Appreciations

 

Never a harsh word did he utter

Of the few appreciations I came across in the newspapers on the demise of Dr. Lal Jayawardena, I believe there is a need for me to contribute my mite. I observe there was no mention made, that no sooner he relinquished the post of high commissioner for Sri Lanka in Britain, the chairmanship of the Global Development Network of the World Bank was thrust upon him which he unhesitatingly accepted, despite his other commitments.

Dr. Lal Jayawardena was due to once again chair its meeting to be held in New York in May 2004 and was preparing for the event.

Apart from the many positions he held in Sri Lanka as well as abroad, that were well known, the mention of which would exact considerable space in this column, he was the co-signatory with Jaswant Singh to the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka that is in force today to the mutual benefit of both countries

Recently he was the recipient of a gold medal from the government of Italy for his performances and contribution in the field of economics. Although he had indicated he would not attend the occasion to accept the gold medal, he had the exceptional honour of subsequently having it delivered to him at his doorstep, to which there has been no known precedent I am aware of.

It is now in the possession of his wife Dr. Kumari Jayawardena.

He held the distinction of being elected as the one and only Asian among the 12 Apostles of Cambridge University from the time of his study abroad, and he was invited each year to take part in its ceremonies.

His usually unpublicized generosity towards someone in circumstances that required immediate attention and relief that involved considerable risk, was disclosed by Dr. Carlo Fonseka, followed by Mr. D.L.O. Mendis. These are just a mere fraction of the kindnesses and generosity he extended towards many who are now perhaps reluctant to disclose his intervention.

His kindness and generosity was extended towards anyone who sought it, or anyone whom he considered required his assistance, without any hope or expectation of returns.

If there is a life after death claimed by several religions and philosophies, with rewards or punishment for acts in this life, then I feel assured that his conduct in this world has earned him a comfortable niche in the hereafter.

A harsh word or one of ridicule and/or contempt never left his tongue, despite the ungracious attitude of some. I am sure those who knew him quite well will endorse this.

D.Q. Fernando


A civil servant par excellence

Victor L. Wirasinha is no more. He lived and left the world in an exemplary manner. I associated closely with him at the National Council of YMCAs when he came to give a helping hand as Hony. Additional National General Secretary.

I admired him for his simplicity, smartness, kind nature, administrative ability and integrity. He was a person who had got his priorities right.

After a brilliant school career at Richmond College, Galle, he had graduated from the Colombo University with honours in Western Classics and was selected to the prestigious civil service.

During his long and illustrious career, he had been government agent, permanent secretary of a number of ministries - Health, Home Affairs and Rural Development, Nationalized Services, Post and Telecommunication and Public Works, Industries and Scientific Affairs. He was President of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chairman/Director General of the National Institute of Business Management, Chairman of the Educational Services Commission (this was long after his retirement) and Chairman of the Classical Association of Sri Lanka.

Whenever we met at some event, if there was spare time he would relate interesting stories of what happened during his tenure of office. What I gathered from them was that he rejected political pressure and favouritism.

A God-fearing man, he stuck to the dictates of his conscience even to the extent of sacrificing his position - a true son of his alma mater.

VL was a prolific writer and humorous public speaker. He had high mastery of the English language and a superb vocabulary.

Knowing his potential, Victor was enrolled as an advisor to the finance committee of the NC/YMCAs by the first national general secretary R.O. Buell. Later, he was president of the National Council of YMCAs during 1976-1981 and Chairman of a number of committees including the Justice and Development Committee of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs from 1983-1989.

Undoubtedly, the YMCA benefited from the rich experience he had gathered from the non-YMCA field.

Last year the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka felicitated him for his significant contribution to the YMCA. At the golden anniversary celebrations of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs in Manila, Philippines, he was presented with a gold anniversary award as one of the 21 outstanding leaders of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs.

His spouse who predeceased him was also a strong leader of the YWCA. Victor left behind four daughters who looked after him till the last.

May everlasting peace be his. May the present day bureaucrats follow his example.

Dr. Herbert W. Tillekeratne


Charismatic man who gave a helping hand to all who knew him

My dearest brother-in-law passed away recently at the age of 69. I am compelled to write this appreciation to 'Georgi Porgie' as he was fondly called by all his close relatives and friends, as he was loved, respected, and admired by all those who were fortunate enough to associate with him.

He hailed from a distinguished and well-known family. His paternal grandfather was late Gate Mudliyar Peter Perera and maternal grandfather late Andrew Gunasekera, the first Ceylonese Accountant of Charles P. Hayley & Co., Galle.

His father was a reputed post master cum telegraph instructor for nearly 30 years, during which time he had trained about 3000 young post masters. His mother was an English trained teacher who had taught at Zahira College, Gampola and Holy Family Convent, Dehiwela.

He had his primary education at St. Aloysius College, Galle and secondary education at St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa where he excelled in academic studies and in sports such as soccer, boxing etc.

After leaving school he joined the Royal Ceylon Air Force. After a short stint he later joined the Plywood Corporation as a Workshop Manager and served in many parts of the island.

He was a calm and collected person who always acted in a dignified and gentlemanly manner while discharging his duties.

His charismatic approach and pleasing disposition towards the staff, subordinates and clients helped him to impart his knowledge for the benefit of the institution.

He was a person who always lent a willing hand to those in dire need and distress irrespective of their social status, caste, creed or religion.

Another striking feature of his life was that he was always humble and modest in his ways and actions and would not do anything considered mean, unethical, unacceptable or immoral.

These characteristics earned him the respect and admiration of all those who came in contact with him and his memory will linger in their minds for many decades.

I as his only brother-in-law can never forget that he gave in marriage his one and only sister to me in the absence of his late father.

His demise was an irreparable loss to his beloved wife Swarna Perera and his two sons Roshantha and Prasangi who are both employed abroad. May he rest in peace.

Bobby Perera


Fond memories of a joyful son

It is five years since Dimuth Putha passed away, but it will take a long time for many of us to get over the shock of his untimely death at 29, in a car accident in Japan. The sorrow still remains but what makes it bearable are the fond memories of an outstanding child. Educated at Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, he believed in simple living and moved with everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or social status.

The memory of his smiling and jovial face will always be etched in our minds. His warm personality and friendly voice echoes sweetly although he is no more. He was a devout Buddhist. He participated in religious activities in many temples rendering whatever assistance he could for the Buddha Sasana.

He was a generous person who helped the needy, yet, never expected anything from anyone. Sharing happiness with others was his only purpose in life.

He was dynamic, charming and popular among his friends here and in Japan.

It's hard to say goodbye

It's words that come again

But the endless years pass by

I hope that I will meet my

Darling Putha Dimuth again!

Dimuth! You were truly a great son of the soil and may you never meet with an untimely death in your journey in sansara until you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Indra de Silva

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