Giving back to their village
Dodanduwa lies in the heart of the southern district, in Hikkaduwa. A vibrant village that has become increasingly urbanised with a growing tourism-related industry, Dodanduwa is home to one of Sri Lanka’s illustrious southern families that has proudly claimed its heritage as their own for over a century.
A computer room (above) and cheerful classroom at the Woodland Primary School
The Dodanduwa Weerasooriyas have always had their roots sunk deep in this picturesque village in which most of their clan still live. For over half a century, the Dodanduwa Weerasooriya Family Welfare Association (DWFWA) has been rendering yeoman service in the village and in the lives of its members. The DWFWA has been sponsoring a well-attended English class in the village temple for over 20 years. The family association has also from time to time, undertaken projects such as providing books for the village library.
A project that is closest to their heart is the village primary school. Once started by the Weerasooriyas themselves in Woodland, their own estate, the school is today known as the Woodland Primary School. Children study here up to Grade 5. For a long time, it was a school without many children and somewhat neglected until a principal who believed in reviving the school and giving children from low income families an opportunity, came along.
Under this visionary principal’s guidance, the school’s roll call grew from a few to a considerable number of children, with parents waiting eagerly to enrol their children there. Set amidst picture postcard worthy landscape, amidst paddy fields atop a slight hill, the Woodlands Primary School consists of neat rows of classrooms. Outside, a green garden planted with many herbs and fruits under Mr. Dayananda’s watchful eye, is in bloom.
The DWFWA has been involved with the school in many ways. Last year, they donated computers for the computer room. The Association also plans to put up a classroom, with the help of its members living overseas. The parents, many of whom cannot afford the big schools in the town, have come forward to offer their services in providing labour for the building.
For DWFWA, a partnership with a principal who has turned their village school around, could not have come at a better time. For many of its older members who remember the fun-filled family picnics and Christmas celebrated with fanfare, the school holds nostalgic memories. It was where most of them went as children.
A few miles away, the first ever Buddhist school that opened its doors in Sri Lanka, under the guidance of Ven. PiyarathneThera, a clansman over hundred years ago, also stands. The picturesque Holy Trinity Church the Weerasooriyas call their family church, stands sentinel by the Galle Road – in front of the church is the mahagedera the Weerasooriyas donated to the Salvation Army back then; Aranolis Weerasooriya, seen as a great member of the clan, is credited with bringing the Salvation Army to Sri Lanka. His father David Weerasooriya, recognized as a Christian patriarch of Sri Lanka and Ven. Piyarathne Thera were brothers. Such was the diversity and the unity of the family.
David Weerasooriya’s daughter Anagi who married Rev. Paynter was the mother of David Paynter whose much- admired work in the S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia Chapel and the Trinity College Chapel bears witness to his outstanding talent.
The DWFWA is truly uniquely Sri Lankan – with Christian, Buddhist and Hindu members, spread throughout the world. Brought together every year at an AGM where family members numbering over 150, get to know each other. This, for many, is a unique opportunity, considering the times we live with engaging in electronic communication via internet or smart phones. The older members get to meet the younger ones and everyone gets to have a good time. The DWFWA meets every June.
The Association has also produced “Sooriyakatha” and “Sooriyasamarum”, two volumes of the family’s journeys and stories of its many members and is planning on a third volume to be published this year. Stories related to the family are invited from members and other interested parties.
For further information, contact DWFWA Secretary Ruth Wimalasena on 077 3462965 or log on to https://www.facebook.com/groups/dwfwa/.