Features

1970 election results, I get my marching orders and Dudley’s death

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/16

Thilina Walpola

The crowd at Independence Square for Dudley Senanayake’s funeral

(Excerpted from Rendering Unto Caesar, by Bradman Weerakoon)

Mrs Bandaranaike’s United Front was returned to power with a total of 116 members. The SLFP won 91 seats – a record up to then – and its two Marxist allies, the Trotskyite LSSP won 19 and the Communist Party six seats. The elections had left Dudley’s UNP with only 17 seats in Parliament and he had barely made it in his own constituency, Dedigama. He had won the family pocket borough in 1965 with a majority of several thousands. This time round he could win with only a majority of just over 1,000 votes and that too after a re-count, to a novice in politics, the affable Dharmasiri Senanayake whose campaign tactics and manner had won Dudley’s warm appreciation. In fact he had confided to me some weeks after the campaign had started that he had at long-last found the perfect man to succeed him in Dedigama, but that he belonged to the wrong party.

Dudley resigns before all the results were in

The 1970 elections were a disaster for Dudley. He thought he had done well enough especially on the food production area and the prospect he had held out to the electorate of self-sufficiency in our staple dietary needs, and power through the Mahaweli ganga Diversion proposed scheme to win comfortably. Indeed G V P Samarasinghe, the secretary of defence and external affairs and Neville Jayaweera in broadcasting and information were quite confident that the UNP would win through easily. But the swing to Sirimavo was phenomenal and confounded all predictions. She won 91 seats and Dudley was reduced to 17.

The way in which he left office for the last time was characteristic of the man. We were all at Woodlands to see him come back that morning. He had been out the whole night at the count at the Kegalle Technical School. It had been a close fight and Nimal Karunatilaka, then his press secretary, had heard on the radio that he had lost and a re-count had been ordered by the returning officer since the margin was very close. As it turned out Dudley had won but only, with a reduced majority of 1,076 votes.

As the car drew up under the porch, he grinned broadly and said, “Hell of a thing, no,” and begged to be excused for a moment as he rushed up the stairs shouting out that he must “empty my bladder”. First things first was his motto. When he came down Nimal wondered how we could manage to stay on and suggested an immediate summoning of the cabinet to plan strategy. “What cabinet?” he queried. “All the fellows have lost. Bradman, get the resignation letter ready.” He had been through it all before.

When the umpire rules you out, you walk

I rushed back to my office in Senate Square to prepare the resignation letter. We had it signed around eleven and by noon the Governor-General, Gopallawa had the letter in his hands. I went back to my office and began the now familiar task of clearing out my drawers. I was quite certain that this would surely be my last time in that office.

The 1970 elections saw democracy at full throttle. But the anomaly which the “first past the post” electoral system had engendered, was evident once more. While the UNP with 37.9 per cent of the popular vote was only able to secure 17 seats, the SLFP with 36.9 per cent of the total votes had secured 91 seats.

I get my moving orders

The sweeping majority, which Mrs Bandaranaike and her United Front government had obtained, enabled the government to have a two thirds majority and institute major policy changes. But one of the first of her acts was the very practical one of changing her senior staff. I was standing by at home for the news and it came within the next few hours. Dharmasiri Pieris phoned and informed me that Mrs Bandaranaike had asked him to be her secretary.

I was delighted and invited him over to my home at de Fonseka Pace for a handing-over chat. Dharmasiri was the ideal candidate – his relations with Mrs Bandaranaike, which had officially begun in the prime minister’s office in the 1960-1965 era when he was assistant to me, were excellent. He had successfully avoided being marked as political in any sense; he had a clear and logical mind and was circumspect in coming to a decision.

He would stick with any difficult assignment and not give up or pass it to another. Above all, he was a sportsman and played by the rules of the game. We had often partnered each other in difficult situations at the crease and had a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s cricketing skills. I had no doubt at all that he would turn in another superlative performance, and he did.

Dudley suffers massive heart attack and passes on

Soon after the reconciliation between Dudley and J R in 1973, Dudley who was only 62, passed away after suffering three heart attacks. He was taken to Durdans from his Woodlands home but the cardiac arrest could not be averted.

