“Grandfather’s Letters”: A maverick in vintage Ceylon
Publisher Ameena Hussein presents a copy of Grandfather’s Letters to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
Standing behind a podium at the Barefoot cafe, Radhika Coomaraswamy describes the late C. Suntharalingam in one word: a maverick. A grand niece of sorts to the Professor, scholar, lawyer and subsequent politician, Radhika was one of the two guest speakers at the launch of “Grandfather’s Letters”. A collection of letters from the controversial, enigmatic scholar to his grandchildren was compiled by one of his grandsons- C. Anjalendran into a slim volume that was launched on Tuesday, July 12 with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe present as a special guest.
Radhika remembered growing up arguing and debating with the opinionated patriarch who was known for his strong ideals for the Tamil people of a newly independent Sri Lanka. “I would find myself at loggerheads with him,” she smiled, but noted that he never took anything she said amiss.
Although he lacked the familial link to Suntharalingam which influenced Radhika, the revolutionary figure was one of fascination to Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda- well known for his work in the field of political science. He admits that their political ideologies are vastly different. But Prof. Uyangoda, who spoke of his own humble beginnings, found a connection with the young Suntharalingam who began his journey from a simple life in Urumpirai before introducing himself as a formidable figure among the Sinhala ruling elite of Sri Lanka.
Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
The book, while showcasing the disenchantment and frustration of Suntharalingam’s political efforts also shares glimpses of a man with strict principles, a genius for mathematics and sometimes tender grandfatherly stories of his family and growing up in vintage Ceylon. “He was C- for controversial and colourful” summed up Prof. Uyangoda.
For the two the book is also a socio political commentary of Sri Lanka during Prof. Suntharalingam’s time, as well as a look into the personal side of a man who was a leader of his ethnic community. “In the Tamil consciousness he was a lion who roared for his people” Radhika sums up.
‘Grandfather’s Letters’ is published by Perera Hussein and is available at Rs. 1,000.
guests at the launch
Radhika Coomaraswamy
Upeka and Anjalendran