The versatile banker rich in humane values

When I read the article ‘Dismal behaviour of people’s representatives’ on 7th July in this newspaper by veteran banker Rienzie T. Wijetilleke (RTW), former Managing Director and Chairman of Hatton National Bank PLC, I noticed he had mentioned that he was in his 80s. That prompted me to pen this article as his next birthday approaches.

A leader is the one who knows how the way goes, and shows the way. Such a man’s name is ever embedded in many hearts. To the world he may be one human being but for many he is the world.

Quite deservingly many articles about him have been written by erudite veterans such as, Dr Upul Wijayawardhana, W. A.Wijewardane, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank in ‘My View’ and Savithri Rodrigo in her ‘Rienzie Wijetilleke – Revisited’. (to name a few of eulogies).

Some of the following accounts of him are not known to many outsiders and may be confined only to some brothers and sisters of HNB. Although I have worked at HNB for 18 years my interactions with this great leader was unfortunately limited to four instances.

If my memory serves me right, I met him for the first time in Panadura in the late 80s as the then Vice President of the Panadura Sports Club when HNB sponsored a cricket match between the club team and a touring English team. The chat lasted less than three minutes. Then, it was when he came to the HNB City Office in 1991 to give his blessings for the very first shipment of foreign currency notes to Singapore. The third was when he visited the Treasury Department of HNB, which was shifted to a new building opposite the City Office in Colombo Fort in the late 90s. My most important and vital meeting was in late September 2001.

When I was selected to Head the Representative Office of HNB in Karachi, Pakistan, in October 2001, I had to meet him. So, on the day of the appointment when I went to his room, I experienced the noble qualities and true humanity of this great gentleman. After a lengthy discussion about my new posting (mainly fatherly advice) and also about my family, the following kind words of his still echo in my mind and will not be forgotten in years to come.

“Lalith, give my direct telephone number to your wife to contact me for any emergency and she and your children can be assured of my protection and care in any emergency”.

Further, he fulfilled a special request made by me before I left. If love, compassion and care define a mother, then he fits in there.

He created and promoted the ‘Hatna Family’ concept, to go deep into the hearts of all at HNB. He never neglected the children and the close relatives of the ex-employees of HNB. However, in this world there are so many ungrateful people who do not have an iota of gratitude even after receiving ‘impossible’ opportunities. Leaving that sad part aside, I just wonder how many fathers, mothers and children are smiling today because of the stability of their lives, well assisted by our Sir, RTW. Surely most of them must be transmitting their telepathic best wishes and gratitude to him.

Our quarterly in-house journal, ‘Hatnamag’ was his brainchild. When I was in Karachi I used to circulate it among the prominent bankers there and some expressed their eagerness to have their own ones. However, the most prominent and enthusiastic reader was our then High Commissioner to Pakistan, (stationed in Islamabad) the ever smiling and amiable, General Srilal Weerasooriya.

The annual dance of HNB, the ‘Hatna Nite’ which was not held for many years was rejuvenated by Sir, RTW, I was told.

Media, especially the television channels, had a special place reserved for HNB. Decades ago when ‘Rupavahini’ broadcast the programmes, ‘Vanija Lovin’ (from the commercial world) and ‘Business Matters’ the channel authorities selected HNB as the provider of the articles. As requested by SDGMT, Mr. GK, I wrote those Sinhala and English articles for HNB. Before the introduction of the Euro in January 1999, ‘Rupavahini’ gave the opportunity for HNB to educate the wide range of viewers about facts related to the same. Then ART TV had a programme called ‘Business Matters’ every fortnight. Those were recorded at the Treasury Department of our bank. In all occasions I was lucky enough to be the interviewee thanks to my boss, Mr. GK, SDGMT. All those opportunities were not conjured by a magic wand but because of the rapport that HNB amassed throughout the years, thanks to the unparalleled leadership of our Sir, RTW,

It is a well-accepted fact that the sport (corruption free) is a real tool that can bring all people together. RTW had a special concern for the sportsmen and women. HNB became an oasis for them as the bank recruited, plethora of players of national fame in cricket, rugby, basketball, netball, soccer and hockey. The lengthy sports fabric of HNB was neatly decorated by the above players who brought plenty of championship trophies in Interbank, Mercantile and National tournaments. The numbers of achievements / trophies are too vast to name one by one. Thus, in the sports arena too HNB, created an indelible reputation.

