Appreciations
View(s):Lasantha P. Fernando
His name will always be inscribed in our hearts and minds
My dear friend Lasantha Fernando, fondly called as “Lassie”, passed away on November 10, after a brief illness. He was an individual with exceptional qualities. His unexpected demise was an irremediable loss to his family, relatives, dear friends and the planting fraternity.
Lasantha joined George Steuarts as a creeper in the early sixties and later on managed some of the best up-country tea estates over a long period of time. He had the capability and the talent to excel as a planter. During the period the plantations were nationalised in the early ‘70s, he was cho sen for a high post in the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB). Here too, he executed his duties with distinction.
His was a life full of selfless care for others. He was a tower of strength to his friends, relatives and family. His gentle and amiable demeanor, his agile mind, religious zeal and sense of duty and responsibility were par excellence. His sense of humour, warmth and humbleness were the symbols of his personality.
In the early 80’s, he and few others formed the Ex-Planters’ Association and he held the post of its President and afterwards was elected as a Trustee of the Association. He did a yeoman service to the ex-planters, especially relating to their welfare activities.
The exceptional feature of his character was his calm and cool temperament. He took everything with a smile, be it hard or jubilant times. He was never nervous or perturbed during any situation. His friendly and cordial manner was admired by everyone.
Lasantha also became a proprietary planter some years ago owning and managing an up-country tea property. His knowledge in the field and experience set into operation, saw his private tea estate being recognised as the best managed in the up-country. He was awarded a coveted trophy in recognition of his achievement by the then President.
Later on in his life, he ventured into business with his brother Rohan and showed his ability to be a highly successful businessman. At the time of his demise, he was a Director of Kelani Tyres Plc, Ceat Kelani Sri Lanka Companies, Silverstock Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Silverstock Ltd and Wheels (Pvt) Ltd. He was held in high esteem by the business fraternity.
He was an elder statesman to many social organisations, apart from being one time President of the Old Boys’ Association of his alma mater, Wesley College, Colombo and Chairman, Board of Social Responsibility of the Kollupitiya Methodist Church.
Whatever he did, he accomplished successfully through commitment, hard work and dedication. He was bold enough to point out whenever there was wrong. He had the courage to abide by his principles however hard it was and whatever consequences he had to face. His extraordinary kindness, close interaction with friends and relatives, hospitality, cordial approach, generosity towards the needy and simplicity touched the hearts of all those who associated him. I am one of those friends fortunate to keep close company with him and his family. We went on trips to many places together and his company was looked forward to by our family and the gang of friends. During this long period of association, I witnessed his amiable and courteous qualities, his generosity, hospitality and sincerity.
Lasantha, to his wife Sriyanee- was a magnanimous husband, a caring father to his two sons Eraj and Chandev, a considerate father-in-law to Rebecca and Priyanganie, and a benevolent Seeya to his grandsons. Here is a man who has lived his life to the fullest. His name will always be inscribed in our hearts and minds.
May his soul rest in peace!
- Asoka Wijetillekaax
EARDLEY MAURICE GORDON TILLEKERATNE
Goodbye dear Guru and friend
As I reverentially stood by the bier,
and beheld in the coffin the remains of a stately and noble figure,
I couldn’t keep back many a tear,
cause it was the remains of my Guru and Friend so dear.
Having had a ride, on planet earth, 92 times round the Sun,
the first Ceylonese Postmaster General Gate Mudliyar A.G. Tillekeratne’s eldest son,
completed the seven stages of man,
according to the Creator’s plan.
For a score plus years past the biblical age,
he strode with aplomb on the world’s stage,
surpassing his peers in every field of human endeavour,
with distinction and great honour.
For his primary and secondary education,
he went to a leading Catholic institution,
that was dedicated to the Church’s first Pope,
to enable his latent talents, to develop, greater scope.
After graduation with distinction in the field of Chemistry,
and as a graduate teacher of Royal College he sought admission to the Ceylon Police as an ASP,
but was guided by destiny to join the Inland Revenue as an Asst. Assessor,
and ended as a Harvard University trained Eminent Commissioner.
