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Appreciations

A gentleman and diplomat par excellence
Ambassador T. H. W. Woutersz
Ambassador T.H.W. Woutersz, Wilhelm to all his friends, departed from us never to return. His demise was a blow to those who knew him closely. I first met him in June 1988, when I arrived in Belgrade, the capital of former Yugoslavia, to assume duties at the Sri Lanka Embassy. Belgrade was a unique place for both of us. That was his first ambassadorial assignment and my first posting abroad.

Having completed his tour of duty in Belgrade, he returned to Sri Lanka in mid-1991 and assumed duties as the Director-General of Publicity and later as Director-General of Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1993, he was appointed Ambassador to China, where he served until mid-1997.

On his return to Sri Lanka, he was appointed Foreign Secretary, Head of the Foreign Service in Sri Lanka, which he richly deserved. He retired in 1999. In recognition of the service he rendered to the country in general and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular, he was appointed Ambassador to Italy where he served till the beginning of this year.

He was a man of great intellect who had a big heart. During my short but memorable stay in Belgrade he was not only my ambassador, but also a sincere friend. I learned the ABC of diplomacy; not only the cosmetics but also the brass-tacks from him. He was a person with a great sense of humour and was extremely knowledgeable.

His concern for others and excellent interpersonal relations, unsurprisingly earned him the admiration and respect of all. At all times we found in him a man of understanding and sympathy. He was a diplomat in the fullest sense of the term, good conversationalist, gentleman and human being par excellence.
We all feel his loss very deeply.

A small measure of consolation may be found in the following lines penned by Walt Whitman:

"He is not gone. He is just away,
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us wondering how very fair that land
Maybe, since he tarries there."

S.G. Ratnayake
Bangkok

Pillar of strength for town planners
S. W. Piyatissa Bulankulame
Well-known town planner S.W. Piyatissa Bulankulame passed away recently, after a brief illness. His death at 64 is a great loss not only to his family but also for the country. The late Mr. Bulankulame had a distinguished academic record both in Sri Lanka and abroad.

After his secondary education at St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, he qualified to enter the University of Ceylon but won a Colombo Plan scholarship and proceeded to the Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. There he passed his bachelor’s degree with Second Class, First Division Honours and also obtained a master’s degree in geography.

On his return home, young Bulankulame was offered several staff grade posts in the public service but chose to pursue a career in town and country planning. Having served the Department of Town and Country Planning for a couple of years, he was awarded a Colombo Plan scholarship to pursue town-planning studies at University College, University of London. He obtained the Master of Philosophy Degree in town and regional planning paving the way for a distinguished career in the public service. Incidentally Mr. Bulankulame was the first Sri Lankan to obtain an M. Phil. in town planning.

On his return to the country, he was appointed Assistant Town Planner and shortly thereafter was promoted Senior Town Planner of the Town and Country Planning Department. He always combined his professional interest with academic interest.
He served in several public and private institutions of higher learning and universities here and abroad. Among the universities he served are the Universities of Colombo Moratuwa.

His contributions particularly to the Faculty of Architecture and the Department of Town and Country Planning of the University of Moratuwa will always be remembered.
In his public service career spanning more than 30 years, he held several responsible posts such as Director General of the Urban Development Authority, Director of the Town and Country Planning Department, Chairman of the UDA and Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Environmental and Parliamentary Affairs.

His contributions in the field of town and regional planning are too numerous to be listed. Significant to note, however, are some landmark contributions such as the proposal to establish an Urban Development Authority and his subsequent involvement in the preparation of the UDA law, in association with UN Consultant Dr. T.L. Green. He was also associated with the establishment of the Institute of Town Planners Sri Lanka, which he once headed.

Mr. Bulankulame was a dynamic professional. He served numerous committees and sub-committees of the government with dedication. It was indeed a pleasure working with him. He always gave priority to his official duties. He once declined an offer of a lucrative UN assignment, to serve the country on the request of the then Prime Minister.

He always possessed leadership qualities and was a source of inspiration to his subordinates. He had a knack for recognizing talent and did not hesitate to back the deserving to enhance their career prospects. He was frank, sincere, and noted for his integrity.

Mr. Bulankulame was always a man with a sense of humour. He could enliven a meeting or a dull working session and boost the morale of everyone. He was a loving husband and adorable father. He was a sincere friend and colleague who was helpful to all. I join the Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka in saluting our colleague. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Prof. Ashley
L.S. Perera
Past President, Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka

Silent wishes on your b’day
Hiran Perera
Darling Hiran, Thaththi
Though we are left behind
We still have thoughts of happier times
We still have those precious memories
We will always have the love in our hearts
***
We miss you every day
We love you day by day
Sweet memories of you
Will linger in our hearts every day
***
All our lives we will miss you
As the years come and go
But in our hearts you will live forever
Because we love you so
***
Many happy returns of the day
Our wishes we share in silence.

Your ever-loving wife
and children

Thank you for the music
Marjorie Loos
I was a tiny tot of five
When I first met you one day
From then, until I was 13
You brightened my life in your special way
***
Each morning, as I entered the music room
You greeted me with a cheerful smile
You taught me music and gave valuable advice
You were very understanding, so loving and kind
***.
For eight long years, you taught me music
And you taught my sister for five
I was your "Star", she "Little Musician"
A more loving teacher would be difficult to find
***
We used to give you little gifts and cards
Which we made at home by ourselves
They were usually a little untidy though
But seemed very precious to you.
***
When I had problems, I could count on you
You were like a mother to me at school
Although you were old and feeble too
You always gave your best
***
As I sit at the piano to practise each day
I remember you with a heart full of gratitude
It was you who helped me come so far
I will strive hard to achieve more.
***
More than a year has passed since you left us all
On the 15th day of September
But I still feel that you are with me
Guiding me along with each step I take
***

May your soul rest in peace

Sasini Chandrasinghe
Bishop's College

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