Three months have passed since the demise of S. K. W. Dias, who held the post of General Manager, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, for well nigh 20 years.
Born in 1936, Dias (“Buckie” to his friends) had his secondary education at Ananda College, Colombo, from where he proceeded to the University of Peradeniya. After successfully completing his tertiary studies, he joined the former Port (Cargo) Corporation as a probationary executive. He was part of the first batch of university graduates to be recruited to the newly nationalised venture. It was an era when the corporation had, at some time or other, such illustrious persons as Shirley Amerasinghe, M. F. de S. Jayaratne, Nissanka Wijeratne, Ronnie de Mel, V. P. Vittachi, M. Chandrasoma and several others of like calibre manning the higher echelons of the organisation.
Dias served with distinction in various capacities of increasing responsibility, in the ports of Colombo and Trincomalee, where he acquired a deep knowledge of different aspects of port operations and administration. At the same time, he pursued further studies in specialised fields and obtained additional qualifications. He also followed advanced training courses in port operations and management.
Dias was raised to the position of general manager in the Port (Cargo) Corporation in 1976, in recognition of his brilliant administrative skills and commendable work ethics. In the late ’70s, when the Sri Lanka Ports Authority was formed, the enabling Act required that “a competent and experienced person” be appointed as general manager of the authority. Dias was the obvious choice, and was duly appointed. He continued to hold this pivotal post for 20 years, until his retirement in 1996. A unique record indeed.
While serving as general manager, he also served on the board of directors of the then Fertiliser Corporation and the Central Freight Bureau, and as chairman, Port Management and Consultancy Services Ltd. He had the rare honour of being accredited at the United Nations as a national expert on ports, after being nominated by the Government of Sri Lanka.
During his long tenure as general manager, he made a significant contribution in helping to make Colombo a major trans-shipment base in the region and developing the port as a viable contributor to the national economy.
Dias was a technocrat by training and inclination, but he never overlooked the human element when making a decision or analysing an issue. He was approachable and accessible to all levels of personnel at all times, and was ever courteous and considerate to everyone. In a challenging and at times volatile environment, he acquitted himself with remarkable grace.
When he retired, he put his knowledge and experience of ports and shipping to further use when he accepted the post of Secretary General, Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents (CASA), which he served for almost five years His goodwill and rapport with officers at all levels in the Ports Authority, the Customs and other water-front organisations were an asset to CASA.
Dias was the embodiment of honesty, integrity and sobriety. Work kept him busy till late in the evening, most days.
He was also a devoted and loving husband, a caring and gentle father, and an adoring grandfather. In the latter stages of his life, when his health was failing, his family took good care of him. It was deeply touching to see how his wife, two daughters and their husbands would help Dias to get around when he was too feeble to get about on his own.
When Dias passed away, a large gathering came to pay their last respects to a man with a “golden heart” and an endearing personality. He will be remembered with deep affection and respect by everyone who knew him, especially those in the ports and shipping sectors.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana
By H. D. Gunaratne | 
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