Ode to a Comrade Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne
The last line of the final chapter of conviction politics has just now been written. The muse of time has rested her pen and the mould from which such great men are made has been permanently cast away, never to be found or used. Our dear comrade has rested his head on the cold tomb stone, for the final time, at the ripe old age of 81 years.
The Late Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne, to those whose lives he touched, will ever remain as the greatest “head of state of Sri Lanka” never to be. Persons of his calibre cannot, by the rule of opportunistic politics, succeed. Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne remained true to the his political beliefs and consciously rejected the opportunities which were easily within his reach. His life, is the lesson and the legacy, he leaves behind. To be an insignificant part of his life and legacy is my pleasure and pride.
As a staunch “fourth internationalist” comrade Wickramabahu stood firm when a large section of the Samasamajists succumbed to the lure of a high political offices. As a brilliant engineer with a first-class degree from the then University of Ceylon and the PhD. from the University of Cambridge, he had the world at his feet; but he chose to serve the mankind, transcending the man made divides. He never wavered in his mission.
Death is a great leveler, and when it places its icy cold hands, even the king’s crown and the sceptre will tumble down. Only the good deeds will stand tall, smelling sweet forever.
May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. K.P. Nagulesan
London
