Appreciations
View(s):Bertie E. Wijeratne
Thathie was the darling of the family
My father, Mayadunnage Bertie Edward Wijeratne, who was born on June 1,1935 hailed from a low country family whose origin was Sedawatta, Kelaniya.
He was a very lovable and down-to-earth person who always wanted to help the downtrodden.
Thathie being a member of a family of planters followed in the footsteps of his elder brother, after completing his studies at St. Thomas’ College, Matale.
He was courageous and did not hesitate to take bold decisions. His dynamism and mastery of the techniques of tea and rubber planting made him one of the most senior and leading planters at the time.
He was qualified in the preparation of nurseries and the propagation of V.P. and bud-rubber plants. At the time of his death he had more than 40 years experience in planting and was a recognised Visiting Agent for many large estates. The vast areas he has replanted in many plantations in the low country are testimony to the services rendered by him to the industry and also the country.
He married a girl from the well-known Delgoda family of Ratnapura and was the proud father of three children, two daughters and myself. He was a loving father to us and he did everything to keep our family steady and happy. We are sorry that Thathie is not alive today to see his eight beautiful grandchildren.
To his brothers and sisters, Thathie was the darling of the family and they were very proud of him.
May he rest in peace.
-Son-Haren
DANIEL FRANCIS KARIYAKARAWANA
Kari always stood by his fellow journalists
When I joined the Editorial staff of the Janatha, the first words of advice given by the Editor-in-chief D.F. Kariyakarawana was “Remember there are no ‘Sirs’ amongst the journalists. I am ‘Kariyakarawana’. You can call me ‘Kari’ or if you must, you can add ‘Mr’. However there is one person whom we call ‘Sir’. And that is ‘Loku Sir’, veteran Piyasena Nissanka.
I continued to his dying day to refer to him with profound respect as Mr. Kariyakarawana.
There were two Kariyakarawanas at Lake House. “D.F” (Kari) and “Eamon”. D.F was the elder of the two Kariyakarawana brothers, the Editor-in Chief of the “Janatha”, while the ‘Podi’ Karikarawana was the News Editor – my immediate boss. ‘D.F’ was a very strict disciplinarian. He was most strict on his brother Eamon, who was a fun loving cheerful man – awfully scared of his brother.
Kari had his baptism in journalism at the Catholic newspaper “Gnanartha Pradeepaya”, then edited by a very conservative D.P. Kurukulasuriya who hailed from Kurana in Negombo which was the home town of D.F as well.
There were constant clashes between editor Kurukulasuriya and Kari. In the meantime boththe Gnanartha and its English publication the Catholic Messenger came under the supervision of Reverend Marcelline Jayakody Kari’s forte was page-making. The “headpiece” of Gnanartha Pradeepaya which is used even now is a creation of Kari, who embraced Budhism at the “Buddha Jayanthi” of 2500.
Though born a Catholic, Kari was not a church going Catholic. He was a revolutionary in his ideas and actions. In 1947, he submitted a controversial article to the Gnanartha Pradeepaya which raised a hornet’s nest. The article advocated that even Catholics should join in the Vesak celebrations and decorations. This article met with strong objections from editor Kurukulasuriya, but the benign Father Jayakody said nothing. Emboldened by the good father’s tacit approval, Kari carried the controversial article.
Later Kari started looking around for opportunities. His friend K.M. Sirisena, at the Oriental press was working for a newspaper called “The Lankadeepa” which was to be published by the Times Group. By this time most of the recruitment to the staff has been completed. But through Sirisena’s good offices Kari managed to see D.B. Dhanapala who was the “Man Friday” in the setup. The Editor was a seasoned journalist by the name of Julius de Lanerolle. Dhanapala could spot talent miles away. Kari carried a scrap book of poems, published in the Mihira for his interview. Dhanapala was impressed by the layout of Mihira and wanted to know whose idea it was. Kari replied that it was his.
Although there was only one vacancy and Dhanapala was committed to filling that vacancy with a nephew of a friend of his called Raja Thilakaratne, he decided to get both of them in. The rest of the Lankadeepa staff were seasoned journalists.
