Noelnadesan's Blog

As the president of the Australia South Asia Society in Victoria, I spoke briefly before honouring Mr Bandu Dissanayake. It was a short speech.

I have admired Bandu Dissanayake, the Honourable Consul of the Sri Lankan community at the consulate, for four long years during the wartime period. He not only dedicated his time and personal resources but also set a strong example of community service. He invited me to many meetings and discussions. Many others continued similar work after his tenure, often with larger budgets allocated later, but his commitment during those challenging years remains unmatched.

Bandu Dissanayake has been running the Pahana newspaper for many years alongside his wife, Mihiri Dissanayake. Having spent 13 years managing a community newspaper myself, I understand firsthand how demanding it is—both financially and in terms of time—especially since community newspapers rarely turn a profit. Additionally, he managed Visvavakini television for the Sri Lankan community, and I understand he was also involved in community radio. His efforts are present in almost every organisation within the Lankan community. Too many to enumerate here, he was also honoured with many awards, including Desabandu, the highest state award, from the Sri Lankan government.

Our Australian South Asia society is not awarding him; it is honouring our society here through this act. 

Everything I share here is based on my own personal experience.

Before the war ended, Bandu invited me to lunch with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. That meeting paved the way for me to network and eventually lead a delegation of overseas Tamils in negotiating with the government on issues such as refugees, human rights, and post-war resettlement.

I especially remember the final days of the war in 2009, when 400,000 refugees were kept in camps in northern Sri Lanka. One day, I received a call from the Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Mr Milinda Moragoda. He told me that over 1,200 female LTTE fighters had surrendered to the army, but they had not had a chance to change clothes for three days. The department had no provisions to help them.

I promptly contacted Bandu Dissanayake. He coordinated with a friend in Sri Lanka to arrange for 1,200 dresses to be made within 48 hours. They were delivered to the steps of the Justice Ministry in Colombo within that timeframe. The clothes were then handed out by two former Tamil militant leaders, Sitharthan and Sugu. I mention these names because this humanitarian effort was only possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of my dear friend, Bandu Dissanayake.

For many Tamils in Melbourne who need documents and forms signed, Bandu Dissanayake has always been the person I rely on.

For many years now, we have also worked together in a South Asian organisation, representing a shared South Asian identity. Much of this has been made possible through the generous support of Mr Bandu Dissanayake.

Both personally and in my capacity as the current President of the Australia South Asia Society, I look back with gratitude on more than 20 years of close association with him.