Lalin’s Column: Appreciation - Late Cyril Herath

Most Defence Forces officers of the 1970s first came into contact with then DG NIB Cyril Herath at the briefing sessions for the Military Liaison Officers (MLOs) to the 5th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in 1976. After Col (later Gen and Army Commander Denis Perera) had briefed the MLOs on the protocols to be followed, Cyril Herath (later IGP) covered the security action plan for the conference.

This included the security cover for over 100 delegations of world famous leaders, not only for the summit venue, the BMICH, and the delegate hotels and in between but also while convoys travelled over 40 kms from Katunayake to Colombo (and back after the conference) by day and night.

Herath’s briefing was so sound that the MLOs, some much addicted to asking questions, were stumped. Instead of an expected flood and spate they mustered only a few sundry if relevant questions which may have at the start been more prejudiced than relevant .They were clarified politely, incisively, confidently and convincingly by an unruffled, articulate and cerebral Cyril Herath.

After the briefings including that from Vernon Mendis of the Foreign Ministry were over there was no doubt in the minds of the MLOs that the Conference was expertly organised and in very capable hands. It turned out to be a resounding success. Even India had for good reason not been able to host a NAM summit until the mid 1980s.

The military officers (Army, SLN and SLAF) by vocation prone to be wary if not frugal with words of praise came to a unanimous opinion. Two rising stars of the army and the police had been sighted. After the Conference it was not the fate of over 600 brand new cars that were imported or the idiosyncrasies and tantrums of various high profile world leaders that attended it that were remembered. It was the unstinted admiration that the MLOs had for these two outstanding gentlemen who made a great impact on them and the success of the Summit. The seeds of the close and decisive cooperation of the forces and the forces with the police were in no small measure sown during the Summit. It was developed with telling effect post 1977 in the bitter terrorist conflict that followed. The credit for the binding glue should go to these 2 remarkable and out standing gentlemen albeit in different and heady circumstances.

One became the best army commander SL has ever had up to date and the other an outstanding IGP who upheld the great traditions of his predecessors. He went one better when on a matter of very high principle he resigned. IGP Herath set a personal example and standard that has still to be emulated.

The security of the NAM conference would have been a challenge to any world wide organization but it was Sri Lanka that faced it in 1976. Terrorism had become global with the horrors of the 1972 Munich Olympics, the 1976 Entebbe and Jordan hostage taking and blowing up of airliners still fresh in the minds of the world. SL had its own baptism in 1971. At the conference were representatives of almost all armed extremist forces in the world. The PLO as observers, former leaders of insurgencies like Makarios as head of delegation, assorted African liberation (insurgent) leaders from Angola, Mozambique, Rhodesia-now Zimbabwe, South and Central Africa made their presence felt. There was also the then irrepressible if not cranky Gaddafi with his visions of uniting and leading all Arab nations. Many Arab leaders were in a quandary especially Egypt because of his presence. There were also leaders like Syria’s Hafez Assad, Iraq’s Sadham (?) and Egypt’s Sadat a marked man after signing a peace accord with Israel. They were all much concerned with their security on arrival but very soon their fears were allayed and they certainly enjoyed their weeks stay in SL. So did UNSG Kurt Waldheim, Tito who docked his yacht in the Colombo harbour and Mrs Indira Gandhi who was given Temple Trees for her accommodation.

The presence of any one of these famous internationally known leaders amongst just one of the liberation movements’ aficionados would have made any police officer responsible for security shiver if not sleepless. Cyril Herath may have spent sleepless nights but he did not show it. He was totally and confidentially in command. He had led, trained and briefed his subordinates well. The conference went off without any hiccups.

One small incident comes to mind. The Saudis were not a part of the NAM. One evening its Ambassador wanted to make contact with an Arab NAM delegate. He was accompanied if not sponsored by the Pakistan HC who had only observer status himself as his country very much (mis)guided by the USA had yet to join NAM. The strict rules laid down by Herath forbade their entry or that of anyone else not previously cleared beyond a point at the entrance lobby of the Oberoi Hotel (now Cinnamon Grand) as some senior army officers themselves learned the hard way. I recognised the Pakistan HC and asked him whether I could help.

He explained. I took them to where Cyril Herath with his officers was in self imposed isolation from the likes of us boisterous MLOs. The position was explained. He simply turned round to one his subordinates and nodded. That officer did what was required, getting the Arab leader down to a special room in the lobby for a tete a tete. This planned delegation of powers showed how well Herath’s team functioned. It was a welcome change to the MLOs who were used to some of their own senior officers either passing the buck or interfering.

Cyril Herath stood ten feet tall in the Police. He was a man of integrity, knowledge, wisdom, discipline and set high standards. He was steadfast and unrelenting in neither his belief that a professional service that laid the lives of its members on line could not be compromised nor its standards under mined for any reason. When the challenge came there was no hesitation on Herath’s part.

He told the President who had arrogated powers of Caesar that he could not serve as IGP if undeserving subordinates, some even closes friends, were promoted (for political reasons). He resigned something no politician ever thinks a public servant will do on a matter of principle. Some may think it was a waste of a career goal but for Herath there was no hesitation or option. He lived by his principles and beliefs but made no song and dance about it.

In later life Herath was Chairman of the NSB. Customers noticed the remarkable change in the attitude of the staff and its phenomenal growth. It had obviously come from the example at the top. Today the NSB which was under threat of privatisation backed by the IMF when Herath took over is probably the strongest bank in SL. It is probably the only bank trusted and supported by all. Thanks to Herath as former GMs Ballale and Narangoda will vouch.

Herath was also the first and only Secretary of Defence from the Police. There were 3 Generals from the army before .They had to hang their heads in shame in and out of office. Herath left with his reputation enhanced and unsullied.

I have not met Cyril Herath’s family except for one of his sons when we, strangers to each other, took shelter at a bus stop near the CR & FC during a torrential downpour around 1993. I found out that he was a national tennis champion, the son of a police officer (he did not give his father’s rank) and unluckily for him also a Royalist! I told him the only Herath in the police I knew was Cyril Herath and asked him if he was related. I found out that this was one of his sons (Arjuna?).I told him a wee bit about what I have written above.

The flow of encomiums in the media to Cyril Herath is unprecedented for a government servant well into retirement. It shows what a splendid man he had been and not only as IGP. His act will be very hard to follow in the public service especially in the police. He set enduring, impeccable and inspiring standards. He will be long remembered.

In this time of grief and sorrow I hope his family would take strength from knowing that the burden of his loss will also be shared by very many from his school, university, police and public life. The nation can be very proud of this good strong man.

- Asian Tribune -