APPRECIATIONS
View(s):A fearless professional he cared two hoots for politicians
Gomin Dayasri
Gomin was brilliant. Often his brilliance was masked by his eccentricity, brutal, fearless and refreshing candour. And after a few sips of the cup that cheers he was a raconteur who affably electrified the grid of the many friends(and even some foes) who would command his attention, for the mix of his many attributes.
“I insist you come to my house for a bite,” he once wrote. “Please bring your wife as my wife will have company and we will have the freedom to talk of men and mice!” And we did talk, for he did not mince his words or thoughts!
Here are some insights which speaks to the quality of the man who refused many an overture from heads of state to post him abroad, presumably to keep the restless attorney at bay!
“I travel every two months to the unknown. I cannot come to Washington/New York as I refused HL who insisted on sending a ticket when he was at UN as I had declined his invitation. I told him metropolis bores me. Went in December 2014 to Myanmar in Shan State where media reports fighting. Stayed two weeks – western tourists are plenty. Saw no military presence or any fighting. Media nonsense as the Americans with whom I travelled together called it. Sharing tourism is an easy and safe way of travelling.
“Thereafter went to Mongolia to live with the nomads: wonderful experience. I went in search of the blue leopards and saw only blue sheep.
“You know, some of my friends though greatly nationalistic were totally elitist in their lifestyles and would take into their inner circle such like and no other. I came from a totally different background. Went to Ananda (my father and his family were Trinitians from Panadura – N.Q Dias), found Sinhala easier than English and was totally Sinhala educated and a Buddhist and outwardly more a ‘yako’. They looked up to me for other reasons – I was more snobbish and stylish in my lifestyle than them (because of my parents’ economic and social clout) and HL the wizard on law consulted me though he was intellectually arrogant. So we formed the perfect partnership.
“The moral behind the story: the best of the nationalists come from public schools and not the central schools – they are not purchasable: won’t allow (themselves) to be corrupted and will speak their mind irrespective to whom it is addressed and stand on their personal philosophy. In short none of us did care a hoot for politicians.
“My belief is the last stand for a professional is: skill in your profession and from that skill the gain reached for economic strength – to be your own man. I must confess ashamedly economic clout though gained more from professional skills, I am indebted to my parents,” he concluded.
And we are indeed indebted to Gomin for the exemplary fearlessness he displayed which hopefully professionals will emulate at this time when his type of unrelenting courage is most needed.
M.V. Muhsin
My grandfather a respected village headman
MUHAMMADHU MEERA NAINA
July 12, marked the 50th death anniversary of my paternal grandfather Marhoom Muhammadhu Meera Naina. He was born on May 6,1906 as the third child of businessman M.K. (Moona Kaana) Shahul Hameed and Semanachchi, then residing at No 55, Madawala Road, Katugastota.
He was named after his paternal grandfather Muhammadhu Meera Naina who had come from Seerudayapuram,Thirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, India during the mid 19th century and established himself as a successful land owner/trader in Badulla and Kandy in then Ceylon.
My grandfather had his early education at CMS School, Wattegama for a couple of years and later joined Trinity College, Kandy. He had the privilege of being in Trinity during the era of the legendary Rev. Frazer and his leaving certificate had been signed by the Vice Principal Rev. Gaster.
After leaving school, he was in the Police for a few years prior to starting his career as a Proctor Clerk. He served under the illustrious lawyer/politician George E. De Silva and later under Proctor Coomaraswamy.
He married Kadeeja Umma, the youngest daughter of Naina Marikkar of Wattegedera Polgolla in 1926.
In 1941, he was appointed as the Village Headman (a prestigious position at the time) of Uda Talawinna in Patha Dumbara and had won accolades from his superiors for his impartial and efficient administration over a span of 16 years, during both the colonial and independent eras of Ceylon.
My grandfather had been a highly respected and popular person among the neighbouring Sinhala villagers. It is evident from the fact that he had been a guest for all the Buddhist events in the area even after his retirement in 1957.
My grandfather was instrumental in the founding of Dunkolawaththa Colony in Polgolla, and is still remembered with gratitude by the descendants of the peasants who were the beneficiaries.
