By Sarath Dissanayake –

I could not resist the temptation to pen this piece as a tribute to the legacy of Mrs. Abeysekera—the pioneering, versatile first woman to join the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) as a career diplomat. Throughout her illustrious journey, she discharged her sacred duties and responsibilities, both within the Foreign Ministry and in Sri Lankan missions abroad, with exceptional acumen, immense stature, and unwavering steadfastness. Hence, I offer this tribute and memoir in her profound honor.

The passing of Ambassador Manel Abeysekera marks the end of a golden era in Sri Lanka’s international relations. Affectionately known as the “Iron Lady” of Sri Lankan diplomacy, Mrs. Abeysekera was a trailblazing pioneer, an exceptional administrator, and an enduring role model for young diplomats. At a time when the world stage was heavily dominated by men, she rose through the ranks with unparalleled sharp-witted acumen, poise, and determination—earning well-deserved renown while carving out a legacy that permanently reshaped Sri Lanka’s global footprint.

Pioneer in a Male-Dominated World: First Woman Career Diplomat & Chief of Protocol

Long before “gender equality” became a global buzzword, Manel Abeysekera was shattering glass ceilings. Graduating from Oxford University in 1957, she returned to a newly independent Ceylon and boldly applied to the newly established Ceylon Overseas Service. Out of a fiercely competitive batch, she emerged as the very first female career diplomat in the country’s history.

Her early appointments spanned across key capitals, including serving as Third Secretary at the High Commission in London and as Chargé d’Affaires in Thailand. Throughout these years, she consistently challenged traditional norms, proving that diplomacy was not an exclusive boys’ club, but a field where intellect, tactical nuance, and strategic vision reigned supreme. Notably, she became the first woman Chief of Protocol in the history of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry and diplomacy. This historic achievement beautifully mirrored the ascendancy of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike as the first woman Prime Minister of the world. As contemporaries at the helm of Sri Lankan affairs in the mid-1970s, these two formidable women redefined leadership on both the domestic and global stages. Mrs. Abeysekera handled political shifts and personal milestones with a signature blend of humor, forthrightness, and composure, capturing her worldview in her famous memoirs, appropriately titled “Madame-Sir”.

The Watershed of 1976: The 5th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Colombo

The absolute pinnacle of her early career—and a defining chapter in Sri Lankan history—came when she was appointed as the country’s Chief of Protocol from 1974 to 1980. Her tenure coincided with Sri Lanka hosting the 5th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Colombo in August 1976.

The 1976 NAM Summit remains the largest, most complex gathering of foreign Heads of State and Government ever hosted on Sri Lankan soil. With over 100 countries represented, the summit transformed Colombo into the epicenter of Global South politics. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Bandaranaike, the summit was a profound watershed moment that gave Sri Lanka an astute, oversized stature in international affairs.

While Mrs. Bandaranaike commanded the political center-stage, it was Mrs. Abeysekera who sat in the driving seat of the massive, complex machinery running behind the scenes. Managing the logistical, ceremonial, and protocol arrangements for scores of global heavyweights—ranging from Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito to Cuba’s Fidel Castro—was a Herculean undertaking.

Mrs. Abeysekera approached the task with military precision and relentless thoroughness. It is said she meticulously timed herself to climb aircraft gangplanks precisely every seven minutes to dynamically receive a continuous stream of incoming Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers. From VIP transport and housing infrastructure to delicate seating arrangements and high-security state banquets, her flawless operation left visiting world leaders dumbfounded and filled with deep admiration. Her stellar performance had such an impact that she was subsequently invited by the government of Cuba to advise their officials on preparing for the following NAM Summit in 1979.

