Features

NUJ and the Sampath Bank and the passing of the old brigade

Published

3 years ago

2023/10/1

Thilina Walpola

N.U. Jayawardene

(Excerpted from volume ii of Sarath Amunugama autobiograph

Back in Colombo I decided to sever my connections with WIF and concentrate on my academic interests. Accordingly, I began working with the International Centre for Ethnic Studies on an irregular basis. The ambience at ICES was very congenial with colleagues like Reggie Siriwardene, Kingsley de Silva, Neelan Tiruchelvam, Radhika Coomaraswamy, Sunil Bastian and Sithy Tiruchelvam. The ICES library was well stocked with the latest international magazines and books thanks to an energetic librarian Tambirajah who had earlier worked at the USIS and was an old friend of mine.

We had discussions and seminars on a variety of subjects with the participation of visiting academia, university lecturers and other public personalities. I could also participate in many international conferences abroad on behalf of ICES. One memorable meeting was with leading American Indologists held in the Napa Valley. We met in a small village hotel in the wine county. After the meeting I spent some time with friends in San Francisco which was an unforgettable experience.

This was the time when I became close friends with N.U. Jayawardene who, near to ninety years of age, still was in top form as an innovative and brilliant economist. It was a pleasure to meet him at home of an evening when he held forth on reforming the Sri Lankan economy. He was a perfectionist from his well-cut clothes to his cut glass decanters and whiskey glasses. He served only the choicest wines and whiskeys. He rode in the latest Mercedes Benz and had built his house in the most exclusive part of Cinnamon Gardens.

He was a hard worker and thinker and was making sensible policy prescriptions till the end of his days. When I became an MP I would consult him before speaking on economic matters. Bernard Soysa who was a Minister in 1994 complimented me on my speeches little knowing that I had been inspired by his distant kinsman NUJ. In politics they were poles apart but had a very cordial personal relationship. I still believe that if we had followed NUJ’s economic policy prescriptions Sri Lanka would have grown into an `Asian Tiger’.

NUJ was in the process of setting up his long time brainchild-a new commercial and savings bank which would use latest digital technologies and cater to a new group of depositors who were not presently investing their savings in local banks. His research had shown that a large number of rich people in the country kept their money at home or lent it irregularly to a small circle of borrowers.

NUJ wanted to call his new bank the Industrial and Commercial Bank of Sri Lanka. He asked me to recommend a forward looking advertising company which would convey his path breaking ideas to a public which could be persuaded to entrust their savings to the new venture. I had no hesitation recommending Irvin Weerakkody’s Phoenix Advertising company for this task.

I had worked with this company in the early days of the JRJ administration when we successfully changed the practice of issuing rice ration books by substituting a “Salli Potha” for a select category of consumers below the poverty line following the first budget of Ronnie de Mel. My minister Anandatissa de Alwis was an advertising wizard and I had worked with him on a communication strategy for a family health programme together with an American company which was held up as a model advertising campaign.

It was this campaign that popularized the “Preeethi” and “Mithuri” contraceptives which changed the demographics of the country. When the Taj group wanted to open an initial public offering of forty percent for Sri Lankan investors I recommended Phoenix Advertising. They presented a very creative campaign and the Taj IPO was oversubscribed much to the satisfaction of the Hotels division of the Taj group which was having internal management problems as well as difficulties with the Reserve Bank of India. It was the only silver lining in the balance sheet of the Taj Hotels division which underwent restructuring as a part of the internal leadership struggle between Ratan Tata and Mistry.

A salutary aspect of NUJs management style was that once we agreed on the concept of a campaign he did not interfere as long as the results were satisfactory. This was seen as his approach to the all important marketing campaign. I joined Irvin in planning the advertising campaign for NUJs bank. Another characteristic of NUJ was that he did not stint on advertising budgets.

We found that NUJs terminology of `Industrial and Commercial Bank’ needed to be changed to a popular and easily recognizable brand name. In our research we found that a lot of money was in the hands of a new class of nationalist minded businessmen and other rich individuals. To attract this clientele we invented the tagline “A Bank for the Sons of the Soil” which was a milder version of “Bhumiputra”.

