D.s. senanayake speech english
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Decoding Don Stephen Senanayake (1884 -1952)
On his 70th death anniversary
by Prof. Alfred Jayaratnam Wilson, Lanka Guardian, a 4 part series starting January 1, 1992
Front Note by Sachi Sri Kantha
D.S. Senanayake (seated) with his son Dudley to his right
Don Stephen Senanayake (popularly abbreviated by his initials D.S.), the first prime minister of independent Ceylon, died on March 22, 1952. While he has been touted as the ‘Father of the Nation’ by Sinhalese ethnics of the 20th century, Tamils consider him as an ill-educated, village-rustic politician with old fashioned guile as his primary weapon for dominance. I would not be wrong, if I assert that the ‘D’ in his initial fits meaningfully for ‘devil’. This ‘devil’ used guile for his advantage to blunt the demands of literate Tamil leaders of his days in 1930s and 1940s (Arunachalam Mahadeva, C. Suntharalingam and G.G. Ponnambalam Snr.). Though S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is framed by Eelam Tamils and western authors as the practitioner of expediency politics using language as his prime weapon to capture power in 195
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D.S. Senanayake- A study of his foreign policy
On February 4, 1948, Ceylon regained her freedom. As a colony, she had no independent foreign policy. During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the whole of South-East Asia was controlled by Western power, and had no means of following a foreign policy of its own. It was during this period that man's economic environment changed from feudalism to capitalism; that the great discoveries which gave man greater control over the forces of nature, were made; and the industrial revolution was ushered in.
The foreign policies of the Western powers, which alone counted, had their beginning during this period, and the theories of balance of power commenced then. During this formative period in the history of mankind, Ceylon, together with so many of her neighbours, was tied to the chariot wheels of the British Empire, and her foreign policy was the foreign policy of the United Kingdom.
When independence came in 1948, we were able, not only to govern our country, but also to direct its foreign policy. It is fortu
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D. S. Senanayake (1884-1952)
“He was a man of great personal strength of character, yet of profound humanity and humility, unspoiled by the high distinctions he enjoyed. He belonged to the soil and all things of the soil. He loved all living things with a depth, which only those who belong to the soil can feel.” – Percy Spender, Former Australian Ambassador.
D.S. Senanayake was the man who architected the destiny of a nation and single handedly facilitated the smooth transition from semi-colony to independence with great charm and determination. He was the Chief spokesperson for Sri Lanka in the transference of power, securing himself the pre-eminent position of first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon. His formulation of policies on agriculture, irrigation and colonization were far sighted and ensured food security in the country. He was also the founder of one of the leading political parties of the country, the United National Party.
The Early Years
Born on 20th October 1884 as Don Stanley, to Mudaliyar Don Spater and Dona Catherina Elizabeth Perera Gunasekera Senanayak
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