The Golden Era of Protocol: Redefining Its Standards and Finesse

For Mrs. Abeysekera, protocol was never about mindless pleasantries or superficial rigidness. It was a strategic asset, a shield, and a language through which a small island nation could assert its sovereign dignity on equal terms with global superpowers. Recognizing the need to institutionalize this expertise, she authored the Foreign Ministry Manual of Protocol Procedure, a foundational document that formalized Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mechanics for decades to follow. Following the historic summit, she continued to serve with distinction as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand and eventually as Ambassador to Germany (with concurrent accreditation to Austria and Switzerland) before her retirement in 1993. Even in retirement, her devotion to the state never wavered; she consistently lent her sharp mind to training incoming batches of Foreign Service officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute.

Personal Reflections and anecdotal memories of Mrs. Abeysekera

During my formative years in the Foreign Ministry since joining the SLFS in 1992, I had the distinct pleasure and good fortune of serving under Mrs Abeysekera when I served two terms in the Protocol Division. This was at a time when Mrs. Abeysekera served as Additional Secretary overlooking responsibilities in protocol matters, specifically tasked with coordinating high-ranking visits of foreign dignitaries. I still recollect with immense respect and honor how much I learned and became familiar with the basic tenets of protocol, courtesies, and due decorum in the discharge of services for a visiting dignitary. Navigating the critical nuances of etiquette and courtesies accorded to visiting VIPs under her direct guidance taught me lessons that go a long way in maintaining finesse and state obligations at state functions. Though I unfortunately lost active touch with her after she completely parted ways with the ministry back in the early 2000s, those foundational lessons have remained with me throughout my career.

An Enduring Impact Beyond Her Active Service

The passage of time did nothing to diminish her towering stature, and her presence remained palpable throughout the halls of the Foreign Ministry long after her departure. Her formal exit did not signify an end, but rather a transition into becoming a living institution. For decades, her meticulously structured protocols, her written guidelines, and the sheer legend of her flawless execution at the 1976 summit continued to serve as the unspoken yardstick for every major state visit and international event Sri Lanka hosted. Even in her absence from the active diplomatic circuit, she remained the definitive benchmark against which all subsequent protocol and administrative excellence was measured.

A Blueprint and Role Model for Young Sri Lankan Diplomats

As young Sri Lankan diplomats navigate a highly volatile, fragmented, and fast-evolving 21st-century geopolitical landscape, Ambassador Manel Abeysekera’s life serves as a brilliant blueprint. Her career imparts three critical lessons to the next generation:

Uncompromising Meticulousness: The success of the 1976 summit proved that a nation’s global reputation hinges on fine execution. True diplomats must sweat the small stuff, understanding that an oversight in protocol can transform into a major diplomatic fallout.

Courage of Conviction: Known for her candor, Mrs. Abeysekera never shied away from offering unfiltered, objective advice to political leaders, earning deep respect across party lines for prioritizing national interests above political convenience.

Asserting Stature Beyond Size: She demonstrated that a country’s geographic or economic size should never limit its diplomatic voice. Through charisma, preparation, and administrative excellence, a small nation can effortlessly command the global center stage.

An Enduring Legacy

Ambassador Manel Abeysekera was a visionary who stepped into a male-dominated arena and redefined it entirely through the sheer force of her capability, elegance, and steel-willed resolve. As Sri Lanka mourns the loss of this diplomatic titan, her life remains a masterclass in statecraft and public service. While the “Iron Lady” has left us, the path she blazed will continue to guide, inspire, and illuminate the trajectories of Sri Lankan diplomats for generations to come.

Adieu to late Ambassador Abeysekera

At a time when several senior retired Sri Lankan diplomats of the calibre of the late Ambassador Rodrigo have bidden adieu not long ago, we as Buddhists ought to come to terms with life realities with the Buddha’s words of wisdom: that every living being is surely destined to die. As the saying goes, “No matter how precious, illustrious, and magnanimous one can be, they are sure to exit this samsara.” This is the ultimate truth that will remain eternally true for all beings. Let me join my colleagues and friends in bidding farewell to the late Ambassador Manel Abeysekera. May her journey in karmic  samsara be short and peaceful, and may it culminate in eternal bliss.

*The writer is a retired Ambassador and Foreign Ministry Spokesman. He can be reached at schandrad@hotmail.com