A Tribute to Three Silent Heroes of Integrity and Service

I had intended to share these thoughts some time ago, but other work kept me from it. Still, I feel it is important to write about them now.

This year, we lost three remarkable Sri Lankan professionals: Deshamanya Bradman Weerakoon (1930–2025), Deshamanya Ken Balendra (1940–2025), and Mr. Rienzie Wijetilleke (c. 1940–2025).

All three belonged to what is globally known as the Silent Generation—a cohort marked by discipline, humility, duty, and an unwavering commitment to service. In many ways, they were true silent heroes: they did not build their reputations through media, self-promotion, or spectacle, but through consistent conduct, personal example, and results that spoke for themselves.

At a time when professionalism often feels eroded, their lives remind us of what genuine leadership looks like.

I had the privilege of meeting all three at different stages in my own journey. While my personal interactions were limited, the impressions they left were lasting.

• Deshamanya Bradman Weerakoon was a distinguished civil servant who served nine heads of government—seven Prime Ministers and two Presidents—over nearly five decades. He was widely respected for his discretion, humility, and steady commitment to the country. My earliest memory of him is from my time as a school band member at S. Thomas’ College, when we welcomed him as a distinguished old boy of the school at a felicitation ceremony held in his honour, attended by then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa. Later, I met him on several occasions, and he always conveyed calm authority and an unwavering dedication to service.
• Deshamanya Ken Balendra was a pioneering business leader who guided John Keells Holdings to become the country’s largest conglomerate. I had the opportunity to interact with him through the Sri Lanka–Poland Business Council, where his strategic insight and steady leadership stood out. He led with quiet authority, mentoring others by example and championing good governance and ethical leadership.
• Mr. Rienzie Wijetilleke was a respected banker who served as Chairman of Hatton National Bank. He oversaw important developments in Sri Lanka’s banking sector—from modernising cheque-clearing systems to championing rural finance initiatives like Gami Pubuduwa. He also served as Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Interim Committee during a period of real challenge. During my time as President of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Sri Lanka Branch, it was a privilege to present him with the highest management award at our inaugural Management Excellence Awards—a moment that recognised not just his career but his contribution to professional standards in Sri Lanka.

Their passing feels like the end of an era—an era defined by integrity, humility, and service.

Today, building a reputation often involves visibility, marketing, or personal branding. But these three showed us another path—leadership grounded in values, consistency, and actions that speak for themselves.

My message in sharing this is simple: let us not only honour their memory but learn from their example. Even in changing times, we can choose to uphold integrity, mentor others, and lead with purpose. That is how we ensure their legacy continues to live in our hearts—and in generations to come.