Kumar David- Scientist, Political Analyst and Freethinker

Anura Gunasekera

I was saddened by the news of the passing of Prof. Kumar David (KD) a man I have never met, but came to admire and respect, through the reading of his political articles published over the years, in the print media. Our only interaction occurred about 15 years ago, when, in one of his writings, he commented with both amusement and appreciation, on a political article of mine which had been published in an issue of the Sunday Island. He agreed with both the content and the narrative direction.

I am sad because writers of his genre, are becoming thin on the ground. I had come to admire him for his meticulously argued political analyses, even in instances when I did not quite agree with his views. His passionate advocacy for transparency, truth and integrity in governance, resonated with many of the issues I too have addressed in my infrequent writing.

Though coming from very different backgrounds, he an illustrious academic and myself an early dropout from the educational system, as writers on issues of public interest, at various times, we independently aired a commonality of concerns in regard to the gradual erosion of the rule of law, the growing impediments to the right of dissent without fear of reprisal, as well as numerous other issues related to governance in the country.

Despite our different stations in life, we were both Sri Lankans with a deep concern regarding the political and administrative degeneration in the country. His brutally frank critiques of the caste, racial and religious bigotry, pervading both the private and public life of this country, was, at times, as impolitic as mine.

I liked his witty, self-deprecatory style of writing and his clear irreverence of both idols and icons. Despite being an avowed Marxist, his analyses were unbiased and always reflected his scientific training, in rational and empirical approach to analysis.

He brought to bear on the understanding of social, political and economic issues, arguments which were always evidence based and, quite often, statistically supported. And, irrespective of the subject, his writing was always laced with a wry, often impish, humour, but without detracting even minutely from the seriousness of the narrative, or delivery. It takes a man of uncommon intelligence, singular mastery of the subject matter and command of the medium, to be able to combine all those attractive features and still maintain the integrity of the narrative.

His article, “An Election Like No Other” (Colombo Telegraph- Sept 22 2024), possible his last, was an excellent analysis, prescient as well, of a post-presidential election era, heavily tilted towards an Anura Kumara Dissanayake win. He had, with customary accuracy, predicted the issues that an AKD dispensation would be confronted with, within the first week of the inauguration. His comment regarding Sajith’s obvious indebtedness to the Sangha and, thereby, his inability to make a  genuine commitment to Tamil aspirations in the North and the East, may also be an issue that AKD himself will have to deal with.

All politicians, irrespective of doctrine, tend to gather awkward baggage when struggling for traction. In the same writing, he also addressed some of the apprehensions that ordinary, uncommitted voters harbour, when opting for the NPPJVP, as the only viable alternative to a succession of gruesome failures of governance.

Professor Vijaya Kumar, Dr KD’s contemporary in university and fellowtraveller in Leftist politics from undergraduate days, in a writing featured in the Colombo Telegraph (Oct. 15 2024) has painted a very comprehensive and vivid picture of Dr.KD and their development and emergence as Left oriented intellectuals.

It may seem strange to be writing a tribute to a man I have never known, never met, seen , or spoken to. Our only commonalities were a deep concern for the tragedies evolving around our nation, the venality of successive regimes which governed this country, and the necessity, however seemingly futile, of raising our heads over the parapet and raising an outcry. I will conclude by saying that I wish I had got to know him, as we would have found consensus in many areas of importance.

It is also a great irony, and, of course, an act of fate, that Dr. KD should move on, just as the JVP/NPP – the flag-bearers of his peronal ethos – which, according to Prof VK, benefited from his contribution at the very inception itself, is poised to gain control of governance in the country. In an article I wrote recently (The Wrath of A Nation – Sunday Island, Oct. 13, 2024), I concluded with the statement that, “if only a fraction of the NPP-JVP manifesto is implemented, it will be of benefit to 80% of  the people – the marginalized and the rural population – and to that end, AKD needs and deserves the mandate that he is seeking at the general election.”

Prof VK has concluded his tribute to Dr KD with the statement, that if the NPP is able to form a powerful government and  that government is able to, “make a transformative change on behalf of the marginalized and poor, the working class and the rural farmer, it would be a testament to Kumar’s efforts”.

Dr KD’s passing is a loss to the country and to the intellectual dialogue around matters of national importance. He stirred the pot, with wicked relish sometimes, but the broth tasted the better for it. I , personally, have followed his writings for many years, seeing him as a scientist philosopher- political analyst and, primarily, as one of the few voices of reason in an unreasonable and turbulent society.

He very readily admitted error, when relevant, demonstrating a complete absence of pomposity and obduracy. He was very comfortable, laughing at himself. I shall miss reading his highly informative, amusing and often quirky writings. He held a brutally clear mirror, to the ugliness of governance and public life in the country.

He also displayed a rare intellectual honesty, not quite as common as one would expect, amongst intellectuals.