October 1, 2011, 5:25 pm

by Krishantha Prasad Cooray

A few years ago I was to meet a politician with my friend and actor cum politician, Ravindra Randeniya. I got late and this got him agitated. He asked, ‘who do you think is the most disciplined and punctual politician in the country?’ I didn’t know the answer and so he proceeded to educate me: ‘In my estimation, Karu Jayasuriya; he has respect for other people’s time.’

I had known Karu Jayasuriya for a long time but this most pertinent fact had somehow escaped me. That day, however, I hoped that Mr. Jayasuriya would himself be late just so I could get back at my friend Ravi. It was not to be. Karu Jayasuriya was on time. He had slotted us in for 15 minutes and he left when the 15 minutes were up, possibly to make it on time to another appointment.

Karu Jayasuriya will pardon me for saying that he is a misfit in today’s political firmament. He is a misfit because this political world is made for different kinds of misfits to thrive. Mr. Jayasuriya unlike most politicians around is a man who genuinely feels for his country. His nationalism is not made of rhetoric and flag-waving but actions that make a difference. He has served in the military, been a diplomat, is a highly respected figure in the corporate sector and someone who came into politics to give rather than take, someone who was willing to make sacrifices and did make them. Suffice to say that he is the only politician who is yet to make use of the vehicle permit that’s available to parliamentarians. It is something that few know and this doesn’t surprise me. Mr. Jayasuriya does things because they need to be done and not for the publicity mileage he might get out of it.

He did and does things because of his convictions; popularity has never been his concern. When he was considering joining the Government, he called all media personnel he was close to and solicited their opinion. Some were in favour and some were not. He observed that from a personal point of view it is probably not the sensible thing to do, but that the country’s interest should come first. That has always been his view. Love for country always superseded loyalty to party and school. He compromised his personal political fortunes when he joined the Government. For him, it was the need of the hour. I disagreed and even now believe it was an erroneous decision, but there was never a shred of doubt in my mind regarding his sincerity and passion.

I called Mr. Jayasuriya when I heard he was leaving the Government. ‘Are you going to send a letter of resignation?’ I asked him. He said he was getting ready to go meet the president. He was not the kind to part ways by sending a note. He explained that he had worked with the President in the same Cabinet and needed to communicate his decision and thank him personally. He said that none of these decisions are about persons and personalities but are related to policies and ideological positions. I believe that this is how politicians ought to behave and lament that few if any work in this manner.

Karu Jayasuriya returned to the UNP at a time when people least expected him to. He did so after he was absolutely sure that the war would be won. For him, his work with the Government was done. He knew he had a role to play in the party and he returned, knowing well that the UNP was very much weaker than it was when he left.

My political association with Karu Jayasuriya has been very minimal but I know that he works tirelessly for the party. He has a unique ability to identify talent and knows how to get the best out of his team. As I said at the beginning, he respects others’ times, knows how to work in a team, and is more a listener than a talker.

I remember the day he had the debate with Wimal Weerawansa. He told me casually that morning that he had to go to parliament. I spoke to him later in the day and asked what had happened. He said in his unassuming way, ‘Nothing new, Krishantha, just the usual thing.’ That evening, when I saw his performance on television I knew that it was not ‘just the usual thing’. It is a rare day that Wimal Weerawansa gets bested, not because he cannot be, but decent people are not inclined to match verbal diarrhea with verbal diarrhea. What was special about this particular exchange and which won Karu many admirers is that he matched Wimal, point for point without even once compromising his standing as a gentleman, without once showing disrespect to his opponent. He showed that he can stand up to anyone and any challenge at any time when the need arises.

My relationship with Mr. Jayasuriya has been mostly at a personal level. He is one person who will stand by you at all times, but never so much as when the chips are down. He doesn’t talk about it though and this is why some think he’s distant. It is just not in him to make the point, stating for all to hear, ‘I stood by you’. Most importantly, for Mr. Jayasuriya, it is not give and take. It is not about helping someone envisaging return of favour at a later point. He doesn’t make a song and dance, helping people and doesn’t make an even bigger song and dance afterwards.

Not too long ago, a friend wanted a favour. I was not in a position to help. I happened to mention this to Mr. Jayasuriya in passing. He said quietly that he can help, but insisted that the friend should not know about it. It was someone associated with the media and Mr. Jayasuriya observed that such people might feel obliged to return the favour in some manner. He didn’t want any of that. It occurred to me that few politicians would let such an opportunity slip.

Part of being a friend, as far as Mr. Jayasuriya is concerned, is to take both praise and blame with equanimity. I have argued against him and written against him but he always took criticism in the correct spirit. He is a staunch friend who doesn’t advertise the fact and never promises what he cannot deliver. When he gives his word though, it is as good as gold.

He is a man of rare maturity, experience, wisdom and infinite patience and this is true both in his interactions on a personal level and in his politics. I admire the man for his rare qualities and this is why I am writing this. I am loath to write about politicians, but Karu Jayasuriya is not just another politician, even though he was and is exceptional in this field too; he was after all the most effective Mayor that the City of Colombo has had in many decades. He is a friend, but more this, he is an exceptional human being. He is the kind of politician this country needs, the kind of professional this country needs and the kind of friend that anyone would want by his or her side.

Today, as I write, i.e. September 29th, it is his birthday. I just want to wish him a long life, continued strength of mind and the will and ability to grace our social and political spheres in his inimitable and empowering ways.

Happy birthday!