After the 1971 Insurgency,
he joined the Ceylon Police as a Reserve ASP,
and thus a boyhood dream, he was able to realise,
of serving the Country as a Reserve Superintendent of Police.
Though deprived of the post of Commissioner General,
this great injustice was partially rectified by JR’s Administration,
by his elevation as Chairman and Director of the Hotel’s and Distilleries Corporations.
A decade after he retired,
his services were commissioned,
to formulate the G.S.T Act,
and set up the machinery to implement it instead of VAT.
Though born bred and nurtured in a feudal mould,
he had a heart of gold,
that responded to those marginalised by society,
with sympathy and empathy.
To prevent the left hand from knowing what the right hand did,
with Charitable Trusts he made a bid,
The beneficiaries covering Research
students at Universities to Assessors who excelled in
Departmental Exams to those with disabilities,
the corpus of each Trust funded by the sale of his inherited properties.
He also gave his patronage and support,
for the development of sports,
as president of the Government Services Cricket Association
and of the Hockey Federation.
In his retirement years,
He brought sunshine and cheer,
to many persons physically and intellectually disabled,
as a member of the National Council for the disabled and as President of the Ceylon Association
for the Mentally Retarded.
Friends and relations please note,
the following quote,
by which he did abide,
during his long earthly ride.
“I shall pass through this world but once
Any good thing therefore I can do, or
any kindness I can show, to any human being, let me do it now.
Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again” (Stephen Grellet)
Goodbye dear Guru and Friend,
though your mortal life has come to an end,
Anthony and a host of your relations and friends will you miss,
while your immortal soul enjoys heavenly bliss.
- A. Pulle
K. U. S. Perera
To a ‘Gurudev’ who will always be remembered
‘Disapamok’ who never retired was a source of inspiration to his students
Following an administrative dispute with the management, the young teacher, K.U.S. Perera resigned from his assignment at his alma mater to join the staff at St Joseph’s College, Colombo. However, the strenuous task of travelling from Panadura was shortlived. One afternoon in late 1953, as he walked up to Darley Road after school he was stunned by the sight of his former Principal Cyril A Jansz, Jr. opening the car door offering him a lift. Next morning he was back at his previous school and alma mater, St John’s College Panadura, a leading private establishment in the island in the early 20th century.
October 27 marked the third month since this remarkable Gurudev gracefully bowed out and the 94th birth anniversary of this teacher par excellence.
K.U.S. Perera, was only 18 when Edmond Dias, Headmaster at St. John’s Boys’ School, Panadura, invited his brilliant pupil to join the teaching staff inaugurating an unprecedented teaching career that spanned over seven decades. Teaching languages, mathematics, Buddhism, history and literature did not satisfy him. In the 1950s he began imparting the knowledge he gained as a Pirivena student to many Dhamma (Sunday) schools, first at Panadura and later in Kalutara, until his death.
It is with profound sorrow that I write a few words in appreciation of my brother who taught me, in his own inimitable style the uncommon intricacies of life. He would not directly say what was black or white, but would enlighten you on how to recognise the colours yourself. Talking about history, when I was 12, he said, “Even hundred Ruwanveliseyas will not exonerate Dutugemunu of the crime of killing hundreds of Tamils.” On another occasion he referred to Vessantara Bodhisattwa and asked, “Let them promise the Throne of Universe, can I part with my two precious kids?” His two daughters Dharshinie and Priyadharshinie were tiny tots then. He never subdued his thinking to the written script, but attempted to grasp the teachings according to what the Buddha prescribed in Kalama Sutta. He was an erudite scholar with a deep knowledge of Buddhism, human civilization, literature, politics and philosophy.
As teacher, Headmaster, Deputy Principal and Principal in a dozen of schools that covered a broad spectrum of cultural diversity, he served thousands who came to him to learn. The staff and students were greatly impressed by his qualities of knowledge, patience, affection, humanity and tolerance. He applied these noble qualities to deal with ‘naughty’ students. The father’s love, concern, care and remarkable affection he shared with his family and his wife, who was also from a well-known family in Kalutara gave unstinted support in all his endeavours. The two daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, all repaid him in full measure by attaining great heights in their respective professions.
