Thank you for your service, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was bestowed with the ‘Sri Lankabhimanya’ Honorary Award by President Ranil Wickremesinghe this week. This is the highest national award given by the Government of Sri Lanka to a citizen and there is no one who deserves it better than Jayasuriya. 

Only five individuals can hold this honour at the same time and some of the notable recipients include W.D. Amaradeva, Arthur C. Clarke, Lakshman Kadirgamar, A.T. Ariyaratne, Lester James Peiris and Justice Christopher Weeramantri.

Karu Jayasuriya has rendered yeoman service to this nation in numerous capacities. A soldier, a business leader, diplomat, mayor and elected representative. His tenure as the mayor of Colombo in 1997-1999 is still remembered for its transformational role, increasing efficiency of the heavily bureaucratic institution and beatification of the capital city. He became the Minister of Power and Energy in 2001 at the height of one of the worst energy crises and managed within six months to stabilise the energy supply and end the power cuts that were commonplace at the time. Until last year when the Sri Lankan economy collapsed due to the incompetence of the regime in office, power cuts had become a thing of the past since Jayasuriya made necessary reforms in the energy sector.

A long proponent of the citizens’ right to information, Jayasuriya championed the cause for years before the Right to Information Act was finally enacted and the right enshrined in the constitution in 2015. For all his years of service, it will be for his role of Speaker that Jayasuriya will be remembered the most. Firstly, as the driving force of the constitutional council that enabled the independence of several commissions that were empowered through the 19th Amendment and for his historical role as speaker in defeating the constitutional coup of 2018.  

After the illegal power grab by President Sirisena in October 2018 the nation was bereft of principled leaders of sound judgment and empathy with the people’s plight. While the military, police, most of the public service and even the Attorney General’s department had sided with the illegally installed regime there were but a few individuals who stood on the right side of history and fought for something bigger than politics. Top of that list was undoubtedly Karu Jayasuriya, who showed the country the soldier he was during three crucial days in Parliament in November 2018 that stripped the de facto prime minister of his legitimacy to govern.

The image of the octogenarian Speaker, marching into Parliament beside a human wall of unarmed policemen to protect him from chairs, books and chili powder being hurled at his head, and huddled in a corner bringing the House to order to hold a vote of no confidence is an enduring testament to Jayasuriya’s courage under fire and unswerving commitment to uphold democracy.

On numerous occasions the United National Party put forward Karu Jayasuriya as an alternative to the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe as a uniting figure who could have rallied the numerous factions within the party. Each effort was defeated by entrenched Wickremesinghe loyalists until the party was decimated into oblivion at the last general election. Had a transition been allowed for the grand old party under the leadership of Jayasuriya there is no doubt there would have emerged a more vibrant UNP under a youthful and more efficient leadership which would today be a significant political force. 

Karu Jayasuriya is no doubt the president Sri Lanka deserved but never was lucky enough to have. As he now enjoys retirement from politics with his dignity intact there is only one thing left to say. Thank you for your service to this nation. Sri Lanka is indeed indebted to you for being a true son of the soil.