Karu Jayasuriya was conferred the honour of Sri Lankabhimanya at an investiture ceremony on Friday (3). A literal translation of the term is ‘pride of Sri Lanka’. It denotes a Sri Lankan we can all be proud of.

Jayasuriya walking into the well of Parliament to do his duty surrounded by a phalanx of Police in the face of assault by Opposition parliamentarians is an indelibly-preserved image in the minds of many Sri Lankans.

To safeguard the rule of law and the Constitution, our Speaker, then over 75 years old, navigated the political maelstrom centred on Parliament on that memorable day in 2018. It was perhaps his training and experience as a commissioned officer of the Sri Lanka Army from 1965 to 1972 that lay beneath that conspicuous bravery.

But there was much more behind that image, starting from the meticulously-crafted and moderate, yet firm, letter sent by the Speaker to the President two days after the start of the anti-constitutional coup. That mature, considered approach had been honed through years of experience as a public-spirited business leader, as a diplomat, and as a successful politician at all three levels of government. His role was critical in the resolution of the constitutional crisis of 2018. 

It has been my great good fortune to have had the opportunity to work under the leadership of Jayasuriya after he took the helm of the Sadharana Samajayak Movement in 2020, subsequent to the completion of his duties as Speaker and as Chair of the Constitutional Council.

Foreseeing the assault on the 19th Amendment, several of us had asked him to provide leadership to the movement that had been started by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera in 2012 and which had created the conditions for a common candidate for the 2015 Presidential Election and the enactment of the 19th Amendment. 

We failed to protect the 19th Amendment. But on the day after the vote on the 20th Amendment, Jayasuriya called a press conference to say it would not be allowed to stand. And it lasted barely two years. His consistent and principled position against the draconian 20th Amendment created the conditions for many participants of the Aragalaya to make its abolition a principal demand. 

Principled positions based on broad consultation and evidence were the hallmark of the Sadharana Samajayak Movement under Jayasuriya’s leadership. They were not limited to constitutional matters, but addressed issues ranging from fair and transparent vaccination policies to the adoption of evidence-based agricultural policies. 

The broadly-consulted Common Minimum Programme for economic recovery would not have been worked up had it not been for his vision. The sectoral oversight committees and other innovations that were implemented during his tenure as Speaker and are now being revived and extended will be seen as lasting contributions.

The Surya Foundation’s activities to support reconciliation among our fractured communities is just one manifestation of the quiet public service rendered by Jayasuriya. The great respect accorded to this statesman by all political parties, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and representatives of foreign governments and international organisations is testimony to the quality of his national service.  

The recognition that Jayasuriya has received is the country’s highest civil honour conferred upon “those who have rendered exceptionally outstanding and most distinguished service to the nation”. 

There can only be five honorees at any given time. Sarvodaya Founder Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne is the other living recipient. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with both living recipients. They are indeed Sri Lankans we can be proud of. Truly Sri Lankabhimanya.