Appreciations
View(s):Haji Makeen
A man of honour and generous giver
I had the privilege of meeting him on my first visit to Holy Makkah on a pilgrimage to perform Hajj in 1969. I was only 20 years old when I embarked on this sacred pilgrimage. It was no easy task back then. Accommodation was not comfortable. We had to cook our own food. My mother cooked and Makeen Haji was invited to share the meal with us. That was the beginning of a friendship that would last until he drew his
last breath.
He was a wonderful gentleman and one who embodied the best qualities of a human being. His loss is a void that can never be filled. He will be missed by everyone who was privileged to know him and his exemplary qualities.
Makeen Hadjiar came from a very humble background and was part of a small family-company called the City Cycle Group. He went on to set up his own trading house on 3rd Cross Street. He transformed it into the successful business empire which it is now, a leading paint manufacturer for domestic and international markets.
Born in the village of Thotawatta, his early education was in Ratnapura. He began his career as a salesman and it was only after marrying into the family associated with the famous City Cycle Stores, pioneers in manufacturing bicycles that he set out on his own.
He would walk along the crowded 3rd Cross Street like a king, greeting every pavement vendor and cart pusher selling tea and sago porridge. Every one of them loved him and would run to him whenever they had a problem. They knew he would resolve it. They knew he would deliver. And he did.
The credit value that he had was his biggest investment. This was a man who honoured his every word and the business community loved to deal with him. He supported many outstation businessmen irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. Today they are all millionaires. I have met lots of Sinhalese traders who worship him.
He instilled the same values and sense of honour in his family. He is survived today by his lovely wife, two sons and two daughters. He taught them all the importance of charity. The two sons were trained in business from a very young age, from their school days. Together, the six of them embodied the values of family unity. His sons followed in his footsteps, fully empowered by the knowledge and values that he had instilled in them. He was fortunate to see the business he started grow into an empire before leaving this world.
He strongly believed in the dictum that the right hand should not know what the left hand gives. That was the way he conducted his charitable impulses. He never disappointed a person who sought his help. He gave and he gave generously, whether it was to build a mosque or temple or help a poor father give his daughter in marriage. He was a strong supporter of community health education programmes. When it came to ensuring the welfare of fellow human beings, Makeen Hadjiar would often be seen leading the charge.
It would annoy him when he did not hear from me in two or three days. Then his first words would be “Why haven’t you called me?” I would tease him saying that he is now a popular Hadjiar because of his two sons, Milfer and Mizwer, whose hard work, brought him to this level. I would call him and ask to speak to either Milfer or Mizwer’s father. He would retort that we have all forgotten that the boys were thriving upon the foundation that he put in place. He was lighthearted. I enjoyed our conversations, which I will miss dearly.
There aren’t words to describe what he meant to me and my family. It is a loss for the entire community. He was the epitome of a wonderful human being. He was the perfect example of a good husband, loving father, great friend and dedicated social worker. He has left behind an immense void. May Almighty Allah grant him jennathul firdous (heaven)
-A.J.M. Muzzamil
Sam Wijesinha
Respected and loved by many
The many letters, flowers, emails and visits my brother Rajiva, my sister Anila and I have been receiving since our father Sam Wijesinha died on August 31 have been a reminder to us of how much our father was respected and loved, and how much he meant not just to us his children but to so many in this country. This has been a source of great comfort to us as we come to terms with his loss.
Some years ago I was talking with the Ven Getamanne Saranapala Thero, the Viharadhapathi of the temple in my father’s birthplace of Getamanne, a small village in the Hambantota district. The venerable monk had been my father’s classmate when they were little boys attending the village school. They used to walk to school together, my father from the big house that overlooked the village and his friend from a not so affluent house down the road. They were school friends and playmates from the age of six.
“Even at that young age” the old monk told me, reminiscing, “Your father was always interested in his studies, always reading, always wanting to know more. From those days itself he understood the value of education.”
Then he added with a chuckle, “He would never eat of the food that his mother had packed for him without sharing it with me. Even a thalaguli or a piece of pol dosi would be divided into two, half given to me before your father ate the other half.”
Then his face grew more serious. “Another characteristic I remember about your father is that he disliked bullies. Obviously, being Don Aelias Wijesinha’s son, nobody in that village would ever dare to bully him. But if he saw anyone being bullied, especially if that child was weak or of low estate, he would step in to protect them.”
