Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria – The multi-tasked man that he was

Wednesday, 12 December 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

BY Chandrasena Maliyadde

I know I started on a nearly impossible task. Writing an account of 80 years of Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria will take volumes and years. Mere 80 years is too short a period in a telescopic view on mankind. What matters is not the period of time a person lives but his or her contribution to mankind.

Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria

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 are still echoing in my ears and shaped my life. That is not the reason behind this brief appreciation.

Dr. Weerasooria was a man who thought and acted differently from others. He was multi-tasked. His daily routine involves all such tasks. He starts the day with his walk, a round of tennis and a swim. Rest of the morning is devoted to the public service. People from all walks come to see him get something done. None leaves with disappointment. He was a great strength to his family business. Then the fun. The best time manager ever met.

He had a great trust in the public servant. He believed they need capacity building, confidence building, communication competency and exposure. He provided all that. When Ministry of Plan Implementation started Integrated Rural Development Program under his stewardship in backwards districts, officers were not available. He identified the reason; 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 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 different. It was built upon trust, delegation, simplicity, wit, fun, ease and cost-effectiveness. In fact, working with him was a fun and a lifelong learning process.

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

May he attain supreme Nibbana.