Appreciations
View(s):A man of wisdom and lovable personality
Theophilus Kirupakaran Augustine
I was grieved to learn the unexpected sad death of Mr. Theophilus Kirupakaran Augustine on December 16, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. He was born on July 23 1938 at Pandiyanthalvu, Jaffna to orthodox Catholic parents, father Augustine and mother Mariama with three brothers and three sisters who pre-deceased him.
During the time his father Augustine was a teacher at St Patrick’s College Jaffna, Theophilus Kirupakaran joined St Patrick’s College and excelled in studies and co-curricular activities. During Lent, Rev Fr. T.M.F. Long, OMI, Rector, St Patrick’s College organised an open-air Passion Play and he was chosen to play the main role as Jesus Christ.
Completing the secondary education he moved to Colombo for employment and joined the Govt. Service in the Auditor General’s Department. He passed the competitive exam and was selected as an Accountant and was posted to the Govt. Railway Department.
He married Indra Saverimuttu on June 1, 1966 and they were blessed with one son Emil Rohan. He was a devoted husband, an affectionate father and loving grandfather, always concerned about the wellbeing and welfare of his family. He carried out all his paternal responsibilities with much love and commitment. He brought up his son Rohan in the fear of God and instilled noble qualities in him giving priority to education.
Having served with honesty and sincerity he was rewarded with the promotion as Deputy Chief Accountant in the Railways Department. Having proved his professional excellence in serving as Chief Accountant he was appointed as Director, Internal Audit in the Treasury. While working in the Treasury, he represented the Government as a Director in the Trans Asia Hotel.He actively participated in the Govt. Service Accountants Association in various projects holding responsible positions and shared his extensive knowledge of accountancy with many, helping them to qualify and achieve their ambitions in life. He also never lost touch with Tamil culture.
After retirement, he migrated to Adelaide with his wife Indra to join their beloved son Rohan. They lived close to St Francis of Assisi Church and Augustine was much involved in church activities and social work.
Augustine’s prayers and faith in God sustained him in all his triumphs and trials. A gentleman par excellence, lovable personality with simplicity, a faithful friend at times of need, many were privileged to have moved with him closely and enjoyed his love and wisdom. He was a man of discipline and sound character, full of charisma and virtue. May he rest in peace.
S.B.David
She rose from the ashes of despair to soar
Fidelia de Silva (nee de Alwis)
‘I am going to a city where roses never fade’ and ‘Heaven is a wonderful place’…..sang the angelic voices in beautiful harmony, almost persuading the earthly beings present to an invitation to that divine mansion! The ethereal vocal sounds filled the parlour, wafting through the air to the gentle strumming of a guitar at the funeral of Fidelia Irene Padmawathi de Silva.These little girls who also paid tearful tributes gratefully to their wonderful ‘Grandma’ so eloquently were the products of ‘Footprints’, a foster home aptly named and founded by Fidelia some years ago. Her passion to nurture, educate the young, marginalized and impoverished to give them a headstart was evident in the accomplishments of these children.
Fidelia or Delia as she was fondly known was my father’s adorable cousin and a much loved aunt to all her nieces and nephews in a close knit extended family unit. She passed away peacefully a few weeks ago at the ripe old age of almost 98 years. She was a deeply spiritual woman and her memory was remarkable unto the end enabling her to do what she loved most; ‘praying’ and praying faithfully and regularly with her much loved nephew Rathika.
She led an exemplary and purpose-driven life and like her name ‘Fidelia’ she was supremely ‘faithful’ to her Maker. The ripple effects of her faithfulness filtered to the community at large as a great blessing.
Delia, the grand old dame was the matriarch of a distinguished family from Kalahe, a charming hamlet in Galle lined with rows of verdant paddy fields in the precincts of Unawatuna. Here Delia spent a happy childhood growing up fielding a cricket team of siblings. She was raised in a staunch Methodist family and the quaint Methodist church in her village built by her Samarawickrema ancestors where she worshipped whilst growing up was one of themany benefactors of her generosity. Delia was always drawn to Kalahe like a magnet; her childhood experiences, memories and the love of family at Rockhill Estate made her gravitate to her roots at all times. She was thrilled to be visiting the ancestral home in later years until it was no longer possible for her to travel.
Delia was the eldest of 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Felix David Lionel De Alwis who were landed gentry and lived in the sprawling manor ‘Rockhill’ on a salubrious estate in Kalahe. She was educated at Southlands College, Galle during ‘British Ceylon’ under the Wesleyan missionaries and later at Methodist College, Colombo where she excelled in her studies to pursue a career in teaching.
