K.
S.
C. de Fonseka
The 72nd birth anniversary of Mr. Kalutaravedage Sarath Chandra de Fonseka fell on August 29, 2003. He was the former Port Commissioner and later the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Born at Moratuwa to middle class parents, he was educated at St. Sebastian’s College where he was a brilliant student. After entering the University of Ceylon, he passed the B.Sc.(Eng.) examination in 1956 and thereafter it was a matter of obtaining a string of qualifications, viz. Post Graduate Diploma in Hydraulic Engineering (Delft) - 1963/64 Coastal and Tidal Engineering and Port Engineering. Mr. de Fonseka was a Chartered Civil Engineer, Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers (London), Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Sri Lanka) and a Fellow of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank.
Having joined the then Colombo Port Commission as an Assistant Engineer he rose steadily in rank and in 1977, he was appointed the Chief Engineer (Ports) in overall charge of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Marine works, engaging approximately 5000 technical grade employees.
With his high qualifications in Civil Engineering he was closely involved in conceptualizing and implementing various projects under each successful phase of Port Development. His expertise in the technical aspects in Port and Maritime construction has been internationally recognized. He was widely traveled and had addressed several international seminars. His involvement in other activities are too numerous to relate and space does not permit me to do so.
I had the privilege of working with him at first when he was the Port Commissioner and later as his Personal Assistant when he was appointed as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in 1979 until his retirement.
Mr. de Fonseka was a simple, unassuming individual, a devout Buddhist and devoted family man. He was also a strict disciplinarian who brooked no nonsense and acted strictly according to laid down rules. He was a fine entertainer and keeping to the Moratuwa tradition, a top class baila singer!
However, this man of impeccable integrity on reaching the age of 60 retired from the service of the Ports Authority.
Mr. de Fonseka was appointed Chairman of the Road Development Authority soon after his retirement by the then Minister A.H.M. Fowzie. However that dreaded terminal decease cut short his brilliant career and he died on November 25, 1995.
The three individuals who did much to the development of the Port, Messes Lalith Athulathmudali, Wimal Amerasekera and de Fonseka have ironically all crossed the Great Divide!.
Mr. de Fonseka leaves his devoted wife Pearl, a person of strong character who stood by him in good times and bad, two fine children, Menaka, the daughter, well known in classical music circles and son Manik, who chose to follow his illustrious father’s footsteps and is now employed as an Engineer in the Port.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Leslie Cooray
From the Daily News of 27th September, 2003.