Comments on: Upali Wijewardena: Memories of the Unforgettable Tycoon

By: Dilantha

Dilantha — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:45:00 +0000

He’s my all tym idol. I used to study in singapore for 3 yrs. I remember once whn i went to a shop to buy candy, the shop owner asked me if i’m from India. I replied saying i’m a Sri Lankan, then he said “ohhhh u’r from Mr.Wijewardene’s country” That was the day that made me realize that this wonderful man is much more famous than “Ceylon”.

It’s very sad to know that people of his calibre are very rare or does not exist at all. Espescially in Sri Lanka!!!

He’s a true legend!!!!!

By: udeni

udeni — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:22:46 +0000

Hi Nalan
Yes Upali Had 2 pilots in his fateful Journey
Mr anandaappa and Sydney Soysa
But accooding to the information recived the return trip from malasia was handled by pilot Soysa.

By: Suresh

Suresh — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:28:50 +0000

Mmmmm…..nice comment. In Melbourne, Australia, very recently I read an article directly relate to the dissappearance of Upali, what caused to dissapear, who made Upali dissapeared …..is detailed. Further, writer of this story gave more names of persons (journalists, photographers who worked in Upali Newspaper, actresses etc.) who subsequently relate to this. If anybody could check Sinhala local newspaper in last 3-4 months, could possibly find more info.

By: Well Wisher

Well Wisher — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:35:06 +0000

Upali’s 2IC Mr. Murugaiah is left to hobble by Upali’s family after his demise. I was told he is happily living in Down Under now .It’s very sad to see once a proud Srilanka conglomerate is no more. Upali is a risk taker, but also had people around him to support is business decisions. Now I see only the “The Island” vomiting racism which another sad part of Srilankan Journalism. All other business ventures could not be seen to flourish any more.

Hope god save the “Queen” No Srilanka

By: Suresh M

Suresh M — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:33:29 +0000

Thank you DBSJ, for bringing back Upali’s memories!

Upali Wijewardena, was the talk of the town back in late seventies. He had inspired many Lankan youth at the time when entrepreneurship was a rare commodity, because of the left leaning economic policies of Mrs. S. Bandaranakeke’s seven year grip on Sri Lanka. Most of us (youth) spend our time on line-ups, in front of ‘Coupon Kades’ for essentials, or early morning bakery for Bread ration.

On my first job, I had a chance to work at Upali’s (Bloemendhal road) for three months as an external trainee Audit clerk. I have noticed that some of Upali’s internal policy were little strange.

(1) No women employee
(2) Long working hours; 9AM to 6PM, and Saturdays half a day.
(3) Office attire: Tie must be worn at all time. Upali’s entire building was air-conditioned, and during power-cut the poor staff still can’t loosen up their ties.
(4) Staff will be served only black tea.
(5) No union activities (collective bargaining) were tolerated.

By: Siva Sivapragasam

Siva Sivapragasam — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:09:36 +0000

My friend and classmate Upali was like a colossus that strolled across the Sri Lankan stage.He thought big and did things big.He once flew me in his helicopter to the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya just to discuss about a write-up for the Daily News about his Kandos Chocolate facory in Kundasale. He told me that he joined Lever Brothers as a Managemnent Trainee on his return from Cambridge,merely to know how a large multinational firm works.When he ordered printing machinery for the Island Newspaper organization,he told Mr.Kohli(Snr.),the owner of the firm that supplied him the machinery in Hariyana-”I want
nothing but the best”.This was the man!

By: ilaya seran senguttuven

ilaya seran senguttuven — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:28:37 +0000

Nalan 11) Upali’s Pilot was Capt Anandappa…Udeni/Contact
Dhammika Attygala, Upali’s nephew, who now works from
Bloemendhal Rd for any info on his Uncle..The comments in this Column is clear Tamils are quite comfortable and feel safe with a Sinhala Gentleman patriot like Upali – compared to the bizarre
guys we have around. This is further evidence Sinhalese and Tamils can live together despite the deep wounds on both sides – only if we have the right leaders and the environment.

By: Nalan, Trincomalee

Nalan, Trincomalee — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:51:41 +0000

#5 Comment.

Dear Udeni,

I thought the pilot of Upali’s ill fated cessna was Captain Anandappa, Who was residing few miles away from our house in Hendala.

Please correct me If I’m wrong.

I wish Sri-Lanka produce more Upali’s than pathetic Rajapakse’s and Dayan Jayatileke’s.

By: selvan

selvan — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:02:15 +0000

It is sad the English daily founded by him is spewing racism in the country now.

By: Ragu

Ragu — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:41:44 +0000

“He thought a while and said that all people should be able to study and communicate with the Government in their own language, Official administration to be done in all three languages and no person to be discriminated on grounds of race or religion.”

Oh…what a novel idea he had to solve the ethnic issue!!!
He even went into a ‘thought process’ to come up with this!!!