Appreciations
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An
artist, home-maker, counsellor and so much more She received a distinction for art at her "O" levels, which made her realise her talent for painting portraits. She then pursued a career in art by joining the Heywood School of Art where her passion for art began. In the mid ’70s my father found employment in Zambia and Kenya. My mother taught art as a subject in leading international schools in both these countries. She had an unorthodox concept of teaching art with subtle emphasis on making art fun and enjoyable. Her students were at liberty to express their feelings using art as the medium. Once they generated the artwork, she would show them ways to add more emphasis to improve the overall effect. Throughout her lifetime, her fervour for teaching art never faded. After returning to Sri Lanka, she continued to conduct art classes for children at her home. The children never missed her classes, as every class to them was a new experience. In her spare time she created dequoparge pictures, which give partial three dimensional effects, pottery painting, stained glass painting and macramé. She also used to sew many types of garments and created motifs. Her other interests were in interior design and garden landscaping, She was awarded a diploma from the Sheffield School of Interior Design and participated in many local exhibitions, which were held in Colombo. She did enhancements to garden landscapes in many privately owned homes too. Apart from her art she studied counselling and was a volunteer at Women In Need (WIN). She was an active counsellor on the WIN team. She was also in the committee of the Lanka Mahila Society which is another non-profit organisation that helps women in the rural areas of Sri Lanka. Everyone enjoyed her cuisine. She could make a variety of scrumptious dishes from vegetable pies to lamprais. Most of the dinners she hosted for friends and family comprised entirely of her own cooking. As a mother she was absolutely remarkable and had a profound understanding of her three children Ramni, Sanjee and I. She began teaching art to generate the required income to put us in international schools. Later on she was also instrumental in finding placements for our tertiary education in Britain and always ensured that we returned home during the vacations. Everyone knew her as a vivacious person. She was always the live wire behind all social events and had a natural skill in maintaining the tempo. Unfortunately, she got a terminal illness and succumbed to it. She showed glimpses of her vibrancy even while undergoing treatment. She passed away on September 24. Though we will all miss her presence in the years to come, she will be with us forever through the trail of art she leaves behind. Charita Ratnatunga He
had leadership qualities A leader should also be able to identify the temperament, the individual capabilities and abilities of his entire staff. Mr. de Silva possessed all these qualities. After completing his education at St. Benedict's College, Kotahena, he joined the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. After a short period, he was selected for the district revenue officers service in government service in 1944. His first appointment as a D.R.O. was in the village of Kandabodathithu in Matara. He was subsequently appointed as D.R.O. to Siyane Korala (now known as Gampaha District) and later served as D.R.O. in many parts of the country. In 1951 he was selected by the Colombo Plan to undergo training at the Administrative Staff College, Hanley-on-Thames, England for a period of six months. When the Ports were nationalised in 1958, Mr. de Silva was appointed to the Port (Cargo) Corporation. Thereafter, it was one steady rise through several key departments to the highest rank as chief executive and Chairman Port (Cargo) Corporation. He also served on the boards of several other government organisations such as the Port Tally and Protection Services Corporation, Ceylon Shipping Corporation, State Flour Milling Corporation, State Mineral Sands Corporation and Ceylon Shipping Lines. He was also Acting Chairman, Ceylon Shipping Corporation on several occasions. After more than 27 years he left government service and joined the private sector as director McLarens Limited, which was then one of the reputed foreign owned shipping agency houses. In 1975 he launched his project in tourism and started the construction of Hotel Topaz in Kandy. Claude de Silva Fruitful
existence filled with intellectual effort Many were the distinguished speakers who addressed that Society, amongst them Dr. N.M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, G.G. Ponnambalam and T. B. Jayah, all politicians of eminence. Young Kapi honed his skills in public speaking and discussion in the debating halls of Ananda. I had a particular affinity to this period of his life for, years later I followed in his footsteps to become the Secretary of the Post-Senior Students’ English Union and leader of the English Debating Team at Ananda. With his penchant for debate he chose to read Law at the erstwhile University of Ceylon and duly obtained his degree. After his academic studies he pursued a successful professional course at the Law College. He took oaths as an Advocate and practised briefly at the Courts in Colombo. His foray into journalism at Lake House was of short duration. Egged on by the urge for higher studies, Kapi relinquished journalism for the United Kingdom and London University's School of Oriental and African Studies. At SOAS Kapi distinguished himself with a First Class and was designated the best examinee of his year. His achievement earned him a scholarship. He continued to collect laurels. Moving to Oxford, he won a scholarship to Balliol College. There he secured a prize for his essay on 'The role of the Press in India'. In 1971 the University of Oxford awarded him a Doctorate. Kapi, the alumnus of three Universities, Ceylon, London and Oxford, had done Ananda and his country proud. This versatile student of Law, Economics and Sociology conducted research on Modern Indian History as well. I was associated with both Kapi and his beloved wife Monica over a long period of time in discussions on Sri Lanka and developments there in the sphere of politics. It was in such conversations deep into the night that Kapi revealed his sustained and steadfast patriotism. In March 1985, Kapi and I together with a post-graduate student were listed as speakers in a debate with three Tamil representatives at Cambridge University. Sadly, Kapi had to withdraw at the last minute (his place was taken by Dr. Garvin Karunaratne) as Monica's brother, Denzil Peiris, the internationally renowned journalist, had passed away the previous evening. Kapi, together with Monica, attended another seminar on June 28, 1985 where I was asked to present a talk on 'The ethnic conflict -a Sinhala point of view'.The seminar was chaired by an Oxford Don who in his welcome speech indicated a clear bias in favour of the Tamils. Kapi, at once interrupted the Speaker with telling effect and stressed the duty of the chairman to be impartial.The Professor immediately withdrew his remarks and apologised. Kapi together with Monica made it a point to attend our meetings, seminars and functions. His words of advice and encouragement to me were invaluable. Ill-health was a determining factor in Kapi's life. A victim of cardiac disease, he survived two major heart operations. The ailment compelled him to lead a comparatively quiet and low profile life, though he did visit Sri Lanka as often as his health permitted. His long stay abroad was dictated by the need to have speedy access to the best medical attention for his condition. Despite the disadvantage of a continuing illness, that he bore with fortitude and courage, he soldiered on bravely writing a book on the present political outlook in Sri Lanka. The book will be published shortly.
Douglas Wickramaratne A man
for all seasons Trevor received his secondary education at St. Peter's during the Rectorships of Fr. Nicholas Perera and Fr. Basil Wiratunga. He went on to the Ceylon University and passed out as an MBBS in 1953. He was a diligent student and participated actively in the extra-curricular activities of the medical students of his vintage. Even after passing out, this group kept in touch and had regular re-unions. Trevor was a key player in these activities together with his wife Dr. Clytie, a fellow medical student. Clytie comes from a well-known family in Moratuwa where her father the late Dr. J.C.E. Rodrigo practised. Trevor and Clytie proceeded to UK shortly after their marriage in 1955. While in UK, Trevor obtained post-graduate qualifications whilst Clytie remained at home with her baby son, sacrificing a promising medical career. On their return he signed up with the Colombo Municipality in keeping with the family tradition. He served there for over 30 years and ended his career as Chief Medical Officer of Health and later as Municipal Commissioner. He had earlier served a term in Nigeria as a foreign consultant. Trevor and Clytie kept open house at "Delmar" in Elibank Road. Trevor leaves behind Clytie, his life partner for over 49 years, his son Hilal and daughter Ashani, wife of Manil Jayasinghe and grand-daughter Natasha - the apple of his eye. Trevor was a real gentleman and a man for all seasons. We shall surely miss him. R.A.F. He
was a shining and inspiring example to all his colleagues No reference to Lyn would be complete without mention of the dynamic and inspiring services he had rendered to our association, both in this country and overseas in diverse capacities as Chairman, adviser, philosopher and guide during a period of nearly 22 years, in a totally honorary capacity without even claiming reimbursement of the expenses necessarily incurred by him for these services. Lyn was a founder-member of our association, established in July 1982 and Chairman from 1989 to 1990. He continued to be an active Council-Member and also functioned as Chairman of the Committee on Labour Initiatives of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) until his death. Lyn established five garment factories three of which are still functioning under his company Creations (Pvt) Ltd, providing employment to nearly 1500 people. His beloved wife Janaki, son Janaka and daughter-in-law, Bimalka, assisted him in the management of the factories. No major event in the garment export industry occurred or could occur without his central and inspiring role, which earned for him the sobriquet of "the Ambassador" of our garment export industry both in this country and overseas. Lyn was at all times a shining and inspiring example to all his colleagues in our association as well as to his colleagues in other associations. Lyn served on several public bodies such as the Export Development Board, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Exporters Association and the National Labour Advisory Council. He was also the Chairman of the Tharuna Aruna Programme. He also served on the ITC roster of experts on export promotions; and had undertaken several studies including a joint study on EU/Sri Lanka Trade as well as capacity building for LDC garment exporters in December 2002. Prior to joining the garment export industry in 1978, Lyn worked for many years as the Commercial Secretary in the British High Commission, Colombo, where he gained valuable experience, after having had an illustrious career at St. Peter’s College, Colombo. Lyn will be sadly missed. His devotion to work for the advancement of the export industry was legendary and will inspire the leaders of these industries, for many years to come. Farewell, Lyn. It appears that you were too good for us to have for long. To those whom you gave so freely of your kind services and generosity you live on. Ranjan
Casie Chetty
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