Suresh Perera: the gentleman scribe

Throughout this past year we have had to deal with death, owing mainly to the Covid pandemic. I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of senior journalist Suresh Perera on Wednesday morning. I have been blessed to be his friend for the past 20 years, long before I myself joined the print media industry. We subsequently came to live in the same neighbourhood. Suresh was a gentle giant, standing tall at six feet, and with a burly build. One of his hallmark features, if I may put it that way, was his “disarming smile” and gentle greeting.

He long served Upali Newspapers, and become the News Editor of The Sunday Island through ability and hard work. Many of our media colleagues would endorse that he was an impartial writer who boldly upheld the truth at all times. He was a pioneer who had excelled in parliamentary reporting, and subsequently showed his prowess of reporting during the period of war. He never sought the favour of politicians nor wanted to be in the spotlight.

Suresh Perera is one of the last of a “tribe” of newspapermen who set the benchmark not only in their use of the English language but also in their work ethics. I used to meet him at least once a week, for a pleasant chat on many subjects. We tried to avoid talking of news and current affairs, but it did crop up. He was fond of talking about food and cooking for he was a refined gourmet or a “foodie” as the younger folk would say. He held the strong opinion that all Lankans must unite and embrace our cultural diversity.

In his own way I think his style of writing reflected his passionate beliefs. Suresh was a devoted father and a husband, and he loved their daughter immensely. He was able to prudently balance his role as a family man and an editor, in an era when most people blindly engage in a race to reach corporate success at any cost. I used to occasionally meet him with another mutual colleague, Callistus Davy, Sports Editor of the Sunday Observer. The late Suresh was also a close friend of my mentor Ruwan Godage (retired Features Editor- Sunday Observer).

In life we meet people who influence us and Suresh, with his humility and kindness impacted on me. I am certain that his demise will be a severe loss to The Sunday Island, and he will be missed by all his editorial colleagues. Sri Lanka has lost one of its best English language journalists. I express my deep condolence to his family. Farewell Sir, until we meet again on that beautiful shore that is brighter than day, where death has lost its sting. May your soul rest in peace. With deep respect,

Dishan Joseph (Daily News)