Sunday Times 2
K.H.J. Wijayadasa – a gentleman par excellence – Appreciation
View(s):Several heartwarming appreciations and tributes are being contributed to print media by those who loved, associated and worked with the late Deshamanya Kandekumara Hapudoragamage Jothiratne Wijayadasa who died on August 17 at the age of 87.
A noble, down-to-earth, honourable, former civil servant of a rare breed, he was open to people of all levels in society for help and assistance at all times. I came to know Mr Wijayadasa in 1978. The then Prime Minister, R Premadasa, appointed a committee of professionals to advise and beautify the city of Colombo. Mr Wijayadasa was appointed chairman of the committee.
The other members of the committee were: Pani Tennakoon (architect), M Singhe Perera (engineer), T Mahalingam (PA to the ministry), M A J Nihal Perera (horticulturist); Geoffrey Bawa (architect), W P Agalawatte (architect), Leslie Silva (architect-CMC) and a representative from the Urban Development Authority.
I was handpicked by Prime Minister Premadasa to serve on the committee. I was the youngest among the professional giants and the only horticulturist and landscaper on the committee.
Mr Wijayadasa authored a book titled ‘Governance, Heritage and Sustainability’. If you are a Wijayadasa fan you must read this book. It brought out his hidden writing skills; Stories were told without any fear or favour to the top brass that he had to associate with. Sarasavi Printers and Publishers printed the book.
Mr Wijayadasa presented me with an autographed copy of the book. It read: “Gifted to my very sincere friend Mr Nihal Perera by the author.” The book was well-written in simple English.
I chose a paragraph where the author himself took great pride in stating some remarkable facts in his own style:
“My three-year spell in Polonnaruwa with C P as friend, philosopher and guide was indeed the most meaningful, fruitful and satisfying period in my entire public service career spanning 38 years. As head of the district, I was in total command and control. I was only answerable to the prime minister, whose one and only concern was the success of the food drive. The rain gods brought rainfall in adequate quantities and never in excess so as to cause floods. The irrigation network was speedily rehabilitated under World Bank assistance. The farmers responded magnificently. The harvests were bountiful. Paddy yields increased threefold in a matter of three years from a mere 40 bushels per acre in 1967 to 120 bushels per acre in 1970. With the blessings of Minneriya Deviyo the ancient glory of Polonnaruwa was restored.”
The C P in the first sentence refers to the then Agriculture and Lands Minister C P De Silva. Also, in the last sentence, Mineriya Deviyo refers to him.
In his remarkable story and golden memories, his adorable wife Nimalka had a major role, at every turn of events in a career spanning 38 years and in a life shared together.
One would expect any presidential secretary to say that the best time in his life was with the president or prime minister as Mr Wijayadasa was secretary to both. For him, it was his Polonnaruwa era. One could assess what was at the bottom of his heart. He was not a money-minded man. He never compared himself with any other. His wife and family were under his wings. They lived with the honour and glory of a great man.
We had more than 100 progress review meetings and at the end of each meeting, Mr Wijayadasa would inquire about my family: my wife Mallika, a botany graduate, and my son Chaminda who was in the United States working for the computer giant Cyclist. He would not forget to inquire about my grandson Ramneeth Samaranayake, his pet.
He also distributed coconut seedlings to the people after placing regular press advertisements. When Ranil Wickremesinghe was prime minister, he started a food drive: Api vavamu rata rakimu. Ever since then, he completed his project to reach the 500,000 mark. Mr Wijayadasa always inquired about this project. Unaided and using his own funds, he wanted the project to reach the 1,000,000 mark. It was done for the love of it — not to live by it. The project which began in 2012 will continue.
His family members Charmalee, Gihan, Uditha and Niru will have the courage to face this grave loss. At the end of the city beautification meetings, we coined a pet name — not a nickname — for KHJ: Kind Hearted Jothi, which was part of his name Jothiratne. The pet name well suited you, sir. We salute you for all the guidance and love shown to all of us.
Goodbye, sweet prince. May a thousand devas guide you to the heavens above.
M A K Nihal Perera