Appreciations
View(s):He was a role model, teacher and friend
Roland Silva
Deshamanya Dr. Roland Silva was a unique personality. I am yet to meet someone who can be compared as a close second to him.
My association with Roland goes back to 1972, when he was President – Sri Lanka Institute of architects (SLIA) and I was in his Council. Even at that time, I was amazed at his dynamism as he was always involved with many activities simultaneously. I benefitted enormously by watching his style of getting work done. With Roland–even if you were reluctant to undertake what he had delegated, he would not accept such an excuse and would smile and charm you to get the work done.
We respected Roland–he was a role model to all, not only to architects. In addition, he was a teacher and friend. His vision for archaeology and conservation of the heritage sites and monuments in Sri Lanka was astronomical. He was so knowledgeable that he knew the geography of Sri Lanka intimately especially, where archaeological and heritage sites and monuments were located. He was inflexible when it came to damage to any of the archaeological monuments or sites due to neglect or inefficiency of any of the watchers or supervisors or officers. The site staff were on their toes when they heard of Roland’s visits. He was able to maintain some order due to his personal commitment and devotion to his job.
Roland also discussed his ideas with appropriate professionals before he undertook any major assignment. I recall, prior to him becoming the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) -the apex body responsible for the implementation of the Cultural Triangle projects, he was strategising on how to implement the different projects at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Dambulla as he had difficulty in mobilising consultants for conservation and excavation due to budgetary constraints. In 1985, when he checked with me regarding getting over this issue, I suggested he entrust the tasks to the three or four bigger architectural consultancy firms. I assured him that all the firms would consider working on this nationally important project by charging only for office expenses. Accordingly, Roland managed to convince the consultants, and all the consultants agreed and worked on the projects for many years.
Similarly, to finance the initial projects, Roland needed funding and I suggested visiting a few of the large corporates and arranged and accompanied him to the meetings. He once again convinced the Chairmen and the directors of the boards we met to help the CCF financially to meet part of the cost for the initial work. Two of the three corporates we visited agreed to support Roland to get the projects moving. The rest of his achievements with the Cultural Triangle are now history and many of the recent articles about him provided the details.
Roland, having given his innovative contributions to the conservation and restoration of the heritage sites and monuments in Sri Lanka after his retirement, ventured to serve as the World President of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Once again, in his characteristic style, he transformed ICOMOS by expanding the organisation from 67 countries to 112, and the number of World Heritage Sites to over 500. This position he held for nine successive years.
His scholarly work and prestigious contributions were universally recognized by many nations including Sri Lanka and also by religious, academic and professional organizations.He received many honours of appreciation by the respective countries.
Roland called his wife Neela- “Neela Akki”, for all his needs connected to his work, family and friends. Neela and the family doted on him despite the family not seeing much of Roland. Roland was their biggest love, strength and possession. Roland often spoke glowingly about the achievements of Neela Akki and the children. Neela, in addition to running the house, is a national Bridge player, son Professor Ravi – a world renowned authority in nano technology, daughter Nirma a multi-talented exceptional professional and the twins, Amitha and Prabha, who believed my stories for many years, are today both experts in their fields of international marketing and accounting. Roland’s loss has no doubt left a huge void in their lives. So will it be for us.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Surath Wickramasinghe
He was so much more than a distinguished physician
K.S. De Silva
It was with great sadness I received the news of the demise of my former teacher, a fine physician and true gentleman. Kirthi S. De Silva had his education at Royal College Colombo. He went on to the Medical School of the University of Ceylon in 1949 and graduated in 1954 obtaining his MBBS degree. After junior appointments he set off to the UK in 1958 for further training. There he began his work in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
In 1963 Dr De Silva passed the MRCP examination both in London and Edinburgh and made plans to return home to Ceylon. His enthusiasm for everything he did inside and outside of medicine seemed boundless. With his love for travel and adventure he planned an epic journey with two of his closest friends, Sivasambu Anandaraja and Prof. K.N (Bull) Seneviratne, to travel overland from Paris to Ceylon. The terrain was hostile all the way through Turkey, Middle East and Pakistan. It wasn’t a journey for the faint-hearted as we realised when we were shown the slides while in medical school.
On his return to Ceylon he passed the difficult MD examination, joining the elite band of specialist physicians, having both the MRCP and MD. He remained simple and modest, wearing his learning and authority lightly. In 1963 Dr De Silva worked as a Consultant Physician in Colombo for a short period of time. During this time I was a medical student and had just started clinical work. A few of us were assigned to work with him. Dr De Silva was a brilliant teacher. He was then universally known as “Kira”. I still remember the aetiology, clinical signs, complications and the treatment of Rheumatic Fever that he taught us. He treated us with courtesy and respect, such a rare commodity in those days.
He was a fine clinician and dignified gentleman. Always polite and softly spoken he showed tremendous kindness to his patients and to the staff. In turn he received great loyalty and enormous respect. He showed us how to conduct ourselves calmly and with dignity in the ward. His patients adored him. His work ethic and bedside manner had a tremendous impact on me. Dr De Silva brought a certain style, polish and elegance to his ward rounds and we were all uplifted by it. Many of us felt we should have had a longer spell with him.
As a Consultant Physician, Dr De Silva worked in Anuradhapura and Badulla. The 1970’s were uncertain times in Sri Lanka. There was serious political turmoil with an insurrection in 1971. The rising ethnic tension gave rise to unrest. This resulted in a mass exodus of the intelligentsia from the country. Dr De Silva and family emigrated to Masterton in New Zealand in 1972. They settled in well in their new country. He was awarded the FRACP in 1976 and then the FRCP (London) soon after. He was an outstanding physician and continued to work in Masterton as a consultant. Being a true generalist, he kept assiduously up to date with new trends and techniques.
