Some memorable portraits from the mid-20th century
by Nihal D Amerasekera
The mid-twentieth century was a time of great upheaval, shaping not only the
course of nations but also the lives of ordinary people like us. In Ceylon, the
Second World War and the struggle for independence from British rule cast long
shadows over our families and communities. These were the years in which we
grew—from infants in our mothers’ arms to adults carrying the weight of
responsibility in a changing world. It was a period of transition and enormous
transformation.
As a newly independent nation, unity among the people was crucial for
progress and prosperity, although at times this wisdom was overshadowed by the
chaos of politics.
It has long been my wish to paint portraits of some of the people who stood
at the forefront of those turbulent times. They were the faces we saw in the
news, the names that stirred hope, fear, pride, or defiance. In painting them,
I hope to preserve not only their images but also the memory of an era that
shaped who we became.
The biggest upheaval in the Indian subcontinent in the last century was the
partition of India. By this division in 1947, two independent dominion states were born.
It was done on religious lines into India and Pakistan. East Pakistan later
became Bangladesh. It led to one of the largest mass migrations in history. It
displaced 15 million people and caused about a million deaths. Lord
Mountbatten, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah were the
personalities involved in the process who worked tirelessly for a peaceful
transition. The partition remains a raw and painful memory for many.
Since
politics is naturally divisive, I have chosen not to share my personal views or
pass judgment on their actions. Instead, I’m reminded of Mark Antony’s words in
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “The evil that men do lives after
them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”
There
exists an ancient taboo, later crystallised into a well-known aphorism
popularised by the Spartan philosopher Chiron of ancient Greece: De mortuis
nihil nisi bonum — “speak no ill of the dead.” I hold his wisdom and
philosophy in high regard.
Our
education has brought us to where we are today. I have included portraits of
two of our teachers in the faculty of Medicine, Colombo, to represent the many
who taught and educated us beyond the call of duty. I have nothing but praise
for them all.
The
Professor will be remembered for his personal qualities of kindness, integrity,
warmth and humanity. Now I realise the sheer scale of his vision and his
professionalism. Many of us have been greatly enriched by having known him and
being his students. Our thanks go to one of the greats of our time and one of
the finest to walk the corridors of the faculty. He truly was a credit to our
profession. He left the world a better place and left the faculty of medicine
up there with the finest institutions in the world. We will forever keep him in
grateful memory.
Prof.
H.V.J Fernando
He was
appointed as Professor in 1959 and became a fine teacher of Forensic Medicine
at the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. In 1961, Professor Fernando took a
one-year sabbatical leave and proceeded to London and was successful in the
Barrister’s examination of Lincoln’s Inn, London.
In 1965
there was a lavish party for the medical fraternity at the Health Department
Sports Club under the auspices of the Medical Students Union. Drinks flowed
freely and there was a lot of it about. That was such a fun afternoon. When the
alcohol levels rose so did the background noise. Prof HVJ Fernando and Dr WDL
Fernando (JMO) warmed up to the occasion and sang with great forensic detail
their signature tune of “Officer’s daughter who hanged and died”. This popular
song was sung with such intensity and passion; they received a rapturous
ovation. I still keep a recording of the song sung by Eranga and Priyanga to
recall those happy times of my youth.
In 1982,
he became the Registrar of the Ceylon Medical Council. Professor Fernando
passed away peacefully on 2nd May 1998.
He was
born in 1884 and educated at St Thomas’ College. He served as the Minister of
Agriculture for 15 years in the State Council. He became the leader of the Sri
Lanka Independence Movement. Prior to independence, D.S Senanayake said:
Irrespective of whether we be Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or Eurasian we are one
single nation, the Sri Lankan nation. Long live the Lankan nation!" I wish
this is engraved in the hearts and minds of every Sri Lankan. These words came
to haunt our people in later years.
In 1946 he
turned down the offer of a Knighthood from the British Government and he did so
politely.
He was the
first Prime Minister of Ceylon (1947–52) when the country gained independence from Great Britain. An avid horseman, Senanayake died from injuries received when
his horse threw him age 67. He is affectionately considered as the "Father
of the Nation". There is a D.S Senanayake school in Colombo 7 and a
Senanayake Samudra in Gal Oya to remember a great Statesman.
Dr
C.W.W Kannangara
CWW
Kannangara was born in 1884. He was educated at Richmond College Galle and the
Ceylon Law College. Dr Kannangara is the architect of the system of free
education, from kindergarten to university, that exists today in Sri Lanka. The
establishment of free education in 1945 is celebrated as a tremendous national
achievement, significantly contributing to widespread literacy and greater
social equality. He passed away in 1969 at the age of 84.
Mahendra
Gonsalkorale has written a fine tribute to Dr CWW Kannangara, which is
available on our Blog.