I was reading an Indian magazine on economic activities and came across a reference to a small “Sampath” Bank in an obscure province. Something clicked and we persuaded NUJ to change the name of his Bank to Sampath Bank while retaining his original designation as a sub heading. This change worked wonders and the title of “Sampath Bank – a Bank for the sons of the soil” entered the marketing and economic landscape of the country.

We knew that we had scored an advertising “hit” when a large number of rich Buddhist monks who had up to then hoarded their considerable amounts of cash in their “Awasas” turned up in their posh vehicles to open deposits in the “Bhumiputra” Bank. So did many Christian clerics. Thus Sampath bank could open its business with substantial assets by way of savings deposits generated from a new breed of clients.

This interest in advertising rubbed off on my daughter Varuni who had entered the Law faculty of Colombo University of which GL Peiris was then the Vice Chancellor. Due to JVP violence the Colombo Campus was closed and the students had to languish for several years. I had enrolled Varuni for a course on advertising in Paris, which had a reputation for “frontier” advertising concepts. So with Irwin’s assistance she joined Phoenix advertising company and learnt the rudiments of marketing and advertising there in the heyday of that legendary institution.

Her close friends at that time were Dilith Jayaweera and Ishini Wickremesinghe. Dilith was a firebrand in the University and was once abducted by a rival student organization. This was no laughing matter then as some students had been roughed up and even murdered over University politics. I remember that Dilith’s friends came home to see me and got me to contact the IGP and the Minister of Higher Education of the time, Hameed, to take a personal interest in getting Dilith back from his abductors.

The following morning he was blindfolded and left near the Kanatte cemetery and we were all relieved that his life had been spared. Some time after ,since the University was as good as closed Dilith, Ishini and Varuni decided to set up an advertising company .It was a good move since they were short of capital to start a capital intensive company but had the advantage of accessing young “free lance” specialists like photographers, layout artists and copywriters which gave a new angle to their product unlike the work of full timers in the big advertising companies. That little acorn which was called Triad has now grown into a big oak and is the leading advertising company in the country with its own brand value and work ethic.

As we drifted towards the end of the 1990s Sri Lanka had ended the JVP violence after a horrendous bloodbath. The top leadership were almost all subjected to extra judicial killings. The armed forces were encouraged by Ranjan Wijeratne to eliminate them unlike in the case of 1971 when they were subjected to judicial proceedings through a Criminal Justice Commission. President Premadasa had once again shown that it was dangerous to cross his path.

This tendency was to be seen again in the near future when Lalith and Gamini, then in an uneasy alliance with him, began to challenge him openly and was kicked out of the UNP for their pains. But that was further down the road and will be described in the next volume of my memoirs. After passing the 1990s, Premadasa had to grapple with the LTTE which too, like the JVP, spurned his overtures for a settlement. But we could look to the future.

A journalist asked Pieter Keuneman, then in retirement from Parliamentary politics, what he now wished for. Keuneman, droll as ever, replied that he wanted to survive to see the new millennium. We all, now into middle age, could look forward to the coming decade with some hope. But how wrong we were. Most of the leaders of my time were brutally assassinated. This wave of violence engulfed all parties and all leaders. Many of the close friends I have described so far in my autobiography were cut down in their prime.

The hopes of many had resided with them and now they were all gone. Only JRJ remained to mourn the loss of his closest comrades and even note the demise of many who had opposed him tooth and nail. When some party stalwarts wanted him to come back after the assassination of Premadasa he refused to do so and backed Wijetunga’s claims to that office in terms of the UNP constitution. JRJ died of cancer in his 93rd year and was cremated, as he wished, by the Kelani river within sight of the famous temple with which his family was linked.

Kelaniya was his electorate when he entered politics and he always considered Kelaniya to be his home ground. JRJ too could not make it to the new millennium which displayed a very different type of politics. That will be the subject of the forthcoming third and last volume of my autobiography which will be entitled “In the Political Arena”.

