Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena : REMEMBERING THE PEOPLE’S EDUCATOR

It has been one year since the sudden demise of Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena. He was known to all as a Member of Parliament, and as the Deputy Secretary General of the United National Party (UNP). To his son Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena, he was family, but more importantly, he was a mentor and an inspiration.

A past student of De Mazenod College in Kandana, Dr. Jayawardena graduated with an MBBS Medical Degree from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo. From his teenage years and even during his days in the University, Dr. Jayawardena showed a keen interest in participating in social service activities, volunteer work, including working with the Sri Lanka Red Cross.

Yet his first passion remained the world of medicine. In fact, he was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011, for hosting a long-running weekly television programme “Vaidya Hamuwa” in which he answered queries on preventive healthcare. The programme was aired for 14 years continuously, providing a much-needed service to the public, as everything from the common cold to cardiothoracic surgery and gastroenterology was discussed on the show, in order to dispel common medical myths. He was also recognized in the first issue of the official journal of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as “the people’s educator” for his work in preventative healthcare.

While still interning at the National Hospital of Colombo, Dr. Jayawardena encountered former President, t he late Ranasinghe Premadasa, and a close friendship developed, which led to him serving as Premadasa’s personal physician from 1989 to 1993.

Dr. Jayawardena joined the medical profession in order to help people in need, and this instinct stayed with him when he was elected into Parliament from the National List in 1994. From the outset, Dr. Jayawardena was an active and dynamic Member of Parliament, controversial to some, seeking not just to serve the people of his District, but also to speak out for minority rights.

In the mid 90s, for instance, he took the risky decision to personally travel to the war-torn LTTE controlled areas, in order to treat patients who were languishing under an economic embargo, barred from receiving basic medical supplies. He t ook i n much needed drugs and medical equipment, helping to deliver over a hundred babies in deplorable conditions, often with no lights or medical assistance. Eventually he set up free medical clinics in the North and East.

Why did he take such a risk? For him, the answer was simple.

“I thought I should draw attention to the people who were suffering in silence and who were helpless. I do not believe in discrimination according to caste, creed, religion or politics. So I opted to go to those areas, of course risking my life,” he said in an interview in 2011.

As a member of t he majority Sinhalese community from the South, it was a courageous decision to make. Dr. Jayawardena was inspired by President Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, who told him that building trust between the two communities was the greatest need in order to end the war. The two leaders warned him that he would be looked upon with suspicion for his altruistic act, and this proved correct.

Dr. Jayawardena was labelled a spy by the LTTE and received death threats. Yet to him, the needs of the people in the North and East outweighed the risk to his own life. It was a choice made without hesitation, testament to his generosity of spirit.

While in Parliament, Dr. Jayawardena remained an ardent advocate of human rights. For instance, he denounced the heavy military presence in the North and East, saying that the people there were “living in fear.”

In addition, he campaigned for labour rights, as the President of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya.

Dr. Jayawardena’s tireless work was recognized when t he UNP-led Government appointed him as Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, he contested from and won in the district of Gampaha, a feat he considered as a point of pride, given that he did not come from a powerful political family.

In remembrance, a senior stalwart of the United National Party noted that Dr. Jayawardena always stood up for what he believed in and that he never fought for privileges, nor did he trade his position for material gains.

This glowing tribute from a party stalwart is a reflection of Dr. Jayawardena’s deeply rooted values. These included speaking out for the rights of minority communities in both local and international forums, even in the face of heavy criticism and even threats.

Dr. Jayawardena often spoke out on the importance of professionals engaging in politics, so that experts in various fields could contribute to the development of the country. His motive was always to contribute to the development of the country and serve its people. So the son of Dr. J J, Kavinda Jayawardena, although a Medical Doctor, has joined the political stream on full-time basis to champion the cause of the downtrodden and the minorities. His first attempt at politics bore great dividends when he was appointed a Member of t he Western Province Provincial Council.

A year later, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena is sorely missed, by his electorate, his family and friends. Yet every day, we can take comfort in the fact that his work has left an imprint on the hearts and minds of many and that he has his son continuing the work he started.

So even after a year, while remembering his feats, Dr. Jayawardena’s legacy lives on.

- DR. JAYALATH JAYAWARDENA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION