Gamani Corea, who died in November 2013, on his 88th birthday, was without a doubt one of the most distinguished sons of Sri Lanka. His contribution stretched well beyond the borders of his country, and most notably brought his country global recognition as well. His skills and qualities were developed in the institutions in Sri Lanka, and then honed further in the best institutions of the world, and finally tested in
the highest councils worldwide from which he drew accolades that were the highest in diplomatic circles internationally.
the highest councils worldwide from which he drew accolades that were the highest in diplomatic circles internationally.
Gamani Corea was born with the proverbial silver spoon. He rose from a well-established family background which afforded him fortunate conditions for the development of his own endowed talents. He was a nephew of the Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala, and related familywise to another Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake. After his early education at Royal College during the tenure of Edward L. Bradby as principal, Gamani was able to join Corpus Christi College Cambridge University, for his undergraduate studies in Economics. He followed this with post graduate studies at Nuffield College Oxford University, where he researched on the economy of Ceylon, then emerging from a colonial crown colony to an independent dominion within the
British Commonwealth. He researched on the role of commodities in Ceylon’s trade and forged inter alia, the revolutionary idea of a commodities bank which he strove in the international sphere to have implemented.
British Commonwealth. He researched on the role of commodities in Ceylon’s trade and forged inter alia, the revolutionary idea of a commodities bank which he strove in the international sphere to have implemented.
Gammani Corea was always pleasant company and a talented raconteur. He was proud of his heritage and once described Chilaw, a district from whence the family of his father originated as the Land of three “C” s namely: Coconuts, Crabs and Corea’s.
Circumstances had become favourable when he headed the Economic Research at the Central Bank in Sri Lanka. The then prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was a determined advocate of Third World politics. She had been elevated as the head of the non-aligned movement and held considerable powers as the accepted leader of the third world. With another
great Sri Lankan Senaka Bibile, Gamani Corea was able to pilot the implementation of the concept of an National Essential Drugs List for all developing nations, and with the endorsement of UNCTAD, and the support of other UN bodies such as WHO and UNIDO, it became Global practice bringing much benefit economically to the lesser privileged countries. That was a singular achievement of Gamani’s as the Secretary-General of UNCTAD.
great Sri Lankan Senaka Bibile, Gamani Corea was able to pilot the implementation of the concept of an National Essential Drugs List for all developing nations, and with the endorsement of UNCTAD, and the support of other UN bodies such as WHO and UNIDO, it became Global practice bringing much benefit economically to the lesser privileged countries. That was a singular achievement of Gamani’s as the Secretary-General of UNCTAD.
Gamani was a member of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science and served as sectional president of section A and as General President. He was also President of the National Academy of Sciences, Sri Lanka. As was commonly agreed his fluent and erudite addresses were a delight to listen to.
He had a much wider concept of the role of Science in
National Development, than we scientists were then able to understand. One was to learn of this in particular notion when working with him within the framework of NASTEC – the National Science and Technology Commision, to which he had been appointed as a member by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. He played a leading role in helping NASTEC to formulate STAND, that is SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPPMENT, – which was presented to the President.
National Development, than we scientists were then able to understand. One was to learn of this in particular notion when working with him within the framework of NASTEC – the National Science and Technology Commision, to which he had been appointed as a member by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. He played a leading role in helping NASTEC to formulate STAND, that is SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPPMENT, – which was presented to the President.
He made erudite addresses at the first two BIENNIAL MEETINGS organised by NASTEC identified as BICOST I and BICOST II. These meetings were unique in the the entire scientific community of the country participated.
Notably, he defined SCIENCE in DEVELOPMENT as a factor that pervaded the entirety of all the development activities and could not be justifiably
identified with any one particular ministry. His thesis was that SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY should be under the highest authority of the land and should be clothed with such apical authority, so that the activity that is science and technology could take root in the country. NASTEC in its recommendations to the President did emphasise such a sentiment but to this day unfortunately and to the great disadvantage of our country remains in the limbo of forgotten and ignored ideas. It was a sentiment with which the majority of the scientists agreed, but that notwithstanding SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY in Sri Lanka still remains a forlorn “Cinderella” awaiting the fairy godmother.
identified with any one particular ministry. His thesis was that SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY should be under the highest authority of the land and should be clothed with such apical authority, so that the activity that is science and technology could take root in the country. NASTEC in its recommendations to the President did emphasise such a sentiment but to this day unfortunately and to the great disadvantage of our country remains in the limbo of forgotten and ignored ideas. It was a sentiment with which the majority of the scientists agreed, but that notwithstanding SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY in Sri Lanka still remains a forlorn “Cinderella” awaiting the fairy godmother.
The likes of Gamani Corea are not born in great numbers. He was truly one of our very greats. Contemporaneous with men like Raol Prebish, Amatya Sen, John Hicks, Marc Nerfin, he too had great ideas. Mostly
the world listened to him, acknowledged his greatness and kept him as Secretary – General of UNCTAD for a record number of years. But a man is rarely a prophet in his own country the saying goes. The smaller the land the truer it is it would seem.
the world listened to him, acknowledged his greatness and kept him as Secretary – General of UNCTAD for a record number of years. But a man is rarely a prophet in his own country the saying goes. The smaller the land the truer it is it would seem.
N.B. The writer is a Former General President of SLAAS, a founder member of the NASSL, and the first Chair of NASTEC.