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Lover of Lanka
By Marisa de Silva
Diplomat, political scientist, writer, lecturer, investor – James W. Spain, the former US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, is a man of many facets. After more than two decades in Sri Lanka, he reluctantly bid farewell to his home away from home, to return to his family in his native soil.

Having been given his final posting as Ambassador to Sri Lanka in 1985, which he completed in 1989, he opted to continue living in the country he had come to love so much. “The Sri Lankan people were always very nice and helpful to me… so I stayed on,” said the retired Ambassador.

Spain’s posting to Sri Lanka, coming as it did in the immediate aftermath of the tragic demise of his wife and daughter, seemed a time for healing. Even though the rest of his family lived in the U.S.A., Mr. Spain who valued his independence, decided to spend the golden years of his life, as a recent article put it,‘spinning the cocoon of his retirement, for the pleasure it brings and the interest it affords.’

Having obtained his M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1949 and PhD from the University of Columbia in 1959, Mr. Spain joined the Foreign Service in 1951. His distinguished service career, which spanned 38 years, saw him as Country Director, Charge d’Affaires, Consul General and Ambassador to Pakistan, Turkey, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Of the latter he said with nostalgia, “There was always a great variety of things to do and places to see. It was possible to drive almost anywhere within one day, be it to admire the beautiful countryside or bask on the beaches.”

Having made numerous friends from all walks of life, over the past 21 years, Mr. Spain was well known and respected long after his term as ambassador had ended. His kindliness and benign demeanour did not waver.

Mr. Spain’s regular Sunday afternoon brunches at the Swimming Club, with his two old friends – the internationally renowned science fiction writer, Sir Arthur C. Clarke and that patron of the arts, Dutchman, Hans Monhemius, were occasions where the three diverse personalities met to discuss ‘cabbages and kings’.

Even though he had seen his adopted home at its best and worst, his faith in its people remained undiminished. Despite negative market sentiments caused by the war and the economic and power crisis presently facing the country, he believed that our human resources base was our greatest asset and strength coupled with high levels of literacy and health. In retrospect, Mr. Spain felt that Sri Lankans can have the bright future they deserve, if negotiations to bring about peace can succeed.

“Even though I won’t be a permanent resident here anymore, I hope to return for a few weeks every year for a vacation, so I can relax and enjoy the sun. I love the warm weather here, next to the people. That’s what I’m going to miss the most,” he said, smiling wistfully.
“Vale care amice, ad multos annos!”

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