“A Great Ceylonese of all Times” – Hon.Sir.Ponnambalam Ramanathan
‘SYMBOL OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY’
by : Dr.Nalliah Kumaraguruparan MPC
“A Great Ceylonese of all Times” this is the unique decorum of Honorable Sir. P. Ramanathan maintained all the time, appropriately observed by the father of the nation Right Honorable Don Stephen Senanayake.
Sir Pon. Ramanathan needs no better description than “A great Ceylonese of all times” by no one other than the first citizen of Ceylon “DS”. Such a proud personality to maintain himself first as a Ceylonese even in unfortunate times and with bitter experiences, that the greatness.
As I Study through history, he has never provoked but maintained his illustrious immortal personality as a proud Ceylonese. This is the unique feature. Sir. P. Ramanathan has maintained and passed same sentiment on to his successors great G.G. Ponnambalam and later to S.J.V. Chevanayagam who resisted upto his Vaddukottai conclave. Up to this point Ceylonese preferred to be a “Ceylonese” or a “Sri Lankan” at the outset in spite of bitter experiences.
This is where Sri Lanka has failed and most Sri Lankan leaders have failed but Sir. P. Ramanathan has up held at high esteem. He maintained and projected himself only as a Sri Lankan in sprite. Others projected and claimed priority through ethnic identity which led Sri Lankan finally to war.
British identified as an intellectual – par excellent and as an excellent orator. Sir. P. Ramanathan was very much in the fore front in freedom movement. Perhaps, fortunate that ethnically he belonged to a non majority group, his admirer Right Hon. D.S. Senanayake stood first among equals as Premier.
During the Widespread Sinhala, Muslim riots from 1915 May 28th to June 5th 1915, the British Governor came down with a heavy hand on Sinhalese community. The Governor declared martial law from June 2nd to August 30th and ordered Army to arrest and imprison severel prominent Sinhala leaders.
In 1915, Sir. P. Ramanathan took the lead role during the widespread and prolonged Sinhalease-Muslim riots in Ceylon. When he battled for the release of the Sinhalese leaders who were held in detention in October 1915 he even made a hazardous journey to England during the first World War, to present their Case personally. He won their release and on his return the supporters of the Sinhala leaders, showed their love and gratitude by carrying him in a palanquin from the landing jetty to this residence at “Sukhastan” Ward Place in Colombo.
Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake, D.R. Wijewardana Dr. Cassius Perera, E.T.D. Silva, F.R. Dias Bandaranayake, A.H. Molamure, H. Amarasuriye were among several who were detained in prison. Sir P. Ramanathan was worried over the scenario, he consulted Anagarika Dharmapala. At his request Sri. P. Ramanathan came all out to the rescue of the Sinhala community went against the tyranny of the British Government embarked on a voyage journey. It was with love and gratitude. D.S. Senanayake the first Prime Minister called Ramanathan “the Greatest Ceylonese of all times”. Whereas Sri Baron Jayathilake the Head of the Cabinet in the State Council Complimented him “as the Greatest man Ceylon has produced in the past fifty years.”
This is the climax state of integrity demonstrated by Sir. P.Ramanathan. Among various issues he initialed where he projected Buddhism. Sir. P. Ramanathan was become active in the revival of Buddhism in Ceylon and Associated with Henry Olcott the co founder of Theosophical Society in promoting Buddhism in schools. He was also responsible for the Government declaring Vesak a public holiday.
Ramanathan was nominated by the Government to represent Ceylon as a delegate to Golden Jubilee Celebration of Queen Victoria in 1987 at London. Ramanathan was described by Lord Salis bury as most accomplished speaker in the British Empire and Queen awarded a gold medal on the occasion.
Sir.P. Arunachalam was also equally in the forefront of the freedom movement and a respected nationalist. Sir. P. Ramanathan’s brother was also an intellectual on the Ceylon Civil Service Served Registrar General. When Ceylonese felt the necessity to form national alliance called Ceylon National Congress, it was Sir P. Arunachalam who had been chosen as the most suitable and eminent President to lead. Colombo Tamil Seat was considered a seriously felt due share. Ceylon National Congress assured this seat for Sir P. Arunachalam unanimously. Later when time came up Sir P. Arumachalam and Colombo Tamil representation had been a deceived affair by the very same couple of friends. This had been also a bitter experience.
Hon.Sir. P. Ramanathan was elected representing the educated Ceylonese to the Legislate council by a great majority in 1911. He defeated Dr. Mascus Fernando a popular physician. He retained the seat for over ten years. It was a historic event as he was the first candidate to be elected to the legislature of the country by all Ceylon electorate prior to the introduction of universal franchise in 1931. He was re elected to this seat in the Legislative Council. Later he returned to the Legislative Council elected through Valikamam West of Northern Province, whereas my Grand Father T.M.Sabarutnam returned very successfully defeating H.A.P.Chandrasekara from East constituency of Northern Province. Sir.W.Duraiswamy became the speaker of the house.
Therefore Sir. P. Ramanathan and his brother Sir. P. Arunachalam not only being talented intellectuals, served for the country, they were in fore front of the freedom movement of Ceylon. Very vital role is that they have left a foot path towards a strong “Sri Lankan role” as nationalist role model.
Infact G. G. Ponnambalam QC too an intellectual, eminent lawyer & Statesman taking over the leadership of Tamils from Sir P. Ramanathan followed the same foot print as Sri Lankan Nationalist. He led the Sri Lankan delegation to UN and played a positive Tamil politics towards national development, which has been really constructive. If not for Sir.P.Ramanathan’s guidelines G.G. Ponnambalam wouldn’t have come out with two large factories in the north and one in the east which has provided ample employment in north and east. G. G. parallely with his role as Tamil leader extended responsive cooperation to the then government. In the same manner S.J.V. Chelvanayagam too given the portfolio to Mr. Thiruchelvam QC and extended his coorporation to the then government. He embarked on two political pacts “Banda - Chelva “And “Dudley Chelva” Pacts. In spite of both failed SJV did not withdraw his support to Dudley’s Govt since he was convinced of Dudley’s gentlemanship. Hence, political history, categorically establish a co-operative, positive conflict free psyche of those great Tamil Leaders.
What is important here is that from Sir P. Ramanathan downwards up to “SJV” played only a positive politics and extended responsive co-operation to the ruling governments but not a communal politics.
Sir. P. Ramanathan as philanthropist has contributed for colossal educational development. If there had been a majestic traditional building for Jaffna University, it is none other than the very same Parameshwara College and Ramanathan College built by Sir. P. Ramanathan, a great Philanthropist. These are monuments we are to be proud. If there had been a change in this Tamil Psyche after the SJV’S “Vadducotai conclave”, a serious research to seek the cause for the change is important and attended to solve the conflict. We can’t confine Sir. P. Ramanathan’s life into few columns here, such a legend is his life. In the contemporary history at this juncture, if all Sri Lankans must take up Sir. P. Ramanathan’s attitude and conviction should we can make a graceful Sri Lanka beyond all and any racial differences.
This article was published in the Asian Tribune on 30th November 2010 - http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/11/30/%E2%80%9C-great-ceylonese-all-times%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-honsirponnambalam-ramanathan.