It is interesting how these childhood qualities of my father noted by his schoolboy friend shaped the values he later displayed in adult life – a love of learning, the desire to share with those less fortunate than himself, and accepting responsibility for protecting the underprivileged.
As a boy, I remember my father repeatedly reminding me ‘Knowledge is Power’. He not only ensured that he and my mother gave Anila, Rajiva and me every encouragement to study and further our education – but this love of learning and desire to help others to educate themselves spread to the children of his siblings, the children of his cousins, the children of his village, the children of his friends and the friends of his children – in fact anyone in whom he saw the potential for education so they could better themselves.
He was a past master at finding places at good schools for deserving children – and scholarships for his staff as well as his nephews and nieces. I must explain here that for my father and mother, their nephews and nieces were not all related by blood or marriage. They had surnames like Rajasuriya, Reid, Pathmanathan, Uvais, Mirchandani and Bhatkal – but he considered all of them his own, and so he believed that he had every right to encourage and assist them.
When he was appointed Secretary General of Parliament, he commenced a scheme to provide free school textbooks for the children of his staff – obtaining money for this by selling all the old newspapers and outdated multiple copies of Hansard that had accumulated for years in the parliament storerooms. It was a method that did not comply perhaps with the government Administrative and Financial Regulations (the sacrosanct AR and FR) and probably would not have received the approval of the Treasury – had they ever been told about it. But he started that fund with about a million rupees – collected entirely from the sale of “parana paththara” – and ensured that the children of his staff had the textbooks they needed for their studies. He would be so proud in later years when one of these children who had been helped by his free text book scheme to graduate from university or obtain professional qualifications and do well in life, came to see him.
He spent a lifetime not only encouraging people he knew to spend money on their children’s education – but in situations where he felt they could not afford the cost, he quietly delved into his own pocket to pay for their education.
The second quality that characterised my father was his belief that because much had been given to him by birth, education, personality and position, it was his privilege to use these resources to help others. Just as he used to share the piece of pol dosi with his school friend, he would freely share his time and knowledge – and even make use of his connections – to help others. He was not a rich man – but many were the occasions when he would pay out of his own pocket to help folk who he believed needed to be helped – for example to purchase their first house or to travel abroad for further studies.
After he retired as Secretary General of Parliament his appointment as national Ombudsman allowed him to continue exercising his belief that bullies should not be allowed to bully. The post of Ombudsman was established so that the public would have an independent and respected public officer charged with representing the interests of the ordinary citizen by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights. He used not only his vast knowledge of the law but also his natural ability to mediate as well as his connections at the highest level throughout the country to protect individual citizens from being bullied, so assisting them to obtain redress of their grievances. Red tape and rigid Government regulations were creatively and pragmatically interpreted (sometimes even bent) so that someone deserving would not suffer injustice. He once told me “Rules, son, are created for the guidance of intelligent people who appreciate the spirit of the law – not for blind and unwavering obedience to the letter of the law!”
If there is a single line from the Bible that epitomised my father, it is this verse from the Epistle of St. James: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to assist orphans and widows in their affliction”.
He was not enamoured by religious ritual and ceremonies but he was a very spiritual man who knew, respected and could readily quote from the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Talmud and the Buddhist scriptures of his childhood.
At his funeral, many were the folk who came up to me or my brother or my sister and said “I don’t think you know me – but it was your father who helped me …” and then go on to tell us how in various different ways he had assisted each of them and helped change their lives for the better.
My father was an avid cricket fan, and he knew the value of having a good partner when one is batting. Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena – each of these cricketers was a great individual batsman in his own right who became so much more successful because of the partner with whom he batted. Having a reliable colleague at the other end, who understood and complemented the man facing the bowling, allowed each batsman in turn to score confidently while the other supported him and held his end up.
My father was extremely fortunate in this life to have as his wife our mother Mukta. Throughout their lives together, my parents formed a great partnership – and I am sure without the freely given support of the other neither of them would have been able to do the great things that each of them did.
During the week before he died, he was watching the Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews scoring 93 in a one day international cricket match at Dambulla. His faithful attendant Chamara – who did so much for him during these last years of his life – was watching with him, and when Mathews got out Chamara said “Sha, thava tikkak hitiya nang, seeyakma gahanna thibuna, ne!”(meaning “Tsk, If he stayed just a little longer he could have scored a hundred, no” ) at which observation my father just smiled.
