TRIBUTE

Bandula P. Ratnayake

My memory traces back to 1970 when I first met Bandulasena Prathapasinghe Ratnayake, Bandula as he was fondly known among his friends, while I was working in the Mineral Sands Corporation. In 1970 he joined our team at Mineral Sands as a Graduate Trainee (Administration). Bandula after his graduation at the University of Peradeniya, as was the practice of many undergraduates at the time to earn a little pocket money, started teaching at an Educational Institute of the Malwatta Chapter, pending results of his final examination. Even after graduation he continued to teach there for some time and was trying suitable alternative employment elsewhere. It was during this period that he met Lalitha who became the life-time partner later. This is how Bandula who is hailing from a respectable family of 'Prathapasinghe' in deep South, found his partner from the Kandyan Hills.

In response to an advertisement by the Mineral Sands Corporation Bandula applied for a post of Graduate Trainee there and was selected. Bandula being a very energetic and industrious hard worker was soon confirmed as Administrative Officer. After a couple of years he was sent to the Pulmodai Factory as Personnel Officer. After a brief period there he was brought back to Head Office in Colombo as the Corporation Secretary and Personnel Manger, when I, who held that position, left Mineral Sands.

Bandula had a very successful career at Mineral Sands, liked by the employees as well as the higher Management.. Thereafter I saw Bandula moving from place to place seeking better pastures. At Mineral Sands he was able to follow a couple of short courses on Personnel Management and Integrated Management and Productivity at the then Management Development Productivity Centre, now known as National Institute of Management.

From Mineral Sands he moved on to Oils and Fats Corporation as Personnel Manager and then to National Savings Bank as Asst. General Manger (Personnel and Administration). During this period he also overlooked the activities of the Bankers Training Institute as Administrative Director. He was later appointed the Deputy General Manager at the Bank. Ultimately he got disgusted with the undue political interference at NSB at the time and left the Bank to join Volanka Ltd as its Personnel Manager. After a brief period there he left the Company when their Factory and Head Office were shifted out of Colombo. After leaving Volanka he did not take up any permanent job. He became a free lance Consultant in Industrial Relations and also functioned as an Inquiring Officer in Domestic Disciplinary Inquiries at various organisations. Bandula's active involvement in the activities of the Institute of Personnel Management is another chapter in his illustrious career in Human Resource Management. He enroled himself as an Associate Member of the Institute while he was in the Mineral Sands Corporation.

Since then got involved in all the activities of the Institute as one of the early members. He served in the Council of Management of the Institute as a member, Hony. Secretary, a Vice President, the Senior Vice President and ultimately was unanimously elected as the President on 23rd July 1993 for a two year period. At that time he had been elevated to the Grade of Fellow Member.Y. S. David (Director Human Resource of Jaferjee Brothers Group) then Editor of the Institute's News Letter made this Editorial Note in the Issue of 16th July/September 1993 on Bandula: "Members will remember him as the Chief Organiser of all the Seminars held in the past few years which brought in the much needed Funds to the Institute. We are confident that the IPM is in god hands." He later functioned as the part-time Director of Studies while continuously serving as a Council Member and a long standing Resource Person until a permanent Director of Studies was appointed recently. During his period the Institute's Business School was made the Bee Hive of the IPM. In short he became a live wire of the Institute conducting Seminars, introducing new courses, training the trainers, doing Consultancy Services for the Institute, finding the funds needed to run the organization etc. At that time his second home was IPM spending most of his time there. His service to the Institute was enormous. He once served as a Labour Consultant to Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and during this period he prepared two booklets to serve as Guides for HR Managers of the Chamber.

Bandula has been a sincere friend and a trustworthy colleague for many of us of the IPM. The present President Lalith Wijetunga and his Council Members, some senior members and the staff on hearing the sad news immediately visited the residence and paid their heart-felt tribute to late Bandula.

Bandula who, with his tireless energy and strong determination, never gave up any battle without reaching the expected goal ultimately lost the battle of life in an unexpected manner at the age of just over 68. Self-made Bandula had a very harmonious family life. His body was handed over to the Medical Faculty of the Colombo University as a wish he had expressed to his wife. He leaves behind his loving wife Lalitha and his daughter Indika and son Sathiyajith. We share our sorrow with them.

May he attain the Bliss of Nibbana!

S. Egalahewa