{"id":166035,"date":"2016-08-02T12:19:56","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T06:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=166035"},"modified":"2016-08-02T12:37:59","modified_gmt":"2016-08-02T07:07:59","slug":"a-harvest-of-memories-a-feast-of-praise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/a-harvest-of-memories-a-feast-of-praise\/","title":{"rendered":"A Harvest Of Memories, A Feast Of Praise"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sarath de Alwis<\/span><\/a> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sarath<\/a>

Sarath de Alwis<\/p><\/div>\n

“Rough waters are truer tests of leadership. In calm water every ship has a good captain.<\/em>\u201d ~\u00a0\u00a0Swedish proverb<\/p>\n

It was an evening when what was best and beautiful about two people was celebrated by adoring offspring, admiring peers and ardent disciples. It was also a feast and a harvest of memories of a public servant of great learning who had mastered the chemistry of letting go and holding on.<\/p>\n

I am grateful to Migara, Menaka and Sonali for inviting me to celebrate the 80th birthday of their father A.S. Jayawardena<\/span><\/a> and the 70th birthday of their mother Lalitha Jayawardena.<\/p>\n

The evening had an appropriate first act. Cocooned in overpowering humility A.S Jayawardena has never claimed credit for his leadership of the Central Bank in those trying times when he steered the country\u2019s premier financial institution from brink of physical collapse to normalcy.<\/p>\n

\"<\/a>

A.S. Jayawardena<\/p><\/div>\n

The then Governor of the Central Bank had commissioned Sitar maestro Padeep Rathnayake to compose a symphony to commemorate the rebuilding of the central bank following its massive destruction caused by a terrorist bomb attack in 1996.<\/p>\n

Twenty years later, in a stirring acknowledgement of his early patron, maestro Pradeep with a collaborator on table treated the gathering to a mesmeric rendition of the same symphony which he called \u2018memories of indrakeelaya\u2019- the unshakable spirit of Indra, the lord of the \u2018Devas\u2019. The rhythmic journey took the listeners through four phases encountered by those who dare to live their dreams – peace, conflict, lamentation and hope.<\/p>\n

Thoughtful friends had compiled a miscellany of messages, essays and stories in tribute to the octogenarian former Governor of the Central Bank. The collective endevour by a galaxy of penetrative minds found \u2018Many Facets of A.S Jaywardena – sagacious Economist, visionary leader, connoisseur of the arts, dependable friend, esteemed colleague, and caring boss.<\/p>\n

The privilege of presenting the slim volume \u2018Many Faceted ASJ\u2019 was accorded to fellow economist and lifelong friend Dr.Usvattearchchi who begins his narrative with a line that informs us of a wistful past. \u201cAS and I sat for the University Entrance Examination in December 1953, he from Royal College and I from Kuliyapitiya Central.\u201d His delightfully uncontrived reminiscences are made sans his usual Hegelian dialectic but with composed detachment. \u201cAS and I have lived long. We have individually and together with our families enjoyed that life very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chandi Chanmugam in his remarks describes A.S. Jayawardena as a Banker\u2019s Banker, willing to learn by listening. His essay makes an anecdotal reference to how A.S.Jayawardena made the transition from Secretary Ministry of Finance to Governor of the Central Bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much later, the relationship between AS and a powerful Minister who was a close confidante of the President became strained. The President sorted out an impending impasse by appointing AS to the post of Governor of the Central Bank, having first created the vacancy by appointing the then incumbent as the country\u2019s representative to International Monetary Fund.\u201d<\/p>\n

He concludes \u2018Right through his service as an economist, he had one great ambition: one day to be the governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. And when given the opportunity, he took it with pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anoop Singh of the IMF and acknowledged macroeconomic surveillance specialist writes \u201cI will not go in to all his achievements that you can easily read about\u2019 and arrives at a resolute conclusion. \u201cHis challenges were overwhelming. Among them, to protect the economy, and the country\u2019s heritage, as much as possible from the domestic and regional conflicts that grew in the 1980s and 1990s. He did this in a number of critical positions in the government, including as Secretary to the Treasury, and then as Governor of the Central Bank from 1995 to 2004.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another contemporary sharing the same discipline Nimal Sanderatne finds the phenomenal in his illustrious colleague. \u201cA.S. Jayawardena\u2019s outstanding career is a testimony to his academic brilliance, steadfast commitment to duty and unwavering integrity. His exceptional career in the Central Bank, the Public Service and in Banking has no parallel. He has held all important positions in the financial world and the highest positions in the public service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Deputy Governor turned outspoken civil society activist W. A. Wijewardena<\/span><\/a> is eloquent on the disarmingly open minded approach of Governor A.S. Jayawardena in framing and implementing policy. \u201cWhat AS demonstrated was, that the central bank\u2019s communication policy was important in establishing its reputation among the stakeholders. The Bank should not have any fear of coming before the media and explaining its position to the public.\u201d He then identifies the three imperatives that the Governor recognized- \u2018clarity, transparency and predictability \u2018of central bank actions.<\/p>\n

Rose Cooray combines appreciation, awe and admiration. She discovers the peasant from Matale who had kiribath and fish curry for breakfast every day and the urbane banker who carefully selected the wine to go with the food while in Washington.<\/p>\n

I have known A.S. Jayawardena all my life. His home in Kaikawela Matale was near my father\u2019s ancestral home. He was a role model for mothers in the neighborhood. He epitomized every mothers dream. \u2018Anna balapan igenna gaththa lamai \u2018 was the inevitable refrain I earned from my mother who thought that Notrary Jayawardena and Head mistress Madam Jayawardena of the mixed school Kaikawela were fortunes\u2019 s favorites with Amaranada Somasiri their firstborn.<\/p>\n

A.S. Jayawardena was my teacher and friend. I do not know Rose Cooray. Yet, in Rose Cooray I find a kindred spirit. She writes \u201cDuring my stay with the Jayawardenas my impression of him as a tough boss did not change much, but I certainly realized the depth of knowledge he had and the kindness of his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Ab uno disce omnes\u2019 from one example, learn all. (Virgil).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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