Nande’ Jayadeva Palihakkara

A tribute on his first death anniversary

- 

On June 27, 2024 , our dear buddy Nande' moved on after a short illness bravely borne, as becomes his determined personality.

The photograph accompanying this tribute depicts that determination and focused affection for his dear life's companion, Anoma , of over 50 yrs. Theirs was an adventurous beginning which culminated in their marriage on May 5, 1971 after a whirlwind affair! In a different professional context, as a top rate manager, which, indeed, he was, it was a smile from him that would draw the best out of his team.

Though this writer was Nande' s senior by five years in school, he still remembers him moving his protuberant self in a blue or khaki rather long pair of shorts and white shirt and socks to match at the then Royal Primary School (which was then a separate entity from Royal College) roaming around with a brown suitcase for company. I knew his elder brother, two years my senior, Gamini better.

Gamini, though two years his senior was a prizewinning mathematics scholar who later accomplished himself as a brilliant engineer. Nande' used to tell me that his challenge was always to match his brother's performances. And match he did going by his later achievements not only as an experienced accountant but also as a percipient and effective manager.

One also remembers Nande' as a graceful dancer. It simply amazed us how he carried his protuberance self on the floor so gracefully, invariably carrying his dear wife Anoma along with him. It was at the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Regional Office in Bangkok when we became one of his working colleagues in 2003 that we were able to get an insight into his far superior intellect and professional expertise. He was forthright and never compromised on his principled decisions.