The book traces Mr. Jayasuriya’s early life, legal education, and entry into public service soon after graduating from Law College, including his formative stint at the Attorney General’s Department. It also chronicles his remarkable rise at a young age as Chairman of the State Trading (Tractor) Corporation under then Trade Minister Lalith Athulathmudali, a role he assumed while still in his twenties. ‘I Was There’ further recounts Mr. Jayasuriya’s professional journey through public institutions and the private sector, including his time as Counsel at the Greater Colombo Economic Commission (GCEC), the precursor to the BOI under Upali Wijewardene, and his subsequent career as a legal practitioner and company director.