Appreciations
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An eminent economic journalist Joseph Christopher Thomas Moore Gunaratne was born on January 27, 1935 to a middle class family. His father was an officer attached to the Ceylon Government Railway. He grew up in a large family of seven boys and one girl. He would always recall with nostalgia, memories of his early childhood and his adventures in the environs of Dehiwela, which was a village with extensive gardens and mangroves in the 1940s and early 1950s. He completed his primary and secondary education at St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya excelling both in studies and extra-curricular activities and entered the University of Ceylon in its golden era. Chrys Gunaratne's undergraduate life at the Peradeniya University (1957-1961) during Sir Nicholas Attygalle's era provided him ample opportunities to exhibit his academic excellence and sporting talents. During the 1950s he along with D.K.K. Schoorman dominated the Sri Lankan table tennis field. Apart from sports he had a lifelong interest in the English language and followed a special degree course in English. He was fortunate enough to have studied under Prof. Doric de Souza and A.J. Gunawardena, the legendary figures in Sri Lankan English literature. In his later life, Chrys continued to cherish his memories of campus life and would often amuse us with anecdotes of that bygone era. Soon after his graduation, in keeping with his abiding interest in letters, he chose a career in journalism and joined Lake House as a news reporter at Daily News. By dint of hard work and commitment to his profession he quickly rose in the ladder as Assistant News Editor, Pictures Editor, Features Editor and Deputy News Editor. From Lake House he moved away to the Market Research Company Ltd., established by the late Esmond Wickremesinghe, one of the doyens of Sri Lankan journalism. His work here laid the foundation for his abiding interest in research and analytical writing. In later life, he became the most sought after research writer of the country, often commissioned by reputed institutions including the World Bank. During the late 1960s when Mr. Wickremasinghe pioneered the publication of the Sri Lanka's first economic publication - The Economic Journal - he entrusted the task of editing that path-breaking publication to Chrys Gunaratne. He used his professional skills to enrich the contents of this journal and through the exposure obtained during this period he was able to become an expert on economic writing in Sri Lanka. During the early 1970s he joined the Industrial Development Board as its Publication Officer and edited the journal Karmantha. During his brief stint at IDB he also edited the first comprehensive Exports Directory of Sri Lanka. A remarkable turning point occurred in his professional life in 1976 when he was recruited to the Research Department of the People's Bank in recognition of his proven track record in economic journalism and his wide exposure to the contemporary socio-economic issues, by Dr. Susantha Goonathilaka, as the co-editor of the Economic Review journal, the widely acclaimed socio-economic publication launched by the bank in April 1975. I met Chrys in person at IDB and handed over his letter of appointment to the 'Economic Review’. The advent of Economic Review (along with its Sinhala and Tamil editions) marked an important turning point in the economic journalism of this country. At the initial stages of the Economic Review, Chrys and Susantha received the encouragement and support of two prominent personalities who were holding positions of authority at the People's Bank at that time, Hector Abeywardena, a leading left theoretician of the country of yesteryear and S. De S. Gunathilaka a veteran banker and economist. By dint of hard work, creative thinking and objective reporting Chrys and Susantha succeeded in making the Economic Review the most sought after publication in the academic world in that era. Its thought-provoking comments were often quoted in Parliament and the media. The unique contribution made by Chrys Gunaratne towards the growth of economic journalism of Sri Lanka during the period 1975-1989, by his vivid analysis of emerging trends in the Sri Lankan economy in the large number of cover stories, he compiled for the Economic Review will be gratefully remembered by post-graduate students and researchers for a long time to come. The real tribute to Chrys Gunaratne's path-breaking work in economic writing comes from local and foreign researchers who visit the Research Department of People's Bank even today to refer the back issues of this journal for their professional work. Chrys, a dedicated researcher widely recognised for his analytical and presentation skills was seconded from People's Bank service for the post of first National Director Janasaviya Programme in early 1989. He also played an active role in the formation of the Sri Lanka Market Research Bureau and undertook market research assignments for several reputed firms. He always went out of his way to help his young colleagues to hone their professional skills and encouraged many a researcher to venture forward confidently in their pursuits. He generously provided his professional advice and guidance to a large number of researchers/writers attached to various research organisations and universities. Throughout his life he maintained close contact with the editorial staff of Daily News and his contemporaries and colleagues often called over at his office at the 11th floor of the People's Bank, Head Office building to get his advice on important issues. Amidst the heavy demands of his professional life he always found time to improve the game of table tennis in Sri Lanka as an active office bearer of the Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association. He was also involved in the activities of Asian Table Tennis Federation. Thanks to his concerted efforts made towards enriching the contents of Economic Review with in-depth analysis of the emerging trends in the economy and society of post independent Sri Lanka, the People's Bank came to be known in other countries as the 'Publisher of Economic Review'. The prestigious subscribers’ list of this journal included New York Public Library, Oxford University, World Bank, CIDA - Canada and other reputed international universities and research institutions. This was made possible due to his deep commitment towards enhancing knowledge and analytical thinking. We at People's Bank salute his memory. Asoka
