Bernard Gunaratne - champion of Quantity Surveyors

Professionals take responsibility for their actions and face negative news with a level head. They don't make excuses for mistakes or poor decisions, and they never throw their teammates under the bus. They look after their subordinates. Today, I am writing about a person who had the foregoing characteristics and who actually acted as an example to others. Our beloved Bernard Gunaratne, who was till recently with us, passed away on February 20, 2016. Bernard was a graduate chartered quantity surveyor who passed out from the University of Moratuwa after earning his bachelor's degree in quantity surveying. He belonged to the seventh intake of the degree course.

Bernard lived in Dubai for brief period and left Dubai in 2006 for a position at the UN Office in Colombo. He later launched his own professional practice inter-alia to raise standards of the QS profession in Sri Lanka. He was also a visiting resource personnel at the College of Quantity Surveying and University of Technology. Bernard was instrumental in setting up the Quantity Surveyors Alumni Association (QSAA) which benefitted QS graduates who passed out since 1991. He was involved in many social activities. Bernard stood against the white-collar mafia that is spearheaded by few leading professionals.

It was dedication and perseverance to work that ultimately led him to ignore his own health. Gunaratne leaves behind his wife Shireka and only daughter.

Dr. Chandana Jayalath