Appreciations
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Humble
man who rose to the top I came to know this great character during my tenure of service with Lever Brothers (Ceylon) Ltd, and it was indeed, a pleasure, privilege, and honour working with him. Infact, there was much I learned from him, and I must say he was not only a colleague but also one who advised and helped me in the sphere of accounts and budget control. He made an indelible impact on my life and lifestyle, and was a source of encouragement and guidance in the execution of the many responsibilities and activities I was engaged in or encountered at Lever Brothers. He was liberal with his advice, injected others with his enthusiasm, and was sincere in his approach. He lived a simple and Spartan life but was always ready to help others in need. A unique feature of his career with Lever Brothers Ltd, was his sensational rise from an unskilled labour grade to senior managerial level – notably, the first Lever employee to achieve this distinction. He
never felt ashamed to say that he began employment right from the
bottom. He attended evening educational classes to learn English
and Accountancy and this enabled him to wend his way to higher planes.
Although
Lafir Cassim earned recognition and reached the prestigious position
of Cost Accountant, at Levers, he possessed the intrinsic sanctity
of absolute trust and confidence in his subordinates, and was gifted
with multi-faceted talents combined with the humility of truth,
yet widespread knowledge. On the flip side, however, he won the respect, admiration and support of those superior to him at all times. Lafir Cassim struck me as a devoutly religious person who never failed to observe his faith with fortitude, reverence and simplicity. He
maintained a fine balance between his personal, official and religious
responsibilities to the extent that via his commitment towards these
moral obligations, he played an important pivotal role in respect
of YMMA work. Although
my appreciation cannot describe the man adequately, I could take
consolation in the fact that Al Haj Mohamed Lafir Cassim lived a
good life with no selfish aspirations. Memories of him will help
us to face the travails of life with fortitude and courage. Clarence
(Bobby) A true
Christian who helped others A clergyman who delivered the oration at Sweeny's funeral service mentioned, of course, in lighter vein that Sweeny was not a regular church-goer. Perhaps Sweeny may have believed in the saying attributed to a Seventeenth Century Bishop, "The nearer the Church, the further from God", for Sweeny was a man with a kind heart and simple faith. I may describe him as a practising Christian, for many are the prodigal sons and daughters I personally know of who are beholden to him and his wife Charmain for rehabilitating them at their personal cost and expense. Sweeny belonged to a family of educated men and women who adorned the public life of this country. Sweeny himself with an analytical and scientific mind served the Department of Meteorology in Colombo and outstations for a long time prior to his stint in the United States of America. Sweeny Aiya as I used to call him then was my friend Sheridon's elder brother. Many are the times he chastised us both for mischief. However, later on Sweeny and I too became close and intimate friends. Sweeny represented his school St. Sebastian's College first XI in cricket. He excelled as a left arm leg spin bowler who used to shake his head after each delivery like Shane Warne. He also played for Moratuwa Sports Club and was considered a gentleman on and off the field. Sweeny excelled in athletics too and the many trophies and shields he won adorned his drawing room. Since Sweeny loved humour I may add that he excelled in the "hop step and jump" event too. He used to practise this event many times to meet his cousin Charmain who lived next door separated by a fence. Sweeny and Charmain were richly blessed with two sons and two daughters, and indeed theirs' was a happy home for they were a couple in love at the worst of times and in the best of times. May
I therefore conclude this short appreciation with the words of Helene
Rice. Claude Fernando He
made us laugh to forget our daily woes 'We don't laugh because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh' said William James, considered the father of modern psychology. Dilky seemed to live by that wisdom. I think although he passed away at the very young age of 40 years, he lived a very happy man. Like all of us he wasn't infallible. But if he did exaggerate things it was only to embellish his anecdotes, and to make people laugh and forget their daily cares. His accomplishments in his short innings were many - but most of all, he was a Thomian with true grit and determination. He had the ability and the stamina to do many things at the same time. At the time of his death he was the Managing Director of Mitsui Shipping Lines, the Secretary of the Old Boys' Association and a Coordinator for the United National Party, among other things. I have many endearing and enduring memories of him. He had the knack of taking things lightly while yet having the ability to get things done efficiently and effectively. This was probably because there was great method in his ways - he was methodical to the point of the extreme. I have many fond memories of Dilky as a special human being. Unfortunately most of them cannot be published here, as they are of a personal nature. But what can be said is that Dilky was a very staunch and a loyal friend. At least on one specific occasion I remember that he was in deep trouble for defending a friend and being the fall-guy for someone else's folly. But such was his loyalty. He leaves behind his wife Roshy and two young children - daughter Dushaaya and son Dusheik, who are bereft at his passing, but who will take courage from the fact that Dilrukshan's was a well-lived life. It's not for nothing that they say the good die young.
Krishantha Prasad His
advice and laughter still linger A career Army officer, Raja, as we affectionately called him, never said die. Such was his way in the tightest situation. A practical human being, he took all difficulties, personal or professional, in his stride and advised others to do the same. He
joined the Sri Lanka Army, he used to say, because his father was
an ‘artillery man’ who was with the Royal Ceylon Army.
A voracious reader and a great lover of cricket, he could quote
chapter and verse during conservations. I especially enjoyed his
legal-sounding statements which invariably ended with “If
not, tell me why not.” His jokes, verbal as well as practical,
still haunt us. On
his eighth death anniversary, we proudly remember this officer who
always wanted to die with his boots on, the very wish that the Almighty
granted him, as he did not die in vain, but paid the supreme sacrifice
with others like him to make our tomorrow a better one. T.B. Singalaxana |
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