Appreciations
View(s):Arthur Basnayake
An outstanding diplomat
Arthur Basnayake who passed away last week at the age of 90 was one of the finest diplomats ever to represent Sri Lanka. He was one of the first five recruits to the Ceylon foreign service.
He served in over 10 countries as first secretary counsellor and deputy high commissioner. He was twice ambassador to Japan and also to Myanmar (Burma) and India.
He was a key figure in the preparations for the 5th Non Aligned Summit held in Colombo in August 1976, as the Director General (DG) of the Foreign Office at the time.
He was one of the trusted officials of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranike. An unassuming, self-effacing man, never flaunting his diplomatic status, Arthur was deeply conscious of his responsibilities.
Arthur Basnayake was born in 1925. He and his brother Valentine (later Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and a renowned musician and pianist) were twins.
Arthur was educated at St. Joseph’s College and among his contemporaries at school were people like Godfrey Gunatilaka. When President R. Premadasa was the chief guest at the St. Joseph’s College prize giving sometime in the 1980s, he referred in his speech to Arthur and Valentine as two outstanding students he remembered at the school.
Arthur joined the University of Ceylon to read for a degree in Geography. Ivor Jennings was the Vice Chancellor and he kept up his acquaintance with Jennings until much later. His lecturer at the University was Elsie Cooke, an English lady.
A few years back, Arthur wrote a letter to the Sunday newspapers reminiscing on a delightful day he spent in Polonnaruwa with Elsie Cooke and other Geography undergraduates and having lunch with C.P. De Silva, then assistant government agent of Polonnaruwa. Arthur always kept up his contacts, academic and otherwise.
Arthur joined the foreign service in 1949. The others to join with him were Vernon Mendis, Ben Fonseka, Yogendra Duraiswamy and D.P. Wijegunawardane.
All his colleagues were to be ambassadors later on. In his 38-year career in the Foreign Service, he served in posts abroad for 30 of those years.
In the first 20 years, he served as first secretary and counsellor in Burma, Rome, at the United Nations in New York, Washington, New Delhi and London.
That was the time when Ceylon ambassadors were either leading political figures or senior public servants. Foreign Office personnel were too junior to be ambassadors.
Arthur served first with Susanta De Fonseka in Burma, then R.S.S Gunawardene in Rome, New York and Washington, Sir Richard Aluwihara in New Delhi and Sir Lalitha Rajapakse in London.
These ambassadors were more representational figures for the country at a time when Ceylon was making its presence in world affairs. It was Arthur, in the missions he served, who had to undertake the many management tasks of the mission.
First secretaries and counsellors were expected to look after the less glamorous details of diplomatic life. Arthur always felt that this was a great experience, working with these ambassadors with their wide ranging interests, especially in politics.
In New York, Arthur was one of the earliest to serve in a Ceylon UN mission. Ceylon was admitted to the UN as a member in 1955.
In 1956, as first secretary of the Ceylon Mission, he was present as for the first time the Ceylon flag was hoisted over the United Nations.
There is a lovely photograph (see right) where Arthur is joined by Dag Hammarskjold, the United Nations Secretary General, in carrying out this historic task.
Arthur served twice with the UN mission in New York, first in 1956 and 1957, and then again in 1964 and 1965. Arthur had the opportunity at the time to join the United Nations, when it was looking for personnel to be recruited.
Arthur was not interested and wanted to be of service to the government.
There was an interesting incident during Arthur’s tenure in New York. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of the USA informed Arthur that the Sri Lankan mission was being entered into in the night by one of its officers, along with a member of the secret service of a communist country and they were using the telegraph facilities of the embassy for their own ends.
This was the time when there was tension between Russia and the USA and of course US detective agencies were on the alert, especially at the United Nations. That officer was transferred out of New York.
It is a curious feature of Arthur’s career that he served his first 20 years in Ceylon missions in the West and when he was ambassador in later years, his career was in the East. In later years, he found life more congenial in places like Tokyo and Rangoon, where he was very much influenced by the cultural and religious life of those countries.
