Dr. Leel Gunasekara:

An inspiration for the future generation

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

He speaks volumes. Even the book written on him two years ago on his 80th birthday with a number of articles by his contemporaries, does not speak about his experience and expertise. Appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Rajarata, Dr. Leel Gunasekara, the scholar, writer, versatile civil servant and ardent social worker continues to serve the motherland to the best of his abilities.

"A civil servant must be a good social worker. Then only will he or she understand the needs and pain of the people," said the veteran scholar reminiscing of his golden past. "That is how I worked, " he said.

After graduating from the University of Ceylon, young Gunasekara had the chance to sit for selection tests for civil administration and international civil administration. When he passed both examinations, destiny led him to the local civil administration. "I chose that path because I wanted to be close to the people and I thought if I went on a foreign posting I would lose the Sri Lankan touch. So I stayed back," Dr. Gunasekara said.

When all his peers chose to serve in nearby districts, young Gunasekara chose Mannar for his cadet period. "One reason was the Tamil language proficiency and I thought when I start my civil administration career in a different place I would definitely gain the heartfelt goodness in people," he said with a smile. Though he chose a remote and a difficult area the start of his civil service was a glorious one.

"I received a very encouraging letter from the then Government Agent of Mannar. He said that I have nothing to worry about my accommodation. He said his history was moulded by the wonderful people such as the Mannar GA.

"One day while I was serving in Mannar I visited Anuradhapura and something compelled me to go to the Anuradhapura Kachcheri.

There I witnessed the suffering of the people and that day I made a wish at the Sri Maha Bodhi for an opportunity to serve the Anuradhapura people. And I do not know how it happened but my next posting was to Anuradhapura," he said.

The resurrection of the Anuradhapura sacred city, bringing back the glory of Mihintale the cradle of our civilisation were initiated during his era and he played a key role in all those projects.

"Ironically years ago, when I visited Anuradhapura as a schoolboy with my uncle we were listening to a speech by the former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike at a public rally. My uncle told me: "Boy, grow up to become a person like the Prime Minister and make a speech at a public rally." Being a Government Agent I made hundreds of speeches but what my uncle told me still echoes in my mind," he said.

Moreover he carved out a significant niche in his period of service and maintained high standards and professional rectitude. As a senior class I officer of the Ceylon Civil Service Dr. Leel Gunasekara has served at higher levels in some of the more important Ministries such as Defence, Foreign Affairs, Cultural Affairs and Social Services. In Provincial Administration he was a popular Government Agent in Mannar, Anuradhapura, Kegalle, Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts.

One of the notable assignments Dr. Gunasekara held was the post of Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers during the Sirimavo Bandaranaike period.

The most notable responsibility he accomplished was the rehabilitation of 20,000 youth who were involved with the 1971 insurrection. By then he was also the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. He served as the Director of Asian Pacific Youth Development under the Commonwealth Secretariat from 1975 to 1978. From 1992 to 1995 he served as the Regional Adviser - Social Development Policy and Planning of the UN ESCAP. This is all in addition to his unique contribution to the literature and culture.

He is also the founder President of the Sinhala Writers' Organisation.

The name Leel Gunasekara and the Helpage movement is one of the most remembered combinations. His care for the elderly people started on his retirement from the Government Administrative Service. Based on his experience with the Sarvodaya Movement and the United Nations later on, suggestions were made to the authorities on implementing certain actions for the well-being of the elderly people. "Not only elderly care I even got actively involved in protecting consumers' rights and the precursor to the Consumer Affairs Act was introduced to the legislature through this organisation," he added.

During his illustrious career and life Dr. Gunasekara was an exemplary among the literati. His experience gained while serving the people of Mannar and Anuradhapura encouraged him to write many books. His Pethsama (or the petition) was the first of such documentary type novels. And later came Athsana (the signature) and then Mama nethi da (when I am no more). Today Pethsama is in the school curriculum for Ordinary Level students.

Even at 82, he visits schools to share his thoughts with the younger generation. His interests and talents can be seen in a number of fields. His enthusiasm never seems to die.

He earned his doctorate at the age of 70 from the Sri Jayewardenepura University. Though he could have gone for an honorary title easily he preferred to follow the usual procedure and studied for the doctorate.

What made him multi-faceted?

"My family background was the inspiration for my enthusiasm in different fields. I'm from a Sinhala Buddhist family of eight children and grew up in a religious background. My parents were literary minded and closely associated the literature of their era.

And three of my sisters were teachers. They were always reciting poems. I was the seventh child and one brother was younger than me," he said.

"I'm a product of three Catholic schools, St. John's College Panadura, St. Thomas' College, Matale and St. Sylvester's College, Kandy.

But we always grew up with a close relationship with the Sunday Dhamma School. Even at present I closely work with the Asokaramaya temple close to my residence. I think all these factors contributed to my thinking pattern, Gunasekara said.

Dr. Leel Gunasekara belongs to a generation of highly inspirational scholars who set paths and guidelines for the future generations. Today he is back in Anuradhapura serving the Rajarata University and its youth where surely he will be an inspiration and mentor for the future of the motherland.