Appreciations
View(s):His life’s mission was to serve mankind at every possible turn
Noel Wijenaike
Noel Wijenaike passed away on July 6. He was only two months away from his 91st birthday. For him, it was not just achieving longevity, although longevity was a hallmark of his generation that grew up without the stress and urgency of technology. More important than the years he lived, was the way he lived, focused on service to mankind at every possible turn.
And in all he did, there was his beloved wife Malini by his side, giving the strength, the encouragement and support he needed to achieve his goals. She was a model life partner who gave her all to make his dreams come true. And her unanticipated demise nine years before him, was an immeasurable loss of love and companionship in his life, and an unfillable void in his life’s work.
Nevertheless, his service to the country led him to be known in different ways – as a former Bribery Commissioner who was unafraid to speak truth to power, as the former Honorary Secretary General and subsequently President of the YMBA, former Chairman of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust and the Founder and Chairman of the Somawathi Hewavitarne Trust, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Eye Donation Society, to name some of the lofty positions he held, engaging in service to all humankind, and in an endless quest to preserve the Dhamma and to see its global dissemination. His leadership in each role was unquestioned. His vision for each mission was fired by his own commitment to make it happen, and he achieved it all, the way he wished.
In his twilight years, reflecting on his life, he would say with satisfaction, “I did it all my way.” Yes, indeed he did. He did not do things just to please the world. He cared not for cheap popularity or for the opinions of people who did not matter to him. And in all he did, his main focus was to be fair and just.
Having lost his parents in his tender years, he realized much earlier than most, the inherent greed in people, and understood the need to have his feet planted firmly on the ground in order to stand up for himself and those he loved. He was compelled to be self-reliant, developing immense emotional and mental strength to face a cruel and merciless world. He also understood that the way to meet challenges was to be scrupulously honest in all he did.
As well as on a personal level, he realized how far a society can progress with honest citizens. Therefore, while in public service, he did his utmost to put in place rules and regulations to prevent people from being lured into corrupt living. Unfortunately, his advice, more often than not, fell on deaf ears of authority. Yet, even in the final years of his life, many people, big and small, reached out to him for advice and counsel. This supreme confidence in his vast knowledge, in the precision of his judgment, in his wisdom and foresight, was an unspoken endorsement of his capabilities and unique leadership skills.
Always empathizing with the underdog, he believed in the innate goodness of people, and never turned away anyone who reached out for help. He gave unhesitatingly, with an open heart, with generosity extending in all directions – towards family, towards the poor and helpless, and to the Buddha sasana. He used to say he never turned away from an outstretched hand.
One thing he was able to do, that most cannot today, was to gracefully get up and leave when he came to the end of his serviceable years, and passed on the baton to others who came after, guiding them to follow the path to success. The tragedy is that few had the capacity, ability or inclination to follow. He did not give up, however. He kept trying to do good in an increasingly corrupt society, until the very end of his life.
Leonardo da Vinci said, “Life well used brings happy death.” Similarly, having lived a life devoted to serving noble causes, Noel Wijenaike passed away peacefully, listening as he did every morning, to bana on the radio. Life could not have designed a more fitting finale for this extraordinary man.
To those who knew him, his passing was the loss of the last anchor that secured them to the principled living of a bygone era. For them, he represented the last of his generation left standing, who believed in honour, honesty, integrity and commitment to principles, as a way of life. He was never ruffled in times of trouble, and was an anchor to the troubled, through thick and thin. And timeless are his words of wisdom, “Never be afraid to be on the side of what is right and just. That is the only side to be on.”
May the samsaric sojourn of Noel and Malini Wijenaike be short, and may they attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
RJ
You left an indelible mark not just on your family
Jean Arasanayagam
Jean Arasanayagam, my mother, passed away one year ago on July 31.She left behind many precious memories especially reflected in her books as well as in the lives of her family, friends and students.
She was one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific and eminent writers but never lost the common touch. She was essentially a writer, teacher/lecturer and social activist who used her writings to highlight various issues and conflicts both in Sri Lanka and abroad. As a Burgher she was always conscious of the realities and ramifications of colonialism, postcolonialism and hybridity in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural context.
Her love for her country played an important role in her decision to remain in Sri Lanka despite the fact that she and her family were adversely affected by the ethnic disturbances of July ’83. Travel however, played a predominant role in her life and she felt that she was representing her country as a writer in many conferences abroad. She was a lecturer and writer-in-residence at the University of Exeter and she once told me that she put Sri Lanka on the map when she lectured on creative writing and Sri Lankan literature to many who came through storms and cataclysms to hear her read her poems in places like Cornwall. She was also basically a historian who analysed the realities of colonialism in our country.
She also reached out to the marginalized and was proud of the fact that she held writers’ workshops in Bristol jail for prisoners many of whom had committed violent crimes but were being rehabilitated. She felt greatly for the plight of marginalized groups in our country including animals who suffered in captivity.
She was very fond of her students both at St Anthony’s College, Katugastota and also the English Teachers Training College in Kandy. Many of her students who passed through her hands occupy pivotal positions both in their careers in Sri Lanka and abroad. My mother reached out to everyone. My mother also enjoyed directing plays and dramas both at St Anthony’s and the English Teachers Training College. She was essentially a very simple person who needed only a C.R. exercise book and a pen to write her poems, short stories, novels and prose.
My mother was also our mentor and guide and I remember her going to Kandy to bring us storybooks and novels during our childhood and teen years. She introduced us to British, American and postcolonial literature and would enjoy reading her poems to me on quiet evenings in our house in Kandy, my sister being abroad for many years.
