Penning down the movers and shakers

It is an intriguing blend of diverse personalities, from politicians and businessmen to artists and writers. As Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne says in the introduction to her book, ‘Fifty is Company’ – ‘I write of hearts, souls, singers, dancers in glances, a galaxy of stars in an azure sky…’ A compilation of the articles written by her over the last five years, it is an insight into the lives and characters of many remarkable people who have made an indelible impact in various ways.

“These are the movers and shakers,” says Ilica, “people who have not only reached the top of their field, but also helped others – because our journey in life is all about reaching out to others.” Both as the daughter of Professor C.C. de Silva, Sri Lanka’s first Professor of Paediatrics, and as the wife of former Minister, Chandra Karunaratne, Ilica has been fortunate to meet and become acquainted with people from all walks of life. “This enabled me to see life through many different viewpoints,” she reflects.

During the course of a writing career that spans over four decades, Ilica has written on many subjects, from controversial issues to household topics. Still, she feels that featuring personalities is her forte, with her instinct for recognising the genuine nature of the person behind the public figure.

Many mentors – from D.B. Dhanapala, the Editor of ‘The Sun’ newspaper where she began her journalistic career, to the nuns at Bishop’s College who gave her the discipline which she still maintains in her daily life and her father who instilled in her a love of reading – have helped her reach her potential and fulfil her passion for writing, says Ilica who has balanced an illustrious career of life as a politician’s wife and motherhood by writing as a freelancer from home.

Her writing has been her strength and her joy, sustaining her through the difficult period of her widowhood, becoming a vehicle to express her thoughts and opinions and filling her leisure moments with purpose. “As long as I am able to, I will continue to write,” she says, adding that the publication of her first book has been, for her, akin to the birth of a baby – “You suffer the pangs of hope, anxiety and worry, and in the end there is something to celebrate.”

The publication of her book was celebrated in a glittering ceremony at ‘The Study’ on June 26. Many of those featured in the book contributed to the festivities, for Ilica wanted to showcase the diverse talents of the extraordinary personalities she had interviewed.

Renowned author Ashok Ferrey, who along with Jill MacDonald – Head of ‘The Study’ and former Head of the British School in Colombo – edited the book and made the introductory speech, while singers Prashalini Peiris and Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu enthralled the audience with their performances. Nuclear engineer, interior and exterior decorator and musician Mano Chanmugam played a duet with Naomal de Alwis.

The flower arrangements were done by Dr. Morris Wicks, who specialises in this, apart from being an expert in pain management. Nirupama Rao, former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, made her presence felt with a recording of her songs.