Appreciations
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He
steered the ship like an able captain Earle Ebenezer Coke Abayasekara could be aptly described as an able captain of a large ship that braved rough seas. After graduating in Economics from a London University (whilst working), he rose steadily to be the Company Secretary and General Manager, and years later a Director of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. It was his prime duty to ensure that whilst the circulation of newspapers swelled, there was adequate newsprint imported, printing ink, machinery spares, a fleet of vehicles to transport the printed sheets, and a large labour force at different levels of employment. In the business world and to those at the Central YMCA where he had an interest, he was known as "E.E.C.A.", whilst in office in administrative jargon, he was always referred to as N I -an office identification relic of the Nelsonian era used when P.C.A. Nelson, his predecessor held office as Company Secretary. To use Scout parlance, Earle Abayasekara "Went Home" on August 18, at the ripe age of 90 years. In his youth he had shown qualities of leadership and self-reliance. Being a Scout, he was a member of the contingent that went from Ceylon in 1933 to the World Scout Jamboree held at Godollo, Hungary. Years later, in the fifties and sixties he held high office as a Scout Commissioner, and also along with the writer edited the Golden Jubilee Scout Souvenir magazine in 1957. After he joined Lake House in 1934, in the forties, he learnt the methods of Company administration from G.K. Stewart and Calvert, two Englishmen "imported" by D.R. Wijewardene to establish a corporate set-up. D.R. Wijewardene envisaged that his business should be in the form of a strong company to equal the Times of Ceylon. He was not (as sometimes seen today) interested in lining his own pockets by adopting unethical devious methods. In Earle Abayasekara there was an honest God-fearing man to deliver good results for all shareholders by way of annual dividends. His Board Memos were comprehensive. His resolutions at Board level were precise and had academic brilliance, and became an auditor's feast to read and digest. As an indefatigable worker there was none to match him. He was always soft spoken, a man of few words and a perfectionist in all that he did. The writer was one of five other Assistants Earle Abayasekara had in his administration of Lake House, and was fortunate to be tutored by him personally after 1955 for about twelve years. Many would remember the amazing calmness he had during a major trade union action that lasted for many months in 1957-58. His sagacious conduct during those trying months resulted in the industrial court being in favour of the company, resulting in the loss of employment for over 180 strikers. Abayasekara's style of administration was infectious. Prior to retirement he was responsible for the success of Lake House Bookshop at Lake House Investments Ltd. As
a family man who was father of seven children, it was his happiness
to see all of them grow up well in life, in their own chosen fields
of work. It was also his happiness to take them annually on a long
holiday to Diyatalawa. A short
epitaph to my teacher, gratefully remembered: Upali Salgado Fearless
man felled by fanatics Fanatics
thought his life was so cheap S.G. Ratnayake She
spoilt us all with her caring ways Having had the privilege of knowing Aunty Miriam close to 30 years, her departure has left us with a void in our lives that can never be filled by another. It was our late father’s friendship with Uncle Herbert that brought our two families close. Our earliest memories of visits to the Gunaratne household have been of seeing a smiling Aunty Miriam there to welcome us with a warm hug. This was in the early 1970s and it was with the same feeling of warmth and kindness that she welcomed us until her demise three months ago. During her long career as a teacher and as Vice Principal of Newstead College, Negombo, she rendered her duties to the school in the most dedicated manner. The large number of students who attended the funeral and paid tribute to her is testimony to the yeoman services she rendered to that institution and to the field of education in general. It was her unassuming nature amidst all these accomplishments that was a hallmark of Aunty Miriam. She was also a wonderful wife to Uncle Herbert. When he said at her funeral, “She spoilt me a lot,” it was not only true of him. It was in her nature to shower people with love and affection. To her two daughters Roshini and Dayani, sons-in-law and grandchildren, Aunty Miriam’s loss is irreparable. But there is no doubt they feel her presence in their lives everyday and will gain strength from it to go on. We
along with Amma miss you a great deal Aunty Miriam. It was wonderful
having you in our lives and having had the privilege of experiencing
your kindness. Champa, Mala, Sumi, Ravi and Ivy The
rhythm of your life will live on Chitrasena, legendary high priest of dancing Won million hearts of true dance lovers Traditional dance to survive presented new dimensions Genuine ambassador for many cultural delegations Chitrasena maestro of Sinhala ballet, Muse of dance The greatest gifted dancer Sri Lanka ever produced -Kumari Kumarasinghe Tennakoon |
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