Mel, journalist par excellence, an exemplary human being: Pathfinder Foundation

Tuesday, 4 February 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Pathfinder Foundation in a statement said the tragic death of Melicia (Mel) Gunasekera has shocked not only her family but also her many friends and colleagues. Mel Gunasekera has had a stellar career as a business journalist. Her track record at Fitch Ratings, LBO, Sunday Times and AFP was impressive not only for her exceptional professional expertise but also for her integrity and redoubtable spirit.

Her commitment to the highest standards of independent journalism and her pioneering role in developing online business journalism have left a lasting legacy in her chosen field and made a valuable contribution to the analysis and understanding of economic and business issues. She excelled in an area of work where very few people in this country have acquired her level of competence, experience and unbridled enthusiasm. We, at the Pathfinder Foundation, our particularly devastated as she was very much present at a seminar organised by us as recently as the afternoon of Friday, 31 January. As always, her extremely pleasant and vivacious presence was a source of much goodwill and friendship to the people who knew her at that event. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family at this most difficult of times. She will be greatly missed and not forgotten by her many admirers. May her soul rest in peace.