Appreciations

End of an era

Kenneth M. de Lanerolle

With the death of Kenneth M. de Lanerolle in May this year at the age of 90, the life of an illustrious educationist ended.

Educated at Richmond, he was successively Vice Principal of Wesley, Principal of Kingswood and Principal of Wesley - all of them Methodist institutions set up in the 19th century in the noblest traditions of a liberal education by illustrious principals, Darrell, Blaze and Highfield. De Lanerolle picked up his role from them as a versatile, and gifted teacher, linguist, novelist, broadcaster, actor, playwright, poet, humorist, painter, geographer, public speaker and administrator.

All these talents were gracefully blended in one outstanding school principal - the likes of which we will never see again in our grim educational landscape.

My association with Mr. de Lanerolle was mainly, though by no means exclusively, in the field of English teaching, a vocation we shared. The late Minister of Education Dr. Badi-ud-din Mahmud hand- picked him to head a Committee of Inquiry into the Teaching of English in the Schools of Sri Lanka (CITE). The leadership he gave to this committee and the commitment and zeal with which he accomplished an important assignment designed to give our country "a place in the sun" are etched in my memory and undoubtedly in the memories of those who were associated with him in his task.

'A Place in the Sun' was the apt title he gave to his report, which consisted of two parts and ran into 382 mimeographed pages. It appeared in 1973 in the aftermath of the lunar conquest, that "giant leap for mankind".

De Lanerolle's report contained 21 chapters, whose titles give an idea of the scope of its coverage:

* The role of English in South and South East Asia; English in Sri Lanka; The Demands for English; English in the Schools; Outline of a Plan.

* Beginning English; the Four Year Course; English in Schools after NCGE: The use of the Mother Tongue in TESL; Libraries, Preparation of Classroom Material and Creative Works in English; The Place of Literature;

* Evaluating and Testing; Learning and Teaching in and out of school; Recruitment and Deployment of Teachers; The Good English Teacher; Teacher Education; Regional English Units; The Administration of English, Research and International Contacts.

We wonder, as did de Lanerolle in the last lap of his earthy sojourn, if the present educational establishment has even heard of a report titled "A Place in the Sun".

Professor Gooneratne's brief communique to CITE sounds true, after all: It's not only English teaching that is dead but most of the members of the committee that inquired into it, not to speak of Minister Mahmud and a good many of those who submitted their excellent oral and written submissions.

For me, to remember Kenneth de Lanerolle is to summon up, among many other remembrances, CITE and the long hours I spent with him in a truly educative experience producing A Place in the Sun". CN

He had the common touch

Kandiah Thevasigamany

The voice of Kandiah Thevasigamany was stilled by the cruel hand of death on May 14 when he was on his way back to Colombo from Jaffna.

Theva, as he was known to many, led a meaningful life. It was a life marked with success at regular intervals, through hard work and a religious commitment to duty. He rose from the position of an ordinary clerk at Police Headquarters to the high ranking position of Government Agent.

However, he never lost his common touch and solved many problems that came his way as Government Agent of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

My early contacts with Theva were due to his association with my father, who was of course senior to him, when they were together at Police Headquarters.

When I met him, a month before his death, in Wellawatte, he showered me with praise for an appreciation I had written after a colleague's death. Partly in good humour, partly serious he said he could die a happy man knowing there was someone to write a few lines about him.

I laughed it off as one of his usual cracks.

Theva is survived by his beloved wife and three children. May Theva attain the sainthood of "Theva" at the feet of Siva.

S. Mahalingam

Thank you Ammi

Rani Sepalika Dias

Our beloved Ammi departed from us prematurely three months ago. But the fragrance she left behind still lingers and always will.

Everybody liked her because she was unassuming, soft-spoken and cheerful. She was sincere and tolerant and her limits of patience and endurance were beyond measure. Ammi was special and she was our closest friend. She was always there for us, listening to us patiently, advising us and encouraging us.

As a daughter, she looked after her parents with love and devotion. As a sister she helped her sisters and brothers with great commitment. She enjoyed family life in full measure and was a devoted wife and tower of strength and inspiration to Thaaththi for 28 years. She was also a loving and caring mother and we owe a lot to her for what we are today.

She disliked dishonest people. She discarded those who believed that money and nothing but money was everything. Her entire life bore witness to a true and steadfast affirmation of the Buddhist faith and way of life. We appreciate her and Thaaththi for setting such a great example of an excellent and happy marriage.

May she be born among us again till she attains the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana in her journey in Sansara.

Kumuditha and Pavithra Dias

Rare human beings

Samuel Joseph and Elizabeth Michael

The first death anniversary of my beloved brother Samuel, who died in Saudi Arabia, and my sister Elizabeth, who died here fell on June 27 and 29 respectively.

Samuel, the last of the males in a family of seven boys and four girls and Elizabeth, the second of the four girls, left us without saying farewell.

They both possessed unique qualities.

Elizabeth was the very essence of compassion, style and beauty. I thank God for the opportunity granted to us to be their siblings.

May they rest in peace till we meet again in heaven.

Edward Joseph

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