The following incident happened when Padmasiri Thrimawithana, who was a medical student and prominent student activist who protested against establishing private medical colleges, was kidnapped and killed by an armed group.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, a politician of the Opposition at that time, former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, and Dr. Sunil Ratnapriya, the then President of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), rushed to the Sri Abhayaramaya Temple at Narahenpita to inform Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the temple, that there would be a massive commotion at the Medical College after midnight on that day if the students were not permitted to bring Thrimawithana’s body to the College.
They requested Ven. Ananda Thera to speak to the then President J.R Jayewardene and seek his permission to bring the body to the College. Ven. Ananda Thera was shocked following their request thinking how he could make this request from the Head of the State, whose Government had even remanded him due to his trade union actions, who didn’t have any relationship with him and even avoided having any discussions with him.
Responded positively
They opined that despite all those factors, if Ven. Ananda Thera made this request, President Jayewardene might consider it. Ven. Ananda Thera called the President without any hesitation. He responded positively and permission was granted to bring Thrimawithana’s body to the Medical College.
But President Jayewardene asked who would take the responsibility if there was any commotion. Ven. Ananda Thera immediately rushed to the Medical College. When he announced that permission has been granted to bring the body to the College, the students made another request saying there should not be any policemen or soldiers lining the road from the College to the cemetery on the funeral day. The security officials agreed to their demand and Thrimawithana’s body was cremated peacefully, although a large crowd was present.
In 1987, President Jayewardene issued orders prohibiting the holding of May Day rallies. Ven. Ananda Thera, who was the President of the Public Service United Nurses Association (PSUNA), considered this prohibition order as a violation of the right of workers and trade unions to celebrate May Day. Therefore, he decided to hold the May Day at the Sri Abhayaramaya Temple itself. Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and some others supported this decision. A large number of people participated in the May Day held at the temple but when the Police tried to disperse it, two people got killed due to police firing.
The PSUNA resorted to trade union action as a last resort to win their rights but they never neglected their responsibilities towards saving the lives of thousands of patients. During President Jayewardene’s era, he used the Government’s power, including the Police and military, to prevent these strikes but he could not suppress their trade union actions. Over 1,000 nurses stayed at the Sri Abhayaramaya Temple due to suppression and Ven. Ananda Thera was able to provide them with food and other necessities to continue their strike.
Once the Police arrested Ven. Ananda Thera and he was remanded in the Welikada Remand Prison. There, prison officers as well as prisoners supported Ven. Ananda Thera by providing him with all that he needed. Prison officials explained to the Thera their professional grievances and Ven. Ananda Thera made them aware about their ability to win their rights if they protested but officials explained to him that they have no right to resort to trade union action. Then he asked them to go on sick leave until the authorities met their grievances. When President Jayewardene got the news about the Ven. Thera’s advice to prison officials to stage protests, he released Ven. Ananda Thera from the prison.
While attending all these tasks, activities and responsibilities, he also contributed his knowledge for the literary work in the country. The book “Helawedakame Yatagiyawa’ (History of Indigenous Medicine) written by him, is a comprehensive book on the history of indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka. Ven. Ananda Thera has also penned down his experiences in trade union actions in the “Nonawathina Aragalayaka Sebe Kathawa” (True Story of an Unceasing Struggle).
His books – Geneva Parajaye Donkaraya (Echo of Geneva Defeat) and Jana Aragalaye Donkaraya (Echo of People’s Struggle) provide reviews on recent political events and changes. ‘Ranheeya’ (Golden Arrow) is a collection of his newspaper articles. Also, there are several books written by other writers about the Ven. Thera’s life and experiences.
One is Nihal Jagatchandra’s ‘Muruththettuwe Hamuduruwo’ and the other book – ‘Muruththettuwe Naahimi’ – was written by Somalatha Vaidyaratne Sellahewa. Articles written by veteran editor and journalist Dharman Wickramaratne were also included in the publication.
When he was conferred the title of Chancellor of the University of Colombo, some people had forgotten the contribution made by Ven. Ananda Thera for the oppressed people of this country, as he always stood up to protect their rights.
While some deliberately forgot his contribution, others did not know his history and background. Now the graduates of the Colombo University do not refrain from accepting the degree certificates offered by him. Today, he is contributing to establishing new universities in Sri Lanka.
Political platforms
Although he has not stepped on to any political platforms, there have been some occasions when he intervened in political matters. He took the side of the late President R. Premadasa when they brought an impeachment motion against him. Ven. Ananda Thera was of the view that he was mistreated as he hailed from a marginalised background and stood up for President Premadasa. When internal conflicts propped up between former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Anura Bandaranaike of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), he intervened to resolve them.
On such occasions, Ven. Ananda Thera was accused of being loyal to the Presidents or Prime Ministers. Although he was friendly with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I do not think that he maintained a very close friendship with him during his tenure. When he was defeated in 2015, those who were closely associated him when he was the President refused to provide him space to open an office but Ven. Ananda Thera offered some space at the Sri Abhayaramaya Temple to open an office, from where the former President functioned for quite some time.
Last week, Public Service United Nurses’ Association, of which Ven. Ananda Thera is the Chairman, celebrated the International Nurse’s Day. It is the only health professional association that celebrated the day, where they discussed the expansion of the nursing service since Florence Nightingale started the nursing service, responsibilities of the nurses and the objectives of nursing service. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was the Chief Guest at this event, inaugurated the Sri Lanka Nursing University.
The proposal for the establishment of a Nursing University was presented by Ven. Ananda Thera sometime ago and he received the President’s full support. The opening of the Nursing University in Sri Lanka on this year’s International Nurses Day can be viewed as an initiative to upgrade the nursing service in the country to the highest level.
Ven. Ananda Thera is outspoken and willing to express his views and opinions openly in any forum in front of anyone. A few weeks ago, at a ceremony at the Sri Abhayaramaya Temple, he said that the only Head of the State who contributed financially to construct the temple is President Wickremesinghe.
Nursing University
“Establishing a Nursing University is a significant achievement for the nursing service. President Wickremesinghe, who was the Prime Minister at the time, offered diploma certificates for the nurses. The greatest achievement of establishing a university for nurses also happened thanks to President Wickremesinghe’s blessings,” he said.
What is very significant is the statement made by Ven. Ananda Thera, who supported many people to win their rights through his experiences gained by staging protests. “We have won our rights due to strong decisions made by President Wickremesinghe, who stood strong amidst all challenges. Those who poison people’s minds have no desire to support people to win their rights but they want to drag people on to the streets. We should always remember that we have a President with whom we can discuss and resolve any matter”.
Isn’t this the view of the majority of the people of this country as well?
