Appreciations
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A
Buddhist leader and dedicated statesman Born in 1868, in the village of Waragoda in Kelaniya, Sir Baron had his early education at Vidyalankara Pirivena in Peliyagoda where he studied at the feet of the scholar monk, the Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmaloka Thera, reputed for his knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Buddhist Philosophy. Later, his secondary education was at Wesley College, Colombo, where he had a distinguished career. It is said that on leaving school, Sir Baron sought employment as a clerk in the Department of Lands but the interview board found him too good for the post and observing his potential advised him to pursue further studies. Sir Baron graduated from the University of Calcutta in 1898. In 1910 he entered Jesus College, Oxford in UK, from where he obtained the first degree in 1913 and the Master's Degree a few years later. Sir Baron was admitted as a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn in 1916. Soon after the establishment of the Colombo YMBA in January 1898, Sir Baron was invited to be its first President, a position he held for 46 years without a break, until his death in 1944. Among his many contributions towards the development and expansion of this association to an important position in the Buddhist affairs of the country, was the conduct of dhamma examinations for students of dhamma schools. Sir Baron began his career as an educationist. He was Principal of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, founded by the Buddhist Theosophical Society in 1890. In 1898, he assumed duties as Vice Principal of Ananda College, Colombo, the premier Buddhist secondary educational institution in the country. He became the Principal of that college the following year and also held the post of General Manager of Buddhist Schools of BTS. Sir Baron was an exemplary Buddhist. He had a profound understanding of the dhamma and took great effort to practise the dhamma in his daily life. The invaluable Buddhist virtues of loving kindness, compassion, joy in the success of others, charity, courage and perseverance were conspicuous features of his character. By meditation and reflection, he developed a mental serenity and tranquillity that enabled him to remain calm and unruffled in the hustle and bustle of life and face success and failure with equanimity. Sir Baron was the Secretary of three delegations that made representatives to the Secretary of State for Colonies in London advocating constitutional reforms for the country between 1919 and 1921. A few years thereafter, he took to active politics when he was elected uncontested to represent the Colombo district in the reformed Legislative Council of 1924. In the new State Council of 1931, Sir Baron was returned uncontested to the Kelaniya seat and re-elected unopposed once again in the election of 1936. From 1931 to 1942, he was the Leader of the State Council and Minister of Home Affairs. He resigned from ministerial office in 1942 to accept an appointment as Ambassador for Ceylon in India to expedite the resolution of mutual problems between the two countries. Two years thereafter, Sir Baron was taken ill and passed away on May 31, 1942 while on the way to Colombo from New Delhi by air. Thus, came to an end the fruitful life of a great Buddhist leader, well-known oriental scholar, able educationist and dedicated statesman. A man of impeccable integrity, his sincerity of purpose in his endeavours for Buddhism and the country was acknowledged by both supporters and opponents. Rajah
Kuruppu A true
patriot who served the country My association with Dudley began in 1954, at Ananda College, Colombo. We studied together for the university entrance examination. It was an era in which such illustrious and distinguished Principals such as M. L. Methananda and S. R. Wijetilake impacted the mindset of students. At college he was a brilliant scholar and secured a 'Direct Entrance' to university even without being called for the interview. At the university he trod the unbeaten track at that time and read for an honours degree in Sociology. Whilst I ventured out to the private sector, Dudley took to Public Administration. His capabilities were recognised very early and he worked his way up rapidly as an officer in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. He held a number of prestigious positions in the higher echelons of government service. As the Government Agent of Nuwara Eliya and later as Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism he worked with remarkable distinction. However, his forte was social service and when he was appointed Director of the School of Social Work he displayed his talents and abilities in this area. After his retirement he served as a member of the National Police Commission. In the Buddhist environment and culture of Ananda College the simplicity in demeanour, which was a prominent feature of his personality, was nurtured, and developed. It was further enhanced by his charming ways. When Dudley was Government Agent of Nuwara Eliya, I as the then President of the Institute of Personnel Management had the privilege of having organised a career guidance programme for the undergraduates of Peradeniya. We were keen to have distinguished ex-Peradeniya graduates to do some of the sessions. So I invited Dudley and he readily obliged and took a session in an admirable and praise worthy manner, which was well appreciated by the large number of undergraduates. The only way his sudden demise could be understood is through the Buddhist concept of karma. Otherwise how could such a gentle person pass away in the manner he did. Dudley was a true patriot who served his motherland although he had several opportunities elsewhere. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. K.T.G.R. De Silva An
inspiration and example to others
It was during this time that he met the fair Anula, my aunt, of the famed Goonesekere clan of Walana, Panadura and tied the knot in what would be a long and blissful matrimony. Thereafter, he embarked on a career of public service. He first joined the River Valleys Development Board, which then performed the functions now coming under the purview of the Mahaweli Authority. Initially stationed at Uda Walawe, he rendered yeoman service to its residents. His next assignment was with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, under whose auspices he served the nation for over a decade. He then joined the newly privatized Sathosa Motors and played a pivotal role in its financial restructuring programme until his retirement. He was a public servant of rare calibre who devoted all his energies towards the well-being of the common citizen, both an inspiration and example to all others. Uncle Dodsley was also a shrewd businessman who ventured into new areas potentially fraught with risks. When the transport sector was opened up to the private sector in the mid-1980s, he was one of the first to avail himself of the opportunity and for sometime ran a thriving omnibus company aptly named "Golden Travels". Even after his retirement, he formed his own accounting firm, "Panadura Accounting Centre", with which he was involved until the very end. He was a man of many parts and varied interests. The most important of these were his fine qualities, which could be attributed to his family background and upbringing. A gentleman to his fingertips, he was a unifying force within the extended family. Dilan
Fernando A
popular dental surgeon Sarath was the eldest son of D.W. David, a well-known businessman of Tangalle. After passing out from the Dental School, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya (now Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya) he worked as an Assistant Lecturer in Dental Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine of the same university. Later he worked as a dental surgeon in several government hospitals including Dikoya and Kurunegala. Subsequently he went to full-time private practice at Gampaha and Battaramulla. Sarath was a popular dental surgeon. His devotion to his profession, deep concern for his patients and his pleasant disposition were the key factors of his successful practice. Kalyani, his wife was a tower of strength to him. Fate snatched Sarath from the rest of the family at a most unexpected time. In the face of this calamity it is in fact a great miracle and indeed a consolation that Kalyani's and Lakmali's lives were saved. N.T.S.A. Senadeera |
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