Appreciations:

Kethesh Loganathan  | Upul Seneviratne

Kethesh Loganathan

by Himali Jinadasa

It was with deep pain that it dawned on me that Kethesh had indeed passed away, in the midst of phone calls from colleagues, friends, between "breaking news" and an internet posting.

What seemed so incomprehensible was the fact that someone with such a gentle patient temperament had been so brutally gunned down, and before the eyes of his beloved wife Bhavani. That we would no longer hear his voice encouraging us, or trying to guide us through a problem, as he often did in his capacity as Deputy Secretary-General, SCOPP.

I first worked with Kethesh Loganathan when I was a part-time research assistant at the Centre for Policy Research and Analysis (CEPRA) in 1996, when Kethesh was authoring a book titled "Sri Lanka: Lost Opportunities" while working at CEPRA as Research Consultant. Even at that juncture he hardly knew me but offered to go through my under-graduate thesis.

I met Kethesh years later as a member of the Civil Society Committee of the National Advisory Council to Peace & Reconciliation (NACPR) and finally as my supervising officer when he assumed duties as Deputy Secretary-General at the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process on March 29, 2006.

From August, 2004 Kethesh was a regular participant at the NACPR Civil Society Committee meetings which were held frequently at SCOPP. As support staff, we had got accustomed to the various styles of the speakers. With regard to Kethesh, we would often 'lie in wait' for Kethesh's interventions, he would often patiently listen to others express their views, occasionally coupled with stroking his moustache as a sign of agitation or clasping his fingers while he waited. Then when everyone had finished Kethesh would glance at the other speakers whose points he was addressing one by one, and then lastly the chairperson, as he met the arguments of three or four people in one go, swiftly but dexterously, leaving many of us in the room in a state of 'shock and awe' and in the process winning many 'hearts and minds.'

When we learnt that Kethesh had accepted the post of Deputy Secretary-General at SCOPP we hoped that this would be an opportunity for Kethesh to translate his many ideas into action.

It was inspiring to work with Kethesh at the Peace Secretariat, as he did not share with us the usual text book analysis but drew from his unique experience as an accomplished academic, tamil political activist and above all a humanist. To see him at SCOPP was a reflection of his dedication and personal sacrifice, knowing each day that he dared the odds to contribute to the peace process.

Even now despite Kethesh's death when we listen to the many discussions and debates that continue at the Peace Secretariat conference room, we glance at Kethesh's earnest face in the photo placed there, which picture had been taken in the very same room and recall Kethesh's line of arguments, his hopes and ideals and even his silence while he patiently listened to others, and we silently pray as do many others, that he did not die in vain.

The writer is the Deputy-Director of Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP).

Upul Seneviratne

I came to know of the tragic demise of Upul Seneviratne, SSP, Special Task Force, Director Training on the same day of the tragedy. He fell victim to a claymore bomb and died on August 7. The incident took place close to Rajawella Tamil Vidyalaya, Digana.

I knew him as a close associate as he and I studied together in the same class at Dharmaraja College, Kandy. Wasala Mudiyanselage Upul Abhishek Bandara Seneviratne was born in Kandy on March 2, 1962.

As soon as I heard the news of his death, my mind flew back to my school days. From his small days in the primary, Upul was known to show his prowess in sports. Even as a small boy his handsome demeanour was outstanding.

As we grew older, we moved on to Lakeview, which is the secondary section of the school. Here, he and I were always together in whatever curricular activities that were available in school. Both of us were scouts in the 1st Kandy Dharmaraja Scout Group, and I can recall the many things we did together in the name of scouting. Under the able guidance of our Group Scout Master, Bandara Weerasekera, many were the scouting experiences we had together.

Everyone who knew Upul would vouch for his capacity and ability to help and assist a less able colleague. He had an immense love for the forces and it was with this end in view that he put in his hundred per cent into Scouting. Although he was so much into scouting, I am talking of the times when scouting was at its helm and helped many a child to mould his personality, he did not at any point of time neglect his Education or for that matter even the other extra-curricular activities he was involved in.

His mother, Mrs. T. K. Seneviratne was our English Teacher and she was a woman who took her work very seriously and carried out her work with a keen sense of dedication. My friend Upul did not at any point of time make use of the fact that his mother was the English teacher to gain advantage over us, not that she too would have encouraged it.

He won the confidence of the Principal, Mr. A. P. Gunaratne while he was a prefect. I too was one, but I clearly remember how he would heed the principal's request and take to task the smaller ones who were naughty. Not only that, he was an absolute stickler for punctuality. His leadership qualities I think are what he brought with him from birth. I remember very well the day we were awarded our President's Scout Badges. How he reacted at that moment is still vivid in my mind. To him, receiving the Badge was as though he had joined the forces and received an award. His happiness knew no bounds.

He was a friendly person and was able to easily mix around, but he had only a few who were very close to him. Many of his colleagues are holding top posts now.

He even had the ability to write. He compiled a book of short stories "Reta pipena mal" which caught the eye of the staff and was praised a lot. His satisfaction at this achievement was immeasurable.

He played both rugby and football and was even into Cadetting.

He joined the police force in 1982 on April 26, as a sub Inspector. He was a founder member of the STF in 1984. As soon as he joined the STF I imagined how he would have operated. His dedication and sincerity of purpose would have been at its height. I am saying this from the experience I have had with him in scouting. He rose from the rank of sub-inspector to Senior Superintendent of Police in a short space of time, and at such a young age. I believe this could have been achieved because of his love for the forces and nothing could stand in his way to achieve his ultimate goal.

Upul served in the North-East for a period of nearly ten years, from 1995 to 2004 as STF Eastern Commander and during this time he held the helm and carried out his duties with no fear or favour. He was awarded the Poornabhoomi Award for his bravery. In turn for this award the brutal terrorists gave him a claymore award and we have lost an able and brave STF commander for all time. He was a grave threat to the terrorists and this is very clear because he fell victim to them at a time when the country needed him most. His wife Sudharma, daughter, Isurika and son, Bimsara can console themselves from the fact that although they lost their father at the prime of his life, that he was posthumously promoted to DIG because of his service to the nation. Although it might be difficult for them to come to terms with his death, his family can satisfy themselves that Upul was a man of our times and gave of his best in whatever he undertook. May the Devas bless his soul and may his path to Sansara be made easy.

- Ananda Melpitiya