[Tribute]

Neil Weerasinghe

The curtain was drawn on the illustrious career of an outstanding officer and gentleman; Rtd. DIG Neil Weerasinghe, an epitome of simplicity, compassion and commitment. He also excelled in cricket and tennis having represented his alma mater St. Joseph’s Colombo and the police department.

It was his abiding love for the country, fierce loyalty to his professional tenets and renowned incorruptibility that captured the attention of President J.R. Jayewardene in the eighties when Neil was hand-picked as chief of his personal security.

A colossus who strode the halls of power be it Police Headquarters, the Defence Ministry, Ward Place, Temple Trees or the social circuit of Colombo elite with supreme confidence, he was never known to lose the common touch. He was blessed with the gift of making his presence felt the moment he entered any forum.

The secret of his success was his devoted and charming wife late Lena and his four wonderful children, the grandchildren and the sons in law whom he loved with a passion and with whom he enjoyed a special rapport. The indulgent father that he was and despite a busy schedule he always made time for them.

I was singularly privileged to have known him as my mentor and a role model but without a doubt was an excellent boss who possessed an abundance of compassion, honesty and understanding as well an acute deficit of guile, craft and deceit. He stood for justice, fought relentlessly for what he believed and was never known to cave in to outside pressure in contrast to some of those at the helm of office who are prepared to bend over backwards for mere survival.

A man with a vision for the police service, I still recall calling on him a few moons before his death. It was to be my last visit to him.

When our little banter skirted around the current Police Service which of late have earned notoriety; in whispering tones he told me: “I wish they could make the doors of our Police Service wide enough to receive and serve all who need our service with compassion and understanding of human problems but narrow enough to shut out envy, pride and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough so there would be no stumbling blocks for erring cops or straying feet of senior men but make it strong enough to withstand corruption or the power of temptation”.

This spoke volumes for the insight and the vision of the man.

Nonetheless, his success confronted him with a dilemma. While he won fame and laurels as a policeman who reached the zenith of his career his soul continued to be stirred by the vision of the constant violations of a litany of Human Rights perpetrated so flagrantly today.

Even in his last days such vision was still vigorous and he was fired with the same zeal, enthusiasm and faith. Service to mankind and respect all beings were his priority that he despised and abhorred any human rights violation.

His professional accomplishments are too numerous to cite completely in this brief tribute. His achievement as a professional Cop and his contribution to the public service even after his retirement at the request of the Head of State as Chairman Plywood Corporation, as Director Administration and Security Civil Aviation Authority are testimony of his integrity, commitment and reliability.

We are infinitely richer to have known such a gentle, kind and a genial man as Neil Weerasinghe.

Yes, one could not help but admire this man of indomitable energy, moral courage, finesse and style.

He lived a simple life, a life so flagrantly battered in terms of false values and could hardly afford the luxuries of private hospital and its staggering bills or a palatial house liken to some of his ilk. Yes, Neil was a symbol of commitment with simple values. He lived by the ethnicity and customs inculcated to him by the rigid discipline of his old school and his parents.

He was generous to a fault and kind-hearted that made him give until it hurt to those in need. Reaching out to people was a special gift. Even at the height of an extremely busy career, he made time for all who sought his help.

His sincerity and charismatic image attracted those with similar genuine qualities. A lovely human with an equally beautiful mind; May the

Lord lead him to the joy of eternal bliss.

Goodbye Sir and may you rest in the Peace of Christ.

Carlyle de Silva, - Kalubowila