His concern, care and remarkable affection he shared with fellow teachers and students of St John’s, and as the Principal at C.W.W. Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya, Mathugama and Sri Pali College, Horana. Among other schools in Kalutara district where he served were Maputugala and Tissa Central. His name will be imprinted in their hearts and minds with deep gratitude and affection. Much of his time, he spent on behalf of those who were enthusiastic to learn, and he never expected anything in return. He taught with the sole objective of preparing them to be useful citizens. Many of his former pupils I met said he was their inspiration.
A strict disciplinarian, he led a disciplined life and anticipated the same of others. Unassuming, but asserting himself as and when the need arose he bore no malice towards anyone.
Dear Sudu Aiyya, you have journeyed through this world, not on calm seas, but in stormy weather, something for you to be proud of as a man of rare virtue. One rarely meets such persons. You will be long remembered for your outstanding record as a Guru-Tharuwa.
May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
- K.K.S. Perera
Chaminda Sanjeewa Senarathne
Your endearing smile and personality will never fade
Some have the power to leave an indelible imprint. One such person was my dear cousin Chaminda Sanjeewa Senarathne.
The youngest of three children of D.W. Senarathne, former Senior Assistant Commissioner-Cooperative Development and Mrs. Padma Senarathne of Ratnapura, Chaminda was a vibrant personality. He was an adorable child capable of many kinds of mischief, but his pranks were easily forgotten seeing his cheerful grin and pleasant countenance. He grew up to be a handsome young man adored by all of us due to his amiable and caring ways. He could make a grim occasion a pleasant one with his carefree chatter, mesmerising laughter and positive attitude. We never had a dull moment with him around, and family gatherings were the happiest times.
He had a loving and outgoing personality and was always willing to give someone a helping hand. When my parents reached ‘old age’ he would take them to hospital appointments, lawyer’s appointments or to visit friends and family in the absence of their own children. His ability to help and the willingness to be of assistance was incomparable. Whatever we did we had his backing, and we had confidence he would never desert us.
This otherwise careful person took a serious risk as if it was destined to be one fateful day in January 2010. After a get-together at his alma mater, he rode his motor bicycle in which he took so much pride with his best friend as the pillion rider. What made him speed along a very dangerous spot on the Ratnapura -Colombo main road still puzzles me. That very decision had a heavy toll not only on him but his best friend, both becoming paraplegic.
Chaminda fought for nearly two years — a harrowing time for him as well as his family and friends. We all rallied around this giant of a young man who struggled helplessly every day of this darkest period. Finally he gave up his struggle with a determination that it was enough on November 22, 2011.
It is five years since he was taken away from us. His accident and subsequent death teach us a valuable life lesson of impermanency. Maybe he was destined to die young as the common saying, ‘the good die young’ is a truism in his case. But his presence is still strongly felt with his most charming smile never fading in our memory.
Dearest Chaminda Malli, we all miss you. But we all have one wish that you would never succumb to such a tragic end with all the merits we invoke in your name.
May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana soon!
- Savithri Jayasinghe Cooray
KANTHA PRELIS – NEE PERERA
Down memory lane of a 55-year-old friendship
It is with great sadness that I write this appreciation on her first death anniversary. I met Kantha for the first time in 1960, when I joined Visakha Vidyalaya Bambalapitiya. There were a few girls who I immediately felt connected to –Hasanthi, Shiranthi, Senani, Gowrie, Mallika and of course Kantha. We soon became one clique of friends, and I being a simple, quiet girl from a conventional convent from the outskirts of the city, they took me into their circle easily. Although Kantha hailed from Colombo, she too was quiet and simple. Our personalities complemented each other, and in no time we became very close friends.
To mention a few interesting incidents during our schooldays, one of our more fun loving class mates Shiranthi, once dared to imitate a teacher when she turned her back to write a sum on the blackboard, but was caught red-handed when the teacher turned around! The whole class started to laugh and the teacher got very angry and told the culprit to stand on the chair. Although Kantha too was tempted to laugh, according to her nature, she suppressed it and smiled sweetly.
