Prof. Manique Gunasekera - Head of English Department, Kelaniya University

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I got to know Manique when I started my university life at Kelaniya in 1973. Manique had also joined the university but to pursue a different academic path - the English stream. I was on the other hand, pursuing a mass communication degree in the Sinhala medium.

Manique had joined from Holy Family Convent in Bambalapitiya, with a strong Catholic upbringing. Some of her qualities I cherish to this day. Although she held high positions, she never lost her common touch and was known by everyone as a ‘down to earth’ person.

As we started our campus career, within a very short period of time she swept away many differences between the students of the two streams. Manique was the bridge between us. During our time at Kelaniya, there were no Students’ Unions for the UNP.  Manique and I were among the pioneers, the UNP Students’ Union that went on to take control of the University in our final year. This was the only time a UNP students’ movement had taken control of student politics at the University. Hearing of Manique’s demise had a profound impact on me. Not only did I lose a good old friend, but our country lost an honourable lady.
After completing a degree, Manique pursued an academic career at Kelaniya University, and she went on to Head the English Department. Finally, she rose to the top position in her field by being the Head of the Postgraduate Department at Kelaniya.
 

"Hearing of Manique’s demise had a profound impact on me. Not only did I lose a good old friend, but our country lost an honourable lady"

Manique’s departure from this world added to the grief of losing another batch mate from Kelaniya only a few years ago. Romesh Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Secretary, passed away in 2011. Romesh, Manique and I were at Kelaniya at the same time.

I had the privilege of associating with these two great personalities, who excelled in their respective fields, and we made our nation proud.
Going back to our time in Kelaniya, Manique extended her fullest support in campus politics, especially during election time at the university. All our Sinhalese language posters were translated by Manique. She always took on the leadership in bringing the English medium students to union meetings.  It was a great success for the UNP Union.

Once some of our batch mates wanted to go to a well-known fortune teller in Bambalapitiya, Manique also accompanied them. Unfortunately, however, many forecasts by him, did not materialize in our lives.

However, Manique managed to forecast good relationships. She had the rare quality of bringing together compatible partners for life, as I am sure many who read this would agree.

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar