Book review

Author: Dr. B.G.A Vidyathilaka
(632 Pages in Sinhala)
Published by Sarasavi (Pvt) Ltd,
First edition 2023

Absorbing and no-holds-barred- biography – a review by Jagath Savanadasa

This is a well researched and illuminating biography about the life, services and times of E.A. Goonasinghe the pioneer Trade Unionist and able \politician.The Labour and Trade Union movement in this country owes a debt of gratitude to its father figure E.A. Goonasinghe. He indeed gave life to it during a particularly difficult period when workers were subjected to harsh treatment by the employers. This was during early to near mid-20th century when the country was under British Colonial rule.

When one reads this book, one is exposed to the truth about working conditions during those turbulent years, in both public and private or mercantile sectors. Some of the tales about the strikes organised to alleviate the suffering of the mass of the employees groaning under the weight of injustice, pricks one’s conscience.It also raises the valid question why were British entities so unjust and why did they not improve working conditions of the employees?

It was during this early stage that the biography brings forth history of trade unionism and the arrival at the scene of a forceful and combative figure. It was he who led the suffering masses and helped to band themselves together to fight for justice and fair play.

The first part of the book is a virtual autobiography and its titled “My life and Labour”

Accordingly Goonasinghe has had his early education at St. Joseph College, Colombo and Dharmaraja College, Kandy. Even as a schoolboy he seemed to have been patriotic.And quite early in life Goonasinghe had been vehemently opposed to the Kandyan Treaty of 1815 which was an instrument of deception by the British. Goonasinghe had been an avid protestor at the centenary meeting of the above Treaty at the residence of well-known lawyer in Chilaw C.E.A. Corea.

The meeting led to the formation of an association named “The Young Lanka League”. While C.E.A. Corea was elected President of the league and Goonasinghe its Secretary.

Sinhala-Muslim riots of 1915

The Sinhala-Muslim riots of 1915 was a gruesome event which darkened the history of British rule of Ceylon.More than 100 men were killed during the riots which originated in Kandy and spread to various parts of the country.

The most unfortunate aspect of this grim episode was the misguided action of the British military who thought that the riots were instigated by the Buddhists leaders in Colombo. The British not only declared Marshal law but also arrested leading Buddhists like D.S. and F.R. Senanayake, Hewawitharana brothers, Sir D.B. Jayathilake, Piyadasa Sirisena, Aurthur V. Dias and also .A. E. Goonasinghe the main figure in this study.

Also during the course of the riots, Captain Pedris who had no hand in this grim affair was mistakenly shot dead. This was a grave error on the part of the British which led to serious repercussions on them.

The historic strikes.

The vivid biography also describes more than two dozen strikes in which Goonasinghe was deeply involved. These reflected Goonasighe’s will and strength in combatting ruthless forces in operation in the upper rungs of the Mercantile sector supported by the Police.The most serious of these were in the 1920’s. One such was the GOH strike, another the strike by the harbour unions, and the most devastating was the tram car unions strike.

It is interesting at this stage to look at the history of the last strike mentioned. A prominent Mercantile firm Whittal Boustead and Company Limited had owned and operated a network of Tram cars in the city. Older generations in Colombo will recall that it was a commendable “modus operandi” for travel within the city. The objective of the strike was to bring about better wages as well as persuading the company to improve working conditions of those who manned this important service.

It did lead to negotiations with the hierarchy of Whittals but they failed to grant the demands made by the Unions.More seriously the strikers had been challenged and provoked by the Maradana Police. The book observed that retaliatory violence led to the police shooting five people dead. Shocking accounts of this deadly action is revealed in the book. It had led to burning of the Maradana Police station completely.

The Final Outcome

The Book observes that the Inspector General of Police Hubert Dowbiggen had been condemned in no uncertain terms since he had acted in an arbitrary and ruthless manner which deepened the crisis.

An important agreement

The book notes that the penultimate stage of this unfortunate affair was the investigation conducted in order to examine the causes, effects and solution. But nothing followed and thus the final outcome of the inquiry was not known.

