Appreciations
View(s):Berty Mendis
Your picture will never fade away
The remains of BertyMendis were placed at his Ja-Ela residence as grieving colleagues, friends and neighbours poured in. Residents related tales of Berty handing them chocolates or fruits from the trees in his small garden. “He was a simple man with a large heart,” said a resident
Flowers from the President expressing condolences stood near the coffin. It was a bouquet to the fragrant and colourful career of this dedicated photo- journalist.
Berty Mendis moved with the highest in the land, at different times in his career. Yet he was always the essential photographer, a man of few words and lots of action.
It is easy to picture Berty Mendis in life. He always stood tall and strong with his camera in hand, alert, and waiting for the right moment. Unknowingly, he was captured by cameras of other news crew at a multitude of events over the past four decades and more.
As a veteran photographer Berty was a household name in the newspaper world. In his long and illustrious career which he started in the 60s, he had worked with the Divya newspaper, Davasa, Honey and the Sri Magazine and in more recent times, at Lake House, the Sunday Times and The Sunday Leader.
But as the morning dawned on March 12, 2014, this giant in the world of newspaper photography closed his eyes and faded away, leaving in tears – senior editors, writers, photo journalists and a sea of people associated with the media.
In the late 70s Berty Mendis was a name associated with glamour. He was the photographer who snapped the cover girls. Full page close-ups of beautiful women whom this gifted photographer was able to capture at their best angle made Berty himself a much-pursued celebrity.
At the SUN and WEEKEND Berty Mendis worked with respected editors and giants in the print media as Rex de Silva, Iqbal Athas, Sinha Ratnatunga, Rohana Gamage and Cyril A. Seelawimala and won their confidence and admiration.
Berty Mendis was a genius with his camera at a time when digital photography and hi-tech devices were not even thought of.
Besides being a professional in his chosen art, Berty was a good friend who never wavered. He never missed an assignment and maintained an excellent relationship with colleagues in other sections of the media. Though he was a man of few words, he always kept his word.
Once during an assignment, Berty and I experienced some private mob violence. Berty did not leave my side even though the men around us were hitting him. With each violent blow on his back, Berty stood upright, only to get hammered again. All the while he hugged his camera and took the beatings. When I asked him later whether it hurt him; he told me ‘Hondatama Riduna Thamai eheth me apey rassawey hatine. Gedera gihilla tikak thawaganannawa(yes it hurt, but this is a part of our job. Will go home and get a hot fomentation).
Berty Mendis was honoured with several commendation letters and awards. But his photographs were his awards of excellence.
Berty, your picture cannot be erased. You are pictured forever in our hearts and minds.
May you rest in peace.
Ranee Mohamed
Al-Haj M.H.M Yehiya
JP, Quazi Judge, philanthropist and people’s man
Al Haj Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed Yehiya passed away on June 3, 2013 at Ratnapura. He was 79.
Born on November 19, 1934 at Dickwella in the Matara District, he left home as a teenager armed only with his primary education and Quranic learning and worked in different towns under many employers. In the 1950s he reached Ratnapura which decided his destiny. His brother-in-law having realised his sincerity, ability for hard work and business talents called young Yehiya to assist him in his business. He made the best use of this opportunity. He felt that a knowledge of English was indispensable to communicate with the leading companies such as Messers Walker Sons & Co Ltd., Collettes Ltd, Brown & Co. Ltd., Rowlands Ltd., etc. and so followed an intensive course in English. He was equally fluent in Sinhala and Tamil too.
In 1967 he embarked on his own business at Ratnapura -Yehiya Motors. In addition to motor spare parts, he was dealing in brand new and used motor vehicles.
In 1978 he was appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, as Quazi Judge for the Judicial Administrative Division of Ratnapura. He was concerned about maintaining the dignity of the Quazi Court system. From the beginning he succeeded in obtaining permission to use the Magistrate Court of Ratnapura, to hold his court sittings. In addition to his knowledge of Islamic Shariah law, he had a thorough knowledge of salient sections of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act too. He attended court, dressed similar to judges of other courts, but wearing a red Fez cap to indicate his Islamic identity. In cases related to family disputes, he always did his best to reconcile the parties.
He took a keen interest in establishing the Quazi Judges Forum of Sri Lanka. He was its treasurer initially and most recently the President until his death. He arranged seminars and workshops for Quazi Judges and the major part of the expenses incurred were borne by him. In collaboration with the Judicial Service Commission, he organised study tours to countries like Malaysia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to study the Quazi Court system prevailing in those countries. At the beginning the Quazi Court matters were administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Forum and he repeatedly wrote to the then President of Sri Lanka and Ministers about the need to transfer the administration of the Quazi Court matters, to the Ministry of Justice. This was done from 2005.
He also repeatedly wrote to the President and the Ministries of Finance and Justice, about the need for payment of a reasonable monthly allowance for Quazi Judges and from 2010 they received an increased monthly allowance.
As president of the Quazi Judges Forum of Sri Lanka, he was well known and large numbers of Muslim men and women, rich and poor from distant areas like Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Kandy, Sammanthurai, Kalmunai and Hambantota would visit his office in Ratnapura for advice and help. He first treated all such visitors to breakfast, lunch or refreshments and listened to their grievances, giving them the necessary advice and guidance. Sometimes he would help them financially to cover their travel expenses.
He always stressed the importance of communal harmony and treated all alike. May Allah the Almighty bless him with the eternal bliss of Heaven.
Anthony Symmons
Florence Gunawardena
She guided us all and helped those in need
It has been ten years since my dear Amma passed away to be in the arms of Jesus. The grief of her passing away has been so deep for me that not a day goes by that I don’t think of my beloved Amma. I think about all those years that I spent with my Amma and I am reminded daily how much she sacrificed for our family and especially for me. She put her personal feelings behind to focus on what can be done to help make me happier and more successful than herself. She also played a huge role in helping and guiding me to bring-up my son—her only grandchild.
Aside from her duties to her immediate family, she also was a pillar of strength to her beloved parents and her relatives. Whenever there was a family crisis she would be the first person that my aunts and uncles would call for moral support. My Amma was always ready to help my cousins during crises in their own lives.
While Amma was serving as the manager of the National Institute of Higher Studies she was very concerned about the less fortunate children who attended the school. If a parent of a child could not pay the monthly fees, she always waived their fees. In addition, she always took great care and looked into the welfare of the teachers and minor staff of the school. I remember how my Amma bought Christmas gifts—using her personal funds—for the whole staff of the school. Furthermore, she provided monthly stipends to several less fortunate individuals who resided in the Kollupitiya area. Altruism was a part of her nature. She never thought twice about helping an individual who sought her assistance. During her free time Amma maintained a beautiful garden that included a beautiful collection of anthuriums and many varieties of fruit and vegetable.
There are many things that I could write that bring back beautiful memories of how Amma affected my life, but there aren’t pages enough to document the incredible life of my Amma.
As the Psalmist says: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants”(Psalm 116:15).
My Amma’s vibrant faith in the Lord was the dominant characteristic of her life, and I know she is at home with the Lord in heaven.
Loving daughter