Walking through corridors of culture with Lakshman
Kadirgamar: Reminiscing a Prince of dignity
By Sudharshan Seneviratne
From now, brusquely, I feel him leave, plunging into the waters, into certain waters,
into a certain ocean, and then, as he strikes, drops rise, and I hear a sound, a
persistent deep sound come forth., a huge wave, whipped by his weight, and from
somewhere, from somewhere, I feel these waters of culture leaping and splashing,
these waters splash over me.
Prologue
Many nights have passed since the glow of Lakshman Kadirgamar's life and thoughts
were extinguished from its existence. My mind refused to come to terms with this
tragedy. Finding any solace in written expressions failed miserably as my despairing
mind refused the flow of thoughts and fingers remained numb. This evening (August
31st there was a convergence of emotions! As if by some strange coincidence, Rajini
Tiranagama's graphic biography. No more tears Sister, made its visual presence at
the Peradeniya Arts Faculty. Her memory reached out to me with each image in an
anguished cry surging me into the tortured history of an island society in search of its
precarious existence in the Post Colonial period. If Rajini, a humane person who
braved all oppressive forces perpetrating, social injustice in the name of liberation,
there are many others who sacrificed their gentle breath of life so that humanity may
perpetuate the Rajini's tragedy was inherent in the meaning of its valued existence.
Rajini's tragedy inherent in the dialectical contradiction of a liberation movement
transforming itself into totalitarianism. Lakshman and Rajini died challenging, those
very forces of social fascism. Living images of Richard Zoysa and Neelan
Tiruchelvarn played on the screen unfolding the pathetic narration of a society
increasingly brutalised with each decade. Memories of repression and the bloody
carnage of 1971, 1983, 1988/89, the massacre of Tamil-speaking political detainees
at Welikada prisons and countless other senseless dehunanised acts of depravation
unleashed on fellow humans in the name of good governance, social justice and
nationalism, in the north and the south of this island, were thrown at me with all its
ferocity. It finally opened up the floodgates of my pent up thoughts - more in anger
than as objective responses.
I awoke from my somnolence and around midnight I brought myself to watch the
funeral ceremony of Lakshman Kadirgamar what Harsha had taped for me. While the
pictures were in motion my mind kept drifting back to events and moments in the
company of a gentle human being. Fleeting memories of the happy evening we all
shared at the BCIS on the fateful evening, an exuberant Lakshman Kadirgamar, and
then the journey to Kandy. are now but a muted memory. After a dreaded phone call
on my return journey period of three weeks my thoughts were slowly liberated and I
consoled myself the best way I knew” by ordering the events celebrating Lakshman
Kadirgamar in my mind.
Let me recount the events after the happening. Walking down memory lane from the
past to the present was never so difficult for me as in the case of this event. The past
carried too many memories that were more confusing than painful. Tissa Jayatilleke
and I had mutually agreed not to visit the house and see him rest in a "box". As much
as we were nurtured in a culture that taught us the nature of impermanence of mind
and matter, the thought of death at that moment was not only revolting, it was
unacceptable. Our relationship with him celebrated a higher essence of life and
culture. It was a precious living memory of a loving friend who cared; who worked with
us but never imposed himself on us. It was an association of quality that humbled a
University Professor.
We drifted towards Independence Square and stood by a fence well before the
procession reached its final destination. The statue of D.S. Senanayake at
Independence Square stood in all its majesty, patiently waiting as a proud father does
to receive a son who would soon return to him along Independence Avenue. DS must
have grieved at the prospect of witnessing the Swan Song of yet another son of
Mother Lanka who resolutely fought for her independence, dignity and territorial
integrity. It is ironic that this very son had to make his final curtain call at
"Independence Square"! I almost sensed DS's hawk eyes sweeping the crowd and
narrowing his brows -with utter disgust as he sighted forked tongued hypocrites who
were shamelessly lamenting and a the same time relishing the thought of rushing
back to the negotiating table to share the Sri Lankan pie (or whatever crumbs that is
left of it) with the Cannibals.
At that hour it was sobering to stand with the less privileged and the humble who
surrounded us. The through of sitting in a special enclave did not appeal to us either.
