D. Peter S. Perera passed away on February 20, the day before his 83rd birthday.
A student of Holy Cross College, Kalutara, he achieved the unique distinction of being the first schoolboy to be elected to a local village council, a feat probably unparalleled in the democratic world.
To mark the occasion, the famous cartoonist Aubrey Collette drew a cartoon for the Evening Observer with the following caption:
“Bright and Young Early Morning Face,
Satchel in Hand,
Unwilling to School,
But willingly to the Village Council.”
Peter Perera’s remarkable achievement was the talking point at the time.
He left school in 1948, after an illustrious school career, and joined Carson Cumberbatch & Co as a planter.
By dint of hard work and sheer organisational skill, he soon impressed the top management. He was eventually appointed a director of the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation.
He subsequently held numerous prestigious positions, as chairman of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation; the Sri Lanka State Timber Corporation; TransAsia Hotels Ltd, the Robinson Club Bentota Ltd; the National Insurance Corporation; National Insurance Services (Pvt) Ltd; the Colombo Commercial Company (Eng.) Ltd, and Heavyquip Ltd. He also served on the boards of several other companies and organisations.
The payment of an annual bonus for the entire staff of Robinson Club Bentota in 1993 was a landmark decision that earned him the eternal gratitude of the staff there.
Peter Perera’s governing principle was to play it straight with no spin.
He had a distinctive style of management.
He was a devout Roman Catholic. The grotto he built for St. Sebastian’s Church, Diyalagoda is magnificent testimony to his benevolent spirit. He contributed lavishly to various religious institutions and worthy causes. He was ever helpful to the needy.
An exemplary family man, he was a caring husband, deeply loved father and father-in-law, and a darling grandfather.
May his soul rest in peace.
Nephew “R” |
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