A man of goodness, humility and humanity who graced the legal fraternity

The 20th death anniversary of eminent lawyer Emil Joseph Ajantha Coorey falls tomorrow, November 29.

Ajantha Coorey hailed from a family of legal professionals. He was a son of Austin Coorey, a senior attorney-at-law and Mrs. Muriel Coorey. His only brother Dr. Sunil Coorey is also a senior attorney-atlaw.

A distinguished product of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, he pursued his studies in law whilst serving in the Commercial Bank of Ceylon and obtained his LL.B from the University of Colombo in 1974. Thereafter, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the legal profession in 1977. He served in the chambers of the G. F. Sethukavalar, President’s Counsel.

He enjoyed an extensive practice in the Original and Appellate Courts in the fields of banking and commercial law. Several of the leading banks in this country were his clients. He studied his briefs with meticulous care and left no stone unturned in his client’s interests. The time he spent on a case was never commensurate to the fee he received.

Mr. Coorey’s services to the legal profession, and to the Bar Association were outstanding. He served for several years as a member of the Executive Committee and later as an Assistant Secretary. He was elected Secretary of the Bar Association in 1993 after a keenly contested election. He was Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the very successful ‘Law Asia Conference’ held in Sri Lanka in 1993. He was a member of the Council of Legal Education and the Secretary of the Colombo Law Library at the time of his demise.

Mr Coorey was the author of the Consolidated Digest of New Law Reports and was instrumental in publishing the amended versions of the Civil Procedure Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Partition Act which immensely benefited the members of the legal profession, the Judiciary and law students. He wrote extensively on banking law, and his articles were published in several prestigious journals.

A man of absolute honesty, integrity and fairness, he shied away from personal glory and publicity. His devotion and uncompromising loyalty to his profession were never in doubt. By nature, he was fearless and outspoken and did not hesitate to make his views known in matters relating to the legal profession and the Bar Association, no matter how unpopular such issues were.

He was a devout Catholic. His deeply rooted Christianity permeated every aspect of his life, professional, domestic and social. He lived his Christianity to the very best of his warm and generous heart.

Undoubtedly, his driving force was his family. He was a loving husband to Bernie and a devoted father to Shivan and Shaleeni. Notwithstanding his busy practice and other related work, he always had time for his family. Shivan has followed his footsteps into the legal profession while Shaleeni, a Chartered Architect is a Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa.

Mr. Coorey and his wife kept in close contact with friends and relations, and were always there to see to their needs.

I had the rare privilege of serving in his Chambers for over nine years until his demise. The training and the experience I gained has been immensely beneficial in my career as a lawyer. It was he who guided me in my first trials in court, drafting of my first plaints, answers and written submissions etc., copies of which I still have as both valuable guidance and treasured memory. I am ever grateful to him for the knowledge and training I received whilst working under him.

It is said that greatness is never measured by birth, wealth or fame, nor by the worth of one’s material possessions, but those in whose hearts you live. Mr. Coorey is a good example of this.

On this 20th anniversary of his passing away, I thank God for blessing us with such an outstanding person of goodness, humility and humanity and also remember him with a deep sense of gratitude for all the good that his memory and legacy has brought me, his other juniors, his family and all who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him.

Mr. Coorey has left us with unforgettable memories, an honourable name and goodwill earned for his extraordinary qualities and observance of the highest traditions and values.

May his gentle soul rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served faithfully. Varuna Senadhira