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On a Friday night, March 8, in a London restaurant years ago, Denzil Pieris succumbed to a heart attack. The news devastated me, as it did many others who learned the profession and its ethics from a man who shone as an exemplar of its finest traditions.

Working for him was really, working with him, because he was very much a player on whom team work was important. Though well-read, Denzil was no-academician. His vision was of the real world. People were the best sources of information. He understood the need for reporters to meet people. Office peons, taxi drivers, the man-in-the street, were excellent contacts.

Monday morning editorial meetings with his reporters, were a challenge to us to be on top of topical issues. He set high standards. His Observer specialized in human interest stories. He opened its columns for deserving fund-raising causes.

Danzil's fearless and forthright exposes won him deep respect. He championed the 'Freedam of the Press' and its right to inform the public.

Before leaving on an Anuradhapura assignment to cover the Kalattawa case, cameraman, Chandra Weerawardena and I once had to make an early morning call at Denzil's Nawala home. He gave as some bottles of beer from his fridge, "to fortify you fellows on the tiring journey." He was like that thoughtful and considerate.

In a touching tribute, Manik de Silva another Denzil-disciple like myself called him "The Complete Journalist." That summed up the Professional within the Man.

Denzil Peris stood out as a doyen among Asia's journalists. Today, Denzil-trained reporters are editors of the country's major newspapers. Many others, who also learned from him the hard way are scattered around the world, bearing his touch.

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