The sudden passing away of Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe in Canada sent shock waves amongst the people who knew and loved him both in Sri Lanka and abroad. On the I" day of June 2007, the world lost a great humanist, a classic scholar and above all a gentlemen par excellence.

It is with a deep sense of loss and sadness that I write this appreciation of a person who was very close to my heart and mind. A person who made a significant contribution in improving my life and career. It was only a few months ago that he wrote a preface to my book of short stories that I was planning to publish. This may have been the last preface he wrote. He also guided me and advised me in this endeavour. I cannot believe that I am writing an appreciation of Dr. Amerasinghe who was so vibrant and full of life when I spoke to him just the other day.

My mind goes back with nostalgia to the first meeting I had with Dr. Amerasinghe, when I became a member of the English Speaking Union of Sri Lanka. On a day in early 1987, 1 was ushered to the office of the English Speaking Union and an impeccably dressed man wearing a white suit sat behind a large table. The room was lined with books mainly on English Literature and Law. The person was none other than Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe who greeted me warmly and enrolled me as a member of the English Speaking Union. This proved a landmark meeting and a turning point in my life. I won a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford later that year which was an experience of a life time. From then onwards he was my advisor, guide and mentor.

Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe was a man of many talents and capabilities. The foundation for his brilliant academic career was laid at St. Benedicts College Colombo. From then onwards, there was no looking back. He graduated from three Universities in three countries, Sri Lanka, England and USA He was an MA, DED and Doctor Juris. He was also a Barrister at Law at Greys Inn London and was one of the country' most senior and respected lawyers who practiced both locally and overseas.

Dr. Amerasinghe lived most of the last century and up to the current year this century. The wealth of experience he gained over the decades is immeasurable. Many people benefited from listening and talking to him. Many were his stories which went back to the 1940s and 1950s. He won many awards for organising dance troupes and taking them to the U.S. His extensive travel all over the world, were like stories from a book. He travelled till the last two months of his life. Most of these trips were connected to the organisations that he was President of such as the English Speaking Union, World Constitution & Parliament Association and Universal Love & Brotherhood Association. His thinking was far ahead of our times. His vision for a World Parliament was one such idea. This became his pet project and he insisted that I attend a seminar in Colombo during my last phone call to him in Canada. His ideas fired the imagination of all the people who were privileged enough to know and work with him.

Dr. Amerasinghe moved with Royalty, Presidents and Prime Ministers of many countries and was also invited to the Buckingham Palace but never lost the common touch. His love and compassion was extended to humanity and animals. Any one walking into his house could see him feeding a number of cats and dogs which had found a home there.

Dr. Amerasinghe was greatly supported by his wife Seela and his children Tilak and Chitra. He himself mentioned to me very recently how supportive and cooperative his wife was in all his endeavours. As the saying goes "There is a woman behind every successful man".

Dr. Amerasinghe was a national treasure, a modern day William Shakespeare and a humanist in the great tradition of men like Sir Thomas more and in recent times Martin Luther King.

He will live on in the hearts and minds of people who knew him, as he is only a "thought" away from all his loved ones. The great legacy he left behind will greatly benefit this -generation and the many generations yet unborn.

Lives of great men all remind us to make our lives sublime and departing leaves behind foot prints on the sands of time.