Appreciation

Gerard Wijekulasuriya

Few weeks back all old and young Benedictines, bankers, friends and family bid farewell to Gerard with grieving hearts at Madampitiya cemetery.

Gerard who hailed from Mutwal had his primary and secondary education at St Benedict’s College.

He excelled in his academic studies and in sports. While at college he represented the under 16 cricket team and thereafter played for the first XI from 1971-1973 as a wicket keeper / opening batsman. His contribution at inter-school cricket matches enabled the college to record some historical wins.

After leaving school he joined the staff of J L Morrisons Ltd and later on assumed duties at M/s Tudor V Perera and Co. - the well-known auditors. This accountancy exposure enabled him to join the Commercial Bank along with his academic qualifications. He devoted himself fully to serve the bank which he cherished for the past 32 years and rose up to the position as Manager – City Office until his untimely death.

While he was a banker he found the time to make notable contributions to his Alma Mater. He was one of the key figures instrumental in forming the College Welfare Society in 1990 under the Presidency of Rienzie Arsekularatne – President’s Counsel.

This Committee was instrumental in preparing a solid constitution embedding a set of rules and regulations to be followed by the administrators when handling the finances of the college.

He was associated with this committee for several years. He held the position of committee member, treasurer and lastly vice president. This vibrant body is still functioning taking care of the day to day expenses of all college activities and meeting a part of the staff salaries.

At this juncture, I would like to note with a sense of gratitude, the role Gerard played as Chairman of the DS/Bens Big Match Committee.

During his chairmanship when our turn came to host the 50 over game, how meticulously he planned out the operations with all other connected bodies of the college.

He was outspoken, honest and had very good disciplinary qualities. As the secretary in this prestigious committee I can remember every match we hosted the profits derived from same was credited to a separate account opened by the Old Boys Union and these funds were utilized for the progress of sports at the College.

Gerard was a personality par excellence. After a 50 over match was over, within one week all income and expenditure statements were tabled and approved by the committee. This shows his honesty and personality traits.

This type of transparency systems should be grasped by the present generation.

Further, he also devoted his time for the Old Boys Union. He was a treasurer and later a council member for several years.

Gerard leaves his wife Rohini and the two sons namely Sameera, who is an Engineer by profession serving as a lecturer at the University of Purdue, Indianapolis, USA and his second son Shankar who is attached to Jetwing Gr

oup of Companies as a Tour Executive.

Finally, as a very close friend of Gerard, I would like to raise my hat to an ardent Benedictine who lived a life, carrying the motto during his earthly sojourn of his beloved school ‘Religio-Mores-Cultura’.

All Benedictines thank you Gerard for your commitment and services to mankind and to St Benedict’s College. May your soul rest in peace.

Angelo Canjemanaden