Working with him was both fun and a life-learning process

Writing an account of the 80 years of Dr Wickrema Weerasooria will take volumes and years. But what matters is not the period of time a person lives but his or her contribution to mankind.

Dr. Weerasooria, of course, was my mentor not only in my public career but in my whole life. One day he called me and said: “Maliyadde, I am very fond of you; I want you to blossom out”. Those words still echo in my ears and they helped shape my life. That is not the reason behind this brief appreciation.

Dr. Weerasooria was a man who thought and acted differently from others. His daily routine involved many tasks. He would start the day with his walk, a round of tennis and a swim. The rest of the morning was devoted to public service. People from all walks of life would come to see him to get something done. None left disappointed. He was a great strength to his family business. He was the best time manager I ever met.

He had a great trust in the public servant. He believed they needed capacity building, confidence building, communication competency and exposure. He provided all that. When the Ministry of Plan Implementation started the Integrated Rural Development Programme under his stewardship in backward districts, officers were not available. He identified the reason; the absence of basic facilities. His first task was providing facilities to make the life of those who served in such districts comfortable.

He was a great believer in delegation. He distributed his letterheads among officers. His advice was “write the letter and bring it for my signature. Don’t waste your time or mine”. He did not spend more than a minute to grasp the content.

When he was the Secretary he used the common toilet. I asked why he didn’t use his private one. His answer was the common toilet is always kept clean and hygienic if the boss uses it. His management style was built upon trust, delegation, simplicity, wit, fun, ease and costeffectiveness. In fact, working with him was fun and a life-learning process.

Dr. Weerasooria was a man who was there whenever you needed; His presence was everywhere; in academia, legal affairs, professionalism, public life. He is no more. He has left an unfillable void in our hearts, in our lives and in our society. His absence will not mark the removal of a plank but the very foundation.

May he attain supreme Nibbana.