Appreciations
|
|
|||
He
brought relief to the suffering After marriage Ananda became close to our family. Ananda, Dushyanthi, my wife and I, and two other cousins made four inseparable couples. Memories of trips we went together, parties and New Year’s eve dances come flooding back to me. Later with the children and more responsibilities, we had to tone down our lifestyle. Ananda became the family physician of all the relatives. He used to take care of the elders and enjoyed spending time with them. I remember how he looked after my elder daughter, who was born an asthmatic when there was no asthma in the family tree. Ananda consoled us and we learned to live with it. He was always there whenever she had a bad attack. When based in Galle he would always monitor her condition and advise us what to do. He was also there together with Dushyanthi when my wife met with a motorcar accident and suffered spinal damage due to whiplash. If not for prompt action taken by Ananda and Dushy, who were then based at the Maharagama Cancer Institute and arrived at the scene quickly, my wife would be a paraplegic today, or would have passed away due to a broken neck. I remember a story that he related to me while he was working in Galle. Apparently an elderly patient had gone into a coma and was lying in a hospital bed for about two days. Ananda had not given up hope and had been treating him around the clock with the confidence that the old man would come around soon. His faith was rewarded. After three days the man woke up. Ananda allowed him to rest another few days and then casually entered into a conversation. "Loku Unnahe, mokada oyata une?" (What happened to you?) Ananda asked. "Ane mama danne neha. Kohoma hari mama ara uda indan dostrara mahataya mata beheth karanawa balang hitiya" (I don't know sir, but I watched you treating me from up there") the patient had replied pointing to the ceiling. Since then the subject of "Mano Kaya" or the "Astro -Body" was always a popular topic of discussion amongst us. It appears that Ananda had the gift of bringing the dead back to life! It is painful to realize that Ananda did not live for more than 48 years. He could have served mankind with his knowledge and experience as an Oncologist for many more years to come. It was most unfortunate that he attempted to lay the foundation to his personal life at this stage of time. During this recent vacation in Sri Lanka he had requested an architect to design a house to be built on the property they purchased some time back. Ananda accepted an assignment so far away in Oman so that he and Dushyanthi could build their nest here in Sri Lanka to settle down later. Ananda had a warm heart. He was always at hand to assist a relative or a friend in any possible manner. Ananda decided to specialize in cancer treatment after seeing the suffering such patients go through in Sri Lanka. He always felt making their life painless as possible was a meritorious act. He also thought that facilities were insufficient for such patients and always strove to improve and develop them wherever he was stationed. He observed that for some reason most of them were from poor families who lived in difficult conditions in remote parts of the country. There were many instances when he met the expenses of travelling, food or cost of medicine of such needy patients. He felt that it was grossly unfair to expect them to consult a doctor privately and charge an exorbitant fee. He was a man of strong principles and stood by them. Thus, he left to Oman with his family to work as Consultant Oncologist in a leading hospital there for a better remuneration. I could write a full page of a newspaper about Ananda. I wish he lived a little while longer just to realize his dreams as well. Fate is such and Buddha's words come to my mind. He said that, "no one can avoid death. Not the rich, nor the poor, not the royalty nor the commoner, not the intellect (like Ananda), nor the inept." I can only pray and hope that Ananda's journey through the long path of 'sansara' would be painless and quick, and at the end achieve that ultimate goal of Nibbana. It should not be difficult for him, considering his good deeds in this life as a person, and as a doctor who had brought relief to many of those who were suffering. Oh Gee Grand
