Appreciation:Janaka Bogollagama

by Rosy Senanayake

(February 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Friendships are often shallow and self-serving but Janaka Bogollagama was the proven exception to the rule.

I met Janaka and his devoted wife Sunetra in 1988 and have had the pleasure of a bond that has transcended our common devotion to the UNP. I soon realized the level of integrity with which he perused his life, be it his considerable business interests or in his personal life. Janaka is a true son of Kurunagala and his concern for the people of the area was legendary.

Janaka was always grateful to his alma mater, Ananda College, for the solid foundation upon which he built his guiding principles. He was a keen sportsmen and his particular passion was tennis, a sport at which he excelled and made him the Public Schools champion at the time. On completion of his studies he stared a career in planting before embarking on founding a very successful real estate company. With him, integrity was never negotiable and this commitment was embedded into every transaction he participated in. ‘Service with absolute trust’ was his motto – a motto that he made an integral part of every decision he took.

I am personally aware of his philanthropy – be it land for soldiers who were disabled in defending his beloved country or in the form of scholarships to disadvantaged students with potential to pursue their university education. His commitment to Buddhism was paramount and the temples of the North West of the country benefited from his generosity.

Apart from his business and sports, his other interest was politics. I know that his involvement in this sphere was a selfless one – and one based on a genuine interest of Sri Lanka. His commitment to his beloved United National Party was unconditional – serving the leadership with loyalty and unwavering dedication. No sacrifice was too large for the Party and his personal contribution, both in individual efforts and as a team leader made him a trusted and integral part of the UNP.

I had the fortune of his company and that of his supportive and dynamic wife, Sunetra when they visited Kuala Lumpur during my tenure as High Commissioner in Malaysia. Here again, his interest was in how the progress of that country could benefit ours. I also recall our visit together to the Jaffna peninsula, where I experienced at first hand his genuine concern for the people of the areas and for the armed forces personnel carrying on duties under very trying circumstances. He was there again for the people after the devastating Tsunami, helping those affected with no regard to ethnicity.

His genuine warmth and sincerity made him standout and this sentiment is shared by all who had the good fortune to know him. He treasured his beloved wife and his two daughters above all – he was the ultimate family man.