(Concluded)

All News Advertisement

Up Next

My doctorate in medicine, honoris causa, from the University of Uppsala, Sweden

Don't Miss

REPUBLICANS HOLD SECOND DEBATE, IN BACKDROP OF CORRUPTION, LABOR UNREST AND IMPENDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Click to comment

Features

Complexities in global politics deepen as economic pressures intensify

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. (BBC)

The present offer by the UK to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the missile technology field in particular comes as ‘a stitch in time’ and the initiative is also likely to be appreciated considerably by democratic opinion world wide for the possible morale-boosting effect it would have on Ukraine. Besides continuous arms support, the conviction that the world’s frontline democracies are behind it would prove a huge plus in Ukraine’s eyes in its grinding fightback against the Russian invasion.

While continued US support for Ukraine could not be considered ‘a given’ any more, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s words during a recent visit to Kyiv that the UK would stand by Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes’ is the kind of assurance that Ukraine needs at present. For, the conflict in Ukraine is essentially a war of liberation conducted by the latter against an invader and deeply at issue here is the upholding of International Law and its foundational concepts, such as national sovereignty and a nation’s right to political self-determination. The world of democracy is of the firm view that the latter ideals cannot be compromised, come what may.

The UK has its work cut out in this connection. It would find it difficult to convince the Trump administration that it should staunchly stand by Ukraine but it could campaign vigorously with the rest of the West and the EU fold in particular to unflaggingly support the embattled and over-run country.

Ukraine has shown an impressive adeptness in using drone technology in particular against her enemy and has even manufactured her own hardware in this respect but using the relevant blueprints handed over by the UK for the manufacture of more sophisticated cruise missiles, for instance, may prove financially difficult, going forward. It is left to be seen whether the UK and the rest of the West who are with Ukraine will continue to be with her, considering their own rising financial constraints.

The latter impediments could only multiply in the future. Oil, gas and energy prices are on the rise and the latter costs are glaringly reflected in kitchens and meal tables the world over. As we go along consumer discontent would steadily intensify and governments, East and West, would need to figure out with considerable rigour and foresight how such disaffection could be ably managed. Failing which, in most democratic societies, the chances are that publics would be out on the streets demanding that their grievances be redressed forthwith.

These rising concerns are reflected in a recent move by some EU governments to consider imposing what is described as ‘a windfall tax’ on the profits specified major oil companies operating within their shores have made in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran. The rationale apparently is to use such tax earnings to cushion the rising cost of living of their publics and bolster the respective countries’ social expenditure.

In a recent letter to the president of the EU Council the EU governments referred to said, among other things, while drawing attention to the ‘discontent that is growing over the rising cost of living’: ‘A common approach’ is needed that ‘ensures those who profit from the crisis contribute their share to reducing the burden on the general population.’ Meanwhile, Oxfam with reference to the above development is on record as calling for a ‘permanent windfall tax of at least 50% on profits exceeding a 10% return on investment.’

Such are the rising economic pressures on the majority of Western governments. The question to be posed is how consistent they would be in their assistance to Ukraine if they decide consensually to stand by her. The soaring cost of living in the West compels the conclusion that there could be no guarantee that Western assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the defense and security fields, would be of a longstanding kind.

Of particular concern would be the fact that the weapons systems on offer from the UK to Ukraine could be increasingly costly to manufacture going forward. Besides they would need to be manufactured and put into action without delay.

However, these considerations should in no way deflect Ukraine’s supporters from the principled policy stance of defending her to the extent possible. Because at issue is the defense of International Law and the democratic system of government from their enemies; fascism and authoritarian rule.

While during World Wars 1 and 2 the US was with the major democracies of the West, this time around with regard to Ukraine, the US has chosen to be at cross-purposes with them. For instance, in relation to tariff matters and defense expenditure, in the NATO context, the US is pursuing a hard line which puts it at polar opposites with the West. Thus it is no longer possible to talk unreservedly of a ‘Western democratic alliance’. Put plainly, the cause of democratic development has been weakened.

A measure of relief for the supporters of Ukraine in the West could come by way of the upcoming mid-term polls in the US. If the Democratic Party fares well in them the pressure would be on the Trump administration to defer to opposition opinion at home, accommodate the best interests of Ukraine in its West European policy and perhaps even work towards a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis in cooperation with Russia. Accordingly, the Democratic Party would need to put the Trump administration on the defensive, so to speak.

