Features

Problem of being identical twin of a politician

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/27

This is an amusing incident that took place several years ago. One evening we, then schoolboys, were playing soft ball cricket at the Mahinda College grounds, when someone came rushing up and told us that a young servant girl of a certain household had climbed a huge tree as a mark of protest over some wrong done to her, and was refusing to get down.

All of us, including Minister Rupa Karnatilleke, who was a schoolmate of mine, ran to see the unusual sight, to find a huge crowd already there. It was almost dusk, and there was this pretty creature perched precariously on one of the topmost branches of a massive Donga tree. It was a stupendous task.

“I want to speak to Dahanayake hamumahattaya” cried the lass.” I won’t come down till he gets here!” (Being a son of a Muhandiram, W was hamumahattaya to everybody, despite being a vociferous Sama Samajist).

W. Dahanayake was away in Colombo, attending a sitting of the State Council. (He was MSC for Bibile at the time) and everybody looked at each other in dismay. Then someone got a brainwave.

“I will get him”, he shouted to the girl who was on the tree, and sped away. A few minutes later he was back with W’s twin brother Kalyanspriya, who spoke soothingly to the girl and persuaded her to get down, promising that her grievance would be looked into.

At the 1947 general election, the first to the newly created house of Representatives, W’ twin brother K contested the Colombo Central Seat. Unlike today’s elections, the earlier ones were spread over a number of days. (As everybody knows, it was W, then Prime Minister, who held the very first one-day general election in March 1960).

On the first day of the 1947 elections, Sir Vaithyalingam Doraisamy, the Speaker of the outgoing State Council lost. On the second day, Sir Susantha de Fonseka, the Deputy Speaker, lost.

A few days later, while W was addressing one of his brother’s meetings, an Inspector of Police strode up to the platform and said,” Mr. Dahanayaka, you are permitted to use loudspeakers only until 10.00 p.m. It is now 10.05. I don’t care if you haven’t finished your speech, I am going to disconnect the loudspeaker.”

As the Inspector did so W yelled: “Sahodaravaruni, on the first day, Speaker giyaa! On the second day Deputy Speaker giyaa! Onna dhan loud sepakeruth giyaa!” (On the first day, the Speaker went! On the second day, the Deputy Speaker went! And now the loud speaker has gone!”

In the late nineteen forties, there was a large crowd on the side of a road. A woman was pitching into K accusing him of not attending to some matter of hers after solemnly promising to do so. It was obvious to everybody that she had mistaken him for his twin brother W, the then MP for Galle.

K then asked a friend of his, who was there, to tell this woman that she was making a mistake and that he was not the MP. His friend did as he was requested and the woman then turning on K’s fired in fury shrieked, “Tho mata Kiyanna enawada …..”(“Are you trying to tell me ….”) and went on to say that she had known W for years and years, and the hapless man at the receiving end of her tirade was he.

Later, the matters were sorted out and K told his friend ruefully, “This is one of the hazards of being the identical twin of a politician!”

Once during a school excursion, the students visited Sir John’s Kandawala Estate with their teachers. Seeing K, Sir John asked him” I say Daha! What are you doing here?”

“Sir, he is my elder brother,” said K.

Once the Secretary to the Prime Minister Bradman Weerakoon said. “The twin brothers were exceedingly close and one of the real friends Dahanayake had was indeed his twin brother who visited him often at Temple Trees. It was quite difficult at the beginning and especially when they were together to determine who in fact was the Prime Minister?”.

The remains of the assassinated Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was lying-in-state in Parliament and K went to pay his last respects.

W had been sworn in as the new Prime Minister, and the two brothers travelled to the House-by-the-sea in the Prime Minister’s official car.

As the car stopped at the entrance to the House, a police officer sprang forward and opened the door on the side K was seated. As K stepped out of the car, all the police and other service officers present clicked their heels and saluted him smartly.

When W got out from the other side, their jaws dropped and they looked around in consternation and confusion – for they were quite unaware of the existence of W’s identical twin!

K knew his crowd psychology just as much as W. My friend Siri, who was once the Registrar of the Galle High Court, was then a student at the Hikkaduwa Central College, when K joined the staff as an English teacher.

On the first day or second, he took the lessons from the back of the class.

“Yes, he would say suddenly in the middle of a lesson. You there, Sirisena, give a word having a similar meaning”. And a very surprised Sirisena would rise and answer. And, so, it went on, right from the very first day. K would call out a name from the back of the class, and the student concerned would get up and answer.

The students were most impressed. How could the new teacher know their names so soon?

One day, a daring student surreptitiously took a peek at the teacher standing at the back of the class – and the cat was out! K had a list of the names of the students, copied from the class register, in his hand, and he would call out a name at random. And he stood at the back of the class, because then he didn’t have to look at the student as he called out his name, for he didn’t know whom the name belonged to!

It was a tradition of the Hikkaduwa Central in the old days that a member of the academic staff had to be elected President of the College Literary Union.

One year a rather unpopular teacher who nursed ambitions of becoming the President, got two of his ‘stooges’ to propose and second his name.

“Any other names?” asked the principal who was presiding. (Usually, there was no contest for this post). And immediately Siri, who was a student then, jumped to his feet and proposed the name of K the popular English teacher.

“Have you got Mr. Dahanayake’s permission to propose his name?” asked the Principal sternly, knowing a contest was going to be an undignified thing.

“Yes, sir,” replied Siri without batting an eyelid.

The two names were put to the vote, and, of course. K won resoundingly. As soon as the result was announced, Siri sped to the Staff Room and told K what had happened, apologizing profusely for not obtaining his permission beforehand.

“That’s alright, my boy” said K gazing at the excited student with a twinkle in his eye. “I won’t let you down!”

Parakrama, a son of K, who was at the time the private secretary to W, the Minister of Cooperatives, wrote to “Amita’s column in The Island“, giving a vivid description of the farewell dinner to the then principal of Richmond College B. Suriarachchi, who was leaving to take up the new post of principal, Royal College.

He stated that 300 old Richmondites who had gathered for the occasion lustily sang.

“Richmond to the fore/boys let the air resound/Richmond to the fore/boys let the cry go round..” adding that the speeches were spicy and witty and that C. J. Seneviratne, the President of the Galle Bar Association came out with this exhortation to the young ladies of Galle:

“When from school you depart,

This lesson you should impart –

To live in dignity and grace,

You must a Richmondite embrace.”

Vijaya was another son of K. He was once the Mayor of Galle. On the day of his funeral, a trade unionist said. “Today, ends the era of gentlemen politics of Galle.”

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Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.