Remembering Lionel Fernando in Jaffna

I was saddened when I learnt last week that Lionel Fernando had passed away. Even though it is forty-five years since our paths crossed, he made an indelible impression on me as few people have. This was not only because he was an exceptional human being, but because he had that quiet charisma that could influence and change people and events for the better. Sadly for our country, the impact that he could have made and the influence that he could have had, were not harnessed at that critical juncture in time. Consequently the strife and turmoil, the pain and suffering, the grief and loss of these past decades could not be averted.

He was appointed Government Agent to the Northern Province in 1978 at a time that disaffection in the North was growing. There is universal consensus that he was welcomed and literally adored by the people of the Province. But precisely because of that he was withdrawn from this position the following year. As Sarath Amunugama wrote last year in The Sunday Island of 9^th April; “Then without any explanation Lionel was transferred, overruling the objections of the Tamil MPs.” What followed was Sri Lanka’s tragedy.

In March 1979, I was among a group of journalists from Colombo who were invited by the Jaffna District Cultural Council to visit the North and to tour the peninsular. I believe that my best impression of Lionel Fernando’s monumental service to the people of Jaffna and the quest for coexistence is in what I wrote for The Lanka Guardian (1^st May 1979):

“The people of Jaffna have had an unblushing love affair with their Government Agent, Lionel Fernando. He has won such popularity by his genuine concern for the interests of the people of the northern peninsular. When there were clashes between the police and the people, he is there within moments, sometimes even in his sarong, in order to restore peace.

“GA Vernon Abeysekera in the sixties was also immensely popular among the Jaffna people – so much so that many openly wept when he finished his tour of duty and emplaned at Palaly. But a senior Parliamentarian in the North told The Lanka Guardian that GA Lionel is even more popular than Vernon Abeysekera was – and that’s saying something!

“Dr. Rasiah, Secretary of the Siddha Ayurvedhic Physicians of the North, remarked that the GA is called “Our Lion, because he keeps us safe from the Tigers!”

“Recently, when Lionel Fernando lost his mother, all of Jaffna town closed shutters in mourning. Representatives of all religious bodies came and offered prayers for the soul of the lady.

“Lionel Fernando joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1960. Prior to his appointment in Jaffna he served as Chairman of the Distilleries Corporation, later he was in the Home Ministry.”

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

“There are two other Sinhalese-speaking public servants in Jaffna who have become very much citizens of the north. The more senior of the two is S. M. J. Senaratne, who is the Assistant Collector of Customs. He has served in the North for 15 years.

“Younger in years, but by no means limited in vision is Chandrasoma Vithanage, the Cultural Officer attached to the Jaffna Secretariat. He has been in the forefront of a campaign to maintain a cultural exchange between the north and the south. Along with the Jaffna District Cultural Council, he has held film festivals in the Northern Province, bringing the best of Sinhala Cinema to the Tamil-speaking areas. Once again in August there will be a mammoth film festival.

“During the recent visit to Jaffna of a party of journalists, the Cultural Council arranged two recitals. One was an evening of devotional Tamil songs. The other was a performance of the State Dance Ensemble under Mr. Makuloluwa. The latter was well received by the people of Jaffna.

“It is our sincere hope that the programme undertaken by us,” says the Cultural Council, “will contribute towards greater understanding among all peoples in Sri Lanka. It is our unshakable belief that cultural bonds are one way through which national unity can be forged.”

“Chandrasoma Vithanage was formerly in the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.” (Article ends)

Lionel Fernando Sir, we are blessed to have known you and your greatness, and to have been touched by your goodness. May you along with all those who gave of themselves for the sake of others attain the supreme bliss.

Jayantha Somasundaram