What is so special about a VIP enclave at a funeral anyway? It was more befitting to
stand among the people and share their grief they had arrived from distant places to
revere a decent human being. These folks were not the decision makers. Nor would
these humble people sell out this country for a few bucks and a fractured crown to the
Cannibals and “their patron saints, the Vikings. Not because they knew Kadirgamar
personally but they valued what he stood for and what he represented as a
statesman of the highest order. Above all they trusted him! It was written on almost
everyone's face that "he gave his life for us." That is a powerful testimony of
acceptance and vote of confidence!
The wailing sound of the military band added an atmosphere of somber and misery to
the air. The moment of truth dawned on me. Lakshman has finally left us. As his
mortal remains passed where we stood, I reached out to Tissa seeking enough
strength from him to escape an eerie vortex that was drawing me into an abysmal
void. Having Tissa as my friend and companion at that moment was an invaluable
consolation. Our shared thoughts were on the same individual who had touched us in
a very special way. Soon after the mortal remains of Lakshman Kadirgamar passed
us we retreated from the Square. We cursed the cruel flames waiting to embrace a
patriot who had developed a poetic love for this land and its people. Before we left the
ground I noticed tears on the faces of many individuals. They are the real children of
the soil and not the whisky sipping middle class yuppies, section of the media mafia
and self-proclaimed metropolitan academics and intellectuals, following their upward
social mobility, had now the audacity to pontificate about the "reasonable anger" of
the Cannibals who carried out this execution. Many of them have done well for
themselves posing as "peace merchants". They are the Walking Dead while
Lakshman Kadirgamar has emerged larger than life after his demise.
Individual., society and culture
I wish to keep this narration simple because Lakshman made everything look so
simple and less complicated. I also do not wish to couple the role of the individual
churning out a Great Man. Greatness is not made, it is achieved. The individual is
always socially positioned as a product of his or her time, a product of society and its
dynamics. My exercise here- is not to write a biography of Kadirgamar. I am most
certainly not qualified enough to accomplish that task. Kadirgamar shaped his
thinking in response to existing socio-political realities, be it questioning the
domination of the Western cultures as a student in England or back in Sri Lanka
challenging the social fascist hegemony of the LTTE as a senior statesman.
The Sri Lankan society to him was not a complex one. His worldview was quite
uncomplicated. Every one of its citizens had a right to live in dignity within this island
and no one could deprive another of that sacred right. His philosophy of life,. political
philosophy and cultural philosophy, both, as a Sri Lankan and as an uncompromising
internationalist, derived from this simple axiom. He vehemently denounced any tribal
and parochial labels as his identity. The Sri Lankan identity enriched by a three
thousand years old multi cultural ethos shaped his intellectual personality celebrating
cultural diversity. A liberal to the core, who nurtured the best of democratic norms, it is
not surprising that Kadirgamar opposed right down to the wire any centrifugal forces
threatening the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka depriving this island society of its
inclusiveness.
When one recognises Kadirgamar as a Civilized and Cultured Human Being, his
personality must be set against those who are uncivilized. The uncivilized in this
context goes beyond the uncultured, the barbarian and the savage. These terms
were used within our traditional societies and by Colonialism to identify those outside
the mainstream culture and those, of a lesser culture. The specific term denoting
those outside the pale of all cultured and less cultured categories in human society, is
Cannibal. Cannibals are those who devour other humans. In strict anthropological
terms there is endo Cannibalism and exo Cannibalism where such beings not only
consume their own kin but also their "enemy". Anthropological studies do not record
the existence of endo and exo cannibalism, within the same society elsewhere in the
world. The LTTE therefore is a rarity. They simply devour all those who do not share
their worldview. Be it individuals from Tamil speaking as well as other ethnic and
language communities, who cherished civilized democratic norms, humane values,
and those who unveiled the best of humane aspirations through their poetry.,
intellectual and people-friendly political activity had to be devoured at the sacrificial
alter., outdoing the Aztecs in their blood letting ritual. They represent a species that
yet remain at the primordial level of physical and mental evolution. All patron nation-
saints in the West, who suffer from Post World War Guilt Syndrome, who harbored
and apologized on behalf of such Cannibals were given an advance warning by
Lakshman Kadirgamar of this predatory carnivorous species one day scaling the wall
in their own backyard. Being a man of reason he also pleaded to look into the causes
that give rise to terrorism but cautioned them not to play footsy with terrorism.
The Cultural
Working with Kadirgamar on culture was a privilege and education. Much has been
written on his contribution towards Buddhism's position in the world through the UN
and his closeness to some members of the Buddhist clergy and the Buddha statues
that adorned his private office. Kadirgamar took pride of the fact that he had won the
Light of Asia Contest as a student of Trinity College. While some wish to make him an
exclusive Sinhalese and Buddhist, others have misread his liberal attitude as a way of
patronizing the majority community.
