The passing of Dr. Devanesan Nesiah at the age of 92 is a profound loss to the Sri Lankan community, marking the departure of a truly outstanding individual. I was told that he was among the last batch of civil servants who entered the Sri Lankan government service before it transitioned into the Administrative Service.

I had the privilege of serving in the same ministry as him, the Ministry of Plan Implementation, during the period from  late 1974 to early 1978. At that time, he was the Additional Secretary, while I had just joined as a junior officer in the role of Planning Officer. The ministry was relatively small, with around 20 officers, thus it provided me with valuable opportunities to interact with him despite the vast difference in our positions.

I was deeply impressed by his intellectual ability, particularly his skill in explaining complex matters with remarkable simplicity. While I was working in the Ministry, I read a paper written by him on ‘brain drain’ that offered a perspective entirely different from the way most others approached the subject.

However, what stood out most was not just his intellect, but his unwavering integrity and sincere dedication to his work. As Additional Secretary, he was primarily responsible for administration. Following the change of government in 1977, Dr. Wickremasooriya assumed leadership of the ministry and held his first meeting with approximately 20 officers. During that meeting, he noted a shortage of peons and proposed recruiting two individuals nominated by him immediately. In the presence of all officers, Dr. Nesiah firmly objected, stating that such action would violate the Establishments Code, as proper recruitment procedures had not been followed.

He expressed his position openly and confidently, despite the influence and power Dr. Wickremasooriya wielded at that time. Undeterred by potential consequences, he remained steadfast in upholding the rules.

As a result, he was later assigned to the public administration pool—where senior officers who were not favored by the government were often sidelined. It is likely that he anticipated this outcome, yet he remained principled, polite, and resolute in his commitment to proper governance.

Another incident, though not one I witnessed personally, was widely reported in the media. While serving as the Government Agent of Jaffna during the conflict period, he was interviewed by a BBC journalist following an incident where 27 youths were killed.

The army had described them as terrorists. When asked to comment, Dr. Nesiah responded candidly, stating that there was ‘hardly anyone’ adding that no evidence was available to support the Jaffna army commander’s claim.

A few months later, he resigned from his position and went to the United States for further studies. While I believed initially that this move was arranged by the government, I later learned from his son, Vasee,  that it was his own effort and decision, though the authorities may well have welcomed his departure given his forthrightness.

I also recall how he would introduce me to others who came to  the ministry, something that initially embarrassed me but later deeply impressed me. He would say that I am an engineering graduate with honors, yet despite my qualifications, I was not recruited by the Ceylon Electricity Board due to ethnic discrimination. Instead, less qualified individuals from the same institution, the University of Peradeniya’s Engineering Faculty, were selected over me.

There must have been plenty incidents that reflected his integrity and sincerity, witnessed by other who had been associated with him. His experience reflects both the challenges he faced and the strength of his character.

Dr. Nesiah will be remembered not only for his intellect, but for his courage, integrity, and commitment to justice.