Sam Wijesinha, a Man for all Seasons - Justice C.G. Weeramantry

Atapattu BANDARA

Former Secretary General of Parliament and first Ombudsman Sam Wijesinha is a wonderful advertisement for Sri Lanka in its international affairs as he was a true gentleman, highly respected by the international community, former judge of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Justice C.G. Weeramantry said.

He was addressing the ceremony at the launch of the book 'Sam Wijesinha, His parliament, His World: 90 years at the Centre of Sri Lanka' at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) yesterday. The book launching ceremony organized by Parliamentary Staff Union was held under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne .

Justice Weeramantry further said Sam Wijesinha is a Man for all Seasons, a fountain of knowledge and wisdom and if one happened to speak to him it could be an encyclopaedic survey that would bring an all round knowledge on almost everything.

“His excellent memory power and outstanding character was exemplary and respected by all around the world . One who came with frustration to Sam would depart contented as he was very generous and treated everybody with kindness”, he said.

“His experience which spanned in many spheres for 90 years brought him glory and prestige as he was a genuine and committed individual with an unblemished character”, he said.

His modest and humble approach to anybody is outstanding, he further added.

“Though Sam is known by Sri Lankans as an individual who is a mobile encyclopaedia, he maintains an unblemished image among those in the international community as a scholar with great respect. Some international judges have commended his excellence with gratitude”, he pointed out.

Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy delivering a lecture said Sam Wijesinha is an excellent mentor who deals with all communities.” He is a friend of all communities and he associates with people from all walks of life without any obstacle”, he said.

“There is a great deal for the younger generation to learn from Sam”, he explained. He is driven by a strong desire to help people and anybody who comes to him dejected would always be helped with cash and kind”, he said.

Tissa Devendra said Sam Wijesinha hails from a respectable family and he is also blessed with wonderful children who hold key positions in the country.

“Sam Wijesinha is truly a humane person coming from a Buddhist background studying in key respectable Buddhist schools,such as, Rahula Collage, Matara and Ananda College, Colombo.

"His outstanding tolerance would have been due to his religious background he said."