Appreciations
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Never a harsh word did he utter Of
the few appreciations I came across in the newspapers on the demise
of Dr. Lal Jayawardena, I believe there is a need for me to contribute
my mite. I observe there was no mention made, that no sooner he
relinquished the post of high commissioner for Sri Lanka in Britain,
the chairmanship of the Global Development Network of the World
Bank was thrust upon him which he unhesitatingly accepted, despite
his other commitments. Dr.
Lal Jayawardena was due to once again chair its meeting to be held
in New York in May 2004 and was preparing for the event. Apart
from the many positions he held in Sri Lanka as well as abroad,
that were well known, the mention of which would exact considerable
space in this column, he was the co-signatory with Jaswant Singh
to the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka that is
in force today to the mutual benefit of both countries Recently
he was the recipient of a gold medal from the government of Italy
for his performances and contribution in the field of economics.
Although he had indicated he would not attend the occasion to accept
the gold medal, he had the exceptional honour of subsequently having
it delivered to him at his doorstep, to which there has been no
known precedent I am aware of. It
is now in the possession of his wife Dr. Kumari Jayawardena. He
held the distinction of being elected as the one and only Asian
among the 12 Apostles of Cambridge University from the time of his
study abroad, and he was invited each year to take part in its ceremonies.
His
usually unpublicized generosity towards someone in circumstances
that required immediate attention and relief that involved considerable
risk, was disclosed by Dr. Carlo Fonseka, followed by Mr. D.L.O.
Mendis. These are just a mere fraction of the kindnesses and generosity
he extended towards many who are now perhaps reluctant to disclose
his intervention. His
kindness and generosity was extended towards anyone who sought it,
or anyone whom he considered required his assistance, without any
hope or expectation of returns. If
there is a life after death claimed by several religions and philosophies,
with rewards or punishment for acts in this life, then I feel assured
that his conduct in this world has earned him a comfortable niche
in the hereafter. A
harsh word or one of ridicule and/or contempt never left his tongue,
despite the ungracious attitude of some. I am sure those who knew
him quite well will endorse this. D.Q. Fernando A civil servant par excellence Victor
L. Wirasinha is no more. He lived and left the world in an exemplary
manner. I associated closely with him at the National Council of
YMCAs when he came to give a helping hand as Hony. Additional National
General Secretary. I
admired him for his simplicity, smartness, kind nature, administrative
ability and integrity. He was a person who had got his priorities
right. After
a brilliant school career at Richmond College, Galle, he had graduated
from the Colombo University with honours in Western Classics and
was selected to the prestigious civil service. During
his long and illustrious career, he had been government agent, permanent
secretary of a number of ministries - Health, Home Affairs and Rural
Development, Nationalized Services, Post and Telecommunication and
Public Works, Industries and Scientific Affairs. He was President
of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chairman/Director General of
the National Institute of Business Management, Chairman of the Educational
Services Commission (this was long after his retirement) and Chairman
of the Classical Association of Sri Lanka. Whenever
we met at some event, if there was spare time he would relate interesting
stories of what happened during his tenure of office. What I gathered
from them was that he rejected political pressure and favouritism.
A
God-fearing man, he stuck to the dictates of his conscience even
to the extent of sacrificing his position - a true son of his alma
mater. VL
was a prolific writer and humorous public speaker. He had high mastery
of the English language and a superb vocabulary. Knowing
his potential, Victor was enrolled as an advisor to the finance
committee of the NC/YMCAs by the first national general secretary
R.O. Buell. Later, he was president of the National Council of YMCAs
during 1976-1981 and Chairman of a number of committees including
the Justice and Development Committee of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs
from 1983-1989. Undoubtedly,
the YMCA benefited from the rich experience he had gathered from
the non-YMCA field. Last
year the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka felicitated him
for his significant contribution to the YMCA. At the golden anniversary
celebrations of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs in Manila, Philippines,
he was presented with a gold anniversary award as one of the 21
outstanding leaders of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs. His
spouse who predeceased him was also a strong leader of the YWCA.
Victor left behind four daughters who looked after him till the
last. May
everlasting peace be his. May the present day bureaucrats follow
his example. Dr. Herbert W. Tillekeratne Charismatic man who gave a helping hand to all who knew him My
dearest brother-in-law passed away recently at the age of 69. I
am compelled to write this appreciation to 'Georgi Porgie' as he
was fondly called by all his close relatives and friends, as he
was loved, respected, and admired by all those who were fortunate
enough to associate with him. He
hailed from a distinguished and well-known family. His paternal
grandfather was late Gate Mudliyar Peter Perera and maternal grandfather
late Andrew Gunasekera, the first Ceylonese Accountant of Charles
P. Hayley & Co., Galle. His
father was a reputed post master cum telegraph instructor for nearly
30 years, during which time he had trained about 3000 young post
masters. His mother was an English trained teacher who had taught
at Zahira College, Gampola and Holy Family Convent, Dehiwela. He
had his primary education at St. Aloysius College, Galle and secondary
education at St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa where he excelled
in academic studies and in sports such as soccer, boxing etc. After
leaving school he joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force. After a short
stint he later joined the Plywood Corporation as a Workshop Manager
and served in many parts of the island. He
was a calm and collected person who always acted in a dignified
and gentlemanly manner while discharging his duties. His
charismatic approach and pleasing disposition towards the staff,
subordinates and clients helped him to impart his knowledge for
the benefit of the institution. He
was a person who always lent a willing hand to those in dire need
and distress irrespective of their social status, caste, creed or
religion. Another
striking feature of his life was that he was always humble and modest
in his ways and actions and would not do anything considered mean,
unethical, unacceptable or immoral. These
characteristics earned him the respect and admiration of all those
who came in contact with him and his memory will linger in their
minds for many decades. I
as his only brother-in-law can never forget that he gave in marriage
his one and only sister to me in the absence of his late father.
His
demise was an irreparable loss to his beloved wife Swarna Perera
and his two sons Roshantha and Prasangi who are both employed abroad.
May he rest in peace. Bobby Perera Fond memories of a joyful son It
is five years since Dimuth Putha passed away, but it will take a
long time for many of us to get over the shock of his untimely death
at 29, in a car accident in Japan. The sorrow still remains but
what makes it bearable are the fond memories of an outstanding child.
Educated at Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, he believed in simple
living and moved with everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or
social status. The
memory of his smiling and jovial face will always be etched in our
minds. His warm personality and friendly voice echoes sweetly although
he is no more. He was a devout Buddhist. He participated in religious
activities in many temples rendering whatever assistance he could
for the Buddha Sasana. He
was a generous person who helped the needy, yet, never expected
anything from anyone. Sharing happiness with others was his only
purpose in life. He
was dynamic, charming and popular among his friends here and in
Japan. It's
hard to say goodbye It's
words that come again But
the endless years pass by I
hope that I will meet my Darling
Putha Dimuth again! Dimuth!
You were truly a great son of the soil and may you never meet with
an untimely death in your journey in sansara until you attain the
Supreme Bliss of Nirvana. Indra de Silva |
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