Appreciations
View(s):He lived life to the full helping others
FELIX DAVID LIONEL DE ALWIS
My father Felix David Lionel de Alwis’s birthday fell on November 10. He retired as a Superintendent of Excise in the early 1950s when I was still schooling. His family comprised 13 members and I believe he too wanted a large family and ended up having 11 children: Fidelia, Chandra, Viola, Denzil, Luke (who died as a two year old), Vere, Elmo, Nihal (yours truly), Nelum, Sriani and Savithri.
Fortunately when he retired he lived at an ancestral home in “Rochill” Kalahe which had the space to grow coconuts, fruits, vegetables and supplement his pension which was about Rs. 350 per month with a dairy consisting of three milking cows, poultry and a piggery.
Dad loved his retired life and he had the fortune of having the elder children like Fidelia, Chandra and Viola helping him financially. To his credit I must say he was a disciplined charmer who decided to quit smoking no sooner he retired as he was smoking 50 cigarettes a day (a tin of Peacock cigarettes) when he was working.
My dad believed in enjoying life and never thought of being tight on his purse. I recall when we were living at Walukarama Road, Kollupitiya before the war he bought me a rocking chair when he won betting on a horse. My sister Fidelia was given a grand wedding. He always believed in a good life.
In his retirement he did much to help the poor in the village, through the Church and through his friends and relations. He decided to have a Christmas tree for the poor children and all of us were compelled to contribute towards this Christmas tree by way of items or money and that we did ungrudgingly.
When it came to Christmas all brothers and sisters and their spouses had to come to Kalahe even though we had limited toilet facilities, no pipe borne water nor electricity. By the 24th of December the house was full. On the 25th morning by 5 a.m. he would with his entourage light crackers and we were woken up early to go to church.
He wanted to ensure that the whole family met at Christmas and he revelled in this exercise. Many villagers came home to see us at Christmas and none was deprived of a good glass of ‘arrack’ or a sumptuous meal and small children were given gifts with one of us taking the role of ‘Santa’.
Dad had the knack of giving nicknames to the villagers and some of them sounded very funny – ‘Amu Kala’, ‘Ratharans’, ‘Pachaya (a good liar), ‘Hulang Appuhamy’, ‘Micky Mouse (as he had a handlebar moustache etc.
Dad loved to play bridge. He would wait till we came from school to proceed to town in the car to meet his bridge friends, namely Proctor Jonny Gunatilake, Dr. Abeysuriya (who had his dispensary at Havelock Road), Mr. Wirasinghe, a retired Rural Court President and Mr. Dissanayake. Sometimes he would organise bridge games in our home too.
He was fond of his siblings and the closest to his house was his elder brother Uncle Sam. But his favourite brother was Uncle Clement who later retired as a Divisional Superintendent of Post Offices, our favourite uncle who was later appointed as Mudliyar.
Dad used to visit me when I was in charge of Police Stations at Maturata and Hungama and he had a glimpse of life in the Police. He had the ability to communicate and mingle with the young and the old. He enjoyed the company of my friends.
He was well built and had a commanding personality. As a father, he loved it whenever we visited him and mum. He was glad that I married Damayanthi whose father and grandfather were well known to him and mum. But he lived only a few months after our marriage and could never see my children which is a pity.
Since he was loved and respected by all the villagers, they requested that I bring his remains to the village and did everything within their means to give him a fitting farewell on May 22, 1975.
Dad you need not have said that you loved us
For we read it in your eyes and in your smile
You were a beacon of light
Guiding us throughout our lives.
May he rest in Peace.
- Nihal
Indralatha Jayasinghe nee Bowatte
A loving mother to all her students
It is with sorrow that I write this appreciation to my beloved aunty (our Loku nanda) who passed away peacefully on September 19. She was an efficient English teacher who taught for many years in schools in different parts of the country including at Wattegama Balika Vidyalaya and after her retirement at Netherfield International School at Batugoda.
Her talents were many as she brought credit to her school at many competitions including the Shakespeare Drama Festival which the school won at national level.
She was a dedicated teacher who taught the village kids free of charge. To her students she was like a loving mother who served them with sweets and tea whenever they attended her classes. My brother who is a commander in the Sri Lanka Navy was her first student who passed with a Distinction for English Language.
