Prince Metal Industries located at Battaramulla next to the Ministry of Education was the workshop of master locksmith Perera during the colonial days. The high quality brassware shop is now being managed by his grandson. During the British Raj a few young socialists were imprisoned by the British. Among them was Philip Gunawardena who was a close friend of locksmith Perera.
Philip’s wife Kusuma managed to mould a replica of the prison cell key with support from Perera. That key opened the door to socialists Philip, NM and Colvin to flee to India and implement actions which indirectly expedited Sri Lanka’s independence from the British and the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in the 1940s.
The French were ruling southern parts of great China since the 1700s and August 2022 marks the 138th anniversary of the Sino – French War or the “Tonkin War” where great China attempted to free its southern provinces from French colonial forces. However, France managed to maintain its colonies till the 1900s. In 1921 the Communist Party of China was established and in the late 1920s CPC leader Zhou Enlai was joined by Philip Gunawardene of Sri Lanka to call for independence of South China from French occupation (Chinese sources).
The blend that created the bond so far has benefitted Sri Lanka very much.
Philip Kusuma contribution
The bond between Chinese socialist leaders and Philip Kusuma grew by the day and soon after the PRC was established in October 1949 it was Kusuma which took the unprecedented step to establish the Sri Lanka China Friendship Association in 1950 along with prominent citizens such as Colombo Mayor Kumaran Ratnum.
First visible benefit of this bond ensured the right to life of thousands of Sri Lankans through the Rubber Rice Pact signed between China (PRC) and Sri Lanka 70 years ago in 1952. One year later Chinese Deputy Premier Xi Zhongxun’s son was born and the sons of Opposition leader SWRD and Opposition MP Philip were little boys learning under one roof in Colombo.
In 1956 socialist leaders of Sri Lanka were invited to China for the International Labour Day (May Day) celebrations. During that visit Premier Zhu Enlai had initiated the discussions to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries and as a result the SWRD Bandaranaike Government elected in September 1956 took steps to establish diplomatic relations on January 1, 1957 (sixty five years back).
Philip was a prominent figure in that process along with Premier SWRD Bandaranaike. Ever since, the bond with China has indirectly ensured the right to life and rule of law in Sri Lanka and supported the Sri Lankan State to ensure a moderately comfortable life to its citizens. Notable assistance included:
* The BMICH, Supreme Courts complex and the Nelum Pokuna Theatre in the Western Province.
* Engineer Dr. Kulasinghe Reservoir in the Central province.
* Norochcholai Coal Power Plant in the North Western province.
* Hambantota Sea/Air Ports, E1 Expressway and the Southern railway in the Southern Province.
* The Kidney Hospital in the North Central province.
Due to the bilateral relations based on below principles of the PRC:
A. Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
B. Mutual non-aggression.
C. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
D. Equality and co-operation for mutual benefit.
E. Peaceful co-existence
(Chinese sources).
China protected Sri Lanka at international forums during the battle against terrorism.
Responsibility of the next generation
Sri Lanka is in a crisis and will not be able to rise without the help of friends especially such as China. Former Deputy Premier Xi Zhongxun’s son is now the President of the PRC. President Xi Jinping is one of the most powerful men living on earth who would historically be positive for the development of Sri Lanka.
The son of Minister Philip and MP Kusuma Gunawardena is the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. PM Dinesh Gunawardena also has a great big responsibility to work on the foundation laid by his illustrious parents for his motherland. His childhood friend Ranil Wickremesinghe (the son of late Esmond Wickremesinghe who successfully sphere headed Sri Lanka’s attempts to join the United Nations) is the President of Sri Lanka.
The blend of these personalities should work to unlock obstacles and create synergy for win-win cooperation. That is the only expectation of citizens including the grandson of master locksmith Perera who unlocked the prison door.
The writer is an academic and a broadcaster and views expressed are personal and may not be the views of his affiliations.