'Dr. Weerakoon was a practising Buddhist'

by Senkadagala group corr.

My approach to evaluating Dr. Prem Weerakoon was in terms of the moral worth of his life and work as a practising Buddhist, the reason being that Buddhism is a moral teaching observed Professor Buddhadasa Hewavitharana Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Peradeniya and Chairman, Udarata Development Planning Committee.

He said so in an evaluation lecture by him on the topic "Deshabandu Dr. Prem Weerakoon, cultivated moral excellence".

It was held at the International Buddhist Centre auditorium at Asgiriya Maha Viharaya, Kandy on the occation of the first death anniversary commemoration of Deshabandu Dr. Prem Weerakoon who was a reputed specialist dental surgeon in Kandy.

Dr. Weerakoon who passed away on April 13, 2004 was honorary President for over 20 years of the Kandy Friend-in-Need Society and the inaugural chairman and Chief Advisor of the "SUCCESS" organisation for well high eleven years. In later life he held the chief patronship of both these organisations until his demise.

He was four score and two at the time of his demise. This first death anniversary Commemoration was organised jointly by the Kandy. Friend-in-Need Society and the SUCCESS organisation, both based in Kandy.

Prof. Buddhadasa Hewavitharana in his discourse mentioned that a key concept in Buddhist thought is Sukha, translated as happiness, meaning a quality of mind that arises when one does good to oneself without harming others and do good to others as well. Such happiness can be derived while engaging in the daily life activities of earning one's income, employment, enjoying one's wealth and of interacting with society, provided that these are conducted under the guidance of the moral and ethical values that have been spelt out. This sukha is integrated with the moral ethical development of a person.

To me this evaluation of Dr. Prem Weerakoon will serve as a good case- study to establish my thesis that be cultivated moral excellence and reaped happiness in doing so, elaborated Prof. Hewavitharana.

Delving more into the character of Dr. Weerakoon, Prof. Hewavitharana said that his long standing personal relationship with Dr. Weerakoon which started in 1957, as a young assistant lecturer, was staying at the A.I. bungalow at Upper Hantane, which was the bachelor's staff chummery - Dr. Weerakoon who had earned his degree from Australia joined the Dental Faculty staff at this time. Dr. Weerakoon moved in to the newly-built C I bungalow next door, as its first occupant in the Peradeniya University Village.

Prof. Hewavitharana further said that he remembered how this very friendly neighbour would go even out of his way to give him lifts in his car, Borgward, Isabella with the low-slung and reclined driver's seat, which made his eyes just peer over the dashboard in finding his way down the steep and winding sigzag roads.

About three decades later. Dr. Weerakoon entered into my own life and work as if by destiny, emphasised Prof.Hewavitharana. Dr. Weerakoon at that time visited him at his home in the company of few others to write him to help them find the SUCCESS organisation as its chief adviser - Dr. Weerakoon thereby proved himself to be his Kalyanamithra.