Maneka (Mickey) Wickremasinghe: Entrepreneur and artist
I first met Mickey over forty years ago with Esmond Wickremasinghe. They owned a small hotel near the beach in Passikudah which Esmond wickedly named ‘Sun and Fun’. They would travel a long distance over bad roads from Colombo to the Eastern Province to spend holidays on that fantastic shoreline. I led a research team on family planning in the eighties, and we would spend time in the old Kalkudah Rest House planning our survey of family health in Kartankuddy which much later in time became notorious as the home of the Easter Sunday bombers. From then on Mickey and I became the best of friends, a relationship which unfortunately came to an end with his death last week at a ripe old age.
Mickey was a ‘Renaissance Man’. His interests ranged far and wide. He was a superb national entrepreneur. He, his family, and staff built up an international brand in Munchee, which catered to both domestic and international markets.
Mickey was a consummate marketeer. I remember leading a delegation of our businessmen to Vietnam which included Mickey. He had no hesitation in bringing a suitcase full of Munchee products which he unveiled before Vietnamese businessmen while making a sales pitch in the French language which was his passion. While other businessmen were giving ‘Pora Talk’about their enterprises, Mickey was filling up his orderbook.
Again, when he opened his factory in Bangladesh, he took PB Jayasundera and me for the inaugeration. I spoke to the Bangaldeshi Finance Minister Muhith, who was my friend, who gave his blessings for the new investment.
He was a personal friend of politicians of different hues - including the leftists of the LSSP. This wide ranging interest in politics was shown in his genuine concern for his workers. This was testified by the large number of his workers of different levels who thronged to Kanatte in spite of the difficulties of transportation and livelihood. The senior staff put out a video song, which is a heartfelt tribute to their father figure, entitled ‘Piyanani’ which is going viral.
As a young man Mickey spent time in England and France where he gathered a number of loyal friends. Among them was Manu Ginige who worked for Air Ceylon and later Air Lanka. Manu was also the livewire in our embassy in Paris. We would all meet at Ginige’s apartment when Mickey came to Paris. Both were great cooks and loved French cuisine. Mickey was a great connoisseur of good food and loved to entertain his friends for meals. At one stage he opened a restaraunt on Galle Road for food lovers where he could feed them and also have interesting conversations.
He had a similar interest in literature. He wrote several books of short stories which were based on his life experiences. I think he was most proud of his writings amongst his other achievements.
He was a strong believer in the talent and resilience of the Lankan people and would argue forcefully against overdependence on external interventions.
Mickey was a proponent of ethical behaviour and business which was buttressed by his adherence to the ‘Mother’ in Pondicherry whom he used to visit periodically. Here too he appreciated the French ambience which pervaded the Ashram. All in all he lived a full and eventful life. But perhaps more than all of that I will remember a sincere and generous friend who was there for you in all seasons. He was full of life and vitality and now that his life is stilled we will remember him with gratitude and cherish his memory.
Our condolences go to Romayne, his devoted daughters and the rest of the family. We will miss him.