Like Angelo Mathews, even though my father got out at 93 and didn’t get a century, he batted brilliantly for that 93, he played an innings that was extremely valuable for his country and his people – and he eminently displayed the qualities of a bold leader whom we could all admire, be proud of – and look upon as our own.
There are some lines by the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson that beautifully describe my father:
“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
-Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha
Hemalatha Abeysundara
Remembering a great lady with gratitude
We are privileged to be her daughters/grandchildren/in-laws. She was kind, caring and respected by all relatives and friends.
Amma, you taught us kindness, love, compassion, honesty and generosity. We inherited your kind human touch and eternal courage to face life. We shall be forever indebted to you. You led an exemplary life helping not only us but all those around you.
Our dearest darling Achchi, we remember your love and kindness even after ten years have gone by. You were always so proud of even our smallest achievements and nothing pleased you more than to have us around you. You were our friend and confidante who could always be trusted and who stood up for us when we were in trouble with our parents. You loved us all with all your heart. It is hard to believe that such a delicate housewife could be there for each and every one of this big family.
You were the most wonderful person we knew and it is only now we are beginning to understand how strong and good you were as we also become adults and embark on our own journey of life. When we think of you even now you bring a smile to our hearts because you were a person who always tried to smile and see the funny side of things especially when things got tough. We know that you were so proud of your grand children and we are proud to have had you as our achchi. We love you and tell our children about the sweetest and wonderful woman we knew.
May you, Thatha and all of us attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana and shorten this painful journey of Sansara.
-Daughters, Kanthi, Pali, Shantha and Hitchchi, sons-in-law Nihal, Sydney, Panduka and Hiran and grandchildren Sunali, Sagara, Gayangi, Lakshi, Shehan, Piyumi and Mahiru.
Trixie Hiyacinth Dias Abeygunawardena
A caring teacher
A teacher “par excellence” – A distinguished old girl of Southlands College, Galle.
I see before me a galaxy of principals, teachers and schoolmates as I write this tribute to Miss Trixie Dias Abeygunawardena, who passed away on May 14. From the time I came to Southlands as a student, I can recall how Miss Trixie came to judge the school singing competition and how she helped the school in numerous ways, also helping the school choir
She was together with my mother Thelma de Silva (Thelma Saranasena Walawage 1925- 1935) in school. She had a high regard for my mother.
It is from my mother that I came to know, how talented Miss Trixie was in western music, English and French and how she had taken part in concerts, especially during ‘Southlands week’. Many of her students have become well-known music teachers in Galle, and other parts of Sri Lanka and abroad.
She had learnt music under the distinguished teachers – Lois Mack for LRSM and Irene Vanderwall for her F.T.C.L.
She had won the Richard de Zoysa Gold medal, and the silver medal for having got through all the Theory examinations with Distictions in Trinity College of Music London. She received an award for the Grade 8 Royal Schools London pianoforte examination. In 1950 she obtained the Fellowship of the Trinity College of Music London. Earlier in 1942 she had gained the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music London Teachers’ Diploma.
As a teacher, Miss Trixie did her best teaching any subject, especially western music and made sure her pupils enjoyed their lessons. I am proud to say that I learnt music under her. It is so seldom you find a teacher, so caring.
She certainly taught us to “Knit together in Love and Service”
May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana
-Mohini Asokamala Walawage
Ravindra Soysa
We miss you Thaththa…Hope it’s snowing where you are!
It was September 8, 2013, a Sunday morning at our old home in Egoda Uyana, where Thaththa sat at the table going through the papers and asked us “where will I read the papers at our new home in Gorakana?” and we said, “you will find a place.” Then he said “it’s the last Sunday I’m here at this house.” We didn’t take much notice. Then it was the day before we moved to our new house, having a very late dinner that he said “this is the last time I’m eating here.” We didn’t heed his words.
September 11, 2013, we moved to the luxurious house he built, with our close family and friends. He never looked so calm and proud than on that day. It was the day after that our whole lives changed.
September 12, 2013, we were at our new home. Around 9 that morning we went to check on him as it was unusual for him to sleep that late. The closer we got, we realised something was not right. He was not breathing. His hands were tight and so cold. We rushed him to the hospital but it was too late. We had lost him. Lost him forever. Something we can’t still get over.