He also extended the opportunities at HNB for three star athletes who brought honour to our motherland in Asian Games — Jayamini Illeperuma, Sriyani Kulawansa and Dhammika Menike.

Since I was a playing member of the team, I am proud to mention that in 1996 HNB became the Mercantile Over-40 Cricket Champions.

The number of bank branches swelled to over 180 in 2004 from 33 branches when he took over as the MD, with ATMs scattering right round the country.

As a colossal figure in the banking industry of Sri Lanka, while being the Managing Director he built a colossal mansion for the bank – HNB Towers, inaugurated in January 2003. Despite some pessimism about the building by corporate customers, his unhesitant determination, supported by an enthusiastic team saw the giant baby born.

In 2004, our Sir, RTW was elevated to the prestigious position of Chairman of HNB. By then the number of Exchange houses in the Middle East that had commenced agency arrangements with HNB for the inward remittances for the benefit of the expatriate Sri Lankans was very high. Those arrangements extended to some affluent countries such as Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Singapore and the UK as well during his tenure as the MD, with the Inward remittance business expanding many folds.

The establishment of the departure and arrival outlets of HNB at the BIA was another feather in his cap. Gold business of HNB commenced when he was MD. The high volumes of Gold sales by those two outlets and a large number of foreign currency deposits by duty free shops at BIA, the total collections of the same became unprecedented, resulting in the repatriation (export) of foreign currency notes to Singapore and Switzerland weekly. The profits were enormous.

The ‘Gami Pubuduwa’ programme was initiated during his tenure as Managing Director, which the World Bank hailed as a role model of the world in 1995. Under his guidance HNB became first for many local and international accolades.

The enormous number of scholarships offered to the deserving employees of HNB was unparalleled. Most of the ‘lucky’ ones, including me, are in retirement, reminiscing the ‘bright’ flame that glittered throughout, making plenty of opportunities for his subordinates.

The Training Centre of HNB was expanded to greater heights by recruiting well experienced and erudite personnel. The bank conducted the first ever training programme for the school leavers in 1989. The library was revitalized to modern standards in January 1990, and both relocated at HNB Towers.

After the introduction of the free economy, many foreign banks opened their doors in Sri Lanka. With the passage of time almost all of them wanted to quit Sri Lanka. (If I’m not mistaken only the CitiBank and Deutsche Bank remain to date). However, HNB made three record number of mergers, namely with Sri Lankan branches of Emirates Bank, Banque Indosuez and Habib AG Zurich, guided by Sir, RTW. Under his guidance HNB also established two Representative offices in Chennai, India and Karachi, Pakistan.

‘Cheqleaf’ at HNB Towers is an oasis with manna for the ‘exhausted’ but ‘spirited’ loyalists after 6 pm. The Pool Table there is an ideal substitute for billiards and snooker fanatics like me. It has become a good pastime for many employees.

I purposely refrained from obtaining opinions from retired and present senior staff members (joined before 2004) of HNB about our Sir, RTW for the simple and obvious reason that this article would have become too lengthy.

Sir, RTW, as the Chairman ran the best cricket interim committee of the country in 1999. Political interference brought an abrupt end to his top quality management. That is another sad episode of cricket in our motherland.

Like King Dutugemunu had 10 giant warriors, our Sir, RTW also had such capable men around him. One special lieutenant, an amiable character like a shadow enabling his boss to reach the pinnacles of successes, was Mr. Upali De Silva. He was the best ‘midwife’ at HNB who assisted his boss to deliver at all times. His camaraderie with his boss was exemplary.

Sir, RTW retired in 2010 as the proud Chairman of HNB. Even at 80 you are still young at heart. The birthday of our former Big Boss will be on 10th November.

Your wisdom and exemplary humanity will always be etched in our memories. Along with thousands of well wishers, I wish you good health and longevity to serve the human kind for many more years to come.

‘Scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, but the fragrance of good people travels even against the wind. A good man pervades every quarter’.

LALITH FERNANDO

Panadura