de Silva He
had a strong sense of justice Sure
enough Hussein called back and asked the Colonel if he remembered
him. "Can't
you guess?" asked the caller on the other side of the line. Colonel Fareed was at a loss for words, which was rather unusual for him. Flabbergasted he stood to attention like the military man he was. And in a rather sombre voice he said, "Your Majesty.” In
a few weeks he was Consular General for Jordan in Sri Lanka. When I heard that Colonel Fareed had passed away I must confess I was not shocked. We had braced ourselves for this sad news since the day he was admitted to hospital with a heart ailment, an illness he was bravely coping with over the years. And as the days went by his condition got worse and we knew this time around he wouldn't make it. He treated us like children - he didn't have any of his own-and we let him treat us like that. That way we were assured of a regular supply of chocolates. He was as fond of us as we were fond of him. Apart from his strict discipline and no nonsense attitude, what attracted me to him was his strong and unshakeable sense of justice.When I visited him the day after Eid I found him gasping for breath, but slowly and softly he was doing Zikr next to a picture of him dressed in full military regalia with his late friend, King Hussein. It was hard to imagine that such a flamboyant young man would be reduced to such a condition. But then such is life…and time marches on. The love of Allah would stir his soul for the downtrodden and I know for sure that no beggar left his humble, but spic and span home empty handed. "Some of them are crooks,” he would say. “But still I give them whatever I can," he told me quoting the Qudsi Hadith in which Allah says, "I came to you for alms and you refused me". He didn't want to be in a situation where he would have that question posed to him on the Day of Reckoning. Colonel Fareed was the darling of our Murshid - whom we affectionately call "Sarkar". Sarkar would give him pride of place whenever he was present at a "Majlis" (spiritual gathering) and garland him with the best of garlands, which Colonel Fareed displayed proudly in his home. On that day he had expressed a wish - more of a supplication - to see "Sarkar" before 'I go'. And it so happened that "Sarkar" was here during that time. He visited him in hospital and blessed him. And when Colonel died 'Sarkar' went over to his house and prayed for him. By a strange coincidence, 'Sarkar' was to leave that day for Delhi at 9 a.m. and Colonel Fareed's funeral was set at the same time. Both Murshid and Mureed were to take different kinds of 'flights' at the same time on the same day. 'Sarkar' to Delhi and his darling Mureed to Paradise, Insha-Allah. Hameed Abdul Karim A
man of integrity and nobility Mr. Patrick served willingly and with much acceptance in postings such as Delft and Akkaraipattu that others from Jaffna may have considered to be 'remote' or 'difficult'. In due course he was appointed PRO in the Jaffna Secretariat, and rose to be Additional Government Agent in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Jaffna. After retirement, he continued to serve through civil society institutions such as the Sri Lanka Red Cross. Mr. Patrick was much loved by his wife Rita (nee Sebastian), his children Ratnakumar, Rev. Fr. Michael Thayananthan, Dr. Dharshini, Patricia, Gabriela, Preman and Selvi, their families and many others. I am fortunate to have known him and to have worked with him through a difficult period in the life of the people of Jaffna. Devanesan Nesiah A
sports star shines no more Her husband Dick Cotton pre-deceased her a few years ago. Her brilliant sports career started with swimming. Record holder in the 100 and 200 metres, she was also diving champion. She represented Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) at the British Empire Games in New Zealand and the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She performed well enough to be mentioned in important despatches. In golf she moved so fast that she cracked the National Title beating her great friend Pam Fernando in two consecutive years. Pam beat her convincingly thereafter. At tennis she was also successful, winning the Ladies Title event at the Colombo Garden Club on several occasions. Cricket and hockey were her next pet games and she excelled so much and so far that she represented Ceylon against British and Australian teams with success. Little is known of her excellence with gun or rifle but I can vouch for her tremendous accuracy and skill. I first saw her at the Clay Pigeon Shooting Contest at Nuwara Eliya where she won the trophy beating several men. Then she moved to the Rifle Range at Ratnapura to register success, beating the planters. With a shot gun she was deadly accurate with snipe and duck having no chance when she was around. Tita |
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