Dedicated and distinguished public officer, true patriot, friend of the downtrodden

Susil Sirivardana

I begin this tribute to a distinguished son of Sri Lanka with reference to the most magnificent accolade paid him by a Head of State. Susil was closely associated with the late President Premadasa in a housing program. Seeing him as an enthusiastic and dedicated officer, he once told Parliament that Susil Sirivardana was the most efficient and dedicated public officer he had ever worked with. I do not think any public officer has been so complimented by a Head of State in any country. I was closely associated with Susil when I was appointed an Asst. Secretary to the Ministry of Land, Irrigation and Power (M/LIP) and endorse President Premadasa’s compliment unequivocally.

Before I proceed to recall my working with Susil in M/LIP there was an incident, which I came to know through colleagues; in the examination for the intake of officers for the SLAS Susil was placed first in the written exam. An interview followed. He went for it in his customary national dress and slippers, carrying his documents in a reed bag (pan malla). Seeing him thus clad, a member of the interview board had asked whether Susil had a Sinhala degree from a Lankan university. Susil replied he had a First Class Honours degree in English from Oxford.

I’ve seen Susil’s desire to promote locally manufactured products at his home where the door curtains were of finely woven Dumbara mats rather than expensive imported material.

My close association with Susil needs explanation. The late Dudley Senanayake, following his father, realized the immense agricultural possibilities in Sri Lanka and its potential for youth employment. He therefore initiated the implementation of an islandwide Agricultural Youth Settlement Scheme both to promote the country’s agriculture and to demonstrate to youth that farming was a noble profession. The aim of this project was to make the country self sufficient in crops, not only rice but also subsidiaries like onions and chillies as well as spices like cardamoms.

The officers of M/LIP who administered this islandwide project were Messrs Cedric Foster and Susil Sirivardana. As District Land officer for the Kalutara District I had implemented three such projects, mainly for the cultivation of tea. Cedric decided to migrate to Australia and knowing my interest in the subject recommended me to the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to fill his vacancy. As a result Susil and I were in charge of implementing and administering the Agriculture Youth Settlement Project island wide.

In administering this project, Susil worked with such enthusiasm and energy that I found it difficult to keep pace. When I made visits to assess implementation and solve any problems that arose, I stayed in a government rest house or a reasonably priced hotel. Not so Susil; he stayed with the youth in the schemes not only to advice them but also to increase their commitment to the project. He often used the Sinhala term thrupthimath karanda (perfrom to the satisfaction of all). Susil had an excellent command of the Sinhala Language though his degree was in English from Oxford. Another excellent trait of Susil is that he treated all youth, whether Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim with the same respect and dignity. To him all citizens were sons of this country.

In implementing the AYSSP Project Sri Lanka received aid from a Dutch Organization ,referred in Dutch as N.O.V.I.B,(Novib), with Mr Von Vflyman beign the President and his representative in Sri Lanka being Miss Noyens. Novib gave technical assistance by making available the services of an irrigation engineer and an agriculture expert. Since only medium technology could be used in labour intensive agriculture, NOVIB funded the Import of Yanmar hand tractors from Japan. The Japanese Manufacturer, of these tractors, sent two technical persons to train the youth in the use and maintenance of the tractors. the World Food Progamme assisted the Scheme with the supply of several items of food .

Susil’s generosity was another trait which demonstrated his selflessness and his consideration for others, especially those in need. As I was administering the Project, Novib invited me to participate at a conference in the Hague on the subject of Youth in economic development. All costs involved ,including the air fare and hotel accommodation, were met by NOViB. This was at a time when the rigid close economy prevailed.. Anyone travelling abroad was entitled to British Pounds 3.50 only, and was permitted Pounds 50,for warm clothing, which was totally inadequate. I therefore had to purchase, the only warm clothing available in Sri Lanka, which were used clothing, known as “Bale”, as the import of such new clothing was banned. I did not have the funds even to purchase this “Bale”. Susil very generously financed me.

