Obituary Notice

Tuesday, 3 March 2026 04:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Late Anil Weeratunge, who passed away in Perth, Australia, on 7 February, will be remembered as a visionary leader, a gentleman of integrity, and a committed professional who made a lasting contribution to the management profession in Sri Lanka.

During the period 1999 to 2001, when I had the privilege of serving as President of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), UK – Sri Lanka Branch, Weeratunge served with distinction as Vice President. Upon subsequently assuming office as President, he demonstrated foresight and decisiveness by immediately endorsing a proposal I had presented as the outgoing President—namely, the establishment of a Leadership Institute and/or a Management Club to promote professional fellowship and thought leadership beyond formal institutional boundaries.

With the unanimous approval of the incoming Executive Committee, Weeratunge requested me, in my capacity as Immediate Past President, to commence work on the establishment of The Management Club, assuring the full support of himself and the Executive Committee. True to his word, he extended his unstinting and wholehearted support, together with a few senior members of the Executive Committee.

As a result of this collective effort and his strong leadership, The Management Club—arguably the only Management Club of its kind in the world—was successfully launched at the Galle Face Hotel in February 2002.

Regrettably, in the latter part of 2002, Weeratunge and his family took the decision to migrate to Australia. Nevertheless, his contribution to the formation and success of The Management Club remains an enduring and integral part of its foundation and history.

He will be fondly remembered for his integrity, clarity of thought, encouragement of innovation, and unwavering support for professional development. His legacy continues through the institutions he helped shape and the many professionals he inspired.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

We, at the Chartered Management Institute (UK) – Sri Lanka Branch, together with all members of The Management Club, extend our sincere condolences to his family.

M. Fayaz Saleem

President Emeritus,

The Management Club