The curtain comes down and the final call is answered; but good men continue to live in the hearts of their friends and those whom they have left behind. These words are true of our dear friend K. C. Kamalasabayson P.C whom we remember with special love and affection on his 60th birth anniversary , 8th April 2009.

My association with Kamale goes back to the early 60s when I first got to know him in the classrooms of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. In his young days too, he showed that he had a gift for fine oratory and an analytical mind, attributes that stood him in good stead for his legal career where he scaled great heights. I still recall his lively verbal duels with the teachers taking class on points he happened to disagree with and how much the rest of us enjoyed such diversions. Our school encouraged independent, liberal thinking which Kamale always acknowledged, helped him to take decisions based on principles, later in life in his official capacity. He carried away the prize for the best debater in Tamil on several occasions and was a regular member of the English debating team for his House. It was always a pleasure to listen to his wit, humour and an effortless flow of words that welled out of his clear mind.

Since leaving school, he excelled at the Law College. He passed the final Examination for the Admission of Advocates with Honours and won the Gold medal for oratory. He subsequently earned a double Masters’ Degrees in Law, specializing in Public Law and International Business Law from the University of Colombo and King’s College, London respectively. He was conferred Silk in June 1996. The pinnacle of his career was when he became the Attorney General in October 1999.

As the AG, he earned the respect of the entire country and the legal profession as someone who was independent and fearless .He was fair even to those he had to oppose in Court. When he served the State for so long, he was doing so at tremendous personal cost and sacrifice as a comfortable life was always available to him if he chose the unofficial bar. That choice was not a difficult one for him. I remember him summing that up in a style typical of him when he quipped "Chrisantha, Al Capone was richer than the Queen" That statement was loaded with deep meaning.

Kamal was indeed a jewel of many facets. He achieved many distinctions in life. Apart from achieving the highest position in the official bar bringing honour to himself, his family and his school, he was a great teacher, mentor, and an ideal role model to generations of lawyers. The facet of his character that I admired and endeared him to me most was his utter humility. The higher he rose, the more humble he became .I remember the occasion when his classmates felicitated him on his becoming the Attorney General. When it was his turn to speak, he wanted his classmates too to take a share of the honour bestowed upon him by the country when he said that his association with them helped mould his character and acquire the qualities necessary to take on the responsibilities that were ahead. I also recall how he used to dance and enjoy with his classmates at our get-togethers and how comfortable he was in their company irrespective of their stations in life, which proved how unassuming he was in spite of his own exalted position.

He was someone who was ever willing to help a friend provided of course there was no "conflict of interest" with his official duties. I have turned to him for advice on a couple of occasions and he always went that extra mile to ensure that my needs were fulfilled. However busy he might have been, his direct phone line was always open to me. I have heard that his secretary has been given strict instructions that any call from a friend should be put to him without question and I have heard from the same source how he could notice an instant change in his voice and tone and genuine pleasure when taking a call from a school friend.

His premature and untimely demise has left Ramani sans a devoted husband, Vidhya a loving father, and the country a son whom she could have been truly proud of. I, together with my classmates miss a true friend with rare qualities. My scriptures liken life to the dew that disappears at the rising of the sun or to the flowers that blossom today to be blown by the wind tomorrow. Things that are beautiful do not usually last long; that’s why they are called rare. I thank the Almighty for the little time I had the privilege of knowing him and enjoying a wonderful friendship. The memories he left with us will always be cherished and are yet alive in our hearts. So it is not inappropriate to greet him today "Kamale, Happy Birthday"