My mother was also a devoted and committed Christian and believer in world religions and would valiantly attend church services in the Methodist church Kandy. She was also a great optimist and always saw the positive side in any situation. As a Christian myself and a believer in other religions too, I believe that my mother and I, including my family will be reunited with her in paradise. She will never be forgotten for the impact she had and role she played in my life. May she be blessed and remembered forever.
Paru Arasanayagam
A well known personality who lived a simple life
Rajendra Tissa Salgado
The passing away of Rajah Salgado does not erase memories, it renews tributes.
‘Rajah’ as he preferred to be addressed hailed from one of the wealthiest and most respected families of Panadura as did his partner Swarnamali Amarasuriya. They lived a simple lifestyle attending to their family requirements on their own.
The children were his pride and he took them to school while going to office adjoining the parental home. There were many registered companies, plantation and bakeries such as M.M. Salgado & Sons and Panadura Bakery Company Ltd, as well as charitable organisations administered from there.
He was an excellent community leader overlooking many charitable, elderly and care homes such as the Gothama Boys’ Home, Aruna Boys’ Home and King George the Vth Silver Jubilee Home for the Elders’ in Panadura while attending to the requirements of the sacred Buddhist temples. Among them was the Golden Samadhi Buddha Statue at the Walana Bridge, which was his uncle’s creation.
The quality of his leadership was that he had followers to attend and administer all his activities with stability. He had an inimitable manner; simple, unhurried, always with a gentle smile, to reward his followers.
He led the Junior Chamber International (JCI) of Panadura with a set of persevering youth. One memorable event was the disaster relief he organised in response to the Trincomalee cyclone where he was lauded with international recognition for having sent relief requirements to reach the affected within 24 hours. He was recognised by the Junior Chamber International with an award and at the age of 40, he was elected a Senator of this organisation.
His well-managed dominion of plantation companies, the Panadura Tea & Rubber Company Ltd which was one of the largest tea and rubber companies in the island was acquired by the Land Reform Commission. Undeterred he joined the State Plantations Corporation and ended his career as a Regional Director covering the Horana territory where he was able to impart his valuable knowledge and expertise. He held this position until his retirement.
I had the privilege of associating with his family for over 65 years being introduced by my father. He earned a lot of merit in this birth and may his merits and blessings protect his family and make him attain Nibbana by making his journey through Sansara short.
Jayampathi D. S.
Exemplary man with a benevolent heart
CLARENCE HEENDENIYA
Clarence Heendeniya or “Clarry Uncle” was one of the most unassuming and humble people that you could ever meet. As a child, I knew him to be gregarious, jovial and good natured.
As time went by, I realised that he was a licensed surveyor. Most of our friends and relatives’ survey plans were either drawn by him or re-drawn based on an earlier allotment subsequently partitioned according to law. He had surveyed certain prime Colombo lands which today have High Commissions and embassies built on them. He spent a short stint in the Middle East as well.
By the time he passed away he had surveyed properties for more than half a century. Most of the main allotments of land and partition plans attached to the Deeds would contain the official seal “D.D.C Heendeniya Licensed Surveyor”.
He knew most of the Mortgage-Legal staff at the private commercial bank where I initially worked because they would always call on him to check on survey plans. I would also bump into him in the District Courts where he would often come to testify at land and partition cases as a witness. We would have a cup of tea together in Huftsdorp, if we were both free after our respective matters before Court.
Surveying of lands and preparing plans had profound effects on people; for some, it was to ‘break away’ from the main allotment in order to build a new home, a new hope for life. For others, it was the way of ending bitter family feuds and disputes
Clarry Uncle was a staunch Buddhist and one practising good principles. He would never speak ill of anyone, the most he would do is joke about unsavoury situations or people – but never to judge or condemn anyone. He would always try and help vulnerable people by often going out of his way to ensure fairness, equality and access to justice.
Clarry Uncle knew all his measurements from ancient bushels (boosal) to hectares and yards to metres by heart. He successfully navigated through many challenges in life as well as in the country through different political and social epochs, from an era of Fideicommissum to electronic document registrations. In the latter years he acquired more modern measuring equipment for his job like laser demarcations and AutoCad drawing software. One thing he was missing was a measuring instrument to survey the benevolence of his mighty heart.
May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana and the light of your life remain with Aunty Ranjini, Dishanthi Akki, Niranjan and Dilan and be passed on to the next generation and the next…
Nilanka Boteju
Thank you for teaching me more than just English
Shelton A. Wijesinghe
I was five years old when I started learning English from my uncle, Shelton A. Wijesinghe at his institute and he became my favourite teacher. He truly exemplified successful teaching, and he taught me how to have faith in my own abilities.
My uncle was a successful English teacher. His teaching methods were inspirational, and it was the material that really raised the bar. He chose the most brilliant works of English literature for us to read. We never skimmed the surface; he wanted us to delve deep into metaphors, symbolism and context and to apply it to our own lives. He knew that English was not just to teach us how to write well in our future careers. He knew that English could greatly change how we view ourselves and the world.
He was the first teacher to congratulate me for getting selected to the University of Kelaniya for the BSc. Computer Science degree. He would also congratulate me on my music projects; ask me how my days were going and what my future career plans were. He constantly encouraged me to take more risks, and believed in me. If I needed advice in English or in life, I knew that I could turn to him.
My uncle really wanted us to be the best we could be, and because of his encouragement, I became a prize winner at the IWMS award ceremony.
Teachers have such a strong impact on a student’s life throughout school and beyond, and my uncle taught me much more than just how to write well and speak well in English. He taught me how to be a good citizen. I am forever grateful for all he has done for me.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Nipuna Rambukkanage