Kari trained many a journalist some of whom still adorn the journalistic world. He gave a helping hand to many talented young journalists.
He was indeed a man with a large heart. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake M.P. who was Prime Minister at that time made a cash presentation of Rs.100,000 and a plaque was also presented to Kari in recognition of his services to the journalistic world. It was handed back immediately to start a project to make a “journalists home” for the outstation journalists who undergo untold hardships when they come to Colombo.
Apart from the project not getting off the ground, the Rs.100,000 which was returned at the S.L.F.I. function graced by Kari in a wheelchair, has not been heard of. The present Minister Gayantha Karunathileke should look into this missing Rs.100,000 and launch the project “Press House” which was Kari’s life long dream.
Kari until his death, wrote a very popular column to the newspapers, thus becoming the “oldest working journalist”. He continued writing even when he was bedridden. Sometimes he would dictate the column to someone else. By his table there was a magnifying glass which he often used to detect any factual or grammatical errors. He was very strict, on the correct usage of the Sinhala language. There was a controversial issue regarding a concept of lriyagolla called the “Sammatha Sinhalaya”. Most newspaper editors were up in arms against it. Kari stood alone assisted by a few editors in supporting the “Sammatha Sinhalaya”.
Kari always stood by his “people” fellow journalists working with him. Once during the regime of Mrs. Bandaranaike, there was a strike at Lake House. V.W. Kularatne, the eminent leftist lawyer was the Chairman. Kularatne was a very good friend of Kari’s but Kari walked out with the fellow journalists trooping out with him.
Kari enriched the Sinhala language coining at least two very popular words which are used even today. One is “Samaru Potha” a word he coined for the autograph while “Muhunu Potha” was what he coined for Facebook.
No subject was too small for him to write about. He wrote a column about a magpie which used to come every morning and roost on a tree opposite his sick bed at his youngest daughter Hasitha’s house where he spent his last days. There was a fly which was flitting around causing him annoyance. He wrote a piece titled “The annoying fly”.
Kari also wrote several books in Sinhala in very simple and attractive language. His experience in driving his car overland from London to Colombo is indeed very fascinating.
He may go down in history as one who produced three generations of journalists. His son Muditha is a very versatile journalist and Muditha’s son Kurulu Kariyakarawana works at the “Daily Mirror”.
Perhaps “Kari” s greatest assets were his children, Malathi, his eldest daughter visited him almost daily with her husband Sena. Muditha and his wife Diana kept vigil at his sick bed every Saturday and Geetha and Ruwan both attended to him during his last days. It was at youngest daughter Hasitha’s home that he breathed his last.
Kari decreed long before his death how his final rites should be carried out. When his wife Lalitha passed away, her body was handed over to the Colombo Medical Faculty and he too had wanted his body given to the Medical Faculty.
However his family arranged a religious ceremony in the Sunethra Ramaya in Pitakotte, where the Chief Priest Elikewala Seelananda delivered the sermon on his many services. I was fortunate to be able to attend this ceremony for my beloved “Guru”.
May “Kari” attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana!
-Buddhika Kurukularatne
ROOPA GANWANI
Loved and cherished
by all who knew her
It is with profound sadness that I write these words of appreciation to Aunty Roopa Ganwani.
Aunty Roopa was such a gracious, simple, soft-spoken, charming and beautiful lady. These traits of hers spoke volumes of her personality. A mother so sincere, loving and cherished by all who knew her…she was the epitome of motherhood.
Born in North India, she migrated to Sri Lanka in the early ’50s and married Uncle Lekhraj. They were devoted to each other, loyal, and filled with deep love – a true DharmaPatni – as they say in India. This love they shared with their children, abundantly. Aunty Roopa was an idealistic mother- an unselfish parable of womanhood. She spread a light that only a mother could spread to her family. She was a dazzling lamp that would emit this light forever to them.
