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92nd birth anniversary of Felix. R. Dias Bandaranaike

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Felix was born on November 5, 1930 to former Supreme Court Judge Reginald Dias Bandaranaike and his wife, Freda Dias Abeysinghe. His siblings were Christine Manel Dias Bandaranaike, and brother Michael (Mickey) Dias Bandaranaike, an academic at the University of Cambridge.He was a brilliant student at Royal College winning many prizes. In 1953 he married Muthulakshmi Jayasundara, having met her at the Colombo University. Lakshmi, a first cousin of mine, who also qualified as a lawyer both at University and Law College.

After the death of Prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, Felix took to politics and won the Dompe seat at two elections in 1960. He worked very closely with Mrs Bandaranike, when she was elected to Parliament as the first woman Prime Minister of the world. He was appointed Finance Minister, the youngest in the Commonwealth, at the age of 29 years.

In addition he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs, a portfolio held by the Prime Minister. I recall his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to this Ministry with nostalgia as I joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1960 and he represented the PM at our Passing out Parade held at the Police Training School, Katukurunda, with the late Stanley Senanayake (former IGP) as Director of Training .

My parents were present at the reception that followed the parade and my parents and I were introduced to Felix, by the Director of Training. My cousin, Lakshmi, introduced my parents to the Director as her aunt and uncle. While Finance Minister, Felix resigned from his portfolio due to political issues but remained in the party and started developing his Naiwela Farm in Veyangoda making it a great success. He concentrated on the farm after the SLFP lost the election in 1965.

When in 1970 the SLFP gained power with the United Left Front, including the LSSP and the CP. Felix was appointed Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Local Government. During this period as Minister of Justice he made revolutionary changes in 1973 combining the two branches of the legal profession, Advocates and Proctors into a single profession styled “Atorneys-at-Law.

The Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) was was abolished in his time and replaced with the Ceylon Administrative Service (CAS). The Village Headmen became “Grama Sevakas”. In 1973, I became his Security Officer as my brother, Vere, who held that position was promoted and transferred to the Bribery Commission.

He was given additional responsibilities by Mrs Bandranaike, after Dr N.M.Perera’s LSSP and the Ceylon Communist Party left the government. During these years I had much to do with his electorate, some times handling the private secretary’s duties at the Ministry Of Justice and I had a very strong feeling he was losing his grip on the electorate. I cautioned him of a possible defeat but he told me “Nihal, Dompe is my pocket borough. I am sure to win even by 5,000 votes.”

This country (and SLFP too) lost a honorable and intelligent politician and leader by his premature death. He was a man of action.

In 1977, the late J.R.Jayewardene, with his five sixth parliamentary majority, went on to take revenge, from his political opponents. He did not spare Mrs B, Felix and my uncle Neale de Alwis. Felix was to face a three-judge Commission of Inquiry whose findings were challenged by him in courts. The Supreme Court, with one judge dissenting, held with him.A fighter against injustice, he never gave up. He finally turned to God and decided to obtain, a Doctorate in Divinity. I used to visit him and try to console him while he was fighting a terminal illness. He died on June 26, 1985, going back to his creator.

NIHAL DE ALWIS



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ComBank tops banking sector in LMD’s first Corporate Happiness Index

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A group of Commercial Bank staff in animated problem-solving mode

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been ranked No 1 among Sri Lankan banks in the inaugural Corporate Happiness Index (CHI) just released by LMD magazine.The Bank has also been ranked one of Sri Lanka’s “happiest second homes” taking fifth place overall in the ranking, following the high positions it achieved in the 16 attributes that made up the survey conducted by PepperCube Consultants for this pioneering initiative.

Remarkably, Commercial Bank was the highest-ranked bank in 14 of the 16 attributes, leading the banking sector in several fundamentally-important aspects related to employees, such as ‘Remuneration scales,’ ‘Rewards & Perks,’ ‘Career progression,’ ‘Work environment,’ ‘Gender balance,’ ‘Health & wellbeing,’ ‘Work-life balance,’ ‘Workplace diversity,’ and ‘Workplace flexibility.’