His respect for all religions, languages and cultures expressed in numerous eloquent
speeches were not for mere public consumption and "playing to the gallery" as some
may wish to believe. It was a way of life for Kadirgamar through absolute conviction of
his belief that while taking pride in his or her culture one must celebrate and respect
other cultures. Respect for diversity was his norm. Kadirgamar's deeply grieved over
the "Voice of the Voiceless", especially the Tamil and Muslim communities under a
totalitarian regime in the north and the east. On several occasions he noted the
alarming growth of a cultural void in the north and the east due to the dehunanisation
of those communities under social fascism. His concern for the preservation of culture
at the grass roots level was carried out without much fuss. In dignified silence
Lakshman and Suganthi assisted the traditional craftsmen of Kandy and the
renovation of Kandyan Crafts building around the lake.
Few perhaps realize that he had a vision and plan for cultural activities marshaled
through our foreign policy. It was a multi pronged strategy that linked the national
cultures to the international cultures. We worked on this aspect prior to his second
term as Minister. As the Chairperson of the SAARC Foreign Ministers Committee he
put in place a comprehensive plan for a three-month archaeological training program
at Anuradhapura bringing the middle level resource persons from the SAARC
countries to Sri Lanka. These young professionals would within the next ten years
hold all key positions in regional archaeology and heritage management. This
programme was expected to forge a strong bond amongst them enhancing both
regional cooperation in culture leading to a better understanding and concerted
action in the future. This plan was shelved for a couple of years as priority had to be
given for an urgent project on children suffering from AIDS in the region.
At the back of his mind was the dissemination of Sri Lankan culture to the world,
representing the salient features of "Its multi cultural mosaic and negating the
terrorists" claims of exclusiveness as a justification to ethnic cleansing and partitioning
this island.
While he assigned high priority to the role of economics and financial aspects in our
foreign policy, Kadirgamar gave equal importance to the cultural dimension that was
to be activated through our overseas missions. His person involvement in designing
the Wesak card to the international community took immaculate planning by
Kadiragamar himself The text he insisted must be trilingual. The young diplomats
were to represent the best elements of this island culture and not conduct themselves
as some moronic administrators who mechanically push the AR & FR devoid of any
aesthetic vision. "If I need simple-minded administrators I could always staff our
embassies with clerks and not diplomats". His vision to develop the accomplished pro-
active junior diplomat was a long-term plan. He was proud of his young diplomatic
corps and had great faith in their ability to carry out this new vision and mission. He
set in motion a taught course that had elements of culture in a lecture series and for
the future trainee diplomats we planned out a hands-on field study at our heritage
sites as a familiarization program. This ambitious program of training the young
diplomat was carried out with Manel Abeysekera -at the tastefully redesigned Colonial
house at Horton Place where the Foreign Service Training, Sri Lanka Institute of
International Relations was located. Being a man of cultured taste he let it reflect in
his habitat, be it his residence or other official buildings of the Foreign Ministry.
Kadirgamar took pains to refurbish the Ministry where members of the Foreign
Service could take pride of their work place. He wished to have the total cultured
personality representing Sri Lanka as its emissaries.
Kadirgamar's vision for this project went beyond the individual diplomat. He initiated
cultural programs with every visit he made during his tenure as Minister. Spectacular
documentaries complied under his supervision depicting the cultural. essence of this
country; its people, their histories and cultural diversity were unfolded during his visits
overseas. ...
He ensured that our cultural stars such as Visharada Amaradeva perform to dignified
overseas audiences. The original plan we worked out for a high profile archaeological
exhibition with the Japanese ambassador during one of Akashi's visit to Sri Lanka had
Kadirgamar's blessings as he realized its value as a long term investment
disseminating Sri Lankan culture to Japan and in turn attracting up market tourists to
Sri Lanka. One of the last missions. We carried out on his behalf was our participation
at the Asia Middle East Dialogue held in Singapore this April. This gathering had a
critical focus on the economic and cultural dialogue between the two regions that was
to develop as a mutually beneficial process blending tradition with modernity.
