On February 28, 1986, I was chairing a conference on Co-operative Policy at the Agricultural Research and Training Institute (ARTI), which featured a senior delegation of cooperative experts from Sweden. During the event, I received an urgent request to meet with the President, a summons that often stirred unease, as it raised questions about the reasons behind such a sudden call.
Upon arrival at the President”s office, he informed me of his intention to appoint veteran Parliamentarian and former Prime Minister, Dr. W. Dahanayake, as the Minister of Co-operatives. The President recalled that he had previously promised this role to Dr. Dahanayake and had reminded him of it several times. To facilitate this appointment, the President requested that I separate the existing Ministry of Food and Co-operatives into two distinct ministries, with Mr. Gamani Jayasuriya remaining as Minister of Food.
I harbored concerns about potentially being appointed Secretary to the new Ministry of Co-operatives, mainly due to a prior clash with Dr. Dahanayake in a Parliamentary Consultative Committee. During that confrontation, I defended my Commissioner of Co-operative Development against what I perceived as unjust criticism from Dr. Dahanayake. Despite my apprehensions, the President insisted I manage both ministries and assured me he would inform Dr. Dahanayake of our working arrangement.
After the necessary administrative changes, I accompanied Dr. Dahanayake to the President”s House on March 4, where he took his oaths. At the time, he was in his eighties and expressed his eagerness to begin work, humorously stating he would be available for interviews when he reached his 100th birthday.
The establishment of the new Ministry was executed with minimal expenditure, located alongside the Food Ministry in Union Place. Dr. Dahanayake was assigned an office on the ground floor, while I remained in my office upstairs. Managing the schedules of two ministers, both of whom were frequently traveling, proved challenging, especially considering Dr. Dahanayake”s constituency was over 100 kilometers away in Galle.
Working with Dr. Dahanayake was both intriguing and, at times, challenging. He expressed a desire for his office to open at 6 AM, stating that he wanted to begin work by 6:30 AM. While he did not require public servants to arrive at that hour, he expected his office to be ready. This request illustrated his commitment to productivity, although he could also be quite obstinate, closing himself off to rational discourse when he was in a stubborn mood.
One afternoon, I entered his office to find him in a heated disagreement with Camillus Fernando, the Commissioner of Co-operative Development. The Minister wanted to dissolve the Board of Directors of a Multi-purpose Co-operative Society, while the Commissioner argued against it based on legal constraints. When Dr. Dahanayake asked if he had the power to proceed, I had to inform him that he did not. This led to further irritation, culminating in an order to dissolve the Board despite our warnings about potential legal repercussions.
As anticipated, the Society took the matter to the Supreme Court, where the Chief Justice condemned the Minister”s actions as arbitrary and imposed a personal cost on him. This judgment significantly impacted Dr. Dahanayake, who eventually recognized the limits of his authority and began to value our guidance more. After this episode, our working relationship improved notably, leading to a more collaborative environment.
Dr. Dahanayake was not only knowledgeable but also generous with his praise. He often shared insights on health and wellness and maintained an impressive reading habit, regularly referencing literature during discussions. One memorable occasion involved him quoting Rudyard Kipling to demonstrate differing perceptions based on context. As our relationship matured, he understood that my disagreements were not personal but rather part of fulfilling my duties.
One instance of his appreciation came when I drafted a memorandum for provincial ministers on devolving responsibilities in the co-operative sector. His handwritten note complimenting the document was particularly gratifying, given our earlier tensions. Our rapport continued to strengthen, culminating in a personal visit during my illness, which I found profoundly touching.
In Parliament, Dr. Dahanayake publicly acknowledged my contributions, emphasizing the importance of our work during critical discussions about funding and support for the co-operative movement. His recognition of my efforts was a testament to the collaborative spirit we developed over time.
Reflecting on our experiences, I emphasize to public servants the importance of steadfastness in their duties, regardless of the challenges they may face. Seeking fleeting popularity through compromises can undermine the integrity of public service and ultimately harm one”s standing. Throughout my career, I have observed the pitfalls of shortcuts to popularity, and I advocate for a commitment to diligent service for the betterment of society.
My journey with Dr. Dahanayake transformed from one of initial discord to mutual respect and collaboration, demonstrating the value of perseverance and integrity in public service.