Dr De Silva was however much more than a distinguished physician. He was one of the most likable, genuine persons you could ever wish to meet. He was always available to chat with his friends and colleagues, not only about medicine but about many other things, including the other great loves in his life, the arts, music and travel.
Many will perhaps remember Dr De Silva for his wit and humour and his extraordinary energy and enthusiasm for life. He was truly international, a bon viveur and raconteur, an expert on wine and whisky, and a most generous host.
Dr Sivasambu Anandaraja and Dr Rohini Anandaraja have been life-long friends with Dr K.S De Silva and family. I am greatly indebted to them for providing me with the information and inspiration to write this tribute. I am so pleased I have had this opportunity to pay my respects to a fine teacher and a wonderful human being.
Dr De Silva faced his final illness with courage and fortitude and had a peaceful end to his life. He took enormous pride in his three children and found profound comfort over more than fifty years in his marriage with Anna. He is survived by his wife and by their daughters Lilamani and Sonali and son Raja.
He wanted the funeral to be as simple as possible playing some of his favourite music.
May he find eternal peace.
Dr. Nihal D. Amerasekera
How does one best describe this inimitable enigma?
Diana Captain
How does one describe Diana? She was blessed with so many varied hues woven into the rich tapestry of her life. Born on January 2, 1927, she was a Zoroastrian at birth but much later converted to Catholicism when she met Father Laurie Sullivan of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and turned out to be an exemplary Catholic. She was blessed with 93 years of life and an illustrious high profile career at the US Embassy in Colombo for 43 years. She will be greatly missed both here and abroad.
I had the privilege of meeting Diana when working as Liaison Officer for Prima/Mitsui in Sri Lanka and we were able to fly in some medication needed for their adored mother, at the request of the late Lalith Athulathmudali.
They are truly a blessed family – Sohli built a hospital for cancer, Perin Diana’s sister was and still is involved with the Cancer Society and Diana did her best for everyone. I already knew her brother Sohli, through Lalith but got to know Diana later and it was a friendship that grew over time. I always enjoyed meeting her and the lively discussions we used to have from cabbages to kings. How does one best describe this inimitable enigma? In essence what was she? Thoughtful and caring, her forte in life was helping people. She knew no fear and viewed life as a continuous challenge.
When my life disintegrated around me, Diana was one of the very few people who were there for me. I was always welcome in her home, where I even spent days and nights with her and she never let me leave without replenishing me with foodstuffs from her larder. She loved beautiful things and flowers and even when I was able to take her only one rose for her birthday, she still appreciated it so much. That was the inimitable measure of her caring.
Truth and justice were her raison d’etre and she walked the arena of life unafraid with Manik her life’s faithful companion and friend.
Rest now dearest Diana, close to the heart of the God you loved so much.
Karen
He learnt as much as possible and gave back to society
D.D.M. Harry Waidyasekera
Harry Waidyasekera was born to Martin and Grace Waidyasekera on November 6, 1931 at Beruwala. He was my mother’s eldest brother and the eldest of four children.
All four children were rendered orphans due to the sudden demise of their parents when they were very young. They were brought up by their stepmother Lila Wijetilaka whom their father married following their mother’s death at the age of 29, when Harry was eight years old. Harry’s father Martin died at the age of 45 years.
Harry studied at St Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, with his two other brothers Sam and Chandra.
All three were bright with an aptitude for scholarly work and were successful in entering University. Harry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Degree from the Faculty of Economics of Peradeniya University in 1956.Thereafter, he joined the Department of Commerce. He later joined the Department of Inland Revenue as an assessor and progressed steadily becoming the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.
During his career at the Inland Revenue Dept. he was appointed as the Secretary of the Presidential Taxation Commission where he applied himself tirelessly to complete and submit the report to the President. He retired in 1991 at the age of 60 years.
Harry Waidyasekera was a past president of the Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation and Editor/Consultant, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka. He was also President of the Theosophical Society of Sri Lanka.
He served as a life member of the Royal Economic Society, London and as the Sri Lankan correspondent of Tax Notes International Amsterdam.
He has written extensively to books, journals and magazines published in Sri Lanka and abroad on taxation related topics.
His other main interest was historical research on the Kandyan Kingdom and in particular about artificers. He will be especially remembered for his ground breaking research on the life and work of Devendra Mulachari, one of the most brilliant designers and artificers produced by the Kandyan Kingdom. Devendra Mulachari designed and built the famous Octagon or the Paththirippuwa under the watch of the last King of Kandy, Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. My uncle’s research was later published as a book ‘The Great Royal Artificer of the Kandyan Kingdom’ (Stamford Lake: 2017).
He led a very simple, down-to-earth life. A man of high integrity, he was honest to a fault. He was always helpful and went out of the way beyond the call of duty to serve others especially relations, friends and students. Being a bachelor he looked at his nephews and nieces as if they were his own children. He was a scholar heavily inclined towards research and writing. He was well versed in the western classics as well as Buddhist Philosophy. He was always correct in his conduct and dealings and a role model for others.
He attended to all his work independently. During his last few days we did our best to care for and comfort him. He passed away peacefully on December 16, 2019 at the age of 88 years. His remains were cremated at the Mount Lavinia cemetery the next day as per his wish.
My Uncle Harry’s entire life was driven by a laudable motive: to learn as much as possible and give back the results of his learning to society.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Sudath Devanarayana