Appreciation: Franklyn Amerasinghe

This week, we mourn the passing of Franklyn Amerasinghe, who bravely faced a challenging battle with cancer. His patience and resilience in confronting such adversity imparted countless life lessons. Franklyn was a simple, down-to-earth person. As my mother’s brother, he inspired me to embrace challenges beyond my comfort zone.

As a keen follower of HR, I wish to honour and celebrate his immense contribution to HR development and the strengthening of industrial relations in the country. Franklyn was a man whose life exemplified unwavering dedication to fostering constructive workplace dialogue, championing alternative dispute resolution, HR development, and advocating for social justice for workers.

Following in the footsteps of his distinguished legal family, Franklyn earned a Bachelor of Laws degree and qualified as an Attorney-at-Law. His career remains a testament to the power of advocacy and dedicated leadership. For a decade, he served as the Director General of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (1990–2000) and subsequently as a Senior Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), leaving a profound impact on social harmony, mediation, and industrial relations. His tireless efforts to improve the lives of plantation workers earned him the respect of notable leaders, including the late Savumiamoorthy Thondman. Franklyn’s pioneering research at the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon and later at the ILO laid the groundwork for innovative conflict management training programmes. His roles on the ILO’s Joint Dispute Resolution Panel and as a board member of the International Centre for the Collaborative Workplace underscored his exceptional negotiation skills and regional influence in resolving complex employment challenges.

Franklyn was calm, patient, and possessed an extraordinary intellect. His scholarly work and practical guides on conflict resolution, social dialogue, and sustainable practices enriched countless professionals, inspiring a new generation of business leaders to embody the values he championed.

His dedication extended beyond HR practices to the influential ‘ACCA Sustainability Awards’, where his vision and tireless work over more than a decade transformed the awards into a respected benchmark. Through this platform, he celebrated and inspired sustainable business practices across the private sector. His commitment to environmental protection, gender balance, decent employment, and social responsibility became deeply embedded in the awards program—a legacy essential for future generations to uphold.

Franklyn’s ability to connect with people at all levels, mentor young professionals, and drive impactful change left a lasting impression on all who knew him. His profound understanding of sustainability’s challenges and opportunities inspired many to integrate sustainable thinking into their work practices, reshaping companies in impactful ways.

Franklyn Amerasinghe’s legacy, including his many publications and books, will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, social justice, tolerance, and compassion for the most vulnerable in society. Franklyn was an optimist, a man who spoke the language of opportunity, courage and envisioned what we aspire to become as a nation. In these unsettled times, it is heartening to remember his legacy. May he rest in peace.