old lady of many an anecdote My first meeting with Mrs. Oorloff was on June 10 this year, when I visited her at St. Nikolaas' Home down Sri Saranankara Road, Dehiwala. On entering her room, my eyes surveyed the surroundings. Placed neatly on a table by her bedside were many books and next to these a pile of National Geographic magazines. After all, many people do read such stuff and it is nothing significant. But at age 96 years and 11 months aided by a magnifying glass! This really astonished me. She looked frail. The home's matron told me that Mrs. Oorloff was a little hard of hearing and that one had to speak close to her ear softly. The matron then took me to her bedside and said, "Auntie.... one of Gillian's friends has come to see you". I was with my son and daughter who had visited her previously. I then introduced myself and told her that I had met Gillian (Leembruggen - her niece) in Melbourne earlier that month. Since then, I used to go to the home as often as time permitted. Each visit was pleasant and she used to relate various episodes of her halcyon days. One such was her brief sojourn in Jaffna during the days of World War II. "Cedric (Oorloff her late husband who was Principal of Wesley and then Trinity College during the 50s/60s) was in the civil service and was Deputy Principal Collector of Customs. During the war days, when rationing was first introduced in Ceylon, he was transferred to Jaffna to implement the scheme.” She continued, in between chuckles of laughter, "When the bombs began falling in Colombo, the Deputy Collector ran away and Cedric had to be brought back here do this work.” During each visit, a different anecdote would follow dating back to 50 years or more. Her memory certainly was fantastic. July 3 this year was very significant. It was Mrs. Oorloff's 97th birthday. Armed with a flower arrangement of red roses to be presented on behalf of Gillian, I made my way to the home. There she was, lying in bed in a pretty pink dress with the bed-sheet and pillowcases too of matching pink. I wished her and kissed her and said that the flowers were from Gillian. Mrs. Oorloff was a fine lady. One among the lasting impressions she left in me was that anybody can grow older and it doesn't take any talent or ability. She gave me the feeling that the idea is to grow up, by always finding the opportunity in change. This she demonstrated amply by her actions. It was my good fortune and privilege that I met Gillian in Melbourne and through her Mrs. Oorloff. To the very end Mrs. Oorloff displayed courage and had no regrets. She lived a full life and epitomised the belief that the elderly usually don't have regrets for what they did, but rather for things they did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets. She had no fear of death even in the final moment. I observed this when visiting the home the day prior to her demise. Intrusive medical investigations were taking their toll on her with the onset of pain and trauma. She was calling out to Jesus to "take her"!!. And this Jesus did the following day when she passed away peacefully at high noon, with Gillian by her side. Amazingly, a few moments before this, Bishop Swithin Fernando had been with her at prayer! On completion of the prayers and even before the Bishop could reach the front door of the home, she breathed her last. In the final analysis, she died peacefully.... the same way she lived. I did not know her before at all, but when my colleague at Royal College, Dick Siebel told me that she was the former Trinity College Principal, late Mr. Cedric Oorloff's wife, I certainly did want to meet her. Having played rugby for Royal College in the Bradby Shield games of 1966, I was introduced to Mr. Oorloff by our then Principal, late Mr. Dudley K.G. de Silva at the Bradby second leg game in Kandy. So, a bond had already been in place one score and 18 years ago which manifested into my association, albeit briefly, with this grand lady. Thus, when Gillian told me to look up Mrs. Oorloff, how could I refuse? I am glad I did not. Branu Rahim His
courage stood out like a gold thread in the fabric of life Rohan was a perfectionist who showed courage to the end in his battle with cancer. His philosophical approach to his inevitable demise, and his steadfast faith in God made him an example to all of us, who one day will have to move on from this transitory world. Rohan's greatest asset was his outlook on life. Throughout his brief illness we kept in touch. Rohan used to email me from Brisbane to Canberra, and through all his adversities his courage stood out like a gold thread in the fabric of life. Rohan had an artistic flair and his talent in flower arrangements was seen when he decorated the altar of St. Michael's Church, Polwatte for my wedding. I have never seen such a display of flowers arranged so well. Rohan had planned his funeral, to its minute detail. It was a celebration of his life. The flowers at St. Peter's Church had a touch of Rohan in it. The large gathering of Australians and Sri Lankans was proof of his popularity as a lecturer, friend and mentor to many in Brisbane where he taught hospitality at a technical and further education institute. It was so moving to see many Ceylon Hotel School students now working in Brisbane carrying his casket into church. The five priests who attended the funeral service all commented on Rohan’s example and steadfast Christian faith. The wake was held in the Brisbane city council. Rohan had planned it all and it was so well conducted by his friends. Rohan on his deathbed welcomed Jesus to receive his life. To me this is proof that we have life eternal, and this is but a passing world.
