The sudden death of Dr. H. W. (Harendra) Perera, who was active and in good health at the time of his demise, has saddened all who knew him.
I came to know HW (as most of his friends called him) when we were part of the first batch of students chosen to read for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Affairs at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.
There were 40 of us, and we came from different professional and career backgrounds: administrators, lawyers, officers from the armed forces, and students of the liberal arts and the sciences.
HW was the only representative of the medical profession in the batch. He was Chief Port Health Officer. One did not expect a medical professional to be interested in political science, applied economics, international affairs, etc., which were some of the core subjects on our study programme.
We were also required to study a foreign language of our choice. Most of the students opted for French, German or Japanese. HW and I chose Spanish, and thus began our friendship.
We had Spanish classes on two weekdays and on Saturday afternoon. HW picked up the language quicker than I did. By the end of the year, we were both able to meet the examination requirements.
After our Spanish lessons we would head to HW’s residence on Flower Road, where his charming wife Priyani graciously served us cake and tea and joined in the conversation.
At the time my daughter was in hospital with a virulent fever, and HW would accompany me to see her after our Spanish classes.
He was a very caring and human person, and our two families became close friends.
As we progressed in our studies, HW gained a firm grasp of all subjects related to international affairs – subjects outside his professional discipline. He participated in seminars and discussions on matters of current interest. He was one of the most vibrant personalities in the batch.
After we completed our studies, HW became an active member of our Alumni Association. He was also a key figure in the Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Association.
HW was well read and an excellent conversationalist and could hold his own on any subject, whether it be medicine, politics or international affairs. Everybody who knew him enjoyed his company.
HW was a down-to-earth person who lived a simple life. Port employees who called at his clinic for treatment speak of his kindness and understanding, qualities that endeared him to them. He was popularly known as a “doctor with a heart”.
He moved with ease with people from all walks of life.
He was a member of the Walkers’ Club, whose members take an early morning stroll at Torrington Square. Here he met and became friends with politicians, businessmen, corporate leaders, and so on. They all enjoyed HW’s company, and his exuberance.
HW was highly principled. He would call a spade a spade, but in his own inimitable style, without hurting anyone.
After retiring from the Port, HW would attend seminars and presentations conducted by various institutions and associations, where he would meet old friends and make new ones.
Whenever he was in the vicinity, he would drop by at my office at Malalasekera Mawatha for a quick chat. He never missed an opportunity to meet up with his friends.
Above all, HW was an exemplary family man – a caring and devoted husband to his wife Priyani, an affectionate and protective father to his son Chitral and daughter Dharshani, and to their spouses, and a philosopher and guide to his immediate family circle.
All who knew HW will remember him with affection.
“His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,
His love sincere, his thoughts immaculate,
His tears pure messengers sent
from his heart,
His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.”
Lakshman Perera |
E-mail