Kdkirgamar's advance net working had carved out an important niche for Sri Lanka
among many giants who had arrived at that assembly. Conversely, he did not hesitate
to use all his diplomatic skills in damage control. Last year he conveyed a stiff
message to all client countries to stop, the demand so as to cease the supply of
Buddha-printed underwear reaching their markets. Many an eyebrows were raised
over his persuasive vocabulary dished out to senior foreign diplomats at his ministry
office in Fort. This curt but definitive message reached them loud and clear. I had a
first hand experience of the advocate side of the Minister!
Kadkirgamar viewed the Indian dimension as a political and cultural imperative and
reality. He also had a very personal affection for India and trusted her goodwill. It is
well known how India reciprocated this valued friendship with Kadirgamar and stood
by him, even after his death! The cultural imperative had a wider scope and a
mutually dependent dynamic. To him it was a natural continuum of our legendary and
historical relationship with India. This relationship was galvanized through several
binding factors. The Bandaranayake Centre for International Studies was resurrected
under his able guidance and it became a hub for an India orientation. In the last three
years a galaxy of Indian academics, military personnel and other specialists in the
field of economics and international relations converged at high profile seminars and
conferences chartering joint policies on security, conflict resolution, economics and
culture. This was further enhanced by a link established between the BCIS and the
School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. It was his
personal persuasion that brought in Sage Publications (India) as a partner publisher
to the BCIS. Kadirgamar was personally involved with the able assistance of Tissa
Jayatilleke in the making of the first issue of the journal. This was a crowning success
and he did not attempt to hide his elation at its launching ceremony on 12/8. On the
evening of that fateful day Kadirgamar outlined his ambitious program for the Rajiv
Gandhi Centre at the BCIS with Indian Government assistance, and made the tragic
prediction that he may not live to see its birth! His cultural tour of South India was to
take place in the month of October in 2005. The elegant volume celebrating the work
of Stanley Kirinde's valuable work of art is a testimony to his capacity to coalesce
political studies with cultural work at the BCIS. Only an individual with a cultured mind
could carry out such a vision to its logical conclusion.
The Outreach Program for Shared Culture we initiated for an archaeological study of
South Indian sites by graduate archaeology students of Peradeniya and the Jetavana
archaeological site received his blessings and he put the foreign ministry resources in
Chennai at our disposal through the able assistance of Deputy High Commissioner,
Surnith Nakandala. The participation of youth in the promotion of cultural plurality was
seen as a positive development negating parochial images of culture. His total faith in
the next generation made him have a very accommodating attitude towards the JVP,
which many did not understand or did not wish to understand. The youth of this party
admired his sentiments and publicly saluted him and stood by him unto his death. On
that last evening he discussed in all earn earnest on ways. And means of publicising
high profile writings by Sinhala. and Tamil speaking youth expressed in the
vernacular. Sage Publishers readily agreed to print quality translations of such
articles written in the Sinhala and the Tamil languages. Those who wish to label
Kadirgamar as a traitor to the Tamil people must take serious note of this inform.
information and look at themselves in the mirror.
Epilogue
"Sudharshan, do you have time to talk about some matters?" This was his gentle way
of entering into a discussion over the phone. It conveyed an explicit character of
quality about Lakshman. This __expression itself indicated the premium he put on our
time and respect for the professional. The sound of those gentle. and cultured words
will echo in my mind for years to come as a message of humility. To me, after
Ananada Coomaraswamy, Kadirgamar epitomised the best qualities of Classical Sri
Lankan culture blended with the highest cultural norms of the Internationalist. No one
has the right to deprive any society of such an elegantly accomplished individual who
believed in the beauty of all encompassing culture of human dignity.
I could not find better words to express his inner feelings other than some lines that
flowed from the pen of Leon Trotsky before his tragic end. "...Natasha has just come
UP to the window from the courtyard and opened it wider so that the air may enter
more freely into my room. I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall,
and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let
the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression, and enjoy it to the full" (27th
February 1940. Coyoacan in Mexico). In many ways they had a shared destiny. Both
were internationalists, brilliantly sophisticated intellectuals and cultured. They had
restricted lives and were brutally assassinated by agents of totalitarianism. The LTTE
may have finally accomplished its task of eliminating one of Asia's most cultured
humans. Yet Kadirgamar's memory and ideals -Arill be a permanent beacon to all
those who value quality of life and the culture of dignified humane aspirations.
Prince of Dignity, your task is done. Rest now with ease and enjoy the poetry of life
you inspired in others!
(Sudharshan Seneviratne is Senior Adviser [Culture] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Professor of Archaeology. University of Peradeniya)