Appreciations
View(s):Thambipillai Sathananthan
That was Satha
Thambipillai Sathananthan, a retired postmaster, popularly known as Satha to his close associates passed away on March 4.
He was an epitome of love. He never lost his temper, as the word ‘temper’ was not in his vocabulary. I knew him for more than 30 years and we worked together under one roof in Trincomalee for three years.
To illustrate the nature of the man let me quota just one incident.
One day we got into a discussion on a trivial topic and it concluded with a barrage of words from me. Satha, bore it up with his usual babyish smile and asked, “Param, I am going to the bazaar, you need anything?” That was Satha.
May his soul rest in peace.
Navaratnam Parameswaran
Dr. Pandu Liyanage
A great old Anandian who did much for his alma mater
Dr. Panduka Deepala Pitigala Liyanage (Pandu) passed away on January 24 after a prolonged illness. He was 84 years old.
He was a bright student who excelled in studies. Having had his primary education at Musaeus College, where his mother was on the tutorial staff he joined Ananda College in 1934, and studied there till 1948. He was a member of the Junior / Senior Cadet Platoon and was a good marksman too. He represented college in cricket, athletics and boxing.
After he left school, he joined M/s. Lewis Brown and Company as a medical representative and worked with dedication receiving regular promotions to reach managerial level. From the pharmaceutical experience he gained from Lewis Brown, he started his own business company “Neo Pharma” in Colombo.
He was a member of the Ananda College Old Boys’ Association holding many senior positions including that of President in 1992. From 1978 to 1984 I was one of the Executive Committee members of the OBA and Pandu was Vice President, and Chairman of the College Development Project Sub-Committee. To work with Pandu was not easy. He worked tirelessly and never shirked responsibility. He earned the respect of all his associates and was a trusted friend to all around him.
In 1991 Pandu worked towards setting up the Senior Old Anandians family of oldest living Anandians along with Ranapala Bodhinagoda and G.P. Dhanatunga. Pandu became the president of this association in 2003. One of his main goals was to publish a journal every six months relating to the activities of Senior Old Anandians and he contributed generously towards the publishing of the newsletter for a number of years.
In 1989 his contribution towards health and public sectors was recognised by the University for Complementary Medicine that conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate. This was a great achievement in his life.
Dr. Pandu was a National President of Jaycees and later became a Senator. He was also President of the Lions 306 A Charter and become District Governor.
He was Vice President of the Sinhalese Sports Club and later received honorary life membership. Most of the Anandian cricketers including World Cup winning Captain Arjuna Ranatunge joined and played cricket for SSC because of Dr. Pandu.
Farewell dear friend, May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
Meghavarna Kumarasinghe
Rukshan Dias
A gem of a young banker lost to heaven
I first had a glimpse of Rukshan, one cloudy evening in September 1980 – a tiny tot who looked very much a kindergarten kid, in white shorts, holding a lighted candle that was as big as his tender arms, shedding tears without really knowing what actually was going on, besides his father’s grave. Around the grave, several adult relatives had already placed lighted candles and hundreds of his colleagues also, mourning the untimely demise of a gentleman banker. The remains of Rukshan’s father Norman Dias, had just been buried, he having passed away suddenly at the age of 42, on the way to hospital after having been taken ill while at work in the then oldest and most prestigious foreign bank operating in the country.
I reckon it was about eleven years later that I met Rukshan next, when I was introduced to him by my boss. He told Rukshan, “Here is your boss,” and young Rukshan who looked more like a schoolboy, greeted me and said, “Good morning sir”. I remember teaching him the A, B Cs of banking every evening after work for a while. I remember asking him on the first day, as to whether he was playing club cricket, and his answer,” No sir, I was very disappointed when I missed 1000 runs for the season by a few runs when I played for my school (St. Peter’s College) last year”.
Although I had by then left Grindlays Bank, I was proud and delighted to hear some years later that Rukshan had been elevated to the Management Committee of the bank at quite a young age. I also remember attending the ceremony when he ‘tied the knot’ with his childhood sweetheart.
He continued to excel at Standard Chartered Bank after Grindlays Bank had merged with Standard Chartered.
He was proud of his origins and was a key member of Grindlays Club Sri Lanka after it was established in 2004, and served in its Executive Committee as well. He never failed to attend the functions organized by the Club, if he was in the island, his smiling face often appearing in their newsletters. I have met him many a time over the past few years as well, and I remember him introducing me to the Country Head of Standard Chartered saying, “He was my first boss,” at a cocktail party.
Last Saturday, dear Rukshan, who had been a well known schoolboy cricketer, was in Mauritius, enjoying a game of golf, while some of his former Grindlays colleagues were enjoying a morning in the cricket- mad southern town of Matara, and his ‘first boss” holidaying in Melbourne, surrounded by another group of Grindlays stalwarts domiciled there, when one of them received a phone call, and all were simply stunned to hear of the shocking news. Rukshan had suffered the same fate as his father, leaving all he loved at the same age of 42.