Of course, there was one worthy development and this was the final settlement arrived at between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the three Trade unions involved which revealed a sympathetic attitude of the Ceylon Chamber Chairman towards the workers and it was helpful in solving the issues.

Goonasinghe’s political carrier

Besides being a noteworthy trade unionist. Goonasinghe had also had an eventful political career during that final phase of the British colonial rule.At first Goonsinghe became a member of the Colombo Municipal Council in the 1920’s. The election to the Council had been a tense affair with several well-known politicians joining the fray.

First Sinhala Mayor

Goonasinghe had the honour of being the first Sinhala Mayor of the capital City which shows that in those distant days ethnicity, religion, caste and such other factors had been decisive in politics.

Member of the State Council

In 1931 Goonasinghe was elected to the State Council and quickly rose to be a Minister.A point of special interest revealed in the biographical account is that he was elected to the State Council through the UNP.

Other Highlights

Curiously Goonsinghe’s Ministerial portfolio did not specify his duties and exact responsibilities. But it did reflect some interesting facts. Though Goonsinghe, throughout his life represented the interests of lower rungs of employees, he was not strictly a leftist. But a liberal thinker and a democrat.

The book also reveals verbal duels in the State Council against the likes of Dr. N.M. Perera the prominent Sama Samaja leader. He had never given in to them. However, Goonasinghe was elected a member of the first post Independent House of Representatives in 1948. And a cabinet Minister in the first government of D.S. Senanayake

Goonasinghe had the honour of representing the local Trade Unions at conferences overseas and one of which was in London where he had the opportunity to interact with leading personalities in the British Labour party.

Goonasinghe during the course of a notable and varied carrier had also being Ceylon’s ambassador to Indonesia and Burma respectively. This enabled Goonasinghe a devout Buddhist to visit renowned temples and other historic sites especially in Indonesia. He also had the opportunity to establish ties with President Sukarno of Indonesia.

Adult franchise for eligible Ceylonese

Goonasinghe during the course of which fought relentless battle was to gain voting rights to eligible Ceylonese.

Death of D.S Senanayake Ceylon’s first Prime Minister and the father of the nation

Ceylon’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senannayake aslo called the father of the nation died suddenly in 1952 after falling from the horse he was riding. In a graphic description of the aftermath of his death the biography recounts the stirring address made by Goonasinghe in the parliament.

Goonasinghe recalled that D.S. and F.R. Senanayake the two brothers had laid the foundation for the independence of this nation from Colonial Bondage. Goonasinghe had added that D.S. did not have a degree from Oxford or Cambridge universities. But he was nourished by the ancient culture of this land and he became one of the greatest political leaders of the world.

Following the prime Minister’s death there was no tussle to succeed him. But the book highlights how an attempt was made by Sir. John Kothalawala to be the Prime Minister. But this was thwarted when a number of Parliamentarians who objected to it forwarded a petition to the Governor General.

The Book which is full of exhilarating history of this country notes how P. De. S. Kularathna an eminent educationist failed in his attempt to enter parliament through a misjudgement about voters of Maradana.

Was it a love-hate relationship?

Around the same time Goonasinghe was active in public life the field of Sinhala journalism was dominated by a great nationalist of the time Piyadasa Sirisena. Sirisena who was Publisher and Editor Sinhala Jathiya newspaper.

The Biography quotes Sinhala Jathiya’s comments on Goonasinghe’s role in public life. The Book also published many cartoons that appeared in Sinhala Jathiya from time to time. This writer feels that this newspaper’s portrayal of Goonasinghe seems to show two sides, both love and hate.

But readers may feel that this is a part of objective journalism.Sirisena was a great believer in democracy and also had rightist inclinations.This biography is a voyage of discovery. And readers should be grateful to Dr. Vidyathillake for his vital account on Trade Unionism and its pioneer.

Jagath Savanadasa is one of most senior Chamber of Commerce officials in the country with a career span of more than half a century. He has also published books on history and other trade related research works.He is currently the Secretary General/CEO of the Business Chamber of Commerce which was established in year 2000. This essay however is written in his personal capacity