A trustworthy and loyal friend

It was little over two-and-a-half-decades ago, I met Deepal whilst walking up the Hulftsdorp Hill to attend the Preliminary Year at Sri Lanka Law College. Even though twenty-five years has passed, I vividly remember making friends with him.

Ever since, we have been close friends and sometime later a relation too. The bond we had as friends, strengthened during our tenure at the Attorney General’s Department and continued further, although he resigned from the State in December 2000 to join the Employers Federation of Ceylon to continue exclusively with work relating to labour relations and law, which he liked most.

When the news that Deepal has passed away was conveyed to me, I could not believe that he has left us so early. It was too difficult for me to bear the loss of a true and trustworthy friend.

Deepal was a bright student at Law College. His results in the final examination enabled him to complete his period of apprenticeship at the Attorney General’s Department.

After enrolling as an Attorney-at-law in the Supreme Court on 1st November 1990, he joined the “Corporation Division” of the Attorney General’s Department. He was appointed as State Counsel in January 1993.

During his tenure at the Department, I was privileged to share the Chamber, where we discussed our cases and complex legal matters. I enjoyed every moment working with him. He served the State with dedication and commitment.

Having appeared in cases relating to Civil Litigation at quasi-judicial and judicial institutions; i.e. from the Commissioner of Labour to the Apex Court, he proved himself to be a veteran in the field of labour law. In my view, he would have appeared at all the Labour Tribunals established in Sri Lanka. He travelled with heap of files around the country to serve the State and to bring just and equitable reliefs to the litigants irrespective of the fact that they were employee or employer. He acted with respect and treated the lawyers and the labour representatives alike. There were many instances where the Presidents of the Labour Tribunal sought his views, amicus curiae, (a friend of court) in complex legal matters that arose during inquiries. The Presidents were confident that they would hear the correct interpretation of the law, which they actually did. He shared unreported case law with the Presidents of the Labour Tribunals, lawyers and litigants irrespective of the fact that the “stare decisis” in such case law would stand against him in cases. He presented his cases on law and merit and disregarded mere technicalities.

He was a dear and trustworthy friend, a Samaritan and a person whom anyone could turn around for help. His smile and laugh made everyone happy. Deepal was always there for me to share the joy and sorrow. The friends he has made around the world would bear ample testimony of the true gentleman he was. He had rare and distinct qualities. It would not be easy to find a person of his calibre.

Deepal, fondly called “Didi” was a loving and caring husband and a doting father. Being the eldest and the only son in the family, he fulfilled all his duties towards his parents and the sisters. He ensured their wellbeing and social security.the beautiful memories of our dearest friend “Didi” would always be cherished in our hearts and minds forever. My family too, would miss you as you would be missed by your beloved wife Inoka, the children Dinithi and Dineth, Amma, Thaththa, sisters, relatives and friends.

May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!