E. E. C. Abayasekare: model administrator

A gratuitous appreciation after one's demise must necessarily bring back to mind history that had left a lasting impression. In that light, it would be correct to say that D. R. Wijewardena, the newspaper magnate was indeed a fortunate man to have in 1934, chosen a nineteen year old Thomian from Mount Lavinia, to be groomed for high positions in his company.

Earle Ebenezer Coke Abayasekare could aptly be described as an able Captain of a large ship that braved a rough sea.

After graduating in Economics from a London university (whilst working) with hard application to work he rose steadily to be the Company Secretary and General Manager, and year's later a Director of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

It was his prime charge to ensure that whilst the circulation of newspapers swelled, there was provided adequate newsprint imported, printing ink, machinery spares, a fleet of vehicles to transport the printed sheets, and a large labour force at different levels of employment.

In the business world and to those at the Central YMCA where he had an interest, he was known as "EECA" whilst in office in administrative jargon, he was always referred to as N1 (an office identification relic of the Nelsonian era used when P. C. A. Nelson, his predecessor held office as Company Secretary.

To use Scout parlance, Earle Abayasekare "WENT HOME" on August 18, 2005, at the ripe age of 90 years having served Lake House Investments Ltd. as a Director in charge of the Lake House Bookshop. In his youth he had shown qualities of leadership and self reliance.

Being a Scout, he was a member of the contingent that went from Ceylon in 1933 to the World Scout Jamboree held at Godollo, Hungary.

Years later, in the fifties and sixties he held high office as a Scout Commissioner, and also along with the writer edited the Golden Jubilee Scout Souvenir magazine in 1957.

After he joined the Lake House in 1934, in the forties he learnt methods of company administration from G. K. Stewart and Calvert, two Englishmen "imported" by D. R. Wijewardena to establish a corporate set up.

D. R. Wijewardena envisaged that his business should be in the form of a strong company to equal the Times of Ceylon. D. R. Wijewardena was not (as sometimes seen today) interested to line his own pockets by adopting unethical, devious methods.

In Earle Abayasekare, there was an honest, God-fearing man to deliver good results for all shareholders by way of annual dividends. His Board Memos were comprehensive. His resolutions at Board level were precise and had academic brilliance, and became an auditor's feast to read and digest.

As an indefatigable worker there was none to match him. He was always soft spoken, a man of few words and a perfectionist in all that he did.

The writer was one of five other assistants, Earle Abayasekare had in his adminstration of Lake House, and was fortunate to be tutored by him personally after 1955 for about twelve years.

Many would remember the amazing calmness he had when a major trade union action that lasted many months took place in 1957-58. His sagacious conduct during those trying months resulted in the Industrial Court award being in favour of the company, resulting in the loss of employment for over 180 strikers.

Abayasekare's style of administration was infectious. He was a leader of subordinates who fell in line, and desired personal upliftment.

As a family man who was father of seven children it was his happiness to see all of them grow up well in life in their own chosen fields of work. It was also his happiness to take them annually on a long holiday to Diyatalawa.

Having retired from service, he used his free time to follow a course in Buddhism at the University of Pali and Buddhist Studies, but never failed to attend church on Sunday. His other interest was home gardening, until he was medically advised to give it up.

A short epitaph to my teacher, gratefully remembered:

'As an administrator

he shone with brilliance,

His family life was beautifu

l memory

His absence is silent grief.'

May Earle Abayasekare

attain the bliss on Nibbana.

Upali Salgado