She was a good wife to my mama and she was never seen sick until her brief illness before she died at the age of 82 years. Though she had no children of her own she worked tirelessly for the benefit of a vast number of students. So my dear aunty I bid you a sad farewell and hope you will attain the Bliss of Nibbana.
-Naomi Bowatte
BENJAMIN MIHINDUKULASURIYA
We will continue to live under your love and guidance
As I tread the journey of my life reaching another milestone – my 60th birthday, I look back down memory lane of the precious times I shared with my darling Dad which I will cherish and keep close to my heart forever.
I have to admit that I was Daddy’s girl since I had the privilege of being born on my Dad’s birthday. I recall the birthday celebrations my mum used to meticulously organise for us over the years, where Dad and I got accustomed to cutting the birthday cake together with all the family singing the birthday song and wishing us well. As a child clasping my hand with Dad’s and thereafter through 53 years of my life I shared this privilege until my dear Dad passed away in September 2007.
I wish he was present here with me to celebrate my 60th birthday holding my hand to cut the birthday cake and wishing me God’s blessings – what a happy celebration it would have been! But I console myself thinking that everything happens for the best with God’s will.
Dad, when I chose my life partner, you walked me down the aisle and gave me away with a bittersweet smile. When I had my four children, you were there, to greet my little ones and say I love you.
You were a tower of strength to us at every situation. You taught us that each person has to be respected and treated with dignity and that we should show our love and concern to the underprivileged.
We admired your quiet wisdom and your deep faith and unshakeable confidence in Jesus. Even on the day that you passed away, although you were critically ill, you had said your daily prayers early morning as usual and requested the family members to recite your favourite hymn “Abide With Me”.
Thank you darling daddy for the sacrifices you made for us and for raising us to be who we are today. Your deeds on earth were accomplished to perfection.We will strive to emulate your precious qualities and cherish the family values you instilled in us.
-Sweenitha Fernando
George Wiratunga
He left a legacy of
democratic principles and qualities of leadership
Former Chairman of the Gampaha Urban Council, Attorney-at-Law George Wiratunga who passed away in November 2012, had held that post for four terms till 1991. His services to Gampaha town, though forgotten to a certain extent by the present generation, would undoubtedly set an example to the public representatives and anyone who upholds democratic norms.
I was one of the members of the Gampaha UC, in 1991 when Mr. Wiratunga was chairman. As a newcomer to politics, I took many an example from him during my formative years. Public representatives of today should learn lessons from his political career.
Mr. Wiratunga never missed being in office sharp on time on all working days. It was customary for him to call for a report from the heads of branches on their programmes for the day and the assignments of their subordinates. Being a lawyer he was required to attend courts in the morning, but he was sure to be back at the UC office by 12 noon to study the reports of the heads of branches on the performance of the employees.
He devoted his time in the afternoon to look into the issues affecting the people and to inquire into the public complaints.
The Gampaha UC from its very inception in 1945 under then chairman Francis Perera had employed south Indian sanitary labourers to remove garbage and to clean the bucket latrines. However they had been left without a fixed abode until Mr. Wiratunga provided them housing and streamlined their services.
The pipe-borne water supply and the vegetable market are among the projects that stand to his credit.
It was not his way to misuse his office to please Parliamentarians and the party organizers with personal agendas.
A leader of George Wiratunga’s calibre is the hope of the people of Gampaha who believe in democracy. George has left a legacy of democratic principles and qualities of leadership that would provide guidelines for it.
May he attain Nibbana.
-Gamini Senarath
Rev. Sr. Helen Marguerite
The sound of music and memories of an unforgettable principal
I was surprised to find myself humming tunes like ‘Candle in the Wind’ and ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’ whilst getting ready to return to my old school for the funeral of the lady who was Principal the entire time I was in ‘College’ – Grade 6 to O’ Level.
But Norma Jean, Princess Diana, Evita … heroines of these songs were icons on the world stage. Sr. Helen Marguerite was well .. just our former Principal. So why were these tunes surfacing from my subconscious?
We had moved on … she had moved on. The candle had in many ways been dimmed a long time ago.
It was only as I sat in the subdued quiet of a familiar chapel … with students of each class filing past to recite a decade of the rosary and the soft music of hymns like Amazing Grace playing in the background that I realised why my subconscious had thrown up these songs.
Sr. Helen Marguerite may not have been a player on the world stage, but for us who passed through the hallowed portals of Holy Family Convent (HFC) Bambalapitiya in the late 60s/early 70s, she was indeed an iconic figure.