Our father Ravindra Soysa (Founder and Chairman of CIVIMECH Pvt. Ltd) was not just a good father to us, he was a good son to his parents, the late Austin and Lalitha Soysa, a wonderful brother to his younger sisters Nimalka and Enoka, an amazing husband to his wife, our mother Durga, a lovely father figure to his son- in-law Kanchana, a great employer to his employees and an absolutely amazing person to all his relatives and friends. It’s sad his grandson, Yunisha couldn’t see him.
He built the Empire of Civimech Group with his bare hands in the early years of his life, while our mother was the driving force behind his success. He started from absolutely nothing to build a flourishing air conditioning business from zero to a leading company today in Sri Lanka.
It was amazing to see how he helped so many people. He always had a good set of principles and he instilled them in us too. For the 33 years he and our mother were together and he took good care of her, not only to make her happy but also to make sure that she had the best of everything. He always wanted us to have the best things in life.
He looked after his mother when she really needed care. When she was ill he took her to the best doctors in the country.
We know that he loved us the most in this whole world. He was always thrilled to be in our company. The best memory we have is when he used to watch TV in his checked sweater, cap and socks with a blanket around him and have the AC and fan full on and pretend he was in a cold country and then tell us it was snowing outside. Even after work he would call us and tell us to be careful that it’s snowing in Moratuwa! These are wonderful memories. How much we miss the good times we had with him.
Not all children are so lucky to have a father like him. We want to thank him for leaving us this beautiful family, wonderful friends and for giving us so many wonderful memories to live with.
“Thaththa you have done a lot for us and now it’s our turn to go on in the path that you taught us. We promise you that the three of us will do everything in our power to take forward the business you so painstakingly built in the best way possible and also look after our mother in the wonderful way you took care of her.”
We still miss you. Wish September 12, 2013 never came.
-Nilusha, Dhanusha and Dilusha
Sita Kulatunga
A gifted writer and loving friend
I first met Sita when she joined the Wadiya Group of Writers in the late 1990s. Despite her high reputation as a local writer she was totally devoid of any sense of self-importance. On the contrary she was a friendly and down-to-earth person who was always ready to share her vast knowledge on writing and books.
I also discovered that she lived nearby and so we often visited each other and had long chats – mostly about writers and writing of course! I found her to be an excellent critic and we would go through a piece of literary work where she would give me her invaluable comments which gave me enough food for thought for perhaps the rest of my life!
She not only was a creative writer of immense talent but also was an excellent translator of English to Sinhala and vice versa. A former student of Visakha VidyaIaya, she served as a teacher at her Alma Mater for several years. She also worked as the Editor at the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Sita’s literary skills enabled her to write in several genres of literature – short stories, novels and poetry. Many of her books were prize winners. ‘Dari – the Third Wife” won an award from the Sri Lanka Arts Council for English Writing in 1988 and was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize in 1993. It was also a prescribed text book in some of the local schools. ‘A Small Wedding’ was awarded the Godage National Literary Award a few years ago. ‘High Chair and Cancer Days’ was also shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize some years back. These publications have had several reprints and are available at all the leading bookshops. Among her many translations are Emily Bronte’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ and she was working on Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’ when I spoke to her some months before her demise.
Sita was also a member of the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka, served as the Treasurer for many years and was the editor of ‘Channels’-the literary magazine published by the EWC. She also took an active part in the other programmes conducted by the EWC on an annual basis such as the writers’ workshops, seminars, short story and poetry competitions, and the Evening of Prose & Poetry.
But more than all the talent and capabilities which Sita possessed, what stood out was her willingness to help anyone who needed it and to have a completely balanced and impartial view towards people and their actions. I had never heard Sita speak ill of anyone, she was never judgmental in her attitudes and was always ready to listen to the other side of the story.
Over the last few years however Sita fell ill and she decided to step down from her activities in our writing groups. We did miss having her with us but a few weeks before she died she gave us a lovely surprise by attending one of our Wadiya Writers’ Group meetings. We were extremely happy to have her back with us. She seemed to have got back to her ‘old’ self and had plenty of constructive comments and hints to contribute towards our discussions. This is why it was a terrible shock to me when just a short while later she passed away.
She was very attached to her family and often spoke of her children and grandchildren with great passion and joy.
Indeed I shall miss Sita’s presence, her cheerful smile and ready wit. I shall certainly miss our interesting conversations. Her views and ideas of the world of literature were something I shall always remember and treasure. But I know that even if she is not physically with me her memory lingers on.
Thank you, Sita, for being a dear and loving friend and may you have happiness and peace always.
-Anthea Senaratna