Douglas Wickremaratne is no more-By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
Source:Island
London-based die-hard Lankan patriot, Douglas Wickremaratne passed away last week. He was 83.
A product of Ananda College, Colombo, Douglas migrated to London in early 1960s. He was the President of the Sinhala Association in the UK and fought many battles countering false propaganda of the LTTE and its sympathizers.
He single-handedly debated with LTTE members on TV and Radio programmes. He came to the limelight after his successful TV debate with an LTTE supporter on BBC Newsnight in 1983. He was the only Sinhalese to address the UNHRC Assembly on time allocated to NGOs. He was invited to deliver many talks in the UK and all over the world. There was a time Douglas had to be given protection by Scotland Yard after he got death threats from the LTTE.
Douglas Wickremaratne’s funeral was held at the Golders Green Crematorium and the religious service was conducted by the Head Monk of London Buddhist Vihara and the Chief Sanga Nayake of Great Britain, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera and Ven. Thawalama Bandula Thera.
Ven. Seelawimala said: “During the times of three decade long North East conflict, it was indeed a blessing to have a brave Lankan like Douglas Wicrkamaratne in the UK. As with all conflicts anywhere in the world, there was a considerable amount of misinformation, not only in the UK but also in many other countries in the West. He came to the forefront to explain the truth. He made use of his skills to support the motherland’s cause at many TV debates and discussions by the BBC, CNN, Aljazeera and others. Douglas always stood for an undivided country. He attended the UNHRC to respond to allegations against Sri Lanka.
Well known senior journalist living in London, Daya Ananda Ranasinghe said that other than fighting against the LTTE propaganda, Douglas invited Sri Lankan singers and musicians to perform in London. Douglas organised Sinhala New Year celebration sessions every year in London.
Popular actress Lilani Perera said that Douglas sacrificed all his life to protect Sri Lanka and it should have been a State Funeral for him by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London.
Sri Lanka High Commissioner in London Saroja Sirisena and a High Commission official Aruna Fernando attended the funeral.