I was only four and a half years old at the time of his death in 1972, at the age of 66 and missed his affection and also the opportunity to derive much information from him on our family ancestry and about his younger days in colonial Ceylon.
May Almighty Allah grant him Jennathul Firdhous on the day of judgement. Ameen!
Mushtaq Jamaldeen
Our role model, mentor and inspiration
Emily Karunaratne
Thank you Amma for your unconditional love
A beautiful blessing from our God in heaven above.
Thank you for the lessons you taught us every day
To be gentle, to be humble, and to trust and obey.
You taught us to be always loving and kind,
Keeping Lord Jesus’ teachings fresh in mind
To be ever willing to forgive and forget,
To love with all your heart, with no regret.
We learned from you to delight in simple things
Your joy and laughter brushed us like angel wings.
You taught us to care, to comfort and to pray
For those who are in trouble, and hurting every day.
You made an impact on every life you touched,
Your students, friends, and family you loved so much
How blessed we were to have you as our mother,
Our role model, mentor and inspiration like no other.
Life’s lessons imparted long ago
Live on in generations that continue to grow
Our Family Tree has now spread far and wide,
Nurtured by your matchless love as our guide
Precious Amma!
Dr. Suriyakanthie Amarasekera
George Steuart’s leading light, he always did things the right way
Scott Dirckze
Gerard Edward Scott Dirckze, affectionately known as Scott Dirckze, joined George Steuart & Co. Ltd., the oldest business house in Sri Lanka, as an executive in September 1962. George Steuart & Company was founded in 1835 during the colonial era under the British and during its long history was local agents for Coutts & Company, bankers to the British Royal family, besides playing a prominent part in the opening out of land for coffee and tea.
The firm was incorporated as a limited liability company, George Steuart & Co. Ltd., in 1954. The Board of Directors of George Steuart & Co. Ltd., comprised Englishmen and Scotsmen who respected and abided by the rule of law and the firm enjoyed an enviable reputation in mercantile and plantation circles for integrity in business dealings and honourable conduct, qualities consonant with Scott’s own character. He was dedicated to doing things in the right way.
For Scott Dirckze, a graduate of Cambridge University, being at the helm of George Steuart’s, was his destiny. He was its Finance Director, a Board Member, and finally in April 1988 Chairman succeeding Trevor Moy, the last expatriate Chairman in 1988.
He retired as Chairman in March 2000. As a main shareholder, he continued to be a Member of the Board of Directors, until he sold his shares in September 2011.
Nihal Sri Ameresekere
She had strength and determination enough for all
Sweenie Rodrigo
After 50 years of married life with me, Sweenie passed away on April 7, 2022. She was born on October 5, 1945. In her last years, she suffered with dementia/ Alzheimers disease. Over the last three years, she had memory loss and was hardly able to speak, but still managed to sing a few gospel choruses that she had known for decades. However she was very, very often with a smile or laugh even though she could not then comprehend anything much.
During her working days she was extremely helpful to many and very caring of her family, friends and relatives. Her foreign and local bosses at her places of work greatly appreciated her work as she efficiently and diligently executed her duties. She worked 25 long years for Bata shoe company and after that another eight years or so at a World Bank project office attached to the University of Moratuwa. In the early years of her working life, she was at Radio Ceylon (Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation).
At her last place of work, although she joined initially for a two-year contract, at the end of it, she was kept back by the Vice Chancellor for six more years. She enjoyed working and her working life spanned 43 years while looking after our son and daughter.
She was also a great home builder who practically and financially helped me to build our home. She had strength and determination enough for all.
Our lives changed with each passing day when she started losing her ability to talk. An MRI Scan revealed that her brain was slowly but steadily losing the ability to function smoothly. My happy life was adversely affected when the doctors told us that there was no known treatment. It was also a shock to our Pastor at our local church where she was quite involved in various church activities and a great sadness to especially our children, also her brothers and sisters, close friends and relatives.
She always was so active, helpful and friendly, with a vibrant, outgoing personality She will be greatly missed.
Hers was a life well and productively and faithfully lived.
We wish her great and blessed eternal rest, safe in the arms of the Saviour Lord Jesus.
Lasantha Rodrigo
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