Appreciations
View(s):Dr. Reggie Seimon
He had a dream
Yes, dear Reggie, you not only had a dream, but actually achieved this dream before you laid down your scalpel. Others have spelled out the nature of this dream and how you realised it through your two brain children; “The Sri Lanka Eye Foundation” and “The Centre for Sight” -the Eye Hospital Kandy, situated on the General Hospital grounds.
Since Reggie’s birth anniversary, on February 2, has just passed, I, as a good friend, wish to pen a few personal thoughts about this remarkable man. I first met Reggie in the mid-seventies when he assumed duties as an Ophthalmology Consultant at the Teaching Hospital GH Kandy.
He was a most companionable colleague, always cheerful, in spite of the workload he had to deal with both in the hospital and in the private sector, quite apart from his determined efforts to realise his dream of improving the already existing ophthalmological services and providing those services where they were lacking.
I was fortunate in that we operated in adjoining operating theatres and would -when time permitted stroll into each other’s theatre and exchange surgical ideas and non-surgical jokes. Yes, Reggie, with all his dedication to and concentration on his work was always relaxed and full of fun. On these visits I observed, at first hand, the meticulous care, delicacy and finesse of his surgical technique.
I also had the privilege of being his patient in the Centre for Sight, for lens transplant surgery, on two occasions. Here, I was impressed with the excellent manner in which his ward was organised and run, with Reggie as a most disciplined boss and a staff trained personally by him and displaying the same qualities of efficiency, dedication and humaneness of which their revered boss was a perfect example and role model. In his ward, although I was a close friend and colleague, I received no special favours and went through the same routine followed by my fellow patients, all of whom were quite content and happy. Reggie never discriminated between patients.
Reggie was a loyal friend, always around in times of need. Even after leaving for Australia he used to call us frequently. These calls were most welcome and ‘cheering up’. He often said to me, an advanced octogenarian “Mark, your voice sounds strong” and the last time we spoke to each other, he asked me to sing him a song, saying, “I just want to hear you.”
This multifaceted, real man loved music while he himself had mastered several instruments. His passion for music was so great that even after he developed his illness, he was taking singing lessons and thrilled at his progress. I can well imagine him now enjoying himself as a member of a celestial choir singing with all the gusto he was capable of.
Evidence of his influence on those who came under his tutelage was amply illustrated by a full-page “Memorial to Dr. Reggie Seimon” inserted by his past pupils, now members of the College of Ophthalmologists, in memory of their revered teacher.
Dear Reggie, I and my entire family miss your warmth, deep friendship and enjoyable music, and wish you the well earned reward for your humaneness and your dedicated services to the people of Sri Lanka. We, your patients, your grateful staff and former pupils cannot forget you; but, lest future generations do, I strongly recommend to the College of Ophthalmologists to seriously urge the Health Ministry to rename the Kandy Eye Hospital as “The Reggie Seimon Centre for Sight ” not only for providing a high-class ophthalmological service in Kandy, but in memory of his dedicated work in promoting such a service in so many parts of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Mark Amerasinghe
M.B.WERAPITIYAA
life of integrity and benevolence
M.B.Werapitiya peacefully passed away recently. He had reached his 94″ birthday. Yet the fragrance of his yeoman service and exemplary life lives on. His life would be remembered by many with gratitude and thanksgiving.
My first meeting with Werapitiya was almost 45 years ago, when I joined a group of teachers on a three-day tour of Kumana in the Eastern Province. The wilds of Kumana with its many waterways, lush vegetation and the influx of migratory bird species, was a lure I could not resist. Due to the undulating terrain of the gravel roadway, on the last lap of the journey, it had to be done in an open trailer, powered by a tractor. My first insight of him was the care he took over the elderly persons in the group and the vigilance he exercised on the safety of their baggage, as eventide had already set in.
The second day, seated round a camp fire it was a relaxing sing-along and I was made aware of another aspect of him, the richness of his deep baritone voice, that led us all on a melodious rhapsody. On the return journey, we sat next to each other, to discuss many matters concerning cabbages and kings and there established a bond of friendship, that has stood the test of time.