For me – Holy Family was “Puggy” and “Puggy” was Holy Family.
Why Puggy? I’m not really sure. I think I first heard it on the lips of batch mate Faye. I do know that Sr. HM had a pug nose. Beyond that, was she ‘pugnacious’? Nope she was not belligerent, combative, aggressive, bellicose, argumentative, contentious etc. No need to be. She was the Principal. Her word was law.
Puggy was Puggy well because she looked Puggy. She strode around the school in a shorter than usual nuns’ habit, with a higher than normal heel in her shoe, and a stronger than normal walk. You knew when she was around – both by the sound of her walk and by her presence. A huge presence that was way way disproportionate to her diminutive figure.
However back then we did not see a little figure. We just saw a nun who was not very orthodox, who chatted ‘quite friendly like’ but was still able to command the utmost respect; one who maintained the highest standards of discipline; who would not accept falling grades even if you engaged in extracurricular activities, and one who maintained and insisted on the highest morals of Catholic education.
But most Principals are expected to do this … so what was so special about her? I believe she will be remembered and defined by her role in bringing the ‘Up with People’ songs to HFC and creating an indelible memory of stage performances that took Colombo by storm. It seemed the whole school was there in that choir except yours truly who cannot sing if my life depended on it. Can you imagine the resounding echoes of songs whose words (I realise only today in Googling it ) defined a generation …
Up Up with people, you meet them wherever you go … Up Up with people they’re the best kind of folks you know.
And …
What colour is God’s skin? What colour is God’s skin? I said it’s black brown yellow it is red, it is white, every man’s the same in the good Lord’s sight.
Plus the resounding echo of Freedom isn’t Free. Freedom isn’t Free … You’ve got to pay a price, you’ve got to sacrifice, Freedom isn’t Free.
This was 60’s music: psychedelic revolutionary pop culture, and the words were ringing out from the hallowed precincts of a convent with Rev. Sister HM at the helm.
Sitting in the chapel, I realised that ‘Puggy’ was in many ways ahead of her time. She would be making waves on the international stage if she was Principal in these times … when nuns in habit are performing on the world stage, winning Voice Italia titles whilst carrying a new message of evangelisation .
Alas, we were entrenched in the pre-Vatican II era. We thought Sr. HM was unorthodox and this was confirmed when we heard she had ‘left the robes’. Sadly only that bit of ‘shocking news’ was passed on. Not the fact that she continued in her mission till the end, working amongst children – street children.
She had a special vocation with these children, just as she had with her charges at HFC. I remember once we had forgotten our textbooks and my Dad had brought them into the office to be given to us. The receptionist had inquired ‘What class?’ “Class? errr … Don’t you know ? … maybe Grade 7?” stuttered my Dad.
Sr. Helen Marguerite who was passing had stopped by to interject: “Mr. Rasquinho, your girls are in Grade 9. They are preparing for their O’Levels. I have 2000 children and I know which class they are in and you have 3 and can’t keep track!” We laughed so much when Dad told us. He had muttered something about ‘their Mum looks after that side’ and squirmed out of the office.
This was the lady I had come to pay my respects to: the Principal who took a personal interest and followed each child’s progress. The nun who ‘left her robes’ but not her faith or her commitment to love and serve children. She had the courage to follow her heart, to pursue Truth wherever it leads you.
I went up to the bier to place a rose for a life that touched hundreds – nay thousands – of students in ways we did not realise.
Farewell ‘Puggy’. Rest in Eternal Peace with your maker, courageous and indomitable Rev. Sr. Helen Marguerite.
Your students will sing the College Anthem in your honour and listen also to the song that defines you.
-Rambling Rose
JEEVANANDA WEERASINGHE
He did so much for the people and the country
Jeevananda Weerasinghe, a well-known radio personality of yesteryear, veteran administrator of Colombo Municipal Council, ministerial personal secretary and active social worker – passed away on August 20, at the age of 87 years.
He was the eldest of my family of nine. I decided to write this appreciation not simply because he was my “Loku Aiya” but, importantly, because he was a model human being who never failed in his duties towards his parents, younger brothers and sisters, wife and children, the society and the country in which he lived.
He was senior to me by 18 years. He was good looking, and had behaviour and politeness to match. He was loved and respected not only by all the members of my family and relatives but also by the villagers of Navimana, Matara, our home town.
