6.4.2008
By K.T.Rajasingham
1.
To bring about peace and stability in the country
2. Tamils should live with peace and honor in the country
3. LTTE terrorism should be ended either by negotiation
or else by militarily means.
4. UPFA should win the East Provincial Council elections
and Pillaiyan should become the chief Minister
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle -
A Martyr
Asian Tribune was in touch with Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
He used to call Asian Tribune almost every other day and
discuss the political development in the country. Some
conversations were off the record. Ony those meant for
publication appeared in print. Asian Tribune recorded
his interviews judiciously. The last time Asian Tribune
spoke with the late Minister was on Saturday (April 5th)
around 9.30 PM, Sri Lanka time. He was talking about the
trip he took to Trincomalee on the 3rd, to participate
in the filing of the nomination papers of the UPFA in
the provincial Council Elections.
His
scintillating voice still reverberates in our ears. We
played the recorded voice one more time; there was no
words to describe our emotions. He is no more with us.
When
he came up with the two Ambassadors – US and Norway
involved in talks with Rauff Hakeem, the Leader of the
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress to contest in the Provincial
Council elections, we told him this is a very serious
issue. He said that everyone in Colombo knew about it.
We told that this is something new to our readers.
One
of our contributing editors, Philip Fernando who resides
in Los Angeles, described it, "This is dynamite man.”
Unfortunately our friend Jeyeraj Fernandopulle succumbed
to a bomb blast.
He
also talked about his ministerial office and also about
his Office of the Chief Government whip. He said that
he is keeping some of his staff there because he was sure
that people would have taken copies of his communications
to be distributed to the opposition. He said how badly
he feels when one of his staff who was introduced by him
has let him and Asian Tribune down.
He
said we are watching those quislings and would take appropriate
action soon. However he said, “it felt as if a time
bomb was ticking and someone would be passing information
on his movements to the LTTE.” He had a premonition.
He
said he was requested by President Mahinda Rajapakse not
to visit his offices on a regular basis, but to attend
to his works from his residence.
So
many things he narrated. His aim was to bring about peace
and stability in the country.
He,
as a Tamil was loved and respected by the People of Sri
Lanka and everyone loved him except the LTTE and Velupillai
Prabhakaran. They hate him because that as a Tamil he
voiced opposition to their so called parochial Tamil nationalism.
Jeyaraj
Fernandopulle was a nationalist and never a communalist.
He loved Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankans.
There
was a move by Sri Lanka President to nominate him as the
next Prime Minister in the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.
A
second Tamil who was considered for a Prime Minister position
next to Lakshman Kadirgamar was targeted and killed. It
was unfortunate according to him he had felt that ticking
dynamite reverberating in one of his offices who was suspected
of passing information to the Tigers.
Whatever
said and done Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, a Good politician,
a Good leader, a Good Tamil, a Good Catholic, above all
a Good human being – a gem of a person is no more.
Goodbye
sweet Prince!
May
a host of angels sing thee to thy sleep!
Let
your Aathma Santhi Adayaddum - Let your soul rest in peace!
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune