Appreciations
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A
lawyer, socialist and trade unionist At that time there was not a single Buddhist school for English education, and Quintus as he was fondly known was sent to Nalanda College, Colombo for higher studies. In those days when the movement for national independence was gaining ground, teachers and educationists inspired the younger generation to be aware of their standing in colonial Ceylon, and young G.B. de Silva inspired by the teachers and Bhikkus of Vidyodaya Pirivena took a keen interest in national culture. After completing his studies at Nalanda College, he entered Law College at a time when Colombo was faced with air raids and food rationing, and life, especially for children from the outstations, was hard. In spite of this, he passed the final examination for the admission of proctors, coming first in the first division in 1948. His brilliance was recognised by fellow students who elected him as secretary of the Law Students' Union. He started his legal practice in Kandy where his paternal uncle, late George E de Silva, Minister of Health in the State Council, had carved a niche for himself. In those days the language of the Courts was English and G.B de Silva made his presence felt in the Kandy Magistrate’s Court, often appearing for the common folk, the working class and trade unionists without legal fees. He was not only a legal practitioner, but a politician, social and religious worker and trade union leader. He contested the elections for the Kandy Municipal Council and, though unsuccessful twice, won the Lewella ward. This enabled him to claim a place in the supreme legislature. He was the SLFP area organiser for many years. As an organiser and administrator he showed his prowess when he was the president of the Mahanuwara Co-op Stores Society Union during 1970-1977 - a period marked by scarcity of food and clothing. As a member of the legal profession he displayed much care for his clients. His contribution as the President and Librarian of the Bar Association for many years was astounding. He framed the rules of the Bar Association and the Library and he pioneered the movement to expand the courts buildings, leading several delegations to the Ministry of Justice. He would have been successful but for the sacerdotal interest in the site. It is on record that it was GB who offered the largest stock of books to the Law Library. Law and socialist politics consumed all his time in the political field and his wife Badra handled the domestic front ably in tutoring two sons and two daughters to the legal professions, a rare feat in a provincial town. May his sojourn in Sansara be brief and may he ere long attain the bliss of Nirvana. Cecil Jayasinghe Your
fragrance still lingers I remember how in the early years of marriage you underwent the trials and tribulations of bringing up children and attending to household chores in spite of long duty schedules at the hospital where you worked as a nurse. When I was transferred to distant places you never grumbled but held the fort at home without a murmur. Your superiors and co-workers at the hospital still speak of your devotion and dedication to work and of how faithfully you performed the duties entrusted to you, at times sacrificing your leisure to attend to and care for sick patients in your wards. As Nurse-in-Charge of the Premature Baby Unit, a post you held for a number of years, you looked after the little ones as if they were your own offspring. You were humble to a fault. When I married you I was only a Clerk and you faced all hardships with me giving your all and never asking for anything in return. Years later, with my promotions and some affluence, you never wanted anything but the simple life you were accustomed to. You did not even like to be dropped at your workplace preferring to walk the distance as usual. You were happy when we had visitors at home. You made it a point to make enough to accommodate your sister's children, neighbours' children and co-workers. Being a good Buddhist with a Dhamma school background, you never harmed anyone by thought, word or deed. You did not envy others or speak ill of them. You observed 'atasil' and attended meditation classes as time permitted. You also attained your lifetime goal of a pilgrimage to Dambadiwa. You extended your loving kindness not only to the folk at home but to our many relatives, friends, neighbours and acquaintances who do not tire of speaking about your virtues. Indeed you were without parallel in our family circle. You had a grand plan for your retired life. But these were not to be. The scourge of cancer took its toll immediately after your retirement. During two and a half years - through three operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy - you withstood suffering with fortitude and courage. You did not groan in pain in the presence of our children or me. But the attendants told me that tears rolled down your cheeks after we left your bedside. The valiant efforts of the doctors and nurses at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital and Ratnapura Hospital were in vain and could not save you. Though you are gone you have left me with golden memories of fond moments spent together and with four youthful sons whom you have groomed to be good men. They will be a source of inspiration to me. The hundreds from all walks of life who flocked to our home and attended your funeral - some weeping - and the sentiments expressed in funeral orations bore testimony to the love and respect that you had earned during your lifetime. I cannot make up my mind to wish you a short sojourn in Sansara. I hope and I pray that you be born again and again as my wife and mother of my children before you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana! Robert How
she braved the pangs of poverty She had her basic education in the vernacular, and was given in marriage to my father, who hailed from the same community and was employed by John Hagenbeck, a German shipping agent, operating in the Colombo Port. She gave birth to ten children, of whom eight survived. I am the youngest. She brought us up under trying circumstances, but that did not stop her from having ambitions for her children. We six boys were sent to Kotahena's best school - St. Benedict’s, a fee-levying school then. I remember how she would wait for the Brother Director to explain the reasons for delaying school fees. The school magnanimously gave her concessions and that was how we were educated. St. Benedict's, later, was grateful to her, since one of her sons and a grandchild added to the image of the school with their academic and sporting achievements. They obtained university degrees and one a doctorate. Three grandsons, all brothers, represented Sri Lanka at hockey at the same time, a feat unsurpassed. During the Second World War, our father lost his job as John Hagenbeck was taken prisoner. It was the worst period for the family. Our mother encouraged us to get free meals from the St. Vincent De Paul Society, and to this day, this act of humility, has stood us in good stead, as we were never ashamed of poverty. Our neighbours, uncles and aunts gave us meals, without being asked, as they knew that my mother was too shy to ask. Most of all, our gratitude to our mother was that we were brought up in a God-fearing manner, and this has stood the test of time in our understanding of the diversity of society. She was good at managing the home and would trudge almost every day to St. John's fish market to pick up a bargain. She leaves behind three children, 23 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren. We remember her at all our family gatherings, and are proud that we had someone of that calibre to guide us. Walter Fernando
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