Rohan De Silva Final
salute to a much-loved teacher All of us who passed through his hands admired Harold Samaraweera as a personification of a gentleman who looked upon his pupils like his own sons, Thilak and Changa. As a Form Master in the Lower School he looked upon our pranks as a part and parcel of life as opposed to breaches in discipline. However, when we became adolescents, he tolerated our pranks as long as we did not disgrace our school and our parents. Besides, in imparting knowledge he exhorted us to follow the Royal College anthem: 'We learn of books and learn of men and learn to play the game’. Indeed those words of wisdom came naturally to him because as a schoolboy at Richmond College, Galle, he was Head Prefect, won the Boarding House Scholarship and scored a half century in the Richmond versus Mahinda big match in Galle. When Harold Samaraweera joined the Royal College staff in 1946, he was promptly appointed Cricket Master (Under 14) and Cadet Officer (Senior Cadets) because of his seniority from his days in the Ceylon Cadet Corps while on the Richmond College staff. When my class came over to Royal College in 1949 (hence called the Class of 1949), he was the influential Cricket Master handling the Under-XIV team. He was most acceptable in that capacity and was up-graded to handle the Under-XVI team in 1951 and the first eleven in 1953. Thus many cricketers who went on to Captain the first eleven at Royal College were his proteges from their days in the Under-XIV team. I have never seen him so happy as when F.B. Crozier was selected to play in unofficial Tests in Pakistan in 1959. He came all the way to Katunayake to see him off to Karachi on an Air Ceylon flight. At the airport he found not one but two of his proteges in the Ceylon blazer and tie. The other was myself, then the Captain of the Ceylon Athletics team. Without batting an eyelid he said, "Dissanayaka, I am putting you in charge of Crozier, though he is older than you. Please look after him for my sake". That was typical of the humanism of Harold Samaraweera. He always wanted something extra for his proteges not only when they were at Royal College but after they had left school! Few would dispute the service rendered to Royal College by Major Harold Samaraweera E.D. in his capacity as an officer in the Ceylon Cadet Corps. Some of his proteges were Rear Admiral D.B. Gunasekera, Commander of the Navy from 1973-1979, Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonetileke, Commander of the Air Force from 1976-1980, General "Bull" Weeratunga, Commander of the Army from 1981-1984 and General Officer-Commanding all troops 1985-1986, Vice Admiral Asoka De Silva, Commander of the Navy 1983-1987 and Lieutenant General Nalin Seneviratne, Commander of the Army from 1985-1988 and several more Generals. Major Harold Samaraweera, by nature a humble and modest man, used to look upon with amazement when this galaxy of flag rank officers used to salute him in public. Once at an official function at the Police Park, General Nalin Seneviratne and Admiral Asoka De Silva, both members of the Class of 1943, and respectively Commanders of the Army and Navy spotted Major Harold Samaraweera. In full ceremonial uniform they not only saluted him, they only did not hug him. The US Ambassador sitting next to me, whispered, "Is that old gentleman a retired General or a retired Admiral?” "No
Ambassador he was a Major who had taught them." T.D.S.A. Dissanayaka(Royal College Class of 1949) A
leader in the garment sector As our friendship grew in the ’70s, he invited my wife and me to his home at Kassapa Road. Our friendship with Lyn and Janaki blossomed from the early seventies and we were privileged to know this remarkable couple. One of their outstanding features was how they practised their respective religions - Lyn a devout Catholic and Janaki a devout Buddhist. This was a living example for our family as my wife is a Roman Catholic and I am a Buddhist. Lyn informed me that the small garment business Janaki started around 1978 in her home with two sewing machines was growing and wanted my professional advice on all financial matters. By this time I had retired prematurely from the Tax Department and had started a practice as a Tax Consultant. These were the early days of the business and needed professional inputs and on my advice the company "Creations" was incorporated. Janaki was indeed a creator of fashion and I persuaded Lyn to leave his job at the British High Commission and give Janaki commercial support, which he did. Lyn's Provident Fund was the seed money for their fledgling garment business. His business acumen and hard work were demonstrated by the fact that Lyn established five factories in a relatively short period. Janaki was the business partner and loving wife. He always carried on the business with dignity and respect within the framework of the law. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focusing on corporate governance, ethical business practices and welfare of the community is a subject of discussion presently among business leaders in the country. Lyn was a pioneer of fair and equitable business practices in Sri Lanka. Once he phoned me, agitated by trade union action by a left party in his factory, and in his usual gentle manner informed me that the union had managed to get some of his staff to the roof of the factory. He had no acrimony but aired his disappointment in a gentle manner about the action of some of his employees whom he treated so well. We
