A noble, compassionate human being

The Sixth Year Death Anniversary of Lt. Col. Kenneth Abeywickrama, the former Commanding Officer, Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (V), 1978 to 1982, falls on April 10, 2021. He was the loving husband of Bernie, father of Sidhat, Dushy and Shanaka, grandfather of Adithiya, Manik and Radhika, father-in-law of Priyam Talukdar and Marlon Jayawardena, son of Andrew (deceased) and Lizbeth (deceased); and brother of Indrani (deceased), Gamani and Senaka.  

Lt. Col. Abeywickrama was a founding member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), in which he served as President from 1977 to 1979.   In 2002, SLIM honoured him with an award for his services to SLIM and to the field of marking in Sri Lanka

Kenneth passed away peacefully a few days before his 80th birthday, while visiting his beloved motherland on the hallowed grounds of Girihanduseya; which was the sacred site connected to  Gautama Buddha’s time.

Late Lt. Col. Abeywickrama was a former Chairman of the State Timber Corporation  and Marketing Manager of Lever Brothers, consultant to many commercial enterprises in the country and institutions which he served with dedication and public stewardship. He assisted countless friends and relatives who sought his support and assistance in their need.  

Lt. Col. Abeywickrama was a founding member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), in which he served as President from 1977 to 1979. In 2002, SLIM honoured him with an award for his services to SLIM and to the field of marketing in Sri Lanka. 

His tenure as Chairman of the State Timber Corporation (STC) from 1979 to 1981 was the subject  of a Harvard Business School case study on how implement turn-around strategies in developing countries.  One of the remarkable characteristics of Lt. Col. Abeywickrama’s management style at the State Timber Corporation and throughout his career was his deep humanity and his underlying faith in his colleagues and subordinates.  Not a single employee of the STC lost his or her job during his management reforms at that entity. In 2018,  37 years after he left the Timber Corporation, the STC publication on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, states the following about his contribution “His marketing skills and man-management attempts were astounding. With a view to recognising the unprecedented efforts of all staff, he invested part of the profits for their welfare. ”

During his retirement he authored a book titled ‘Adventures in Management:- a Saga of Managing in Developing Countries,” which reflects on his management experiences in Sri Lanka and other countries.  The book was well received by academia and general readers. 

I, one of his brothers in Law, always admired his achievements in his life and he became a role model for us to follow.  He was a great strength to all our families. When I was reading for my Masters at University in Glasgow he visited me from the USA inquiring about the progress of my studies.  I still recall that at the time of his visit I was busy writing the final draft of my dissertation. His invaluable advices and guidance helped me to complete my task successfully.  

 May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
U.P.S,Pathirana  (Former Director/Sri Lanka Tourism)