The Members of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
Harold Herat: 'Genial gentleman of politics "
A prodigy of the former President, J R Jayawardene, he was an embodiment of truth and humility. Like his leader, he thought ahead of time, one step before the other which was his success story. Foreign Minister, Harold Herat held many portfolios in the Cabinet and sat in Parliament for nearly 23 years with an unbroken undefeated record.
Herat served his people in his electorate Nattandiya, Puttalam District and the country at large. A firm and strict disciplinarian in life, he inspired this essence to his people where it mattered. He treated his opponents without reservation, never side-tracked even on die-hard P A supporters, and strangely but in true spirit, many of his opponents were drawn to him with respect, some even voting for him through sheer gratitude which made him collect more votes even in the face of UNP defeat.
His ancestral home at Marawila was open to all, any time of the day and when he was in Colombo with his busy schedules his wife, Gwen looked after the affairs of Nattandiya.
Hailing from a political dynasty, his uncle Sir Claude Corea was the first ambassador to the United States thus giving him the impetus to politics. Another uncle, Shirley Corea was the Speaker of Parliament and Trade and Commerce Minister.
Harold Herat was a talented and multi-faceted youngster who led a carefree and protected life amidst luxury which he eventually gave up for the rough road of politics. He also abandoned a brilliant legal career that saw him rise as a criminal lawyer. An excellent student from Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa and St Joseph's College, Colombo, he excelled in tennis obtaining his college colours.
Harold Herat held many portfolios such as Foreign Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Finance as well. He was a devoted family man and his three children became academics.
A popular Foreign Minister, he twice represent the President at the UN sessions and many world leaders were impressed with his genial qualities. I remember the occasion when Benazir Bhutto after quitting politics, came all the way to Sri Lanka to meet her friend, Harold Herat and Anura Bandaranayake. Such was the bondship he had struck up with heads of state.
It was my good fortune to be his co-ordinating secretary and those were my best years in the service, serving a virtuous man who led a clean political life with no smears.
It is four years since he left us all, leaving behind fond memories to cherish. May this wondrous gentleman abide in our hearts forever and his spirit hover around us.
Walter Perera
(Daily News -01/09/2011)
Harold Herat: 'Genial gentleman of politics "
A prodigy of the former President, J R Jayawardene, he was an embodiment of truth and humility. Like his leader, he thought ahead of time, one step before the other which was his success story. Foreign Minister, Harold Herat held many portfolios in the Cabinet and sat in Parliament for nearly 23 years with an unbroken undefeated record.
Herat served his people in his electorate Nattandiya, Puttalam District and the country at large. A firm and strict disciplinarian in life, he inspired this essence to his people where it mattered. He treated his opponents without reservation, never side-tracked even on die-hard P A supporters, and strangely but in true spirit, many of his opponents were drawn to him with respect, some even voting for him through sheer gratitude which made him collect more votes even in the face of UNP defeat.
His ancestral home at Marawila was open to all, any time of the day and when he was in Colombo with his busy schedules his wife, Gwen looked after the affairs of Nattandiya.
Hailing from a political dynasty, his uncle Sir Claude Corea was the first ambassador to the United States thus giving him the impetus to politics. Another uncle, Shirley Corea was the Speaker of Parliament and Trade and Commerce Minister.
Harold Herat was a talented and multi-faceted youngster who led a carefree and protected life amidst luxury which he eventually gave up for the rough road of politics. He also abandoned a brilliant legal career that saw him rise as a criminal lawyer. An excellent student from Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa and St Joseph's College, Colombo, he excelled in tennis obtaining his college colours.
Harold Herat held many portfolios such as Foreign Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Finance as well. He was a devoted family man and his three children became academics.
A popular Foreign Minister, he twice represent the President at the UN sessions and many world leaders were impressed with his genial qualities. I remember the occasion when Benazir Bhutto after quitting politics, came all the way to Sri Lanka to meet her friend, Harold Herat and Anura Bandaranayake. Such was the bondship he had struck up with heads of state.
It was my good fortune to be his co-ordinating secretary and those were my best years in the service, serving a virtuous man who led a clean political life with no smears.
It is four years since he left us all, leaving behind fond memories to cherish. May this wondrous gentleman abide in our hearts forever and his spirit hover around us.
Walter Perera
(Daily News -01/09/2011)