Commercial Bank was also ranked No 1 in the banking sector for ‘Financial stability,’ ‘Corporate leadership,’ ‘Workplace camaraderie,’ ‘Open culture’ and ‘Recreational facilities.’

Besides its emphatic leadership in the banking sector, the LMD Corporate Happiness Index ranked Commercial Bank among the top five corporate entities in Sri Lanka across all sectors, in 10 of the 16 attribute rankings, and among the top ten overall, in 15 of the attribute rankings.

The Bank was ranked second overall for the attributes of ‘Financial stability’ and ‘Workplace camaraderie,’ third for ‘Career progression’ and fourth in Sri Lanka for ‘Workplace diversity’as well as ‘Workplace flexibility.’

“The importance of workplace happiness cannot be over-emphasised in today’s fast-paced corporate environments, and we welcome this groundbreaking effort by LMD magazine to redefine understanding of workplace wellbeing and to rank companies on their progress in this sphere,” Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said. “At Commercial Bank, a lot of attention is devoted to creating a workplace culture that ensures that employees can achieve their full potential as they build their careers. Our biggest strength is our people, and there is intense focus on their wellbeing, including minimising work-related stress which can negatively affect the health of employees as well as the productivity of the organisation.”

Commercial Bank also has the distinction of being in the Top 10 of the LMD 100 ranking of Sri Lanka’s leading listed companies, which is primarily based on turnover, every year since the ranking was first published 31 years ago.

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Ceylinco Life closes 2024 with 13 awards for financial reporting and brand excellence

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Senior representatives of Ceylinco Life accepting the CA Sri Lanka TAGS Silver award (above) and the SLIM Local Brand of the Year Silver award.

Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader Ceylinco Life has brought 2024 to a close on a victorious note, winning a total of 13 awards, 11 for distinction in financial reporting and two for brand excellence.

The company’s annual report for 2023 received accolades from four prestigious local and international bodies – CMA Sri Lanka, CA Sri Lanka, the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and MerComm Inc., the presenter of the prized ARC Awards.

Titled ‘The Core of Trust,’ Ceylinco Life’s integrated annual report for 2023 was recognised as one of the ‘Top 10 Excellent Integrated Reports’ in Sri Lanka at the CMA Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2024, and was adjudged the first runner-up in the Insurance category. CMA Sri Lanka is the national professional management accounting body.

The Annual Report also won the Silver award in the Insurance sector, the Bronze for Corporate Governance Disclosure, and three Certificates of Recognition for Sustainability Reporting, Integrated Reporting and Digitally Transformative Reporting respectively, at the 2024 edition of the CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards, now branded the ‘TAGS’ Awards.

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Queen’s Hospital Medical Centre Opens in Ratmalana, Offering Affordable and Advanced Healthcare

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The staff members at Queen Hospital

The newly opened Queen’s Hospital Medical Centre in Ratmalana is revolutionizing private healthcare with state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate services. Equipped with advanced medical technologies, including ultrasound, echo, and X-ray machines, the hospital ensures accurate and timely diagnoses for patients. A team of experienced medical officers, nurses, and healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional care, said a release.

Patients can access OPD treatments for just Rs. 550, and until 31 January 2025, enjoy a 50% discount on X-rays and hospital charges for ultrasound or echo tests. On 29 January, the hospital will host a special medical camp offering free screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, and heart conditions. Pre-registration is required to secure a spot.

Queen’s Hospital also introduces a daycare service for elderly parents, allowing families to attend to their commitments while ensuring their loved ones are cared for in a safe, professional environment. Serving Ratmalana and surrounding areas like Kalutara, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, and Maharagama, the hospital eliminates the need to travel to Colombo for quality care. Convenient e-channeling services enable patients to choose their preferred doctor and save time and money.

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