I was informed that Susil’s generosity led him unwittingly to be associated with the J.V.P. uprising in1971. According to unconfirmed reports, Susil ,being a patriot , desired to make available his talents to the unsophisticated rural folk out of the Colombo Metropolis. He therefore obtained a position in a rural school in the Anuradhapura district. Susil had befriended a person , perhaps another teacher, in the school he taught . This friend was in the process of constructing a house, but could not complete the house as he had run out of funds. It was reported that Susil gave his friend the money to complete the house. By some strange coincidence his friend was involved in the J.V.P. uprising. Susil being very methodical had kept records of monies he had lent to persons, with no intention of demanding repayment. I am aware of Susil keeping records, as Susil’s Father requested the return of the money lent to me as he had to employ lawyers for the legal case against Susil.

From my close association with Susil , I am convinced that Susil, due to his generosity and empathy for others, inadvertently came to be associated with the person, who had connections with J.V.P. sympathizers ,arising from his Anuradhapura connections. In my assessment Susil had no involvement with the insurrection . I was informed that there was some political pressure brought to bear on Susil’s been convicted, leading his incarceration. It was reported that Susil accepted his incarceration with his characteristic attitude of calm and composure. He refurbished the prison library at his expense and increased the stock of books there.

My close association with Susil in the M/LIP led to another incident. I lived at a place named Walana, close to the Panadura town. As at that time public officers were not entitled to official cars to travel from home to office, and were paid, what was called mileage, if their cars were used for official purposes. I had therefore to travel by bus to office. To permit me to do some reading, I used to take a bus to the Panadura town main bus stand, so that I could get a seat on the top deck of a double deck bus. On the day of the insurrection, there was a disruption in the bus services. and I boarded a single deck bus from near my residence at Walana junction, which is close to Panadura. At the Dehiwela bridge the bus was stopped at an army check point, and the passengers were asked to get off the bus. The army personnel, then searched the bus and a bomb was found under the seat where I was seated. It has to be noted that one place the J.V.P. had assembled its arsenal of bombs was at a cemetery in Panadura. All the passengers were detained. I informed the Officer in charge that I was the Deputy Controller of the Import and Export Control Dept. and I had to attend to some urgent office work. The Army Officer then permitted me to leave the place, and I boarded another bus to office.

When I was in my office , about an hour after I arrived, I had an anonymous telephone call asking me whether I could assist them , to transport bombs to several destinations. The fact the bomb in the bus was under my seat should have made the anonymous caller understand that no one will risk his life by carrying a bomb under his seat in the bus. I assumed the possibility that the Police gathered information, that I had worked with Susil. I was somewhat unnerved and I called the late D.I.G. Mr. Edward Gunewardene, my geography batch mate at the Peradeniya Unuversity. At that time Edward ( fondly called Edda at the University) was of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police. He replied that he was assessing the situation countrywide and asked me to contact him if I had any problem. The need did not arise.

Generosity was a virtue in Susil’s family. I chaired a Committee at E.S.C.P. on the subject of the transposition of the Standard International Trade Classification (S.I.T.C) to the new Customs Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System ( The Harmonized System). The last two sessions on this subject were to be at the United Nations Statistical office in New York. E.S.C.P. nominated me to represent E.S.C.P at these sessions.

I had made arrangements to stay with a friend of mine who lived in the outskirts of New York. When I arrived in New York the entire transport system had come to a halt due to a strike in all the transportation sectors. Due to the strike and the difficulty of commuting to New York all rooms in the reasonably priced hotels were booked .Susil had given me his brother’s address and telephone No. I contacted him and he picked me up at the U.N.. Susil’s brother not only provided me with transport to and from the U.N., but also so kindly invited me to stay with him .

I had lost contact with Susil after my assignment in the World Customs Organization and I was Shocked that Susil had passed away, as Susil was very much younger to me.

The best Tribute we can pay to the memory of Susil is to tread in Susil’s footsteps of Dedication and commitment to duty; Patriotism ; Empathy and Humility.

Susil, though you have left us so suddenly the exemplary memories that you have left with us, will not only be etched in our hearts and minds, but also in the annals of History of your beloved Motherland.

Elmo de Silva

elmodesilva@email.com