used to meet Janaki and Lyn often in their home and at our home
at small dinner parties and what a rewarding experience it was to
interact with him. His life was the garment industry in which as
an early player he inspired by his knowledge and advice with no
personal gains. He was indeed a leader in the industry, responsible
for its growth. The industry became the No. 1 foreign exchange earner
in the country. He was deeply concerned about the unemployment of
our youth currently employed in the garment industry with the end
of the Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) in 2005. Chandra de Silva Memories
of a home run like an army barracks and Thaththa’s take-away Thaththa was an extremely disciplined man, and sometimes when we were kids our house used to somewhat run like an Army barracks. Our transport arrangements were meticulously planned out and had to be followed. If we were to be picked at school at 1.37 p.m. the vehicle was there sharp on time, if we planned to go on a trip and it was 5.30 a.m. - so be it. And many holidays we did have which were always very well planned with a lot of excitement and sightseeing, as he wanted to make sure we knew our country well. Thanks to him we have seen or lived in every part of the island. My parents’ home often felt like a busy bus depot. There was plenty of noise, lots of people, dogs, food at any time and a great amount of hustle and bustle with never a dull moment. Our home was always open to others, and my father enjoyed having people around him. Our close friends would remember sitting around the pantry table where Thaththa used to keep us entertained for hours with his stories. They ranged from his schoolday pranks to experiences in the Army and his favourite topic "Amma". Each time he used to relate stories about her it only got better. As we grew up and my brothers and I flew out of our parents' nest, Thaththa still played an important role. He treated our partners as his own children. He was always 'Thaththa' to all of us. His cooking abilities were very useful as he was only a telephone call away to make an order for our dinner - "Bull's Take Away" all packed and ready to be picked up or laid out for us to feast on. Catering for a party used to be simple; we only had to give him the number of guests and his army skills came into use. He would calculate how many ounces of meat and vegetables each person would eat and then give us the marketing list that was more than perfect. Sometimes he would do the marketing himself. Besides being an exceptional father he was also an adorable Seeya. I believe my two children got the best of him. They say that being the only girl I was spoiled by my father, but my daughter had him wrapped around her finger. My kids loved to go out with him any time for the special treats he used to buy them. They also enjoyed the historical information that he loved to share with them. Thaththa always had a way with children. Even though he looked rough and tough he was a marshmallow inside. I guess children saw through him. Thaththa fought his illness with a great amount of courage and determination. He never gave up, his mind was always positive. Dr. Balawardena who treated him for over two years was his 'guru'. A man who had the capacity to drink a bottle gave up overnight as the doctor advised him to only have one drink. He went through several hours of chemotherapy but did not lose one hair from his mop! The medicine was taken at the exact time and the doctor's visits were always made on the exact day. He once told me it was a mind game and the fact that thinking positively made him better. The last part of the journey was spent at the Army Hospital. He was treated no less than a king. The team of efficient doctors made sure he was as comfortable as possible and gave him the very best. The respect and attention he got from the Army Commander to his loyal senior officers whom he loved and was extremely proud of was a sign of how respected and honourable a man he was. Even while he was there he was very particular that we kept to the visiting hours and did not let us break the rules. The rule was a rule for everyone. He was such a homely and family oriented man that even during his last stages he wanted to die at home among his family, friends and pet dogs. He was blessed to have all of us around him during the last moments. Thaththa was an absolute hero to me. The way he lived his life is a lesson well taught. It has been one year but there are times that the pain of losing such a wonderful man is still so fresh in my mind. On November 9, 1991 at 4.30 p.m. he walked me up the aisle as a bride to take my new journey in life and ironically on November 9, 2003, I walked by him on his last journey in life. May the good Lord bless and keep a great man like Thaththa in His loving care always. Annouchka
|
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya
Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved. |