Until such time Ukraine’s Western supporters have no choice but to remain committed to it, ensure its steadfast defense against the invasion and work judiciously towards keeping the economic pressures at home in check.

Interestingly, at the present juncture in international politics the US could be said to be more weak than strong. For example, it has to some extent been militarily humbled by Iran; so much so it is resorting to economic means to keep Iran in check.

In keeping with this strategy, the US has launched ‘a new big wave of anti-Iran economic sanctions’ at the time of writing, aimed at cutting Iran away from all its major income sources. Some of these relate to digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The hoped for result is the complete severance of Iran from the US dollar system.

However, while the UK and EU have no choice but to adhere to their policy of backing Ukraine, going forward they would need to dialogue more closely with the US and ensure that it cooperates with them on outstanding questions, such as Ukraine and the strengthening of democracy. The well being of the world is served when the latter aim is pursued.

Features

“Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya opening the event

OPA 39th Annual Conference calls for Sri Lanka to move Beyond Recovery towards Sustainable Transformation

The Orgnisation of Professional Associations (OPA) successfully concluded its 39th Annual Conference, held recently at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, under the theme “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery”.

Held under the patronage of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA, with the leadership and guidance of Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference, the Conference brought together leading professionals, academics, business leaders and representatives of the public and private sectors to deliberate on Sri Lanka’s next phase of national development.

The Inaugural Session, on August 2026, was graced by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, as the Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka, as the Keynote Speaker.

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised that overcoming the economic crisis alone should not be Sri Lanka’s ultimate objective, stressing that recovery must serve as the foundation for a broader economic and institutional transformation necessary for sustainable national progress. Reflecting on the difficult period experienced by the country, the Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka had faced significant economic, social and institutional challenges, which had weakened public confidence and created uncertainty about the country’s future.

She stressed that “recovery only provides the foundation” and that Sri Lanka can move forward sustainably only by using that foundation to bring about meaningful transformation.

The Prime Minister observed that the theme of the OPA’s 39th Annual Conference, “Envisioning Sri Lanka: Beyond Recovery,” aptly encapsulated these national aspirations. She emphasised that Sri Lanka’s objective should not merely be to return to the conditions that existed before the crisis, but to forge a stronger national foundation characterised by robust institutions, a resilient economy, high-quality public services and an enabling environment in which every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.

She further underscored that Sri Lanka’s future development cannot be secured through economic growth and physical development alone. She emphasised that the effective mobilisation of the country’s knowledge, skills and professional expertise, is equally essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive national progress

The Technical Sessions held on 12 August 2026 brought together 19 distinguished experts and professionals representing academia, industry, banking and finance, public health, technology, management and business leadership. Their diverse expertise provided a multidisciplinary platform to examine the critical challenges, emerging opportunities and strategic choices that will shape Sri Lanka’s next phase of development, with particular emphasis on economic transformation, institutional strengthening, digitalisation, private-sector growth, human capital and sustainable development.

The deliberations were structured around four principal sub-themes: “Resilient Recovery and Sustainable Economic Development”; “Future Readiness: Innovation & Transformation”; “Policy for Impact: Advancing Equity, Sustainable Living, and National Well-Being”; and “Leadership, Governance and National Responsibility.”

Across these thematic areas, the sessions explored the structural reforms, institutional requirements and policy choices necessary to move Sri Lanka beyond economic stabilisation towards a more productive, competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. The discussions brought together diverse professional perspectives, enabling participants to examine national priorities through economic, technological, industrial, financial, social and governance lenses.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to move beyond the diagnosis of problems towards pragmatic, evidence-based and implementable solutions. The deliberations recognised that sustainable national progress requires not only sound policies, but also effective institutions, professional competence, innovation, responsible leadership and the capacity to translate policy into tangible outcomes.

The sessions further underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors, recognising that Sri Lanka’s complex development challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. Stronger engagement among Government, private sector, professional associations, academia and civil society was identified as essential to fostering a coherent national response and ensuring that professional knowledge and expertise are effectively translated into policy and action.

