The officer that many respected and even emulated
On May 5, Sri Lanka lost an illustrious son of her soil, a devout Buddhist who was an exemplary human being and officer. Gamini enlisted in the Sri Lanka Police on May 2, 1963 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent at the young age of 24. Since then he served in many parts of the country as ASP, SP, SSP and DIG. In 1993 he was promoted to Senior Deputy Inspector-General of Police and until 1998 he served as the Head of the President’s Security Division, Ministerial Security Division, Southern Range, Crimes & Criminal Intelligence and Police HQ.
He received his primary education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and thereafter graduated from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya wiith a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. He participated in extracurricular activities and sports in his academic career in school and at University. He had the distinction of being selected to Harvard University, USA where he successfully completed the Masters in Public Administration. He was awarded a Fulbright Research Scholarship to develop a new concept of policing for the Sri Lanka Police.
Gamini and I became acquainted in 1982 when following the Diploma in Personal Management conducted by the IPM. We soon became very good friends along with our two families. In 1985 he invited me to be
Consultant and trainer to the Officers of the Central Range in the fields of Leadership, Planning, Strategy, Teamwork, Communication and Interface with the public in a manner that would earn respect for the Police. I was engaged in this role till 1989 up to the time Gamini took up office at Police HQ. Thus, I have a very good knowledge of Gamini’s style of leadership that inspired his subordinates to do what is right always.
He was fearless in standing against dishonesty. He was absolutely straight in all his dealings and all officers and others who had the opportunity to be associated with him respected him and several emulated him.
One of the many incidences where his leadership was proven was when an allisland curfew was declared following the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Pact on July 29, 1987. The Central Range consisting of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts were exempt from curfew. What is more, the Kandy Perahera was conducted in all its glory without incident to the delight of tourists and locals even though the rest of the country was under curfew.
His career comprised a mix of dedication, integrity, loyalty and of sparkling personality and moral rectitude. He was an affable person and was recognized as a kind-hearted officer by all who served under him. He was a ‘role model’ for his high level of honesty, integrity, impartiality and leadership. He held his rank with supreme confidence, yet never losing the common touch. He did not know the meaning of fear or favour.
His wife Sushila Kumarihami Gunawardane played the roles of wife, mother, mentor and friend with great passion and excellence. Sushila who obtained her Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education was the ‘rock’, steadfast and true in her continuous caring for her beloved husband, especially during his last four months where she nursed him and spent her time beside him encouraging him and making him as comfortable as possible.Sushila, an epitome of dignity and respectability was the wife that Gamini was very proud of. Gamini and Sushila devoted their lives to each other without reservation.
Their son, Kosiya, has been in Australia for over 20 years but has been closely in touch with his parents. He visited his father each time he fell ill and was a very concerned and caring son.
Gamini will be sadly missed by Sushila and Kosiya.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana! Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya