Lalith Athulathmudali PC, was assassinated by an unidentified gunman while he was addressing a political rally on April 23, 1993. The assassination of Athulathmudali could be considered as a turning point in Sri Lankan politics. In 1991 he left the United National Party Government and formed the Democratic United National Front which clearly emerged as an alternative political party in the political front of that time.
Lalith Athulathmudali was an unparalleled politician and an erudite scholar. He had his early education at Ladies' College, Colombo and then at St. John's College, Panadura, before commencing an illustrious career at Royal College in 1942. During his brilliant academic career Athulathmudali won over 20 school prizes including the Shakespeare prize and the Stuart Prize. This is an unparalleled achievement up to date.
He was also selected as the All Ceylon Public School Athletics Champion in 1952 and held the All Ceylon Public School record for hurdles for well over three and a half decades.
In 1955 he commenced his law studies at Jesus College Oxford and graduated in 1958 with Honours School of Jurisprudence. In 1959 he won the Lord Sankey award for Jurisprudence at Oxford and in 1960 he obtained the degree of Member of Arts and Bachelor of Civil Law from the Prestigious Oxford University. In 1963 he was awarded the Master of Law Degree at Harvard University where his Thesis was accepted for the permanent collection at Harvard.
During his student days at Oxford he was selected as Librarian, Secretary and then President of Oxford Union and became the first Ceylonese to be elected to such prestigious posts.
In 1959 he was called to the English Bar by Gray’s Inn. In the same year he commenced his teaching career as a tutor at Jesus College. From 1960 to 1962 he lectured at the University of Singapore (Malaya). In 1963 he was appointed as Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Singapore. From 1962 to 1964 he functioned as a guest lecturer at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Edinburgh University and Allahabad University.
In 1977 he was elected as a Member of the UNP from the Ratmalana Electorate. From 1977 to 1991 he held several portfolios, including, the Minister of Trade and Shipping, National Security, Food and Cooperatives and Live Stock Development, Agriculture and Minister of Education and Higher Education.
One of the biggest legacies that Athulathmudali has left is the Mahapola Trust Fund which was started in February 1981 through his personal contribution. Today, almost 50% of young students who enter the National Universities and Higher Education institutes are benefited by being recipients of the Mahapola Scholarship.
Another significant contribution made by the late Athulathmudali was the streamlining of the Free Economic Policy introduced by the UNP Government in 1977 and the development of Colombo to suit the needs of that time.
Athulathmudali had a unique ability to couple his academic brilliance with his practical experience in approaching any complex issue in Politics or Law.
He had an extensive legal practice in both Civil and Criminal Courts at the original Court level, as well as Appellate Court level. He was much sought after by his clients during his tenure at the Bar.
I had the good fortune of being introduced to him by Upul Jayasuriya, PC former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in the late 1980s.
A quarter of a century later after his demise, I still cherish my association with this brilliant scholar who in my opinion was a role model for any aspiring young politician or lawyer.
During the last 25 years I have seen many politicians entering politics riding on Athulathmudali’s name. A significant difference between the politicians of today and the late Athulathmudali was that the latter was a visionary who had a clear objective of what this nation needs. He was a devout Buddhist and was the President of the Ramanna Nikaya, Nikaya Aarakshaka Sabhawa and in such capacity made a huge contribution towards the religion.
Twenty five years have passed since he was snatched away by an assassin who is unknown up to date. Many articles have been written and a few books authored and even a Commission of Inquiry was appointed to probe into his death, and there are several questions which remain unanswered in the minds of those who closely associated with him.
The life of Mr. Athulathmudali should be an example to the politicians of today who have no vision, who lack ideas and act without
any national interest solely for the purpose of survival and cheap popularity.