A principled man who shone in the field of accountancy
With sincere grief I went to Galle Face Terrace to pay my last respects to N.G.P. Panditharatne who passed away recently. It was hard to say goodbye to a man I respected and admired. People of his stature are hard to comeby nowadays. A gentleman to his fingertips, he was just and fair in his dealings. An efficient administrator, he could be firm and strict, but these qualities were tempered with empathy and compassion. Those who worked under him have nothing but praise for this humane, warm- hearted boss.
Sri Lanka has produced thousands of chartered, certified, management, cost and other accountants, with a sprinkling of brilliant men who have held high-ranking positions in the public and private sectors. Mr. Panditharatne was a man of rare calibre who stood head and shoulders above the members of his profession. Accountancy is a lucrative profession which attracts many who wish to make money and more money. But Mr. Panditharatne was more interested in serving his beloved motherland and her people than in worshipping mammon.
Like accountancy, politics too is a lucrative business. Many take to politics to gain fame, power and wealth. Mr. Panditharatne, a diehard UNPER was involved in politics, but he shunned the limelight and worked behind the scenes, always maintaining a low profile. He did not get his hands tainted with filthy lucre earned from commissions and kick-backs on contracts and tenders or political patronage extended to rapacious, corrupt men. He was more of a statesman then a politician.
A Buddhist by birth, he was married to Reenie, a Catholic. The disparity of faiths was no obstacle to the deep love they had for each other. The bliss of a happy marriage was clearly evident to any guest or visitor who enjoyed their warm, lavish hospitality. Whenever I was invited to lunch or dinner they made me feel at home and treated me like a family member. Blessed with a trained, melodious voice, Reenie would love to sing old favourites, and get me to accompany her on the piano, with a chilled beer by my side.
As a young newly – qualified Chartered Accountant, I worked at Associated Management Services (AMS) Management Consultants, a subsidiary of Ford Rhodes and Thornton (FRT). At that time, Mr. Panditharatne was the chief partner of FRT and a director of AMS. When he heard that I wanted to resign from my job and enter a seminary to study for the priesthood, he called me to his room and said, “We are sorry to lose you, but I know that you wish to respond to a noble calling. Although I am a Buddhist, I fully appreciate the valuable, selfless service Catholic priests and nuns render to our people and country. I wish you success in your ministry. If ever you need any money for books or training; or later as a priest, if you need a vehicle for your work, please do not hesitate to contact me. I shall be glad to help you”. These words of encouragement remain etched in my memory.