BY Ruwani Fonseka
Ashan Sanjeev Fernando was a deeply kind, warm and delightful person. A remarkable, massive mind with a piercing understanding of the workings of Sri Lankan politics, the courts, international finance, but mostly, a Sri Lankan to the core.
A man with an insatiable thirst to get down to the hidden truth underlying the intricacies of the political arena. He was unique. Irreplacable. Exceptional. He was very perceptive, with a deep understanding of the motivations of politicians, unearthing the truth, the way in which corruption and greed was wrecking the country, but also voicing ways and means to make a positive difference to our nation.
Ashan added value to Sri Lanka, he stood his ground, and he really knew inside out what was going on. His passion to unearth and weed out corruptive practices was always geared to the betterment of Sri Lanka and its people. Ashan loved to meet and listen to new people, learn different perspectives, points of views.
He understood what made common people ‘tick.’
And all the while he stood his ground, never ever gave in if something could hurt his country. A man with a mission. His heart at the right place.
‘Spy’, as he was most often called, Ashan was indeed the driving force behind a lot of my stories that brought about a change in Sri Lanka.Ashan was my go-to man whenever I needed advice for my articles, whenever I couldn’t figure out how to start or end a story, and sometimes even the guy I approached to just talk random good-for-nothings.
Ashan was a prominent media personality back in the day, his deep and intriguing voice booming the radio stations of Sri Lanka in the early 90’s. He was passionate about local politics, always trying to bring about a change to this beautiful nation and working round the clock to push me to expose corruption.
He would always call me at insane hours of the day, and in his husky voice say,”Hey, can you talk? I have a good lead for you.”
And hearing just that got me excited because I knew, if Ashan has a lead, it surely is something out of this world!
With his guidance, I wrote some of the most gripping stories that brought about a change in Sri Lanka. Yes, his leads were always controversial and got me into trouble, but to me, it helped expose a lot of wrong doings in Sri Lanka and has also brought about a difference.
That was who Ashan was as “Spy”.
But, to those who knew Ashan personally, he was a gentle giant. The perfect person to call at any time of day, because you can always count on Ashan to answer the call and say “hey buddy”.
Ashan motivated me and made me the journalist who I am today. He always pushed me to fight for what is right. I am who I am today because of Ashan.
He had the most amazing smile, wore it to the bar everytime. Chilled beer in hand, Ashan would have a hearty laugh about local politics, current affairs and how corrupt a nation could get. Yet, deep inside, Ashan bled for this nation.
Behind the jovial disguise was a man who genuinely loved his birthplace, and only wished nothing short of the Best for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has lost a beautiful soul, in my opinion, Ashan Fernando was a national hero. He fought the good fight, and today, I believe, he is with his creator.
One week after his demise and it is still hard to digest that Ashan, the Spy, is no more amongst us. Sometimes, it is rather comforting to cling to the memories instead of reality, and that is what I am doing. Atleast until I accept the fact that God has indeed plucked this sweet flower from earth added it to his beautiful garden in heaven.
Rest easy Ashan, may your voice linger on. As for me, I can only make him proud by completing the mission he entrusted in me, and that is to fight injustice and corruption head-on; and that I will do for as long as I live.
I hope I made him proud and I find comfort in the fact that he must surely be smiling down at me from wherever he is.
Thank you dear friend.