Rukshan will not only be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Rajindra, his loving children Rushith and Rushendri, his loving mother Dawn, brother Richie who too was once employed by Grindlays Bank, Dilrukshi and Dinal and other relatives, but also by the members of Grindlays Club Sri Lanka, and by his former colleagues at the banking institutions where he worked with dedication.
Dear Rukshan, “Goodbye Sweet Prince, may the Angels protect you”.
Deepal Peiris
D.B Welagedara
The Grandfather I knew
April 22 marked the 25th death anniversary of my grandfather, D.B Welagedara of Kurunegala, former Minister of Plan Implementation and first Governor of the North Central Province. Though I was just nine years old at the time of his death, there are memories that could be worthwhile sharing as it could set an example to those living.
I remember him as a person who had a deep understanding of his religion as a practising Buddhist. He was a vegetarian and used to meditate daily at least for a short while despite having a busy public schedule. He was not slow to react when witnessing something inappropriate even among the clergy. I recall how once when invited to participate in a Bahirawa Poojawa held at the Abhayagiriya Viharaya in Anuradhapura, when he was serving as the Governor of the province, I tagged along with him. Upon entering the temple he did not appear to be a happy man, having seen the younger monks present with a full head of hair and no ‘silwath’ (pious) look at all. He questioned a senior monk whether a ‘Deli Pihiya’ (a barber’s razor) was needed and walked out. Probably there was more to it than the unshaven heads of the monks that he found which was not appropriate. It would have been interesting to see his reaction to the present day ‘men in robes’ whose not so pious activities go unchallenged.
My grandfather lived a simple life. He didn’t see the privileges that came with the positions he held as ‘entitlements’. He refused a permanent official bungalow in Anuradhapura and instead used a circuit bungalow which was available, as and when required during his stays.
In 1988/9 – during the height of the JVP insurgency the security establishment thought it necessary to provide security backup and escort for VIPs. Each Police Station on the travel route between Anuradhapura and Kurunegala was responsible for provision of security cover within their areas. These security arrangements made my grandfather uncomfortable. He totally ignored the security arrangements and used to direct his driver to stop as and when he pleased, especially by the roadside vegetable stalls, get off the vehicle and buy the fresh produce. The Police Stations responsible for the protection had complained to Head Quarters that he was a difficult man to protect. When senior officers spoke to him on the matter, they were told that he did not see a need for any protection at all as he had done no wrong.
He was fond of Mahiyangana, where he played a key role in re-constructing and restoring the ruined Stupa during the period when he served as a Divisional Revenue Officer in that area.
He was a nature lover and promoter of natural sources of energy, even at a time when environmentalism was not an ‘in thing’ as in the present. I remember the model of a toy cyclist that was operated on solar energy. He used to show it to his constituents who came to see him. He actively promoted and sponsored the use of solar energy within his electorate as well.
He had requested that his eyes be donated to the Eye Society and body to the Medical Faculty. Both of these wishes were carried out. What astonished me more was the fact that he had written these instructions almost 10 years prior to his death around the time he turned 60. That was quite an early age for a layman to ponder about death!
I wish he has a shorter journey in
The sudden demise of our dear College friend Chandra Condegama, who lived in Rome for many years, came as a surprise to many. His family made arrangements for the body to be brought to Sri Lanka for the cremation.
As a mark of respect the Thomian flag was draped round the casket that was carried by his friends to the cemetery.
Chandra was a jewel of a friend especially to all who needed his presence in difficult situations. He was in his early 60s when he passed away, though he looked much younger. His good looks and personality continued to attract many admirers from his schooldays. He was known for his fearlessness and dependability by his friends.
Much loved by his friends, Chandra was in the forefront of all schoolboy revelry. He and his pal Ranjith in the Sunbeam Alpine sports car was synonymous of that era . Thank you Chandra for what you were to us always . There will never be goodbyes to you from your Thomian fraternity , friends and relatives. We will miss you but remember you affectionately at all times .
Samsara- May he attain Nibbhana!
Chandima Welagedara
CHANDRA CONDEGAMA
Remembering a charismatic school chum
The sudden demise of our dear College friend Chandra Condegama, who lived in Rome for many years, came as a surprise to many. His family made arrangements for the body to be brought to Sri Lanka for the cremation.
As a mark of respect the Thomian flag was draped round the casket that was carried by his friends to the cemetery.
Chandra was a jewel of a friend especially to all who needed his presence in difficult situations. He was in his early 60s when he passed away, though he looked much younger. His good looks and personality continued to attract many admirers from his schooldays. He was known for his fearlessness and dependability by his friends.
Much loved by his friends, Chandra was in the forefront of all schoolboy revelry. He and his pal Ranjith in the Sunbeam Alpine sports car was synonymous of that era . Thank you Chandra for what you were to us always . There will never be goodbyes to you from your Thomian fraternity , friends and relatives. We will miss you but remember you affectionately at all times .
Esto Perpetua
R. P. M.