Sunday Times 2
An uncontested advocate
KANDIAH NEELAKANDAN
This week, Colombo saw the passing away of a legal giant. Kandiah Neelakandan, my first boss and mentor. I attribute all that I know in instructing cases to drafting deeds to Mr. Neelakandan’s training. In retrospect, I couldn’t have learnt my work from anyone better. By his action, he taught me hard work, efficiency, zealous advocacy of the clients’ cause, and putting one’s best effort to produce unmatchable work products. I am a better lawyer because of his guidance and training. He has supported me in many ways even after my departure from the law firm, and I will always be thankful for that.
I first met Mr. Neelakandan the day after being admitted to the Sri Lanka bar. In spite of having a full house of young attorneys, Mr. Neelakandan convinced his boss to hire me. I was elated to have landed my first job at the top-notch law firm of Murugesu and Neelakandan. For Mr. Neelakandan, work was worship. In Mr. Neelakandan’s office hung a saying that read something like: “I am not interested in excuses, I am only interested in work done” (the author’s name escapes my mind). I got the message. He expected everyone to learn the work on-the-go, work hard, and excel in what you did. No excuses!
During my time at Murugesu and Neelakandan, he was the editor of the Bar Association’s bi-weekly newsletter and the Law Journal. He was also the Secretary of the All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC). When you are the editor you are expected to bring-out publications in a timely manner without compromising the quality of the articles. Mr. Neelakandan was able to achieve this, while working as a full time law firm partner, only because he was a multi-tasker-in-chief, like no other. I also had a second job working for him: proof reading the legal articles and ACHC meeting minutes. On the issue of multi-tasking, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I say that I’ve found him on several occasions, having dual conversations with the office land phone on one hand and his cell on the other, correcting a draft pleading and giving instructions to office staff, all at the same time!
Mr. Neelakandan, as many know, was an extremely religious man. Personally and through ACHC he dedicated himself to promoting and protecting Hindu dharma in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. He worked tirelessly to restore Hindu temples and protested when religious institutions were attacked. Thousands of people have benefitted from his service to humanity. Mr. Neelakandan took it upon himself to upgrade the lives of many people in the war-torn areas and in aftermath of the war residing in IDP camps. He will surely be missed by the many lives he has touched.
This article is only a small glimpse of the grand life Mr. Neelakandan lived. His work should and will be carried on. I am confident that it will be.
-Asha Ramachandran