Biographical sketches of eminent men

Reviewed by Stanley E. Abeynayake

Former High Court Judge W. T. A. Leslie Fernando's Being close to them has been translated into Sinhala by Wimalasena Withanapathirana.

Leslie Fernando has compiled hitherto unknown character traits of religious dignitaries such as Bishop Edmund Pieris, Ven. Siyabalangomuwe Sri Gunaratana Thera, Fr. Marcelline Jayakody, Fr. Dr. W. L. D. Don Peter, Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Rev. Fr. Gregory I. Fernando, Ven. Horathapola Palitha Thera, Rev. Fr. Henry Rodrigo, Ven. Matale Dhammakusala Thera and Rev. Bro. Paul Nizier.

The prominent personalities mentioned therein include patriotic politicians such as Philip Gunawardena, Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara, Dr. Hector Fernando and Warnakulasuriya Santiago Fernando, a devout Catholic and school master who turned radical leftist.

Reference is also made to some other distinguished personalities such as W. P. N. de Silva, District Judge and W. A. Abeysinghe, Attorney-at-Law, critic, author and literary figure of repute.

The author Leslie Fernando has quite rightly confessed that he has been immensely benefited by the influence of those remarkable personalities in keeping with the worthy saying of Mahatma Gandhi, "We honour the illustrious dead best by following their example."

The translation has been done with meticulous care amply demonstrating maturity in his craft.