I remember sometime in the 1980s when he was ambassador in Burma, he kept with Burmese tradition to ordain his son Kolitha as a Buddhist novice monk, for a couple of weeks and the chief guest for the occasion was U Nu, the former Prime Minister of Burma.
Arthur enjoyed Japan and the Japanese had the greatest respect for him. President J.R. Jayawardene visited Japan when he was ambassador there for the second time.
Between 1974 and 1977, Arthur was Director General of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. This was a most active period in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and foreign relations.
The 5th Non- Aligned Summit was to be held in Sri Lanka in August 1976 and Arthur was one of the key figures in the preparations leading up to the Summit.
He undertook extensive travels on non-aligned matters, and he was assisted in the Ministry by its Director of Political Affairs Izeth Hussein, and other officers like Nihal Rodrigo and Alfie David.
He had a close working relationship with Mrs. Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister, Felix Dias Bandaranaike, who was virtually the foreign minister, W.T. Jayasinghe, the foreign secretary and M.D.D. Pieris, Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Arthur was a fine administrator, delegating tasks as required and in coordination.
The Non Aligned Summit required a Director General, to assist the Prime Minister as chairman of the conference and the natural choice was first W.T. Jayasinghe, who was Foreign Secretary and then Arthur, who was Director General. W.T. refused to take up the job and so did Arthur as they were not anxious to be involved in a ceremonial job of that kind.
So they had to bring Vernon Mendis who was High Commissioner in London at the time to undertake the task.
To go back to his personal life, Arthur married Damani Wickramasinghe. Damani’s mother, Winifred (nee Rodrigo) had been the first Ceylonese woman to read for a degree at the University of Oxford. Damani and Arthur had three children, Aruna, Ruvani and Kolitha, doing well in their own careers.
After retiring from the foreign service, Arthur led an active life. For 12 years, he was Professor of International Relations at Nagoya University in Japan.
After they returned to Sri Lanka in 1996, Arthur and Damani established the Only One World Foundation to offer scholarships to needy children for their education and also assist in the field of health.
The Foundation raises most of its funds in Japan and the scholarships are given mainly in Sri Lanka and also in Myanmar.
Two of the active patrons of this association are Aung Sang Suu Kyi from Myanmar and Mrs. Hata, the wife of the former Japanese Prime Minister.
It took some effort on the part of Arthur and Damani to build up this foundation which is very active today. Arthur also indulged in his love of farming, having obtained a large extent of land in the Polonnaruwa area. This had to be given up due to terrorist activities.
I got to know Arthur well in April 1973 when Manel Kannangara (now Abeysekara) and I joined Arthur who was ambassador in Tokyo as the Sri Lankan delegation for the ECAFE annual sessions held in Tokyo. Arthur was a superb head of delegation.
I remember going with him and Damani for the cherry blossom party at the Sinjuki gardens in Tokyo hosted by the then Japanese Prime Minister, Kakuei Tanaka. For the next 40 years, we continued to be friends. Between 1974 and 1977, I worked closely with him on non aligned matters.
The Prime Minister had wanted me to be involved on the economic side of non aligned matters, and Arthur was always supportive, especially when I was secretary of the economic committee of the Non Aligned Summit.
We travelled together to many countries, Mexico, Peru, Algeria, Senegal for non aligned meetings. We travelled with the Prime Minister Mrs. Bandaranaike and Dharmasiri Pieris, Secretary to the PM to Japan, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
We prepared speeches and communiqués. Arthur was the nicest of persons to work with. He had a great sense of humour and always saw the amusing side of persons and events.
Arthur led a full life and we should remember him as the great gentleman that he was. One day, when we were in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, Arthur wanted to see the interior of the country, and I went with him to the railway station so that he could take a train to some remote town.
When we went to the railway station, there was no one or any train in sight, although the train was due to leave in a few minutes.
Then we saw a man seated at the end of the long, deserted platform dangling his legs. He said he was the station master. We asked him when the train was leaving. He told us that it was a good question, as yesterday’s train had still not left.
He advised us to go out of the station and then take a van and that the van service was managed by his son. I remember this incident in that remote railway station when I think of Arthur.
