Former Matara District Secretary Gamini Jayasekara’s posthumous autobiography, titled Veera Chudamani, will be launched at the Gamini Jayasekara Auditorium, Matara District Secretariat, on September 7 at 2.30 pm. Jayasekara, who served as District Secretary during the tsunami that struck Matara, is remembered for his courageous administration in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite suffering severe injuries, Gamini Jayasekara played a critical administrative role in re-establishing Matara, initially setting up operations near the Matara Bodhi with nothing more than a table and two chairs after the District Secretariat office was destroyed.
For his courageous and dedicated service, Jayasekara was honoured with the prestigious Veera Chudamani award by the President of Sri Lanka. He remains the only administrative officer to have received this accolade, and only the second Sri Lankan to be bestowed with this honour.
Gamini Jayasekara served as the 45th District Secretary of Matara. He has mentored several distinguished administrators, including former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, who said that the autobiography serves as a guidebook for administrators at any level.
Before his passing a few years ago, Jayasekara authored his autobiography in the form of diary entries. His son, Amila Jayasekara, later compiled and edited these entries into a posthumous autobiography.
