joined the chorus in this crude and churlish display. This is due perhaps to a misguided notion that such an act of common courtesy, offends our “Sovereignty.” Incidentally, the dictionary defines Sovereign, (inter alia) as a Monarch, (of which the Queen is decidedly one). Surely, these observances are an expected and traditional symbolism, all of which costs us nothing, but possibly gains us much. Was it Bernard Shaw who remarked that the “Death of any person, diminishes all”

The most telling was the presence of just 10 Members of Parliament (out of a total of 225) at the customary sitting marking the passing of a World leader. The absentees may not have known that the Mace in Parliament and the Speaker’s Chair (?), were gifts from the UK at our Independence, and that the Queen, on one of her visits, ceremonially addressed a Joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at that time.

During one of her visits to the Victoria Dam of the Mahaweli (which incidentally was donated and constructed by Britain), a slight drizzle saw her unfold her own umbrella, while JR following her, needed a “Parasol Bearer” to hold his. Does not this say something?.

On a personal note, my wife and I were privileged to attend one of the traditional Summer Tea Parties at Buckingham Palace. During her customary walk around the guest tents. I was astonished to note that during a brief conversation, she had no problem in remembering the names and pronunciations of “Polonnaruva, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya” which trouble some of our “Kalu Suddas.”

At a formal ceremony in the historic Audience Hall in Kandy, attended by the Diyawadana Nilame and Basnayakas of the Devales, all attired in ceremonial garb, (reminiscent of what it might have looked like the scene at the signing of the Kandyan Convention in 1812 in this very hall). At the time of this ceremony, a maternal uncle was the Basnayake Nilame of The Aluthnuwara Devale. A newspaper photograph of his bowing to the Monarch, with his impressive and flowing white beard, cut a dandy figure and provided a treasured family heirloom.It is fitting that President Wickremesinghe has chosen to attend The State Funeral. It remains to be seen whether the retinue accompanying him to London exceeds the number (10) who saw it fit to attend the Diyawanna sitting.

Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda.