The independence was gained by compassionate thinking sans hatred against enemies. This was Senanayake’s philosophy against the British dictators. He spearheaded the independence struggle of the then Ceylon. He followed the Buddhist way of achieving victorious results in gaining independence. He and his eminent team consisted of elder brother FR Senanayake and colleagues: Sir DB Jayathilaka, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, TB Jayah, EW Perera and many others who were the stalwarts of the Independence Movement. This intelligent group with its coherent plan was able to win Independence for our Motherland without shedding a drop of blood
I thought of writing this article on Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister DS Senanayake who is considered as the father of the nation with great respect and reverence. I strongly believe that it is the right time to educate the present generation about this great exemplary leader and his religious activities as well as the commitment to Buddhism.
During 253 AD, a group of Buddhists regional leaders brought a sapling of the old Bo tree at Mahiyangana to be planted at the shrine of the innocent King Sri Sangabo at Attanagalla. On their last stop, before reaching Attanagalla, they remained for the night resting at Botale. In the morning they found that the sapling had taken root in the soil where they had left it. The Bo tree planted at Botale was the direct descendant of the tree at Mahiyangana—traditionally one of the places in Sri Lanka visited by the Buddha. Botale is the village where DS Senanayake was born and brought up. The above historic event itself shows that the ancestral roots of this great leader were tied up with the Buddhism and unique, undetachable link to the strong followers of the Buddhist footpath.
DS always followed the footpath of his elder brother FR who was a religious and anti-temperance leader. He had the habit of always worshipping the mother before leaving home for any activity. That was the traditionally brought up culture of all children belonging to Buddhist families in Ceylon.
Ceylon became a British colony in 1815 under the treaty signed with hill country leaders. However, conditions of the treaty were broken by the British arbitrarily and Buddhism to be protected and nurtured under the government ruling was virtually neglected. This was in the hidden thinking of DS and as a patriot and faithful Buddhist he wanted to get the government to restore the dignity of Buddhism. He worked hard to fulfill this vision during his ruling as first Prime Minister of Ceylon.
British dictators
The independence was gained by compassionate thinking sans hatred against enemies. This was Senanayake’s philosophy against the British dictators. He spearheaded the independence struggle of the then Ceylon. He followed the Buddhist way of achieving victorious results in gaining independence. He and his eminent team consisted of elder brother FR Senanayake and colleagues: Sir DB Jayathilaka, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, TB Jayah, EW Perera and many others who were the stalwarts of the Independence Movement. This intelligent group with its coherent plan was able to win Independence for our Motherland without shedding a drop of blood.
In considering the way of the Buddha, he followed the Lichchavi concept when the United National Party was formed, bringing various political and social organisations such as Sri Lanka Jathika Sangamaya, Sinhala Mahasabha and the Muslim League under one umbrella and gave guidance to the freedom struggle with new vigour and foresight. In this manner, he appreciated the strategy in taking decisions in resolving the contradictions, collectively arriving at compromise and consensus.
He also took steps to restore many ancient shrines and gave special attention to the planned development of sacred Ruwanweliseya being a member of the Chaitya restoration committee- Anuradhapura. He pioneered the restoration of ancient historical monuments in Polonnaruwa. He was president of the Mahiyangana Restoration Society when it was started. In parallel to the renovation of Mahiyangana Stupa, most other city development components also took place. He considered the religious reawakening in southern Ceylon. Accordingly, he has initiated restoration activities of Katharagama Kiriwehera. It was finally ceremonially offered over to the Maha Sangha by his son, Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. The Salgala forest Monastery – hermitage –also established by DS and donated most of the ancestral lands to the Buddha Sasana and watched the development process.
DS attended religious ceremonies in various temples around the country. Sinhala Bauddhaya of February 29, 1927, reports the laying of the foundation for Bo Maluwa, a shrine to the Bo Tree under the patronage of Prime Minister DS Senanayake along with Venerable Malwatta and Asgiriya Mahanayaka Theras and Anagarika Dharmapala’s mother, Mallika Hewawitharana.
When Dudley was born on July 19, 1911, DS and his father Mudlier Don Spater Senanayake were in the Botale temple. They offered 25 acres of private-owned land to the temple and the Maha Sangha. This shows their lavish generosity practised towards the Buddha Sasana.
As soon as he was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon, DS Senanayake visited Kollupittiyapolwatta temple and worshipped the Buddha by offering flowers and received blessings from the Maha Sangha. At a later occasion, he planted a Mango sapling within the premises of the temple. He emphasized that the government of Ceylon needs to give Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it was the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring that the rest of the religious rights will be granted.
Granting freedom to Japan
The Prime Minister was invited to participate San Francisco World Leaders’ Conference in September 1951 after the World War II to propose punitive provisions and the enforcement of arbitrary restrictions and embargoes for Japan. At the time DS was not in a position to attend that meeting and sent his nominee, J R Jayewardene. Prior to his departure, Jayewardene had a discussion with the Prime Minister who strongly advocated the idea of granting freedom to Japan. DS emphasized on requesting the world leaders that Japan be given a pardon. As Buddhists, everybody should be compassionate, kind and forgive this suffering nation, he added. The action he took to make this a reality has been documented by the first Executive President J R Jayewardene. (DS Senanayake – The reflection of Prakramabahu, 226pp)
As a Buddhist by faith, he was a great lover of animals and the environment. By establishing farms and encouraging cattle rearing, he sought to educate the rural folk in methods of housing, breeding and feeding livestock. Also, he set up the Ruhuna and Wilpattu National Parks by legislation introduced in 1938 prohibiting the game of killing animals.
DS Senanayake was instrumental in celebrating the Buddha Jayanthi. Following his sudden demise, his second successor, Sir John Kotalawala, continued his vision towards achieving his endeavours. Later it was celebrated by the fourth Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike. The printing of the Buddhist Pali Canon was initiated by DS Senanayake. Later, the third Prime Minister of Ceylon Sir John Lionel Kotelawala offered his fullest corporation towards this meritorious deed and it became a reality.
DS wanted to revive the ancient royal model of tank, dagaba, village and temple (three village level institutions intertwined and supporting one another) which had been neglected for centuries. This he achieved in parallel to his project of developing new settlements along with irrigation and agriculture systems in the eastern and northern area of Ceylon.
As a genuine Buddhist and patriot, D.S. rendered a yeomen service to the religion and nation with dedication and honesty. His was an extraordinary contribution to the country.
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