Appreciations

It is with a sense of deep sadness I write this appreciation of a man of great virtue and who was loved and respected by all who knew him. I am referring to Bambarakanda Sarath Hewagama who passed away on September 19 after a brief illness. He was a founder promoter of the People's Bank and continued to serve this institution until retirement. After his retirement, he gave his full time services to the Sarvodaya Movement until he breathed his last.

At the time of his demise at the age of 74, Sarath was the General Secretary of Sarvodaya and also the Chairman of the Sarvodaya Economic Enterprises Development Services (SEEDS). My association with him began when we met for the first time at Galle esplanade playing cricket. He was playing for Nalanda and I for Mahinda. After that day in 1952, our friendship continued to the last day of his life. A very active old boy of Nalanda College, he won the hearts of all who knew him with his gentle conduct, broad sweet smile which reflected the purity of his heart and immense loyalty to his friends and associates.

In mid 1980s, when the Head of State and the Government were witch-hunting the Sarvodaya Movement and me, Sarath as our Executive Director stood firm and steadfast and tolerated for nearly three years the CID officers who were seated in his office just to find some fault in us.

He never lost his temper or his calmness and won over even those officers who admitted that such "dirty work" was a part of their job dictated by politicians. Sarath was gentle in thought, word and deed. Rarely one can find such a composed human being.

Sarath was fortunate to have a devoted wife, Indrani, who looked after him day and night during the period when he was confined to hospital. Many times he confessed to me, she was more than a mother to him.

He used to write to the newspapers on current topics, where he always brought in the teachings of the Buddha to solve not only our individual problems but also our social ills. Not only in precept but also in practice he was a Buddhist to the very letter of the word. These gentle qualities he had given to his son and daughter who are both employed abroad.

Sarath is no more with us. But for a long time to come, he will live in our minds and hearts just as his old mother-in-law paying her last tribute to him in tears said "Son you are not dead but living".

A man of virtue