Sir
John Kotelawela
He was
born in 1897 to a wealthy landowning and mining family. He was educated at
Royal College and Cambridge University. Sir John served in the Military for 23
years finally as a Colonel in the Ceylon Light Infantry. He was the Prime
Minister of Ceylon from 1953-56. He is known as an aggressively outspoken
person who loved sports and horse riding. When he was asked in parliament where
he learnt his French he said "Under
the blankets in Paris, where else do you think?". His words were excluded from the Hansard in
haste!! He left his enormous wealth and properties to the Kotelawala
Defence Academy for training men in the Army. Now there is a Kotelawela Defence
University named in his honour. He passed away age 83.
S.W.R.D
Bandaranaike
SWRD
Bandaranaike was born to the aristocracy in
1899 and lived at a mansion in Horagolla.
He was educated at St Thomas’ College Colombo and Oxford University. In 1925, he was called to
the Bar in London. His entry into politics marked a significant change in the
history of modern Ceylon. SWRD Bandaranaike formed the political party, the MEP,
and became its leader. He soon rose to become the Prime Minister of
Ceylon 1956-59. He was assassinated while being the Prime Minister age 60.
Sirimavo
Bandaranaike was born in 1916 in Ratnapura. She was educated in a Catholic
institution but remained a Buddhist all her life. She became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in
1960, following the assassination of her husband, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. She
served three terms in office and led the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Notably, she
was the world’s first female Prime Minister and the first woman elected as head
of government.
She
carried on with the socialist policies started by her husband and aligned
herself with the left movement. Her
government went on to nationalise of foreign assets.
One of her
famous quotes : "History is full of examples of the disastrous
consequences that came upon such nations that changed their constitutions by
giving one man too much power". She passed away in October 2000 age 84.
Sir
Oliver Goonetilleke
Oliver
Goonetilleke was born in Trincomalee in 1892. He had his education at Wesley
College Colombo and London University. In 1931 he became the Auditor General of
Ceylon. He was one of the key architects of Ceylon’s Independence and became
involved with the independence movement with D.S Senanayake. They drafted the
Independence Ceylon Act which was introduced to the House of Commons at
Westminster.
In 1954
Sir Oliver Goonetilleke succeeded Lord Soulbury to become the first Ceylonese
Governor General of the country. He was well known for his quick wit and
intelligence and was also a consummate negotiator and political tactician. His
tenure had lasted eight years and had included five prime ministers.
The
eminent Journalist Tarzie Vittachi praised the qualities that made the “old
fox” a perfect choice for the job: “his razor-sharp mind, his adeptness at
bluffing his way through the stickiest mess, his ability to visualize the
opponent’s manoeuvres three moves ahead”.
After the attempted coup d’etat in 1962, although Sir Oliver played no part in it, he was replaced by William Gopallawa as the Governor General. He passed away in 1978 age 86.
J.R Jayawardene
Junius
Richard Jayawardene was born in Colombo in 1906. He had his education at Royal
College Colombo, Ceylon University College and the Ceylon Law College. In 1948
he joined the UNP and became the first minister of finance of independent
Ceylon.
He gained
recognition for his speech at the Japan Peace Treaty Conference in San
Francisco in 1951, where he quoted the Buddha’s words: “Hatred
does not end by hatred, but only by love.” This gesture won him the lasting gratitude and
friendship of the Japanese people.
He
introduced constitutional changes that created the position of Executive
President and went on to become Sri Lanka’s first president in 1978. The merits
of this decision remain a subject of debate.
After
serving two terms, President Jayewardene retired on January 1, 1989. He passed
away in 1996 age 90 years.
Ranasinghe
Premadasa
Ranasinghe Premadasa was born in Colombo in 1924. He had his education at St Joseph’s College Colombo. The top political leadership in Sri Lanka has always been in the hands of high caste landed aristocracy coming from affluent families. He came from a family of modest means. A self-made man, he was the first "commoner" to hold the top jobs in politics. He was the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1978-89 and the President of the country from 1989-93. He served as a member of the Colombo Municipal Council for many years. He was assassinated in 1993 at the age of 69.
Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi was born in India in 1869 and grew up in Gujarat.
He was a man of enormous courage, charm and wisdom. One of his famous quotes stands out:
"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's
greed".
Jawaharlal
Nehru
Jawaharlal
Nehru was born in 1889 into an aristocratic family. He received his education
at Harrow School in London and later at Cambridge University. He rose to
prominence as a leading figure in India’s nationalist movement during the 1930s
and 1940s. For his role in the struggle for independence, Nehru was imprisoned
by the British. In all, he spent more than nine years in jail an experience he
vividly described in his seminal work “The Discovery of India”.
Following
independence in 1947, India and Pakistan emerged as two separate nations. Nehru
became the first prime minister of India, serving until 1964. He is also
remembered for shaping India’s foreign policy through his commitment to non-alignment.
Nehru once
remarked, “Without peace, all other dreams vanish” - a truth that continues to
resonate deeply. He passed away in 1964 at the age of 74.
Indira
Gandhi was born in 1917. She attended the Badminton School in Bristol and
Oxford University.
Indira
Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, became one of India’s most
influential stateswomen and served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977. She
maintained close ties with the Soviet Union and faced conflicts with both China
and Pakistan.
She once
said: "There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who
take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition
there".
During her
tenure, she also confronted a Sikh separatist movement. In 1984, she was
assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.