When our family were in her home we could feel this light around us. We would joke and laugh with her. When we spoke to her in her native language Hindi she would be amazed at our mastery of her language. Giggling we would listen to her humorous comments and chit-chats. We miss these friendly chats, Aunty Roopa.You were a homemaker and you made your house a home. Not for a moment did you make us feel awkward, though, we would spend long hours chatting with you and your family. You entertained us with magnanimous hospitality.
The family would have their meals together each day and Aunty Roopa would tarry hours till Uncle and her offspring came for lunch or dinner. At mealtime, everyone would be happily talking about the day’s happenings or cracking a joke. There was this aura of spirituality in her; embedded with a deep respect for all religions. Often, we would be there in the evenings and the call of prayer from the Mosque would be audible. She would immediately cover her head with her dupatta- that gesture spoke volumes on her understanding of other religions.
At other times, she would comment on my tresses or my attire, and motivate me to change my hairstyle. This was the motherly instinct in her, notwithstanding any class or creed. Those days we were had no permission to go out, late nights with our friends were taboo, even birthday parties ended at 7 p.m.for us. But, since we were family friends-Uncle Lekhraj and my father were bosom friends cum business associates – permission was granted. We would sit for hours at her home chatting or watching a movie with Uncle, Maya, Ashok and Mahesh, devouring Aunty Roopa’s Indian delicacies.
Uncle Lekhraj and her children succeeded in their fields of business. This was all due to Aunty Roopa’s religious beliefs, inspiration, guidance and motivation to them. At each step of their lives, she was the guardian angel to her family .To us-she was an angel- (Pari-) who placed her hands on our heads and blessed us.
May her soul rest in peace ( Antarkaal Tak aapka aathma Shanthi Raho)
-Zohariya Farhana Refai (nee Gaffoor)
Dr. Wimala de Silva
A pioneer principal
“Fire kindleth fire” goes a saying attributed to Annie Dora Dixon, a former principal of Newstead Balika Vidyalaya, Moratuwa. This fire no doubt kindled, amongst many a genius at that school, the spirit of Deshabandu Dr. Wimala de Silva, to be an educator par excellence, in the country. She in turn shed the light of wisdom, for 13 years, on the path of many thousands of girls who passed through the portals of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 8.
The girls who entered the school at its inception saw her as a strict disciplinarian. Her daily rounds of inspection made them freeze wherever they were. But this groundless fear gradually faded away, as they found themselves getting involved in the decision-making process, regarding the important issues in school. The girls had a say in the choice of the school uniform. They decided by voting, that the meagre funds of the school should be invested on a “slightly damaged” Encyclopedia Britannia in order to fill the vacuum in the wooden cupboard called the “library”. The girls were allowed to decide the suitable punishment for latecomers. It was a student who drew the logo for the school. The students were thus made to realise that they too shared in the responsibilities in the founding of the new school.
Looking back at the activities during the early years, the far-sighted vision of the principal was plainly visible, and the precision with which it was implemented was strongly felt. Eminent doctors were invited on Friday afternoons to speak to the girls on personal health, cleanliness and nutrition. An eye specialist explained how to look after one’s eyes. After providing a wealth of knowledge regarding health, cleanliness and nutrition, a set of strict rules were enforced regarding personal hygiene so that those who overlooked them were punished by giving minus points to their houses.
It was through this discipline that the ground was prepared and the strong foundations laid, for the school to grow in stature. “Those disciplined in mind are wise” says the school motto. The girls were trained to live it, rather than to repeat it.
Although Mrs. Wimala de Silva appeared to be distant from the students in her sternness of voice her true nature was far from it. Whenever a girl needed a word of inspiration to do better in studies, or a word of advice regarding a personal matter, she always addressed such problems individually, in a friendly atmosphere and won the confidence of the girls.
As adults, getting over the fear of the strict disciplinarian, and attracted by the richness of her vivacious personality, past Devians began to visit Dr. Mrs. Silva at home. She was a woman with a warm heart. She had the noble quality of highlighting what is good in others but her dignity did not permit her to talk of anything negative and uncomplimentary about others. She had a deep regard for her friends, colleagues and even her past students. On one occasion she decided to accept whatever was drawn by a friend of hers as a book cover, because that friend was suffering from a terminal disease. Her vibrant personality and humane qualities, revealed only through close association, were worthy of emulation by all.