We progressed step by step and soon reached ‘senior class’, which is now referred to as O/L class, this being the deciding year to be promoted to ‘H.S.C One’. A welcome step that happened in 1963 was the introduction of swimming. The students had to be taken to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) since we didn’t have a pool. One of the few girls who joined swimming right at the beginning from our class was Kantha, and we were happy to see her getting into the bus attired in a swimsuit covered in an overcoat – it was like magic to us!
We did not have a playground at that time and the school sportsmeet was held at Police Park Grounds. Since Kantha lived close to the school, she would ask a few friends to come to her house for lunch, before going to the sportsmeet. I too happened to go with her and her mother was very happy to entertain us, and from there we would proceed upto Police Park wearing straw hats, in perfect comraderie, enjoying every minute of it.
Another unforgettable experience was the “Visaka Swarna Jayanthi” celebrations at the Race Course, which was a grand week-long carnival held to celebrate our school’s Golden Jubilee. We were in our early twenties and we decided to wear saree on all seven days. I stayed at my good friend Hasanthi’s since it was convenient, and we would drape our pretty, dainty sarees and head over to Race Course, where we would join Kantha and a few others.
My sister Rukmani who was a teacher at Visakha, was put in charge of the “Games of Skill” stall and I assisted her. Kantha together with a few others would finish up at their stalls and join us to go for a stroll around the carnival premises. There was an event to choose the “Visakha Swarna Jayanthi Queen” – a different person each day. The teachers who were in charge had already chosen the seven winners, but did not reveal it until a garland was put on the winner. When the crowd identified a pretty girl, they came and garlanded you, and Kantha and myself too were garlanded in this manner, but we had to disappoint them as we weren’t crowned Queen!
Time passed and we went our own ways, but our friendship still stayed intact. We still stayed in touch by exchanging birthday wishes and new year wishes etc, and by talking over the phone. Kantha was not too keen on higher studies, so she became a pianist, and as I had a great liking for kids I went onto become a Montessori teacher.
Days, months, years passed by taking us into adulthood. She married before I did, and unfortunately I missed her wedding and was deprived of seeing her as a lovely bride. Eventually we became mothers – both of us mothers of a son and daughter each. As our children grew, our marvellous friendship continued very smoothly, and that I think is the beauty of a good understanding. We shared our love for pets–Kantha had cats, rabbits, squirrels and tortoises etc.
Kantha knew exactly how to make a friend feel special. As I too was fond of cats, whenever she sent wishes for my birthday, she would always write a stanza by a popular poet and paste a lovely picture of a cat on the card. I can recall the day her lovely cat passed away. She took me very sadly to see her pet lying sprawled on a cane chair in the back verandah and we both looked at her sadly and in silence.
Later on, I used to visit her once a week with my daughter and we would spend time chatting and exchanging fond memories, while my daughter practised the piano. She was a great help to my daughter and would assist her with the piece she was practising. Kantha would also gather fruits such as Rambutan, Mango, Naminam just to mention a few from her backyard, and hide it behind her back and surprise me with these lovely treats. These were some of the tender, loving qualities she possessed and which I appreciated very much.
Once in a while she would play a mischievous joke on me, and I being quite slow to catch a joke, once I did realize it, we would laugh like two children.
Time passed and both her children left to the States for higher studies, and Kantha and her husband Vijitha moved to an apartment, but our friendship continued in the same way. I remember the day we went to pick her up to go to a friend’s get together, and that was the time she was gradually getting ill and slowing down. Vijitha told us to look after her well and drop her back home safely, which we did accordingly. Gradually her illness became grave and her dear husband looked after her tenderly and lovingly like a child, until she breathed her last on the 26th of November last year. I felt so sad when he told me the news and thought to myself she was fortunate to have got a life partner of that nature. I firmly believe she is reborn in a good place, as she was an amazing person with special qualities.
May she attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Your most loving friend,
- Duranthie