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Last Updated : 2023-09-25 19:10:00
Mon, 25 Sep 2023 Today's Paper
3 January 2019 07:01 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Former civil servant Devanesan Nesiah officially returned the “Deshamanya” award conferred to him by President Maithripala Sirisena today.
Dr. Nesiah and his daughter handed it over to the Presidential Secretariat last evening. Talking to journalists, Dr. Nesiah said he decided to return the award as he was disappointed with the recent actions of the President which created chaos in the country. Dr Nesiah received the Deshamanya in 2017 at a ceremony held to confer national honours. As per the letter he sent to the President earlier, he said his decision isn’t one that he had taken lightly, or in haste.
“I always acted in accordance with my principles that I’ve embraced with pride for nearly 60 years since I first enrolled as a cadet in the Ceylon Civil Service. My long career in the civil service was often stymied under both UNP and SLFP regimes for my refusal to compromise my values,” he said in the letter. Also, he said he was proud to receive it and that his family celebrated his achievement. Asked whether he was subjected to any undue influence to change his decision he said some voiced their opinion on it but there was no influence as such. (Yohan Perera and Sheain Fernandopulle)
Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Chryshan K Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:20 PM
What happend to MS. He was loved by so many just an year ago and now basically everybody hates him so much so they even return awards given by him.
xxx Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:22 PM
An officer
Ganesh Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:22 PM
Good to see the gentleman
Saradiel Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:25 PM
Hats off to you Sir. Hope at least a few others will follow to teach the president and other leaders a good lesson.
tha wa Friday, 04 January 2019 09:47 AM
Ape sinhalayek nam denne nehe.
Arthurr Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:26 PM
Admire you, Mr Nesiah, for the courage of your convictions.
Grama Seveka Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:28 PM
As far as the GS is concerned it will be like pouring water on ducks back. Hats off to Mr, Nesiah
SIYARATA Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:56 PM
President has done nothing to act in such a childish way. Don't be so arrogant
Mandy Thursday, 03 January 2019 08:15 PM
Not surprised at comment. There are still many grown ups thinking like children and the above comment exemplifies it.
Badur Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:56 PM
Please do away with conferring National Honours. One should not expect anything in for the service they render to the country or the honour they bring.
Ghost Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:57 PM
Behold a man of principals!
Mm Friday, 04 January 2019 02:00 PM
Wonder if he would have returned it was a monetary award
Unchikun Thursday, 03 January 2019 07:59 PM
I bow my head humbly in respect to your actions. This is the way we need to treat undemocratic criminals.
Former C.S Thursday, 03 January 2019 08:17 PM
You do not deserve it man. MY3 made a mistake to begin with.
Prasad Attygalle Thursday, 03 January 2019 08:21 PM
I salute to this elderly Civil Servant! He showed his class while in service as well. We need such great men and women who will stand on principles to make mother Sri Lanka proud!May you live longer and I wish you the blessings of the triple gem!
Lankaputhra Thursday, 03 January 2019 08:29 PM
This is the calibre of public servants we need to serve our country. Values, honour, right standing guiding their actions rather than politicians or money.Well done Deshamanya Mr. Nesiah. Eventhough you gave the award away. You are a "Deshamanya" and that's it.
Shiva Friday, 04 January 2019 04:36 AM
He received an award from a government which postponed local elections for 3 years and also provincial councils elections that Tamil got after 30 years and it is sad
RP Friday, 04 January 2019 04:40 AM
We hardly see people with prilciples. 25 allegedly leraned lawyers are waiting to receive honours in 3 weeks.
CITIZEN Friday, 04 January 2019 09:32 AM
The qualification is "shopping for the powers-that-be"!
Thushara Friday, 04 January 2019 06:08 AM
Tiger tails. Sumanthiran ask him to do this
Neil Friday, 04 January 2019 06:26 AM
You are a true Deshamanya, real gentleman. Sri Lanka is proud of you.
rohani Friday, 04 January 2019 08:05 AM
People of the nation, at least learn from good actions.
sobers Friday, 04 January 2019 08:49 AM
We salute you Sir, You are a gentleman and very honest person.Ceylon Civil service produced extraordinary professionals and many held world recognised positions. SLAS ???
Paramanathan K Friday, 04 January 2019 08:51 AM
Good move by this gentleman par excellence. President Maithiri doesn't seem to understand the seriousness of the blunder he did on October 26th. He betrayed the whole country. Therefore it is high time that the Presidential system should be abolished once and for all.
lkboy Friday, 04 January 2019 09:27 AM
a Man of principles.
CITIZEN Friday, 04 January 2019 09:30 AM
Some think they deserve the award. But, men of golden values think the one who gives the award should deserve the DIGNITY to give the award! Nesiah - An Officer and a Gentleman!!
Kumar Senaratne Friday, 04 January 2019 09:57 AM
Weldone Sir!
Dulan Friday, 04 January 2019 03:07 PM
Others with sel respect should follow
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