T.B. Attanayake -:

Caring friend

T.B. - Tikiri Banda Attanayake, Licensed Surveyor, Leveller, Valuer, Court Commissioner, beloved father, loving husband and mostly a caring friend passed away on August 4 2016; a departure we could never come to terms with.

I first met Mr. Attanayake (he was "Atte" or TB" to most people, yet despite the closeness of our association I always referred to him as 'Mr. Attanayake' out of a kind of respect which I could not fathom. I met him through a mutual friend some thirty years ago when I was on the verge of taking oaths as an attorney-at-law. At that time the Kandy Court Complex was situated in Kandy town and Mr. Attanayake had a spacious office amidst the lawyers' offices and he invited me to join him, albeit wholeheartedly. I can still feel the warmth in those utterances. I was fortunate to share of an office even before I took oaths.

Soon many followed and in no time that office was sheltering people who found a place to begin their careers and almost all of them are now successful and leading lawyers, surveyors, draftsmen and among them are even judges - not to mention the many clerks, labourers and brokers who found their income through the generous Mr Attanayake.

He provided them all with the space they required. Apart from the humanitarian aspect of the man, the professional expertise he extended were commendable.

His eldest son is following in his footsteps.

Born on February 21, 1941 he made it to Matale Science College, a feat of excellence at the time. He departed leaving his wife, two daughters and three sons who are acclaimed professionals in their fields.

V. Malik Gunasekera,
Kandy.