The first copy of ‘The Petition’, the English Translation of award-winning novel, Pethsama, was presented to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena by retired senior administrative officer and author Dr. Leel Gunasekara at Temple Trees recently.
The launching ceremony followed by discussion was held under the patronage of “Sankathana Mandapaya”, (an academic discourse of the Temple Trees organised by the Prime Minister’s Office) in honour of Dr. Leel Gunasekera’s dedicated service to the nation and local literature.
“Dr. Leel Gunasekara enriches the ‘never ending’ river of Sri Lankan literature. Literature keeps a nation alive. It makes a nation think anew. I see it as a blessing that you have been able to accomplish the above objectives in various ways for a very long period,” Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.
“Pethsama is a work of art that consists of characters living in real society through generations. This book brings to light the simplicity of the rural communities in Sri Lanka. It also depicts the language of our country, lifestyle, and how we have stood up bravely as a nation.”
“Dr.Gunasekara is a pioneer in the public service and education service as well. Once, Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimaavo Bandaranaike appointed him as the Inspector General of Police while he still served in government service. How interesting it is that Leel Gunasekara, who was holding the position of Government Agent was appointed to the position of Inspector General of Police which held a great responsibility. You might have been appointed to such a position because you had such a very faithful and humble mind. Nowadays, the post of Inspector General of Police is subjected to criticism in society. Such criticisms were there in the media even before and after your appointment.
In all those situations, what you did was not to give up was your passion for literature. When I was working as the Foreign Minister, I came across a report prepared by you on the methods to be followed to address the issues of low-income earners in Sri Lanka. One chapter of the report was on strengthening rural children with technical knowledge and skills as they leave school. Imparting technical knowledge to the children who drop out of school is still not done properly in our country,” said Prime Minister Gunawardena.
Literary scholar Sunil Sarath Perera, said that, “The historical and practical consciousness of Dr. Leel Gunasekara is the most significant phenomenon. I believe that society itself gave him the opportunity to work as a writer for a long time. His experiences as a Government Agent contributed greatly to the creation of those literary works. He enlivened the grievances of rustic life through his book “the petition.” He displayed the authentic life of villagers who live in rural areas of Nuwara Kalaviya (Kandy) and Hathara Korale through his works of art.
Dr. Leel Gunasekara said that he is very happy to write an English novel for the first time and publish it under the full patronage of the Prime Minister.
“I received the State Literary Award in 1962 for Pethsama. Dr Gunapala Mallalasekara, having watched, Maname stage play of Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra said that Sarath’s work was excellent and then I made up my mind to produce an excellent work of mine one day. This book is a combination of ancient and modern literature that has inspired me.”
Compere Gitanjali Ramanayake read out excerpts from the Foreword written by Prof Wimal Dissanayake.
Ven .Gatahaththe Sobitha Thera, Ven.Kirama Wimalajothi Thera, Yadamini Gunawardena MP, Chairman, Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka (PCCSL) Kumara Nadesan, retired senior civil officer Jolly Somasundaram, Sarasavi Publications Managing Director H.D. Premasiri , Advisor (Media) to the Prime Minister Sugeeswara Senadhira, younger daughter of Dr.Leel Gunasekara and Senior Lecturer in Psychology, University of Peradeniya, Manjula Gunasekera, several scholars and artistes joined the event.
