Steadying the ship at SLBC after 1977 UNP landslide

The day after I assumed duties in my new post (as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Director General of Broadcasting), I had two unexpected visitors.

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The first was Mr. Festus Perera, who was now a Deputy Minister. I have already recounted my encounter with him during a flour shortage which occurred when I was Deputy Food Commissioner. He remembered this, and the object of his visit was to wish me well.

I was surprised that he had remembered this for nearly nine years. For a moment, I thought to myself that the same sound memory may have worked to my detriment if I had displeased him during that period. In fact, during a long career, I had worked with or dealt with hundreds of politicians, and I can assure any new entrant to the public service that all of them have long memories. This should not prevent them from doing what is right, which certainly includes refusing some of their requests. What is required is credibility and consistency in whatever you do.

The next visitor was even more unexpected. It was Mr. Gamini Dissanayake the new Minister of Lands and Irrigation and although youthful, a senior member of the UNP and a senior Minister. I really did not know him personally. There were just a few occasions, when I was Secretary to the Prime Minister when he had telephoned me on some matter or other and I had, as with anyone else, diligently done what I could.