We both shared the joys of travel and adventure. We did many journeys together, local and abroad. The highlight of our travels was the trip to Kashmir, before the current troubles. Boarding the express train at the Egmore Station, Madras, it was a non-stop four-day journey to Delhi. Thereafter by coach through the Jawahar Tunnel, to behold the romantic and picturesque Kashmir. While in Srinagar, the capital city of Kashmir, we spent three days in a house boat on the misty Dal Lake, with the ever present rowing Shikaras. Then we travelled to Gulmarg, Haradwar, Rishikesh and visited the rishi/holy sages, dwelling on the snow-clad Himalayan mountains, who had the ability to sit in midair, against the pull of gravity. Truly an unforgettable experience. Then to the mughal citadel of the Red Fort, Agra, and the wonder of a bygone heritage, the Taj Mahal. His spirit of discovery and adventure was boundless.
Mr. Werapitiya hailed from a distinguished and prestigious family. His father was S.B.Werapitiya who was a Rate Mahaththaya of Dumbara, in the colonial era. Their ancestral walawwa was donated to the government, to be a hospital. M.B.Werapitiya and his two brothers were all products of Trinity College, Kandy. The Trinity College Centenary issue (1872 – 1972) makes many references to the Werapitiya brothers. M.B. Werapitiya excelled in his academic studies and many sports. His elder brother L.B. Werapitiya too excelled at Trinity and later was a senior public servant. His younger brother T.B. Werapitiya was a Trinity Lion, cricket captain, Head Prefect and winner of the Ryde Gold Medal, awarded to the best all round student at Trinity (1943). He represented Sri Lanka in Cricket, was a D.I.G. in the Police and Minister of State.
Mr. Werapitiya joined the Sri Lanka Police and rose to the rank of Superintendent of Police. His dedication and devotion to duty, his exemplary conduct, as an officer and gentleman, his knowledge of the law was admired and respected. It is said that he had a typical British Police outlook in the way he carried out his duties, as a result of his long training with the Metropolitan Police in London. In physical stature, he was tall, elegant and stately and was a stand out at the annual police dinner dance.
While serving in the Police Department he was seconded as the Director of the Investigation Unit of the Bribery Commission. In the performance of his duties, he was a figure of immense integrity, who sternly upheld the sanctity of truth and fairplay, as not only a matter of official duty, but a requirement of his conscience. He discharged his duties without fear, favour, ill-will or bias and a will resolved to do justice regardless of personal motives or prejudices. Rather than compromise and seek benefits, his moral fibre, courage of conviction and unflinching sense of justice were beacons in an era of gathering darkness. He displayed an indomitable spirit in facing challenges. However due to external pressures, he opted to take early retirement. Under the prevailing conditions, by taking early retirement he left a rich legacy not only for the police, but to the entire public service.
Mr. Werapitiya was a caring family man. He was a devout Buddhist. His wife Winifred, the daughter of Judge Lucien. H. de Alwis was a teacher, a Christian and often played the organ in church. The blend of faiths they shared with their two children Gita and Mano enabled them to live a loving and harmonious family life. With the sudden demise of his dear wife, there was a void in his life, which could not be filled. He decided to sell his residence and join his daughter in Calgary, Canada. He often wrote to me, of his life and times in Canada. Concealed in each letter he wrote, was his love for the country of his birth and its people.
With the passage of time, he decided to return to Sri Lanka. Kandy had a special place in his heart and so he purchased for himself a beautiful cottage on the hilltops of Hantana, surrounded by forest, overlooking the city complex. His home was an open-door one and I witnessed the many who came to meet him, mostly the poor and lonely, who thanked him for what he had done for them.
He was the epitome of generosity, sharing his vast knowledge and experience or distributing his material wealth, expecting nothing in return. He always strived to do what was good and noble, a quality in him, I admired and respected.
I remember receiving a telephone call from his daughter in Canada, inviting me for his birthday celebration in Colombo on July 11, 2010. Family and friends from near and far had gathered on this day. At the cutting of the birthday cake, I misread the year as 60 to be corrected as 90. Age had stood still over time. I was happy to meet many friends that day including W.M. Tilakaratna, the former Senior Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, who was married to Mr. Werapitiya’s sister. The next day the Werapitiya family left to the Police Officers Bungalow, Aluthgama, as he was keen to show his granddaughter, the magnificent Aluthgama Lighthouse. I joined them and took a motor boat, to be out in the open sea to get to the lighthouse. The sea was turbulent and rocked the boat. We held on. Having reached the island we waded in the sea, to start our climb to the lighthouse. After the arduous walk and reaching the foot of the lighthouse only then did we realise that Mr. Werapitiya at 90 years, had kept pace with us, who were much, much younger to him. He manifested to us the secret of good living.
