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Tribute:
Dr. W. T. P. Ariyaratne
A deep sense of sadness was felt by many at Kalutara hearing the
death of Dr. W. T. P. Ariyaratne on September 12, 2009. He was a
physician practised at Kalutara until he retired from service.
Thereafter he turned to be a successful politician almost for two
decades. When he died he was the Council's Opposition member most
senior.
Dr. Ariyaratne completely disassociated from fanatical politics and
won the hearts of many irrespective of politics. Political
discrimination was out of bounds in his office during his political
life. Treating people differently out of prejudice was foreign to him.
Council members and general public of all political parties and
religions stood around him with confidence. A pleasant and welcoming
atmosphere prevailed when he was in his office or at home and he
expeditiously attended to public duty expecting no praise or
glorification. Touching genuineness and down to earth attitude he
maintained in all spheres of duty and performance was everyone's
experience.
When Dr. Ariyaratne was the Chairman, Kalutara Urban Council he
appreciated the points of view of all members of political parties and
afforded equal opportunity to media men to report on the Council's
events and undertakings without undue interference.
Dr. Ariyaratne was known for his clean politics. He did not resort to
conflicting or confrontational areas of the profession and never
attempted to just win the votes through insincere and unscrupulous
methods during election campaigns. The Council administration was open
to interrelationship with each member getting the self same rights and
privileges in development activity, while power, authority and influence
had to take a back seat. No one complained about undue manipulation and
corruption in the Council's activities either.
He was active and became activated on Buddhist culture and way of
life when occasion arose. When it came to shramadana (voluntary
activities) Dr. Ariyaratne was in the forefront wearing his dress-gear
and cap helping with manual and panting and sweating just like any other
fellow volunteer. He was a member of many social, community and sports
organizations including Kalutara Buddhist Society.
The unassuming, modest, unpretentious and gentlemanly politicians are
fewer in number in the society and Dr. Ariyaratne was one of those
personalities of rare quality.
"Errors like straw - upon the surface flow
He who look for pearls - must dive deep."
- Lionel Gulawita |
