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Appreciations A brilliant student of Royal College, Colombo, in the choice of a profession, he like his father, grandfather, paternal uncles and his own brothers before him, selected law. At Law College, he passed all his examinations with honours and won scholarships and the prize on the law of evidence. He practised both civil and criminal law, but demonstrated a preference for civil appeals. In a short span of 13 years, he began dominating the Appellate Courts and in recognition of his exceptional ability, silk was conferred on him at the age of 37. The first president of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, an organization that he was instrumental in setting up, he was also the president of LAWASIA and the Organization of Professional Associations and Vice President of the Commonwealth Law Association. He was a perfectionist, precise in what he said and did in the courthouse or elsewhere and was meticulously prepared for each case irrespective of the importance of the brief he was handling. In an era where the standards of professions are diminishing, it is pertinent to note a few admirable qualities of this great practitioner. When a case was handed-over to him, and from the time the brief reached his chamber, he saw to it that his client got the best. Once showing some briefs that were on the shelf, he said, "Treat all briefs alike, some cases will bring you more money, and some may be pro deo (appearing free of charge), but your future will sometimes depend on the case you do pro deo." His chamber was full of character and reflected his many interests. It had not only legal literature and law reports from many countries, but rare books on other subjects, such as architecture, history, civilization, aesthetic education, Buddhism and even a large sculpture of Saraswathi, the Goddess of Knowledge. He was a man of many parts. He was the chairman of the Law Commission, served in the Council of Legal Education and on the Board of the Law Faculty of the University of Colombo. In recognition of his dedication to legal learning, the University of Colombo in 1985 conferred on him the Degree of Doctor of Laws. He also served as chairman of the Industrial Disputes Commission, director of the Tourist Board, chairman of the SLFI, member of the UN Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and chairman of the Human Rights Commission. He also served as a member of the UN Commission which reported on the dispute between the governments of the USA and Iran regarding American hostages held by Iran. He led many delegations representing Sri Lanka and in fact led the delegation to Thimpu and New Delhi to discuss a solution to the ethnic problem. In 1985, he was a guest of the USSR Academy of Sciences and in 1986 he was invited by the Australian government to visit that country as a 'distinguished person'. His visit to China as a special invitee literally laid the foundation for the magnificent Superior Courts Complex of Hulftsdorp. Today it stands as a great monument to his memory, yet only a few know that without him there would not have been such a wonderful complex. It is, however, no secret that Dr. Jayewardene's skills in law and great advocacy were such that it was so difficult to beat him in any court battle. Dr. A.R.B. Amerasinghe, former Judge of the Supreme Court delivering his speech at the Law Library in 1998 when a bust of Dr. Jayewardene was unveiled said, "...He was on the one side or the other of every important case and played a significant role in shaping the law." Even on Christmas day in 1989, this erudite scholar worked with his juniors in chambers preparing carefully to oppose certain draconian provisions of the Debt Recovery Legislation that were to be passed. It was a privilege working in such a chamber. He has produced a host of great luminaries and his juniors are ever grateful to him for the guidance he provided. The present Prime Minister, too, was a junior of Dr. Jayewardene. On completion
of 49 years at the Bar, in March 1990, he celebrated this event
in grand style at his Kumbaloluwa Estate in Veyangoda, with all
his juniors, past and present, relatives and friends. It was indeed
an eventful day. It is but unfortunate that he had to depart this
world a month later, while on a pilgrimage to India. I was the last
junior counsel and it was a privilege to be under his tutelage.
I will always remember him as a great guru and father figure. The
services he has rendered to the legal fraternity of Sri Lanka will
remain as a glorious tribute to this great son of Sri Lanka. May
he attain eternal bliss. Guide
me Cucoo Take my hand Cucoo, just this once and walk with me And may you hear, wherever you are, bird choirs of ecstatic praise... Come, Cucoo walk with me now - where flowers bloom, waters gurgle and birds sing... While I show you around the garden that I love Where the guardian
trees enclose - the secret place, and where the sunlight gleams
upon the cool stone and breezes blow just for you, Ammi and Thathie...
now at rest. And not go home - my heart sad and sore.... Cucoo, be my guardian angel wherever you are... And remain close - when I blindly go blundering away from you... I know - it is now too late to say good bye and to share the best with you. So forgive me Cucoo. And come walk with me to a quiet place of peace and happiness and lead me out into the light once again.... As you walk
amongst my dreams...
Tudor Dunstan Gerald de Alwis was born on May 24, 1923. He completed his degree at the Ceylon University and law studies at the Law College. He started practising as an advocate in 1951 and joined the judiciary in 1958. He was appointed Badulla District Judge in 1968 and promoted High Court Judge in 1983. He became an Appeal Court Judge in 1986. He was also legal consultant to the Central Bank from 1988 to 1995. Tudor was admired for his simple approach to life, his intellect and his ability to grasp essentials quickly. He was always sympathetic to the weaker side and practised the virtue of compassion both as a judge and ordinary person. He enjoyed a feisty debate on almost any topic but made sure that at the end of the night, all parted as friends. A keen bridge player, he was not shy to engage in vociferous post-mortems. He was generous with his hospitality and a good sport in the social sense - never did he refuse to join in, whether it was a picnic, a dance, a trip or even a game. He was unassuming
and never sought to impress or to monopolise attention. |
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