Aubrey Kuruppu: Remarkable teacher gentleman far excellence
View(s):It is one month since our remarkable teacher left us forever, creating a void that could never be filled in our hearts. Memories of him linger on, prevailing in our lives. His sudden exit ended a brilliant career in the field of academics, cricket and rugby that had commenced 40 years ago.
I met Aubrey Sir, when I was a student at the faculty of Arts University of Peradeniya. At intensive English programme for the first year students, he taught us English throughout the first year. He was very close to me because my elder brother Madduma Banda Abeysinghe and Aubrey Sir were in the same batch.
In the second year, SAQ English classes were conducted by Mrs. Sumangalika Dharmadasa who was also Aubrey Sir’s batch mate.
When I worked as a Senior Assistant Registrar Faculty of Arts, I was fortunate to work with Aubrey Sir. He performed duties as Head of ELTU when Professor Sirisena was the Dean of the faculty. He always appreciated Aubrey’s commitment to handle ELTU to the betterment of the Faculty of Arts. As a Senior Administrative officer, I was the first person to attend the duties at 7.15 to the Faculty of Arts. Sometimes myself and Aubrey Sir were waiting more than 15 to 20 minutes to open the main door of the faculty. He was committed to his work from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm daily. He and I were the first two persons to have a cup of tea at the senior common room.
I observed that during the tenure of office he was able to maintain good rapport with academic, non-academic staff and students of the university. When I had a chat with him, he revealed his school and university days’ cricket career. According to him, he has represented his Alma Mater S. Thomas’ College and University team in 1970s.
Apart from his cricket experience, he was interested in rugby, because he was the only journalist who accurately analyzed the Bradby game between Trinity and Royal. My son also used to read his articles and said his writing consisted several new terms and he always favours the Royal team. Then I spoke to Aubrey Sir over the phone and I told him my son’s allegation. He told, “Putha tell the Trinitian to play without any mistakes then they can win the game. Royal capitalized on their mistakes. This was the conversation that he had with my son.” He was worried about Aubrey’s sudden demise and felt it badly affected school and clubs rugby games next season.
I met him regularly in Kandy town. If he was not available, I contacted him over the phone. Unfortunately, I was not aware of his sudden demise. Therefore, I was unable to attend his funeral. As a close student, I was desperate and his departure was very difficult for me to tolerate.
Aubrey Sir left us, but his students are currently working at the university system as the professors, senior lecturers and administrative staff as well.
This short tribute is not for a remarkable teacher, but an invaluable human being, a great sports journalist who had a mission to enrich school cricket and club rugby.
Aubrey Sir had a wide circle of friends in university and in the field of cricket and rugby.
One of the most outstanding qualities, was his humanity for he never considered himself infallible. Such rare qualities made him very popular with all who knew him. He has left lasting impressions in the minds of friends and colleagues.
Finally, Aubrey Sir was also truly a man for all seasons.
A.M.G.B. Abeysinghe,
Director,
University College of Batangala, University of Vocational Technology.