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Tilak Padmaraj adasa > An Appreciation
Related Articles :
The Chartered Accountant – Journal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka
An
Appreciation and Tribute to Late Mr. Tilak Padmarajadasa
by Prasantha Abeykoon
I
first came to know Tilak Padmarajadasa through Senaka Wijesinghe, a classmate
of his D. S. Senanayaka Vidyalaya. We entered Sri Jayawardenapura University
together in November 1984, and were to soon become friends, and then onwards,
for me he was to be guide and counselor is he was for many others.
Academic Achievements and Professional Work
His academic achievements were many. At J'pura many talked of him as the
one who had scored the highest marks at the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination.
In the degree examinations he came out on top of the batch with record
breaking aggregates. Offers from the University to join the academic staff
had to be declined as at the time, he was in the middle of his illustrious
career in the accountancy field with world famous C&L.
By 1986, he had also completed the Chartered Licentiate, and every firm
he applied for articleship was keen on him. But he joined V R K de Silva
& Co. Chartered Accountants, where he served for two years till he
joined the local branch of Coopers & Lybrand (C & L), one of the
five prestigious Chartered Accountancy firms in the world.
While at VRK de Silva's he completed the Chartered finals within 12 months,
winning the first in order merit prize and seven other subject prizes.
With the completion of his examinations, and before membership he was
to undertake teaching assignments at the Institute, first in auditing
and later in Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Decision-making
as subjects.
But we had to wait till 1990, a six-year period, the longest any batch
had, to complete the degree in the circumstances that prevailed at the
University and in the country at the time.
Services to the Institute
Soon his services to the Institute multiplied; as marking examiner, setting
examiner and in judging of corporate reports. He participated in developing
study materials and curricula, and also in formulating Accounting Standards
and other development activities. His services in several Committees of
the Institute, including Accounting Standards, Auditing Standards and
Examinations proved an enormous strength to the Institute.
Services to Coopers & Lybrand
At C&L, he climbed the ranks rapidly. Major assignments and projects
were entrusted to him. With our guru, the Senior Partner Deva Rodrigo,
he was an automatic choice in ‘High Powered Teams' for complex and
important assignments. Others wished to team up with him for a life-time
experience.
In 1993, he was made a partner of C&L, the youngest partner in their
Asia-Pacific network. This I learnt from the inter-office correspondent
as I myself had left for the C&L office in Botswana. While at C&L
he completed his MBA at the PIM and then served as visiting lecturer in
Corporate Business Finance and Strategic Management.
His Core Professional Values
After leaving C&L he managed his own firm, Tilak Padmarajadasa &
Co. and applied the core values of his professional life in the selection
of assignments he undertook. He turned down an FAO assignment to develop
a National Livestock Development Policy for the government (carrying a
tag of RsO.5 million) as "...animal culling is not for me."
But offered to develop a business plan for NEREC, the National Educational
Research and Evaluation Centre, for half the specified cost. In a span
of 18 years he served many blue chip companies, almost all regional plantation
companies, faculties and subsidiaries of universities, and international
institutions such as ADB, USAID and World Bank.
His
Work Ethics
Tilak's work ethic was based on the core values of the company, Management
Frontiers, which I helped him to establish upon my return from Botswana.
He spelt out these in the company profile, as follows: 'Professionalism.
integrity, transparency and objectivity'
`Dissociation with core business in tobacco, narcotics, lethal weapons
and animal slaughter'
'Commitment to latest knowledge and technology'
`Caring employer'
Personal Life
On 5th December, 1986, while still at C&L, he married Sunethra, an
equally charming, gentle and caring lady. Difficult experiences seemed
to come his way. The next five days they were to spend at Hunas Falls,
almost closed, as the only guests, without power, transport and other
facilities, during the height of JVP activities.
They were blessed with a son Sunera and a daughter Jinadaree. Tilak did
not have much ambitions in life except one. That was the education of
his children. To ensure continuous progress in education, they were sent
to the Asian International School.
Tilak's gentle nature was complemented by the dietary habits of a vegetarian.
From a very early stage he cultivated the qualities of a true Buddhist.
Even at the height of his professional career as a much sought-after management
consultant and advisor to blue chip companies, he always associated with
Buddhist activities and adhered to every aspect of the noble religion
with dedication. His strict upbringing and adherence to the Buddhist way
of life culminated in him being inducted as the Honorary Treasurer of
the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) in 2002. One is inclined to
ponder whether he had Bodhisattva qualities.
The Tragic Passing Away
On the night of 23" December last, the day before the Tsunami devastation
he left for Hamhantota, and told me he will be going to Kataragama and
Wedihitikanda too. I told him I will also be coming to Badalkumbura my
home town on 24th, and requested him to come through Kataragama so that
we can meet and come back to Colombo together. But he did not respond.
Had he foreseen his fate?
Indeed there were some inexplicable events in his life. When the Tsunami
struck, bodies were recovered and brought to the Galle hospital, one by
one. Sunethra's was brought to hospital first. Tilak's remains reached
there about 15 minutes later, but they were laid alongside together by
people who had no knowledge that they were husband and wife.
Our Humble Tribute and Prayer
We can write volumes on the achievements of this exceptional man and brilliant
professional. Personally I derived great pride and satisfaction from having
known Tilak and working together. Recalling all these events, to pen only
a few sentences about Tilak brings me a great deal of pain. I am sure
that my deeply felt grief is shared by all those who knew him.
Tilak will no doubt carry his qualities of leadership through `Sansara'
and be rewarded with the bliss of `Nirvana'. That is everyone's wish and
prayer.
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