| Appreciations |
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World renowned geologist and my friend He obtained his B.Sc. in geology from the University of Benaris, India, as no geology degrees were available locally. After serving the Surveys Department in the early 1960s, he left Sri Lanka to complete an M.Sc. in photogeology and an advanced diploma in soil science in the Netherlands. The culmination of his educational career was a hydrogeology Ph.D. in Paris. It is known that he met his wife Pauline, for the first time as a Ph.D. student in Paris! To improve his management skills, he also followed a diploma in project formulation and monitoring in the United States. Besides management, his main forte was hydrogeology where he gained international recognition as a consultant. He worked as the chief hydrogeologist to the "Hunting Group" and served the UNDP during the construction of the Aswan dam in Egypt. He was also retained as a consultant by the World Bank for its hydrogeological studies in Nepal and Bhutan. In the local context, it is worthy to mention some of his achievements. In the late 1970s, he became the first chairman of the Water Resources Board (WRB). Even today, professionals at the WRB speak about his progressive programmes in the groundwater sector. In 1984, he became the chairman of the South Asian Regional Environmental Programme (SARCEP). He was also the founder chairman of the Dairy Development Foundation in the late 1980s. In 1993, he was appointed chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board, which was the last public sector office he held. His devotion and dedication to work was immense. For him, there was always a solution to any problem. He was chairman of my company - Foundation & Waterwell Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. Early this year, I told Leslie that there were dire financial problems and I used one of his favourite phrases, "When it rains it pours!" He told me never to be negative, and immediately arranged for a board meeting at his residence, because he was ill. One week before he passed away, I was privileged to be at his bedside. As a dear friend he was of immense strength to me. In 1993, I had a problem. After some "pub-crawling" I ended up at Leslie's at Alfred Place, around 9.30 p.m. He immediately asked me, "What is the problem?" - and I poured out my woes to him. Leslie said there was actually no problem and immediately phoned my wife. What he told her I do not know. He only told me that I was getting back home the next day! He advised me, poured me two drinks to calm my nerves, gave me food and a room to sleep in. The next morning around 6.30 a.m., there was Leslie bare-bodied in sarong, carrying a cup of coffee for me. I then realised that here was a great man and I know that I cannot replace a friend of that calibre. - Priyalal Dias A
beacon to us All children
you adored
You had the
ability so rare to inspire happiness everywhere
Your last years
were spent without fear
Man of sterling
qualities A humble and unassuming person, he came to me many years ago having heard that I had a knowledge of the Vakiams written by the Rishis in ancient times. These Vakiams written on ola leaves incredibly referred to many of those living in the present and forecast their future in a broad way. Unfortunately, however, the Vakiam reader could not locate the relevant ola leaf. This happened before he became the Governor of the Central Bank. Although the reading could not be found he did not show any disappointment as there was some stoicism about him, striving for heights but accepting what came. Shortly thereafter, he became Governor of the Central Bank. A man of sterling qualities, he never lost the common touch, but was accessible to all who sought his assistance. It is therefore, not strange that there have been many eulogies made in his name. The occasion when he helped me in an urgent matter will not be forgotten. Foreign employment opportunities were becoming available around that time and even the government encouraged this by granting 'no pay' leave to those who were going abroad for employment. The bugbear, however, was the usual bureaucratic obstinacy which recruits had to face in getting their passport in time. I too had been offered employment but was facing difficulty in getting my passport. When I mentioned this to Dr. Rasaputram and that I would lose the opportunity of working abroad, he intervened and got me the passport. Dr. Rasaputram
was concerned about people's needs. He was actively involved in
religious and social activities. He finally served the country as
an mbassador. My Seeya: Fount
of wisdom Wise, witty
and lovable You loved to
recite. A doctor of
laws of the University of London You were a
walking encyclopaedia, storehouse of knowledge I took it down! "You'll
do nothing of the kind! |
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