He used to work in Colombo, and when he came home he would present us with all kinds of sweetmeats, fruit such as apples, grapes, apricots, and other gifts. Many of these we tasted for the first time because of his kindness. He had a box camera and took our photographs, sometimes posing as various characters. He would publish these in the children’s columns in newspapers like “Kamala Sama Samjaya” of Dinamina and also “Binduge Yahaluwo” of Lankadeepa. He preserved all the photographs and paper cuttings carefully in albums.
He never forgot to see our relatives, even on a short visit and would talk to each and every person in the village. To my relatives he was “Sunny Aiya” and to the villagers he was “Sunny Mahathaya”. We younger ones, enjoyed joining him also to escape from my father’s strict schedule of giving priority to our studies. He was the first person to pass the Senior School Certificate (SSC) in the English medium in our village, thereby pioneering a village awakening that resulted in a large number of intellectuals, professionals and business magnates!
He took us to Colombo during school holidays and showed us places like the Dehiwela Zoo, the Museum, Radio Ceylon etc. I can still remember tasting ice-cream for the first time in my life at ‘Alerics’ during a visit to the Zoo!
He was very thoughtful and helped his little brothers and sisters a great deal. When I was preparing for my GCE ‘O’ level examinations he used to send material and books from “Atlas Hall”, Maradana. When I entered medical school he took me to “Lintons” at Maradana and ordered my clothing as per the requirements of admission set by the administration for attending the medical school.
He was a caring husband to his wife ”Irine Akka” who passed away prematurely in 1992, and in his last years he felt her absence badly. He had five children and was an exemplary father to them. Until 82, he was very active working as the finance manager of his son-in-law’s import business. When he had to be confined to the house, his activities were restricted and that affected him.
I thought I might take him to Matara to let him see our relatives in our village who he loved so much and suggested this idea to him, but before we could go he died peacefully in his sleep.
“Loku Aiya” had two regular jobs which he did with the utmost dedication. His main work was as an Administrative Officer of the Municipal Council, Colombo where he started as a clerk and later passed the Sri Lankan Administrative Service examination. When M. Vincent Perera was appointed as Mayor of Colombo he took him as his personal secretary mainly because of his trustworthiness. Later on, when Mr. Perera became a minister, he was appointed Ministry secretary. He was very popular among his colleagues who used to call him “Jeeva” or “Jeeva Aiya”. Whoever went to him for help and guidance either in the council or the ministry, knew that their matters would be attended to and resolved. With Mr. Perera’s help, he obtained employment for his poorer relatives.
His other part-time job, was in the Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) where he became a well known, house-hold name. Initially he was a radio artist appearing in “Guwan Viduli Ranga Madala” (radio dramas). In the pre-television era this was the greatest source of entertainment for people who would crowd round their radios in the evening. Some of his colleagues were Victor Miguell, Gemunu Wijesooriya, Dharmasri Munasinghe and Mahendra Senanayake. Later on he became an announcer and programme producer together with Lalith S. Maithreepala, Aryasena Millavithanachchi, Gunatunge K. Liyanage and others.
Every Sunday morning he used to teach the Dhamma at Daham Pasalas. It was when he was a Dhamma teacher at the Vajirarama Bambalapitiya, that he met “Iriena Akka” who was his student. Later on he started the Sri Jinendra Ramaya Daham Pasala, in Bullers Lane, Colombo which has become a well established institute now. Even with all his busy schedule, he used to go to the night-school of “Ubayartha Sadhaka Samithiya”, Kirulla Road and the Social Service League, Maradana, to teach English free of charge. In addition he was secretary of the “Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Sammelanaya” for many years. He was the Charter President of the Lions Club, Wickramasinhepura.
Though a busy man, he never failed to attend social functions such as weddings and funerals, etc, of his friends and relatives. He travelled by Vespa scooter in his early years and later in a Volkswagen ‘Beetle’ car.
I cannot think how one man had all the energy and ideas to do so many things in one day, every day, until the age of 82 and have a devoted wife, and bring up five children. All in one human lifetime – and pleasing everybody, too!
The lesson to be learned from his life is that everyone has all the necessary time to devote to helping yourself, society and the country. Of course for this one needs a willing and supportive wife and family. If only more young people of Sri Lanka would follow his example, this would bring a better world for us all to live in.
My brothers and sisters and I are proud to call him “Lokku Aiya”
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
-Dr. Lilaknath Weerasinghe
(Hichi Malli)