We saw him as one who maintained cooperation between Bench and Bar
The life of late Hemantha Warnakulasuriya P.C. symbolises significant achievements that brought honour and glory, not just to himself but also to the profession which he represented, Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne said recently during a reference held in honour of Mr Warnakulasuriya at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Excerpts of the speech made by the Chief Magistrate on the occasion:
"Mr Warnakulasuriya was born on September 24, 1944, in Tangalle. Hailing from a distinguished family, he was the first born to Mr Aranolis Appu and Jane Nona Warnakulasuriya.
"He studied at Royal College, Colombo, and did not confine his school career only to studies but also engaged in many extra curricular activities. This young Royalist pioneered the launch of a handwritten newspaper titled, ‘Hela Bima’ showing his inherent interest in writing, which was evident up until his demise.
"After the death of his father, who then owned the biggest fleet of lorries in Sri Lanka, young Warnakulasuriya, at the age of 19, was compelled to take over his father’s business. During this period he became president of the All Ceylon Lorry Owners’ Association.
"Mr Warnakulasuriya thereafter entered the Sri Lanka Law College and started his legal education. At Law College, he established a students’ forum called “New Trends Forum” through which he collected money to utilise in a law students’ trust fund which was created for needy students.
"After an illustrious career at Law College having passed his first and second college exams with first class honours, he enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law and was called to the Bar on February 16, 1972. He started his practice as a lawyer at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
"During his 46-year career as an Attorney-at-Law, he had a flourishing practice, becoming one of the leading criminal lawyers in the country. Mr Warnakulasuriya’s legal excellence was well-recognised by the executive, who appointed him as President’s Counsel. He took silk on July 28, 2006.
"Mr Warnakulasuriya, established his own law firm, Warne Law Chambers, giving the opportunity to more than 300 lawyers to share the wealth of his knowledge and experience.
"Mr Warnakulasuriya was elected as the Secretary of the Bar Association in 1989 and Deputy President in 2004. While holding such positions, he also initiated a seminar series for junior and senior lawyers called “Nethi Neethi” and a pension scheme for Bar Association members. He also took steps to issue the Sri Lanka Lawyers’ Directory.
"Mr Warnakulasuriya held office as the Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission for nearly 10 years. During this period, he initiated the foundation to decentralize the functions of the Legal Aid Commission by spreading its branches throughout the country. In 2007, he was appointed as the Ambassador to Italy, Greece and Albania and the High Commissioner to Cyprus and Malta. Thereafter, the present President appointed Mr Warnakulasuriya as a member of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.
"While serving with much dedication to the profession as well as to the country, his inherent passion for writing never faded. “Hulftsdorp Hill” was one of the popular columns he wrote for the Sunday Times under the pseudonym “Mudliyar.” This column reflected contemporary happenings in the country’s courts of law. Some of the articles of the said column were later published as a book. He also wrote scholarly articles to Lakbima, Dinamina, Silumina, Maubima, Observer, Ceylon Today and the Island.
"Mr Warnakulasuriya was also a patron of the arts and produced several dramas and Sinhala films.
"We as judicial officers perceived Mr Warnakulasuriya PC as an eminent attorney who maintained rich traditions of the Bar, an attorney who was capable of upholding the cooperation between the Bench and the Bar quite successfully.
"This court has had many great legal personnel who have left an indelible imprint in the legal landscape, who are respected long after they have departed. Hemantha Warnakulasuriya P.C. will undoubtedly be one among them."
Neville Abeyratne, PC, Past President of Colombo Chief ’s Magistrate’s Lawyers' Association said that they were proud to salute the unique personality of Mr Warnakulasuriya. “All his loved ones would naturally feel proud and supremely blessed to have had a person of this calibre in their family,” he noted.
“Mere words will not suffice to honour him but the emulation of his sterling qualities will be a lasting tribute to the undying memory of his name,” Mr Abeyratne remarked, paying tribute to Mr Warnakulasuriya.
Hemantha Warnakulasuriya P.C. passed away in July last year.