Though exposed to western culture and western teachers as a schoolgirl, she picked up only the cultural values that would enrich her life. She completed her higher education up to her PhD in foreign lands and was well versed in the intricacies of the English language and literature but always maintained her identity in dress and demeanor and retained her taste for Sri Lankan cultural arts.
Although Mrs. Wimala de Silva was the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardanapura and was awarded the title of Deshabandu, at home she was the gentle, loving wife of Dr. Laxman De Silva, the then Director of the Technical College, Maradana. The beautiful relationship between them set our hearts aglow with pride and respect. Dr. De Silva, always appreciative of his wife’s wide range of interests and commitments was a constant source of strength in their fulfillment.
It would be unfair by that large-hearted gentleman if his contribution to Devi Balika Vidyalaya is not appreciated here. He knew the students by name and was present, though in the background, at every venture of this school offering guidance and confidence. He was a gentleman, father and friend to all Devians.
Mrs. de Silva had a profound understanding of the ethics and the psychology of her religion. Whenever an intrinsic point baffled her, she would seek clarification from an erudite person, often at university level. She always lived up to the high ideals of her religion. But knowing the importance of flexibility in society, she readily yielded when her daily helps called her for evening rituals or when her students invited her for a ritualistic programme.
For Mrs. Silva, growing old was not a predicament to be ashamed of, or to be covered up by resorting to dyes, paints and dentures. Hadn’t she rendered enough service to her country to be proud of, as an achiever of the highest academic qualifications, as a dedicated worker with national and international organisations for the betterment of women, as a researcher on language, as a writer of many papers, articles and books and as a representative at international fora on women? Her services were recognised by the state and private sector and fully rewarded with awards.As such she had an ever radiant feeling of self-satisfaction that defied old age and decay.
Upholding the significance of the emblem of Devi Balika she wrote “May the girls of Devi Balika Vidyalaya be rooted in their native soil but reach out to the full height of knowledge and wisdom and blossom in that glow”. It was this pioneer principal who demonstrated to the girls as a living example, how to reach out to the full height of knowledge and wisdom and blossom in that glow.
-Lilian Somalatha Ratnayake
Erantha Coorey
He was a lovable, wonderful brother
It is with profound sorrow that I pen a few words for my beloved brother who left all of us on May 29 last year. It has been one year since your departure after a brief illness which took you away to the precious hands of our Lord Almighty. Some people who are close to you never leave your life even after death, it was so for my brother Erantha was such a lovable person greatly respected by his friends, relations and office colleagues.His untimely death was shocking and unbearable to all of us, but I am truly thankful to our Lord Almighty for taking his life to his safe hands.
Erantha’s career was at “Astrons Ltd” as a Pharmaceutical Sales Manager for well over 25 years. He showed commendable leadership skills in his entire service. He was born to a Christian family in Moratuwa and studied at Prince of Wales College. He was a prominent chorister in the Anglican Church from his childhood and as an active member of the youth fellowship, he showed his talents and leadership qualities. Later he became a Warden of his church in Wattegama, Kandy where he moved with his job commitments. I can still remember our wonderful memories on vacation at Wattegama, enjoying the breezy climate surrounded by the Knuckles range, bathing in waterfalls. With our children, his lovely wife Menik, son Enushika and daughter Tharini gave us a warm welcome with true hospitality in their house.
Erantha, you were an honest loyal brother and friend. Your lifestyle was admired by many of your OC friends circle and family friends. Also you were a prominent organiser in arranging company get-togethers and Christians parties. You were able to win many hearts among staff with your powerful voice in sing-songs, entertaining all of them very well.
You were very gentle and kind enough to help Menik’s brothers and sisters whenever they needed your advice.
Though Erantha is no more, those who were fortunate to have met him will cherish their memories of him. Thank you brother for leaving your sweet memories with all of us. Until we meet again on that beautiful shore, may the Gracious Lord Jesus grant him Eternal Rest and Perfect Peace.
-Bryan Coorey