-Leelananda De Silva
ANTON AMARASINGHAM
A generous husband, doting father and wonderful grandfather
The untimely passing away of Anton Amarasingham, just three days after he finally retired and came home about a year ago to spend his life in peace and quiet shocked and saddened his family and friends beyond belief.
Anton was in Saudi Arabia for over 30 years where he worked hard and saved harder to live out his retired life in comfort back home and to serve his church and community with his time and resources.
He returned to Sri Lanka every year or so to rest and recuperate and he fondly spoke about his retirement years ahead and what he planned to do.
It was the same story each time he came home. “This is my last tour of duty. I will retire after this” he would say. But he went back each time for a further period until his body gave in.
He finally retired and returned on October 29, 2014 to the delight of his family. He was so excited and discussed with his daughter Anoja (Dotty) about what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
But alas! God had other plans for His good and faithful servant. Anton went to bed as usual that night about three days after his return, some of his several bags still unpacked.
Early the following morning of November 2, 2014, he slipped quietly into a peaceful and permanent sleep forever to be with the Lord.
Naturally this unexpected turn of events profoundly shocked his wife Janaky and daughter Anoja. His son Ashley (Shawny) just happened to be in Colombo from Oman on his leave to spend time with his father.
Anton’s passing also sent shock waves to his brothers and sisters living overseas who all sorely miss him on their visits to Sri Lanka.
Anton is remembered by his family as a caring and generous husband, a doting father, a wonderful grand-father to Jessica who is a medical student in Belarus, a loving brother and uncle and a good father-in-law to Terrence and Pat.
His regular visits to Sri Lanka were keenly anticipated not for the material gifts but for the laughter and fun he brought along with him.
He would have been 70 years a few weeks after his arrival and he had great plans to celebrate his birthday in his own inimitable style.
Anton had his early education at St Benedict’s College, Colombo and thereafter at St John’s College, Jaffna where he took part in many extra-curricular activities and also sang in the school choir.
On leaving school he joined Lever Brothers (Cey.) Ltd where he worked for many years in the stores. He was a popular figure at the Park Road Flats at Narahenpita where he lived with the family before he went to Saudi Arabia.
He was always ready to help those in need and unfailingly generous with his time and resources.
Though little is known by this writer about his life and work in Saudi Arabia, it could be said that he enjoyed his work there -at the end of his annual holiday in Sri Lanka, he was always keen to get back to work.
He suffered injuries in a road accident in Saudi Arabia from which he recovered. He was a regular member of St Paul’s Church in Milagiriya and never missed a service when at home.
So farewell Anton. We will fondly remember you for what you meant to us over the years and sadly miss you especially around Christmas time and other family functions.
You are in a better place now. It is your loved ones, who will have to endure the pain and sadness of your loss until we meet again one day.
Rest in Peace Anton.
-Mano Amarasingham
MAJOR RAJA AMARASEKERA DE SILVA
My guiding star
Seven long years have passed since you left me
The pain is still hard to bear
I go through life knowing you will never again be there
I have only the beautiful memories of the lovely times we have had
And the talk, advice and laughter we shared with everyone you cared
Everyone says that the pain eases as years go by
How could I ever think of you without pain
You were my world and guiding star for 52 years.
May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana
-Your ever loving wife
Harendra de Silva
Big in stature, but soft-spoken and gentle
Harendra de Silva passed away in the early hours of November 6, 2014. His sudden death came to many of us as shocking news.
To his dear wife Neleeka and sons, relations and close associates, his death was unbearable. For everyone who knew him, it was difficult to come to terms with his sudden death, as it seemed like only the other day, he was in our midst.
He held the post of Chairman/Managing Director of Sherman Sons Limited for well over 25 years and was much loved and respected by his staff.
He always spared the time to discuss issues concerning his staff members and settled it to their satisfaction. Though big in stature, he was a soft-spoken and gentle person and treated everyone with dignity and respect.
He actively participated in the administration of many Trade Chambers for many years and had the rare distinction of holding the post of President of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the national Chamber of Commerce.
He made it a point to attend all such meetings and was the livewire at these meetings. He was an honest and just man and was held in high esteem by his friends, relations and business associates. He was a gentleman to his fingertips.
