It was with deep regret that I heard of Wakeley’s death on March 9. Wakeley – a gentleman to his finger tips- had his early education at Royal College until his distinguished father Professor Milroy Paul sent him to England where he survived the final examination of the Inn’s of Court and returned to the then Ceylon with a degree and an English accent.
Back in Ceylon, he joined the Attorney General’s Department as a Crown Counsel where he fared extremely well as a prosecutor.
Somewhere in the mid 60’s, he was sent to United States to further his studies and he acquired a Masters Degree and an American wife - his wonderful companion Sandy.
After a few years when the imposition of Sinhala in Court proceedings was on the cards, Wakeley wisely went back to US where, typically with a very poor knowledge of Tamil, he espoused the LTTE cause. On that issue though one may not agree with what he wrote or said, but he did so in style.
We have all lost a distinguished Old Boy. Our deepest sympathies go out to Sandy, his son and daughter-in-law. May his soul Rest in Peace.
Daya Perera,
High Commissioner
Ottawa, Canada
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