One of the happiest moments of his life was when in 2012, the NGO Forum For Ageing selected him to receive the prestigious award, presented to individuals in recognition of their contributions made to the nation and its people, after their retirement. The qualifying criteria was the age to be past 70 years. An independent panel made the selections and the awards ceremony was held at the BMICH.
Mr. Werapitiya was a devout Buddhist and illuminated his life with the teachings of the Buddha. He was a regular contributor to the Vesak Annual and the press. He committed much of his time in retirement, participating in meritorious acts and being involved in associations that helped humanity. His dedicated and tireless work at the Bogambara Prison Kandy transformed the prisoners and gave them new hope in life.
He was a repository of knowledge and wisdom and was a gentleman par excellence in manner and speech. He lived modestly, contented with what he did for others. He spurned ostentation, vanity and showmanship and lived and led by precept and example. His friends were touched by his frankness, sincerity and the strength of his inner convictions. He carved a niche in society; not only by what he achieved, but also by the noble and righteous way he lived.
On September 12, 2014, he finished his earthly pilgrimage. He led an exemplary and noble life. He demonstrated by example, how a human life can be spent so meaningfully. May the wonderful memories of Mr. Werapitiya be a source of strength and inspiration to all who associated with him.
Ravi Deraniyagala
Edgar Gunatunga
Versatile, colourful, veteran banker
Edgar Gunatunga, a versatile, colourful veteran banker passed away peacefully on November 19, 2014. He maintained an enviable and exemplary record of nearly three decades of continuous banking, a rare achievement, perhaps unparalleled anywhere. Having closely associated with Edgar for over three decades reminiscing some memorable hallmarks of his illustrious and elongated banking career make me realise his versatility and his professional excellence. Edgar received his early education at Sedawatte Madya Maha Vidyalaya and later at St. Benedict’s College, Colombo. He loved his alma mater and was very proud of these institutions; the high ethics and discipline of the Christian Brothers had a great impact on his life. From his childhood he demonstrated an exemplary performance whether at school or at home. His deep sensitivity, his sense of commitment to anything he undertook was remarkable.
Edgar began his career in 1954 when he joined the then Eastern Bank as a junior clerk. He virtually re--wrote the record books in the Sri Lankan banking arena where it is the only instance that a school leaver joining the bank as a junior clerk rose to be its managing director. On his performance as a trainee he was selected within a relatively short period for training at the Eastern Bank head office in London, where he received invaluable exposure to all the salient aspects of operational banking, in the then financial capital of the world. Six years on he was back in the Colombo Office as a government officer.
In the late sixties, the Eastern Bank transformed itself into the newly incorporated Commercial Bank. Edgar served with distinction in various positions, entrusted multifarious duties with increasing responsibilities.
From being the first manager of the Jaffna branch, he rose to become a senior manager accountant and finally chief executive and managing director. Growth and profitability figures at Commercial Bank were unprecedented. Retiring in 1991 from the Commercial Bank, Edgar was desirous of a quiet life. However, under pressure from the Central Bank and institutional investors, he was persuaded to take over as chief executive and deputy chairman of the then troubled Sampath Bank, which was going through a crisis and a run on deposits, with the bank losing at a rate of over 50 million a day. His enormous skills born of vast experience and high moral rectitude helped to turn the bank around. Customer confidence and profitability grew slowly but surely; so did the bank’s performance in the stock markets.
In a variegated career in the private sector where he was in banking, and also in plantations, industry, packaging and marketing, he was also managing director of Commercial Bank Plc, chairman of Sampath Bank, president of the banks’ association of Sri Lanka, chairman of Kahawatte Plantations Plc, group chairman of Tokyo Cement Sri Lanka Plc, Ceylon Tea Marketing Services and Star Packaging Ltd. He was equally at home in the company of business persons, bankers, politicians and academics, therein was his strength. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of men and matters, besides of business and market intelligence. His sixth sense enabled him both to build up entrepreneurs and also strengthen the lending portfolios of banks he managed.
It is his strength that he brought into the boardrooms of the several companies he served. He was a ‘man for all seasons.’
Edgar’s personal profile was exemplary. He married Pamela, a gracious young lady whom he loved dearly. She was a great strength to him, when his career made exacting demands on him. Together they brought up their son Dilhan and their daughter Elushka with admirable love and care. Edgar, involved in various professional and social activities still found time to spend with family. He was happiest in their company, wife, children and grandchildren. His home was an abode of peace and tranquillity. He was an unassuming person never given to ostentation and bragging.
Throughout his life he epitomised kindness and other qualities, which are fast disappearing. He earned an enviable reputation as an efficient, dedicated and honest banker, whose professional ethics was of a high order, as a person who adhered to a code of professional rectitude.
