|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 2 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
New IGP - an academic, administrator and sportsman by Premasara Epasinghe One of the highest and most prestigious positions to which a citizen of this country could aspire to is that of the Inspector General of Police. Yet, it is also a position which carries with it, grave and onerous responsibilities. Yesterday, (October 1st) Chandra Fernando assumed duties as the new Inspector General of Police. He is the 29th person to hold this position. Fernando, is an academic as well as a sports personality. As a schoolboy, he excelled as a brilliant all-round sportsman. He played Hockey and Basketball. He had the proud distinction of captaining the Hockey Team of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya, in 1959-1960. He was a Queen Scout too. He joined Thurstan College, Colombo, later. There too, he shone as a versatile sportsman. Undoubtedly, the training and the experience, he gained in the playing field taught him fair play, confidence and improved his leadership qualities and personality. He was fit both mentally and physically, which helped him to take correct decisions at the correct time, quickly and promptly. He entered the University of Vidyodaya (Present - University of Sri Jayawardanepura) the Great Seat of Learning in the 1960s, after a brilliant school career. I had the privilege of meeting him for the first time as an Undergraduate at the University. We were batch mates and contemporaries. We learned Modern History, at the feet of late Professor Hema Ellawala, Chandra did a Honours Degree in Modern History and I did a General Degree. He was a brilliant student. I still remember as the Vice-Captain of the first ever University of Vidyodaya Cricket Team in 1967, we trounced the University of Vidyalankara by nine wickets in the first Big Encounter played between the two prestigious Universities, at the Nomads Grounds Colombo. Although, Chandra was not a member of our Cricket team, with Dr. P.V.J. Jayasekera, gave us moral support and encouragement, through out the Cricket season. Internationally reputed scholar and our Vice Chancellor, late Dr. Walpola Rahula, motivated us. Chandra was always a team man, and he always encouraged sports activities in the University. Even as an Undergraduate, he was a very popular personality in the University, among students, lectures, professors and the minor staff. He was a charming personality full of life. Chandra was born on 12th December 1945. He joined the Police force on 15th December 1971 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police. He was promoted as a Deputy Inspector General on 5th February 1991. On 1st October 2004 he was elevated as the 29th Inspector General of Police (IGP). He held very vital and important Posts, as the Head of Police Training and Recruitment, Information, Technology and Research, Planning Implementation and Statistics. Before, he was appointed to the highest position of Inspector General of Police, he was in-charge of Internal Administration, Audit (Inspections and Review) at the Police Headquarters Colombo. Although, Chandra joined the Police, he continued his academic pursuits as a keen student. Today, he holds a B.A. (Hons), LLB (Sri Lanka), LLM (Japan). He is also a visiting Lecturer in Criminology. Further, he is an Attorney-at-Law. Chandra obtained his Law Degree from the Open University of Ceylon. He obtained his LLM from the University of Tohoku, Japan. Presently, he is preparing for his Doctorate. In the academic sphere, there are no limitations to what heights he could reach. Chandra is the first Police Officer to win the Order of the Rising Sun Award from the Emperor of Japan in 2003. He is the Vice President of Medical-Legal Society, President of Sri Lanka Training and Development Association and Japanese Graduate Association. He is also, an Executive Member of Asian Crime Prevention Association. He led the Sri Lanka Police Delegation to the 3rd SAF Police Seminar held in Katmandu, Nepal. He had studied the Police Administrative Systems in India, France, Singapore and Russia. Chandra is married to Nandani. She retired as the Vice-Principal of Sri Vaishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo. She is a fine Teacher and Educationist. Nandani is always a tower of inspiration to Chandra. Their two lovable sons are Lalinda an Engineer by Profession, who is settled down in England and Roshan a student at Royal College, Colombo. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