He was a devout Buddhist and after his retirement he spent his time on meditation and reading books on the Dhamma. His knowledge on the Dhamma was vast.
He had compassion for the less fortunate and never failed to give alms to the poor and needy.
The void created by his untimely death will take many years to fill. He will always be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
-Chandra Fernandez
Dr. Lilakanath Weerasinghe
Surgeon par excellence and caring human being
It is with a great sense of grief and sadness I write this appreciation on my dear friend, professional colleague and above all a wonderful human being, whose funeral was held in Kandy recently amidst a large gathering.
Born into a upper middle class family in Nawimna, Matara, “Weera” received his secondary education in the premier educational institution in the South, Rahula College, Matara.
He entered the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo in 1967 and chose the specialty of Surgery for a career in general surgery.
He returned to Sri Lanka after postgraduate training in the United Kingdom, following the footsteps of his patriotic colleagues who wished to serve our country in spite of attractive offers from foreign countries.
His place of birth in the South as a Buddhist would have imbibed in him this intense patriotism. This feature was the guiding light during his career.
He took great pains in practising what he believed in and used to regularly distribute the monthly Buddhist publication “Dalada Varuna” among us free of charge.
He served as a surgeon in government hospitals of Matale, Kegalle and Kandy and after retiring served the community in a well established private health institution in Kandy.
He helped his friend Dr. H.B. Jayasinghe in commencing the activities of this institution. He carried out the first surgical operation at this hospital and served the young and the old, patients of all ethnicities and religions and all social classes.
He was very popular among his colleagues as well as the nursing staff, particularly those in the operating theatre with whom he had a very close rapport.
He was afflicted with a serious illness diagnosed about six months ago. He received treatment at an internationally renowned hospital specialising in diseases of the liver in India and received excellent medical care facilitated by the presence of a large number of Indian Doctors some of whom were his personal friends.
He bore the illness with great courage until the inevitable end. The Buddhist clergy held him in high esteem and were regular visitors to the hospital where he spent his last days.
Unlike most other patients with serious illnesses who do not wish people and friends to visit them “Weera” was the opposite inviting anybody to visit him any time of the day.
Having received the best of treatment, he continued to work in this private hospital including carrying out surgeries, which as one of the physicians who was treating him, I thought would not help in the outcome of his illness.
Nevertheless he continued to work not because of any financial rewards but for the service of humanity. During routine conversations I had with him I felt that he was resigned to his inevitable fate but carried on regardless.
Whatever he earned he used to donate to charities such as SUCCESS of which he with his dear friend Dr.H.B. Jayasinghe were the main proponents.
He donated and got us also to do so in helping those affected by the war in the border villages. He was passionate about establishing Buddhist temples and rehabilitating those affected by the war.
He was conscious up to the time of his demise. There was no better way for a Buddhist to die than listening to the words of Buddha which was narrated by an erudite Buddhist priest in Kandy at the time of his demise.
He held several posts in voluntary organisations in Kandy including SUCCESS, Kandy Doctors Association, Hindu-Buddhist Association, Kandy Lions and was a member of the International Buddhist Federation having attended the 2013 meeting in Myanmar.
He was a past President of the Kandy Society of Medicine (KSM) and was an active participant in all its activities.
He is survived by his beloved wife Mallika and two wonderfully accomplished daughters Anuradi and Anupama, both of whom are doctors and married to doctors.
He was blessed with several grandchildren whose company he relished.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
-Dr. Upali Illangasekera
Clarification
The Sunday Times Plus in its Appreciations page of September 13, 2015 published an appreciation of Mr. M.E.C. Fernando written by his son Mithraka Fernando in which he related an incident how while administering discipline to a class his father slapped a student who happened to be his cousin –Suranjith Mendis.
The family of Mr. Suranjith Mendis has written to the Sunday Times stating that, Mr. Suranjith Mendis denies such an incident concerning him ever occurred and that the reference is an insult and an embarrassment to Mr. Mendis in the evening of his life.
The Sunday Times regrets if any pain of mind or embarrassment was caused to Mr. Suranjith Mendis and his family by the publication of this Appreciation by Mithraka Fernando.