After his first attack and on hearing the news in Batticaloa, I decided that I should drive down to Colombo to see him since I had heard that he was critically ill. That was one time in my career that I did not have to wait for my leave to be approved. I just downed tools, got into my car and drove down to Colombo. He was conscious when I walked upstairs to his room. I clasped his hand and he smiled wanly. That was the last time I saw him alive for late that night he passed away.

I stayed in Colombo for the funeral and what a funeral that was! He died while in the opposition and he was only a Member of Parliament – holding no office, but Colombo had never seen signs of mourning such as this. There was no bus transport on the day of his funeral, perhaps because the government had deemed it so, but that did not stop the people from coming. At one point at Galle Road, they were about eight-deep walking in an informal procession which stretched for miles from the south into Colombo. At the Independence Square where a great pyre had been constructed, an enormous orderly crowd assembled.

On my having been Secretary when he was the last prime minister, I had a ringside seat to watch the proceedings. Even in a country where funerals are usually very elaborate, Dudley Senanayake’s on April 21, 1973 was an extraordinary one. It was estimated that over one million people attended the funeral at Independence Square that day. It was not a state funeral since Dudley at that time held no official position. He was only a member in the opposition. J R Jayewardene captured the mood of the vast crowd in his funeral oration that evening with a quotation from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which he enriched in style. As the flames rose around the casket of his comrade-in-arms, at sunset that evening, JR bade him a moving farewell:

“Goodnight sweet Prince,
May hosts of devas sing thee to thy sleep,
he intoned in his deep voice, as many in the vast crowd wept openly.

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Features

Rethinking global order in the precincts of Nalanda

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/21

Thilina Walpola

It has become fashionable to criticise the US for its recent conduct toward Iran. This is not an attempt to defend or rationalise the US’s actions. Rather, it seeks to inject perspective into an increasingly a historical debate. What is often missing is institutional memory: An understanding of how the present international order was constructed and the conditions under which it emerged.

The “rules-based order” was forged in the aftermath of two catastrophic wars. Earlier efforts had faltered. Woodrow Wilson’s proposal for a League of Nations after World War I was rejected by the US Senate. Yet, it introduced a lasting premise: International order could be consciously designed, not left solely to shifting power balances. That premise returned after World War II. The Dumbarton Oaks process laid the groundwork for the UN, while Bretton Woods established the global financial architecture.

These frameworks shaped modern norms of security, finance, trade, and governance. The US played the central role in this design, providing leadership even as it engaged selectively- remaining outside certain frameworks while shaping others. This underscored a central reality: Power and principle have always coexisted uneasily within it.

This order most be understood against the destruction that preceded it. Industrial warfare, aerial bombardment, and weapons capable of unprecedented devastation reshaped both the ethics and limits of conflict. The post-war system emerged from this trauma, anchored in a fragile consensus of “never again”, even as authority remained concentrated among five powers.

The rise of China, the re-emergence of India, and the growing assertiveness of Russia and regional powers are reshaping the global balance. Technological disruption and renewed competition over energy and resources are transforming the nature of power. In this environment, some American strategists argue that the US risks strategic drift Iran, in this view, becomes more than a regional issue; it serves as a platform for signalling resolve – not only to Tehran, but to Beijing and beyond. Actions taken in one theatre are intended to shape perceptions of credibility across multiple fronts.

Recent actions suggest that while the US retains unmatched military reach, it has exercised a level of restraint. The avoidance of escalation into the most extreme forms of warfare indicates that certain thresholds in great-power conflict remain intact. If current trends persist-where power increasingly substitutes for principle — this won’t remain a uniquely American dilemma.

Other major powers may face similar choices. As capabilities expand, the temptation to act outside established norms may grow. What begins as a context-specific deviation can harden into accepted practice. This is the paradox of great power transition: What begins as an exception risk becoming a precedent The question now is whether existing systems are capable of renewal. Ad hoc frameworks may stabilise the present, but risk orphaning the future. Without a broader framework, they risk managing disorder rather than designing order. The Dumbarton Oaks process was a structured diplomatic effort shaped by competing visions and compromise. A contemporary equivalent would be more complex, reflecting a more diffuse distribution of power and lower levels of trust Such an effort must include the US, China, India, the EU, Russia, and other key powers.