The tragedies that were soon to befall her were devastating: she became a widow at 21 years and her only child at the time Hemakanthi who was born soon after her husband’s death also predeceased her at the tender age of 13 from a debilitating disease.Delia also bore the pain of losing two of her younger brothers; Luke at two years in a drowning accident and Denzil at 21 to Typhoid whilst he was flourishing as an Assistant Superintendent at an estate in Mathugama.The relentless grief and pain that consumed a young woman was beyond measure but like a phoenix she rose from the ashes of despair to soar and rebuilt an extraordinary life of service and duty to leave a legacy of love, kindness and compassion; her indelible ‘footprints’ in the sand of time.
Delia moved on from her teaching career and gravitated to a career in social service joining the YWCA in an honorary capacity and eventually becoming its President after Mrs. George E. Chitty’s tenure. She continued in this capacity for many years working for positive social change for women and girls to bring about justice and economic empowerment. She was instrumental in the spearheading of a new building for its headquarters in Union Place and further expansion and development of the YWCA at the time.
She met her second husband Douglas de Silva through his mother who played cupid whilst Delia was a young widow. Dougie and Delia married and were blessed with two sons Dilhan and Harindra. Dougie built a successful business in the pharmaceutical industry. He was an avid golfer, quiet and unassuming but with a great sense of humour. Delia’s young unmarried brothers in the police force were particularly close to him and often got the run of Dougie’s stylish MG sports to take their dates for a spin!
I recall with much gratitude that as a young bride Dougie’s latest addition to his fleet of cars then, got me to the church on time! Dougie pre-deceased Delia but she continued her life of service and duty right to the end.The mantle has now fallen on Dilhan and Ayoma, Harindra and Lotte with their children to continue her legacy of kindness and compassion to the destitute and disadvantaged.
‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Mat 25:40)
Savitri de Alwis
He gave his best in the service of education
T.B. Wickremasinghe
T.B. Wickremasinghe, former Principal of Berrewaerts College and former Vice Principal of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, passed away 40 years ago on 10.02.1978 . He was born on March 1, 1926 at Palle Thalawinna in a village close to Katugastota, Kandy, to a respectable Kandyan family.
He had his early education at Trinity College Kandy from 1933 to 1943 and entered the University of Ceylon in 1944 graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947. After graduation, he joined the staff of Nalanda College as an assistant teacher in science.
In 1955 he passed the Diploma in Education from the University of Ceylon and wanted to join the staff of his alma mater Trinity.
However, he changed his mind and joined the staff of Dharmaraja College Kandy in January 1955 . He was the senior science master and also the teacher in charge of Vocational Guidance. That same year he invited me also to join the staff of Dharmaraja College as its Chemistry Teacher.
He was the Secretary of the College Staff Guild and served on the committees of the Kandy Teachers’ Association and officiated as the Assistant Secretary of the Science Association .
On 24.10.1956 he was appointed Vice Principal of Dharmaraja College Kandy.
He attended the Commonwealth Conference on “The Teaching of Science subjects in schools” held at the University of Ceylon Peradeniya in 1963. He published several insightful articles on the teaching of science in the journals of the National Education Society of Ceylon. He was a regular contributor to this journal and his articles revealed his attitude towards teaching as well as his scholarly and psychological approach to the subject.
Later on he assumed duties as the Principal of Berrewaerts College, Kandy in January 1967 and was promoted as a Grade 1 Principal in August of the same year. His main task at this school was to organize its science section to improve the quality of science education of the students.
In 1970, after the general election, he was transferred to a school in the Nawalapitiya area. Though he never became involved in politics he was badly victimized by the then Government for no valid reason.
During his career in the education service, he worked with commitment and dedication. He was able to work long hours as his wife looked after the homefront.
He was a person who distinguished clearly between right and wrong. He had the common touch and that was why he was loved and respected by many, including the staff who worked under him.
Later on he was appointed as the Principal of Technical College, Kegalle but he retired prematurely in 1977 at the age of 51 with great disappointment due to the grave injustice that happened to him and with utter disgust at the political system of the country. One year later he passed away at the age of 52 on 10.02.1978 leaving behind his beloved wife Anula Herath and children – Lilamani, Deepthi, Udaya and Udra.
May he attain supreme bliss of nibbana.
Dr. Harishchandra Wijayatunga