Ananda Jayasena:

A true friend

It was with a sense of nostalgia and profound sadness that I received the news of the passing away of my bosom friend Ananda Jayasena.

I first met Ananda in 1964 when he was a sub inspector attached to the Kotahena Police and our friendship transcended race and creed. I was the bestman at his wedding in 1974.

During the latter years although our visits were few and far between. Ananda would telephone me at least twice a week to reminisce and savour those halcycon days where values, virtues and qualities were what mattered life.

Ananda joined the police in 1957 as a Sub-Inspector and retired as Senior Superintendent, Fraud Bureau. Although he served as OIC and HQI in many police stations his promotion to ASP was unduly delayed due to the influence of a vindictive member of the Interview Board.

However, Ananda did not run after politicians. He was no sycophant but an officer of integrity. Ananda was one of that rare breed of police officers who was honest and impartial.

He and his wife Prema, a nursing sister at the General Hospital Colombo, built their home in Borelesgamuwa after obtaining a bank loan and paying for it with the honest sweat of their brows.

During the 1971 insurgency Ananda was the OIC in Akuressa which was a stronghold of the JVP.

The police station was attacked and razed to the ground but Ananda was able to shift to the Akuressa Rest House from where he directed counter operations. As ASP he served in the areas of Kalmunai and Wadamarachchi.

During his tenure he investigated into many serious crimes, conducted prosecutions and successfully convicted the miscreants in Courts.

Ananda was a true and loyal friend. He would go that extra mile to assist those in need.

I cherished the visits and time we spent together in the many police stations he was in charge of. His calm and unruffled manner and his ability to listen, enabled him to inquire into complaints and deal with them firmly but fairly.

After he retired from the police he worked for several private security services as superintendent of investigations.

He regularly contributed articles which were published in the English newspapers.

The large gathering that attended his funeral was ample testimony to the esteem and respect he commanded form his fellow police officers and all those who were fortunate to know him.

His wife Prema, children, grandchildren and family can take solace in their grief and pride in their hearts and minds that Ananda Jayasena was a decent, carcing human being, an officer and a gentleman. Good-bye Ananda and may you attain Nirvana.

Denis de Rosayro