India could serve as a credible convenor capable of bridging divides. Its position -engaged with multiple powers yet not formally aligned – gives it a degree of convening legitimacy. Nalanda-the world’s first university – offers an appropriate symbolic setting for such dialogue, evoking knowledge exchange across civilisations rather than competition among them.

Milinda Moragoda is a former cabinet minister and diplomat from Sri Lanka and founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, a strategic affairs think tank could be contacted atemail@milinda.org. This article was published in Hindustan Times on 2026.04.19)

By Milinda Moragoda

Features

Father and daughter … and now Section 8

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/21

Thilina Walpola

Members of Section 8

The combination of father and daughter, Shafi and Jana, as a duo, turned out to be a very rewarding experience, indeed, and now they have advanced to Section 8 – a high-energy, funk-driven, jazz-oriented live band, blending pop, rock, funk, country, and jazz.

Guitar wizard Shafi is a highly accomplished lead guitarist with extensive international experience, having performed across Germany, Australia, the Maldives, Canada, and multiple global destinations.

Shafi: Guitar wizard, at the helm of Section 8

Jana: Dynamic and captivating lead vocalist

He is best known as a lead guitarist of Wildfire, one of Sri Lanka’s most recognised bands, while Jana is a dynamic and captivating lead vocalist with over a decade of professional performing experience.

Jana’s musical journey started early, through choir, laying the foundation for her strong vocal control and confident stage presence.

Having also performed with various local bands, and collaborated with seasoned musicians, Jana has developed a versatile style that blends energy, emotion, and audience connection.

The father and daughter combination performed in the Maldives for two years and then returned home and formed Section 8, combining international stage experience with a sharp understanding of what it takes to move a crowd.

In fact, Shafi and Jana performed together, as a duo, for over seven years, including long-term overseas contracts, building a strong musical partnership and a deep understanding of international audiences and live entertainment standards.

Section 8 is relatively new to the scene – just two years old – but the outfit has already built a strong reputation, performing at private events, weddings, bars, and concerts.

The band is known for its adaptability, professionalism, and engaging stage presence, and consistently delivers a premium live entertainment experience, focused on energy, groove, and audience connection.

Section 8 is also a popular name across Sri Lanka’s live music circuit, regularly performing at venues such as Gatz, Jazzabel, Honey Beach, and The Main Sports Bar, as well as across the southern coast, including Hikkaduwa, Ahangama, Mirissa, and Galle.

What’s more, they performed two consecutive years at Petti Mirissa for their New Year’s gala, captivating international audiences present with high-energy performance, specially designed for large-scale celebrations.

With a strong following among international visitors, the band has become a standout act within the tourist entertainment scene, as well.

Their performances are tailored to diverse audiences, blending international hits with dance-driven sets, while also incorporating strong jazz influences that add depth, musicianship, and versatility to their sound.

The rest of the members of Section 8 are also extremely talented and experienced musicians:

Suresh – Drummer, with over 20 years of international experience.

Dimantha – Keyboardist, with global exposure across multiple countries.

Dilhara – Bassist and multi-instrumentalist, also a composer and producer, with technical expertise.

Features

Celebrations … in a unique way

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/21

Thilina Walpola

The attraction on 14th July

Rajiv Sebastian could be classified as an innovative performer.

Yes, he certainly has plenty of surprises up his sleeves and that’s what makes him extremely popular with his fans.

Rajiv & The Clan are now 35 years in the showbiz scene and Rajiv says he has plans to celebrate this special occasion … in a unique way!

According to Rajiv, the memories of Clarence, Neville, Baig, Rukmani, Wally and many more, in its original flavour, will be relived on 14th July.

“We will be celebrating our anniversary at the Grand Maitland (in front of the SSC playground) on 14th July, at 7.00pm, and you will feel the inspiration of an amazing night you’ve never seen before,” says Rajiv, adding that all the performers will be dressed up in the beautiful sixties attire, and use musical instruments never seen before.

In fact, Rajiv left for London, last week, and is scheduled to perform at four different venues, and at each venue his outfit is going to be different, he says, with the sarong being very much a part of the scene.