Edgar was a wonderful friend who reached out to his friends particularly in times of distress; he was steadfast in his loyalty to his friends. With his demise I have lost a dear friend. I now realise how real Charles Caleb Colton’s words were: “True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.” I have lost a friend who is irreplaceable, an emptiness remains in me that I cannot seem to fill. I thank God however, for the gift of Edgar’s friendship. I thank God for his life. I will not say farewell because I know we will meet again. May the turf lie gently over him.
J. T. Rex Fernando
Velupillai Arulampalam Thambythurai
Mentor and philosopher with an insight into life
I choked with emotion and wept silently when several of my erstwhile colleagues many of whom are septuagenarians themselves rang me to convey the sad news of the passing away of Mr. Thambythurai on September 23, 2014. My association with him lasted several decades when we were Immigration Officers. Later he was also promoted as Chief Immigration Officer. He had joined the service as Immigration Officer and was promoted in recognition of his exemplary service. He had a distinguished career and was awarded a Colombo Plan scholarship to Australia in 1977.
In the olden golden days of the public service there was no politicization and public servants were selected purely on merit at competitive examinations. Thamby as he was called belonged to that lineage; he stood tall. Corruption and graft were repugnant to them. Always dapper in his white uniform with black shoulder epaulettes adorned with a crown which provided unbridled authority, he was a brilliant performer of the tasks he was entrusted with. He discharged his varied responsibilities with unsurpassed distinction winning accolades from his superiors. He also possessed a superb sense of humour.
He was an officer who had gone through the mill to achieve all the merits the sphere could endow him with. Unlike in a strictly eight-hour job, we spent long hours together sometimes 24 hours at the Katunayake International Airport, Ratmalana Airport and Colombo Harbour. Our turn of duty at Talaimannar which was a seaport was for one month. We were responsible for the ingress and egress of passengers both foreign and local. We were also entrusted with the arrest and deportation of illicit immigrants and visa overstays. He was thoroughly devoted to work ethics which he pursued without fear or favour and stood by what he believed was right.
Guide and mentor par excellence, philosopher with a sagacious insight into life, dear friend with whom you could have a drink without being inebriated at a social gathering and gentleman to his fingertips, that was Velupillai Arulampalam Thambythurai.
Between both of us our lives jelled like no other as our spouses were engaged in the noble profession of imparting knowledge at Royal College, Colombo 7 for a duration of several decades until they themselves retired.
Thamby was born on October 17, 1928 at Manipay. He attended high school at Jaffna Central and represented his College in track and sports. He leaves his behind his beloved wife Indrani, children and grandchildren.
May he rest in serenity and tranquillity forever.
Nanda Nanayakkara
Christo Mendis
My best friend
On that fateful day several years ago,
They brought me bitter news
That made me shed bitter tears.
Though I do not make my grief
A trumpet to shatter the sky,
I silently mourn your loss;
The loss of my husband and best friend
Who was the wind beneath my wings.
We spent many happy years together,
He filled our home with silent laughter.
May the good Lord bless and keep him
Till we meet again.
Mirelle
Selvaranjitha Rani Sinnapapillai
She was like Florence Nightingale
Selvaranjitha Rani Sinnappapillai, wife of the late Dr. Chelhya Sinnappah, Chairman and Managing Director of Ranie Medical Cente, Thihariya, Kalagedihena, entered eternal glory in October 2014. She came from Dr. B.C. Lawrence’s family in Varany, Jaffna district. She was a generous person and received great joy in giving to those in want.
At Thihariya she was like Florence Nightingale, focusing very specially on the patients who came from near and far for treatment to her husband. She had a unique sense of affection for them.
She had her entire education at Vembadi Girls’ High School, Jaffna under the principalship of Ms. G. Schucroft and excelled in studies, oratory and drama. She was an excellent debator in school and was awarded the gold medal for senior oratory.
She contributed much to all the Christian activities in and around Colombo, Gampaha and Jaffna. She built a parish hall in memory of her parents – J.S. Thirurajasingam, emeritus principal, president Jaffna Teachers’ Association and Rosaline Annapoornam, at the JDSCI Church , Munnavil, Jaffna District.
She never cared about a person’s caste, creed or religion and moved among the rich and poor without discriminination.
We recall with happiness the beautiful memories we have of her and feel sad that she is no more with us. We miss her but we are happy that she is with the Lord. Our deepest sympathies to her children.
T. Jegarajasuriyar