“Do you know that when the JVP bombed Parliament, the then National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali almost lost his life?”
This question was posed by a senior veteran journalist who had covered parliamentary affairs during President J.R.’s era, speaking to a young YouTuber.
The young YouTuber was someone who had been enthusiastically praising President Anura for nationalizing the room reserved for the President at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.
“When the JVP bombed Parliament, it was Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital that saved the life of Lalith, who was critically injured. Lalith was treated in the room reserved for Presidents at that hospital…” the journalist continued.
“And that is the very room that has now been ‘nationalized’…” he added sarcastically.
In September 1951, just before his 45th birthday, J.R. Jayewardene attended the San Francisco Conference. Quoting the words of the Buddha, he declared that hatred does not cease through hatred and urged nations not to impose heavy reparations on Japan for the destruction caused during World War II. He called for forgiveness instead of vengeance. Following his speech, other nations withdrew their demands for compensation from Japan.
Later, after becoming President in 1978, J.R. visited Japan at their invitation. He was honored with a 21-gun salute—an honor reserved only for emperors.
When he met the Emperor of Japan, the Emperor said:
“Your speech deeply moved our people. They will never forget it. We wish to express our gratitude at this moment…”
Afterward, J.R. met the Japanese Prime Minister.
“We would like to offer a gift to your country in appreciation of your service,” said the Prime Minister.
“What kind of gift do you have in mind?” J.R. asked.
“A contribution that would support your country’s modernization,” came the reply.
“How large would this aid be?” J.R. asked.
“It would be an unlimited contribution,” the Prime Minister responded.
J.R., after careful thought, said:
“I am planning to develop the historic administrative capital of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. It would be valuable if you could assist in building a modern hospital there.”
The Japanese Prime Minister then consulted his officials, who said Japan had previously donated a hospital to Thailand.
“How large was that hospital?” J.R. asked.
“A 1000-bed hospital,” they replied.
“Then build one with 1001 beds,” J.R. said.
“Who is the extra bed for?” the Prime Minister asked curiously.
“For me,” J.R. replied casually.
(This anecdote was later recounted by the Japanese Prime Minister’s secretary during a visit to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital in 2002.)
However, J.R. never used that bed. Instead, it was used by Lalith Athulathmudali, who was injured in a JVP bomb attack, and by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
The hospital was not the only gift Japan gave Sri Lanka in appreciation. Japan also provided television broadcasting infrastructure and extended significant aid in many areas.
Just as J.R. built close ties with Japan, leaders of the SLFP—particularly the Bandaranaikes and Rajapaksas—developed strong relations with China.
When Mahinda Rajapaksa became President and visited China, he requested assistance to ease congestion at the Colombo General Hospital outpatient department. China agreed, and although the hospital project was initiated during his time, its foundation stone was laid in 2017 under President Maithripala Sirisena.
In 2015, when Maithripala Sirisena became President and visited China, he requested a kidney hospital for Polonnaruwa due to the high number of kidney patients in Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. China agreed and built a fully equipped modern kidney hospital there.
These hospitals were gifts made possible by the close relationships Sri Lankan Presidents built with those countries. The UNP traditionally aligned with Japan, while the SLFP leaned toward China.
“So, who does Anura stand with?”
That is the real question. Anura has visited both China and Japan. The JVP has even stronger ideological ties with China and Russia than the SLFP.
“Why can’t Anura use those relationships to request something essential for Sri Lanka?”
Instead, nationalizing the bed gifted by Japan to J.R. is seen as meaningless.
While criticizing politicians for seeking medical treatment in Singapore despite having good healthcare facilities in Sri Lanka, it was precisely to strengthen local healthcare that J.R. requested that special facility. That is why figures like Lalith Athulathmudali and Sirimavo Bandaranaike received treatment there.
During the 2009 military operations, General Shavendra Silva, who was seriously wounded, was also treated at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital. Many soldiers and police personnel injured in the war had their lives saved there.
Moreover, on November 2, 2015, when current President Anura fell ill with chest pain in Parliament, he too was taken to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.
The same hospital that treated both Lalith—injured in a JVP attack—and Anura, a JVP leader, was made possible because of J.R. Jayewardene.
