From checking the Queen to greeting VIPs

Down memory lane

By Roshan Peiris

Talking about the attitude towards women in those days, Manel says the British debarred women from both civil and diplomatic services until Oxford-educated S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike changed it all.

Manel's memories are varied and humorous. "As a child I was very shrewd. I was punished by my mother- who was strict -for refusing to share my toys with my sister. When my grandmother, sister and I went to the State Council in the evening to pick up my father who was working there, I complained non-stop about my mother, to get his sympathy."

She was quiet at Methodist College until she entered the middle school, where she began talking during lessons and generally 'played the fool'. Her favourite subject was history and she did a History Special at Oxford. Her father who had a devilish sense of humour asked her colleagues at Somerville College in Oxford and at New Hall, Cambridge where she later studied languages, to call her Miss Kangaroo. Kannangara, her maiden name, she said, was a tongue-twister to foreigners.

In Rome too where she served as an attache, she was always referred to as Miss Kangaroo even at official functions.

In 1950, Manel did her S.S.C.exam and came second in the island. She studied for the London External Exam and got a first division in the Intermediate Arts Exam. 

"I did not fancy studying alone, so my parents sent me to Somerville College," she said. At first she was lonely never having left home before. "But soon I made friends and I went around with a group of boys and girls. I did not have a particular boyfriend, since my mother would have got upset."

With regard to her diplomatic career, Manel who was Charge d' Affaires in Thailand when Queen Elizabeth II visited Bangkok says, "We had to pose with her as representatives of the Commonwealth. The photographer thought he was being smart when he whispered to the Queen that I was the Indian Ambassador's wife, because I was next to him, and that spouses were not allowed in the picture. 

" The Queen remembered me from an earlier encounter at the quay and told him off with,' You are ignorant!' ''

Manel had informed British protocol that the Queen should not shake hands with the Buddhist monk in Bangkok Ven. Wimalasiri Thero. "But the man making the introductions forgot to tell Her Majesty and she was bringing her hand forward, when I stared directly at her. Luckily she understood my look. She stopped immediately and pretended to pat her hair. Then she greeted the monk, bringing her palms together.

Referring to another challenging period when she was Chief of Protocol from 1970 to 1980, she says, "For two years I prepared the staff for the Non-Aligned Conference, mostly military people and the Cadet Corps. It was hectic. I literally stayed at the Airport Hotel. I was virtually on duty for 24 hours a day for over a week.

"Almost every seven minutes I had to board an aircraft and greet a head of government or state. I informed the military ceremonial committee on my walkie- talkie when each VIP arrived, so that the correct flag could be hoisted and the correct national anthem played."

It was in Bangkok in 1973 that she met husband Hector Abeysekera, working in a research institute. They fell in love and had a typical Sinhala marriage with a veil and a trailing bouquet. 

"The registrar had to come to the embassy. He was quite out of his depth, the poor bewildered man seeing me in saree and veil. He asked Hector in Thai, 'Will you take this woman to be your wife?' and Hector who did not understand a word of Thai looked confused. I kicked Hector and asked him to say yes," recalled Manel with a laugh. 

One of the most important events in her Foreign Service career was accompanying Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike to Mexico City in 1975 to attend the first UN World Conference on Women. Mrs. Bandaranaike delivered the keynote address. 

In 1995, Somerville College made Manel an honorary fellow, perhaps the only Sri Lankan woman to be so honoured.

After retirement Manel is now the Chairperson of the National Committee on Women appointed by the President to implement the Women's Charter.
News 100 years ago

News 100 years ago

Boer prisoners' camp 

The site selected for accommodation of Boer prisoners is one of the best obtainable in Ceylon and the Government has apparently been guided by their experience of six years ago when it was attempted to establish a military sanatorium and rifle range in the spot indicated. The place is both healthy and accommodative while there are also facilities in the way of transport and water supplies. About 2000 prisoners are expected.

The Government Factory, Messers Walker Sons & Company, Messers W. H. Davies & Company, the Eastern Produce & Estates Company and the Colombo Commercial Company are busily engaged in putting together sheds. 

Famine in India

His Excellency the Governor has taken the initiative and will preside at the meeting.

Madras Times comments

In one respect, the transportation of prisoners would be most inappropriate. Ceylon once upon a time belonged to the Dutch and the present day descendants of the Dutch bearing Dutch surnames are countless; and as the German Emperor's principle blood is thicker than water, these Dutchmen cannot do otherwise than sympathise in a general measure with the Boers in the present campaign. Such a feeling is only natural and it would be politically unwise to stir the feelings of peaceful Dutch subjects in Ceylon by bringing into their midst a legion of fellow Dutch captives, captured while fighting for the independence of their country. The bungling way, however, in which the present government miscalculated the prelude to the present war doesn't afford much confidence that the present government will do ought else but miscalculate the sequel.

Mail service

Ten horses will be required for the service. The period will be from July 1 1900 to June 30 1904.

A deposit of Rs. 50 has to be paid before any form of tender is issued. Security to the amount of Rs. 200.
- Media Man 

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