Getting appointed to a Colombo-based Indian Ocean Regional job with IPPF

I had finally got the break I was looking for in August 1976. The vacancy in the post of regional director in the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) for the Indian Ocean Region which I had sought and failed to obtain in 1972 had fallen vacant once again. I was 46 years old and it seemed to be time for a career change. I had been outstation now for seven years and it looked certain that as long as the government continued I would not be considered for an appointment in Colombo.

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Although the general elections had been now rescheduled for 1977, there was yet the possibility of this being postponed. Esala was now back at the St. Thiomas’ Prep School in Kollupitiya studying for the NCGE examination with some new and innovative subjects, which needed some parental help. In fact I had begun to commute from Galle by express bus to be with him on especially important weekends. Although the official round in Galle continued to be interesting, our personal life was being made complicated with the frequent forays into Colombo. A change would be welcome.

Regional Director, IOR

The Indian Ocean Region in terms of population was the largest of the six regions of the IPPF at the time. China had not yet entered the Federation, which required a National Voluntary Family Planning Association to be in place, to qualify for membership. Whilst Sri Lanka was doing well in regulating population growth, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan were exhibiting high rates of growth. In Pakistan, the levels reached about three per cent increase per year and this was impacting badly on both resources and the environment.

My interview was at Karachi when the regional executive committee of volunteers had gathered to meet and speak with the eight candidates who had been short-listed for the job. Among the eight from the region were two Indians, two Pakistanis, a Nepalese and a Bangladeshi. Some of them were medical doctors, some communication experts, three called themselves management specialists and from Sri Lanka, two of us, VAJ P Senaratne who was a few years senior to me, and myself.