21st Death Anniversary of Dr. Gamini C.Wijesekera

One is able and more qualified to comment on a person only after associating with him for a considerable length of time. Gamini Wijesekera was one such friend whom I associated with very closely.

I had the opportunity of meeting Gamini Wijesekera for the first time in 1976 at the residence of Dr Wickrama Weerasooriya. I was accompanied by Harsha Abeygunawardana and Naveen Gunaratne. They were discussing politics and Gamini’s views were very clear, interesting and thought provoking. What Wickrama Weerasooriya told me when introducing Gamini to me was exactly the same as then President J.R. Jayewardene said at the final election rally held at Maharagama in support of Gamini. This is what Dr. Weerasooriya said: ‘when you step in to Gamini’s house, you feel as if you are entering a university.’ His father, the late Prof. O.H. deA. Wijesekera was a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and a scholar in Sanskrit and Oriental languages. His brother, Dr. Jagath Wijesekara, is a consultant neurologist who practiced in Sri Lanka and is currently in the UK.

Gamini Wijesekera was educated at Trinity College, Kandy and Ananda College, Colombo. While a student at the University of Peradeniya, he joined the Samajawadee Student Union and was a working member and after passing out as a doctor joined the government medical service. He also served as Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association.

Later, Gamini resigned from government service and started his private practice in Pannipitiya. He specialized in children’s health and became a well accepted medical practitioner in Colombo.

Subsequently he entered politics and became a member of the working committee of the United National Party (UNP). At one of the working committee meetings, Mr. Esmond Wickremesinghe, father of the present Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had a sudden heart attack and fainted. Dr Wijesekera who happened to be there immediately gave him first aid. President Jayewardene got me to telephone Dr Wallupillai, the cardiologist and Mr Wickremesinghe was taken to hospital. Gamini, along with President Jayewardene, followed him to the hospital. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been a close friend of the Wijesekera family ever since. Gamini was appointed as the secretary to the Ministry of Transport in 1980 and also served as Director of several government institutions. He did honorary service at the Moratuwa University Council and the University Grants Commission. He was the first president of the Rotary Club of Maharagama and was the President of the Cancer Hospital Committee. He was a member of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and took a keen interest in developing the game, until his death.

Gamini was elected to the Western Provincial Council in 1993, and was appointed as General Secretary to the UNP. Finally, he became a Member of Parliament in 1994.

He was never engaged in violent, acrimonious and vituperative politics and strove to introduce gentlemanly politics to Sri Lanka. He was never critical of his political opponents. Mr. Dinesh Gunawardana who contested the Maharagama by-election once told me that his opponent Gamini was a real gentleman and when Dinesh won the election, Gamini congratulated him whole heartedly.

Gamini’s wife, Daisy Wijesekera, is continuing the social work he began. Gamini’s daughter has joined the government medical practice following in the footsteps of her father, while his son is engaged in the business-sector.

We are extremely unfortunate that during the best and most productive period of his life, Gamini was snatched away from us due to a dastardly bomb attack. Gamini was killed along with his political leader, Gamini Dissanayake.

Gamini was a social worker, a medical practitioner, a great humanist, and a politician worthy of emulation. May he attain the bliss of Nirvana. UPALI SENARATNE ATTORNEY-AT-LAW