{"id":146014,"date":"2024-12-08T06:52:11","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T06:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=146014"},"modified":"2024-12-08T06:54:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-08T06:54:59","slug":"dr-leel-gunasekara-on-his-92nd-birthday-celebrated-on-december-9-by-dr-gamini-kariyawasam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/dr-leel-gunasekara-on-his-92nd-birthday-celebrated-on-december-9-by-dr-gamini-kariyawasam\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr.Leel Gunasekara on his 92nd birthday, celebrated on December 9. – By Dr Gamini Kariyawasam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr.Leel Gunasekara on his 92nd birthday, celebrated on December 9. – By Dr Gamini Kariyawasam<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Dr.Gamini<\/p>\n

\"Leel<\/p>\n

A special note dedicated to the reflections on the life and legacy of Leel Gunasekara on his 92nd birthday, celebrated on December 9.<\/u><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

In the mid-20th century, the administration of Sri Lanka\u2019s nine provinces was entrusted to civil servants holding the prestigious rank of Government Agent (GA). Among them, Mr. Leel Gunasekara stood out as the Government Agent of Anuradhapura, the capital of Rajarata. One day, while the young, handsome GA was driving his jeep along the bank of the Kala Wewa, he noticed a beautiful village girl bathing alone in the lake’s blue waters. Mesmerized by the sight, he restrained his natural youthful impulses, instead channeling his feelings into poetic inspiration, recording his thoughts in his diary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Leel<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Source : dailymirror<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Leel<\/a><\/p>\n

Image Source :\u00a0mpgsl<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Leel Gunasekara was one of the pioneering civil servants who helped transform the bureaucratic culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Fluent in English, he moved comfortably among the upper classes, yet his leadership style reflected a deep commitment to serving ordinary people. In contrast to the old guard of civil servants, who often remained aloof from the public and relied on intermediaries such as arachchis (uniformed servants) to interact with villagers, Gunasekara adopted an open-door policy.<\/u><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

When Mr. Gunasekara was transferred to Kegalle as the new District Government Agent, he famously kept all the doors and windows of his office open\u2014not just to let in fresh air but also to welcome the ideas and concerns of the public directly. To remind Kegalle’s residents of their heritage, he hung a \u201c\u0d89\u0dbb\u00a0\u0dc4\u0daf\u00a0\u0d9a\u0ddc\u0da9\u0dd2\u0dba\u00a0\u201c-“sun-Moon flag,” the ancient symbol of Hatara Korala, on his office wall. He replaced English signage with Sinhala, renaming the Residency\u2014the official residence of the Disapathi\u2014as Disapathi Mandir, reflecting a renewed focus on cultural identity.<\/u><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Early Life and Education<\/strong><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Born on December 9, 1932, in Jamburaliya, Salpitikorala, Leel Gunasekara was the seventh of eight children born to Don Saranelis Gunasekara Haputantri and Dona Podinona of Talagala. He began his education at Jamburaliya Mixed School, securing a scholarship in 1943 to St. John\u2019s College, Panadura. Tragically, his father passed away the same year, prompting the family to relocate to Matale. There, Leel attended St. Thomas\u2019 College and later St. Sylvester\u2019s College, Kandy, for advanced-level studies.<\/u><\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

In 1952, he entered the University of Peradeniya, earning a Bachelor\u2019s degree in 1955. His professional journey began in 1956 as a graduate teacher at Matale Vijaya Vidyalaya.<\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Reminiscing about Peradeni University where Dr. Leal Gunasekara studied\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n