Collectively, the Technical Sessions provided a substantive platform for knowledge exchange, critical reflection and forward-looking dialogue, reinforcing the OPA’s commitment to bringing the country’s professional expertise to bear on the task of building a resilient, innovative, equitable and prosperous Sri Lanka.

The OPA expressed its sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Chief Guest; Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Guest of Honour; and Murtaza Jafferjee, Chairman of the Advocata Institute, Sri Lanka and Keynote Speaker, for their distinguished contributions to the Conference.

Much of what the 39th Annual Conference achieved would not have been possible without the leadership, commitment and generous contributions of Jayantha Gallehewa, President of the OPA; Tisara De Silva, President-Elect and Chairman of the 39th Annual Conference; Eng. Ravi Rupasinghe, General Secretary; Dharshana Wijemanne, Treasurer; Bhanu Wijayaratne, Convener & the Chairman of the Session Planning Committee of the 39th Annual Conference Committee, Past Presidents and Office Bearers; Presidents and representatives of Member Associations; members of the Executive Councils and General Forum; and the distinguished Session Chairmen, Resource Persons and professionals who shared their time, expertise and insights in pursuit of the Conference’s shared vision. The OPA remains immensely grateful to all those whose collective contributions enriched the 39th Annual Conference and strengthened its role as a meaningful platform for professional exchange, informed dialogue and national reflection.

Features

Nostalgia for Lankans in Toronto …

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

For Sri Lankans living 14,000 kilometres from home, the sound of home has never felt closer — and that’s thanks to one man and his band.

Since stepping into the spotlight, Gamini Hemalal and the Ceymphony Band have turned into the heartbeat of the Sri Lankan community in Toronto.

Their mission is simple: bring the music, bring the memories, bring the people together. And it’s working.

What turned out to be the talk-of-the-town was their intimate musical evening with Sri Lanka’s legendary crooner Sohan Weerasinghe.

Sohan Weerasinghe: Had
everyone on their feet at the
Angus Glen Golf Club, in
Toronto, Canada

It was a ‘full house’ long before the big date. Tickets vanished within days — demand was that overwhelming.

According to those who were there, it was a truly amazing evening. The hall was packed, the energy electric. Sohan didn’t just sing — he owned the stage.

With his velvet vocals, his charm, and that signature style, he had everyone on their feet. The ladies, especially, couldn’t get enough. No wonder they call him “The Ladies’ Man!”

One attendee summed it up perfectly:

“We had so much fun. It is truly a blessing to have our kids around us, enjoying these beautiful moments together. Thank you, Gamini Hemalal, for such a wonderful evening, with an amazing crowd and an incredible atmosphere. Your hard work and dedication truly made it a special night.

“We also need to say a big thank you to the Ceymphony Band for delivering such an outstanding performance. You all were absolutely amazing! Our entire family had a fantastic time, and we truly enjoyed every moment.

Ceymphony Band: Extremely popular in the scene in Toronto

“Wishing you all continued success. Keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait for the next.”

And the next is already on the cards: ‘Halloween Pissu Baila Party 2026,’ on Friday, 30th October, at the famous Angus Glen Golf Club.

Gamini promises a crazy night of baila, music, dancing and Halloween vibes with the Ceymphony Band. Action runs from 8:00 PM to 12:00 midnight, with plenty of prizes to be won.

Gamini Hemalal: Amazing work for the Sri Lankan community,
in Toronto, Canada

Gamini is also putting together a special event, connected with the 2027 Avurudu celebrations — ‘Avurudu Musical Show 2027,’ a uniquely styled musical Avurudu celebration … Ceymphony Band style.

It’s scheduled to be held on Saturday, 10th April, 2027, also at the Angus Glen Golf Club.

Through music, Gamini Hemalal and Ceymphony are doing what diaspora bands do best — they’re shrinking the distance between two worlds.

One baila beat at a time, one full house at a time, they’re making sure that even in Canada, Sri Lankans feel like home.

Yes, there is plenty of action, indeed, for the Sri Lankan community in Toronto, Canada.