A tribute to late Eardley Perera, P.C.

by D. Laksiri Mendis

The third month remembrance of late Eardley Perera, P.C., fell on 30th March 2005. Memorial services were held at St. Theresa's Church at Thimbirigasyaya and at St. Joseph's Church in Moratuwa.

Eardley Perera can be described as the last of the legal luminaries of an earlier generation who dominated the criminal law practice in Sri Lanka. Others include late G. G. Ponnambalam, George Chitty, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva and Bunty de Zoysa.

In the late 1970's, Eardley Perera was the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for two terms. In this period, he travelled widely to attend several conferences and meetings of the Bar Associations worldwide and invited many legal personalities to Sri Lanka. I recall vividly Judge Sir Gordon Slynn, President of the European Court of Justice and his wife on a memorable trip to Sri Lanka as guests of Eardley and Shirley and their pleasant trip to Trincomalee during his presidency.

It is difficult to enumerate the famous cases in which he appeared, sometimes pro deo, during his long and illustrious career. These are recorded elsewhere and will be read from time to time by young lawyers. However, it must be said that Eardley Perera was not only a lawyer of great repute, but a Director of many companies, social worker, tennis player and above all a humane person who treated all with kindness and respect.

He was also a club person. He participated in the activities of the Carlton Club of Moratuwa for several years as a Committee Member and President with great zeal. He contributed immensely to the functioning of the Club, especially at the time of the fifties anniversary (1975), with President, Dr. A. M. Fernando, J. L. Fernando (author of the book 'First Three Prime Ministers'), Dr. Guy Silva and Harold Perera as members of the committee. As Secretary, I remember with nostalgia the manner in which the fiftieth anniversary celebrations were organized down to the last detail by the committee with military precision, to welcome a galaxy of distinguished guests.

O tempora, O mores!

Late Eardley Perera did not enjoy good health in the latter part of his life, but he was never held back due to illness. His life resembles that of Ulysses as described by Lord Tennyson in his famous poem. At it was said of Ulysses, it can be said of him that though much was taken, much remained and although he was not of the same strength as before to move earth and heaven, he was strong in will "to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield". Indeed, these qualities were central to his dynamic and unique personality.

I was sad that I was unable to attend his funeral. However, I was able to speak to him sometime ago when Shirley visited us in Austria. He was thrilled to hear that Shirley had sung Felix Mendelssohn's "On Wings of Song" at a farewell dinner held in honour of the Indian Ambassador in Vienna, Austria. When I told him on the telephone that the lyrics by H. Heine to this great composition were not about the Austro-Hungarian grandeur, but about the River Ganges flowing through lotus gardens in the northern Indian plains (Auf, Flugeln des Gesanges Die Lotosblumen erwarten), he laughed in a joyous manner. It was the last time I heard his deep voice.

I am sure those who came close to him cherished his company. He was indeed a flamboyant personality whether in a court of law or at a conference or on a dance floor where he coiled his way with charm and elegance to the music of Victor Sylvester, Bill Black's Combo or Johanna Jones' Quartet. He loved the good life. The memories of Eardley Perera, affectionately known to many of us as "Uncle Eardley", will no doubt linger in our hearts ad multos annos.