Appreciations
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Sri
Lanka Karate is indebted to him Sri
Lankan karate has much to thank Sensei Thassim for. He made a tremendous
effort to expand and propagate the Shotokan style of karate and
did the island proud by his contribution towards the promotion of
this sport for over 36 years. Without such dedication, it would
not be what it is today. Today
the Sri Lanka Karate-do Federation is the controlling body for karate
in Sri Lanka. A founder member, fittingly Sensei Thassim was given
the opportunity to serve as president of the federation in the early
years and at the time of his death held the post of vice president
- administration. He also served as a national referee/judge and
member of the selection committee in the federation and assistant
technical director for Shotokan Karate-do. An old Peterite, he initiated the introduction of karate to schools in 1990 with the support of the then Director of Sports of the Ministry of Education to a level where school tournaments are a regular annual feature. He was karate instructor to St. Peter's College, Carey College, Hameed Al Husseini Maha Vidyalaya, Presbyterian Girls School and Zahira College. Parents have shown their appreciation to Sensei Thassim for the discipline their children have picked up since the introduction of this sport in schools. In 1994 he set up the Nihon Karate-do Kenshinka Sri Lanka branch as representative of Grand Master Shihan Satoshi Nishitani and was Chief Instructor to a membership of over 600 students of all ages in various training centres under the NKK umbrella. M.N. Thassim came from a family of karatekas who were known as the famous "Thassim Brothers" who regularly brought home the team championship trophy over the years. He was popular especially among his little karatekas who would surround him after a workout listening closely to his advice and enjoying his sense of humour. He held the respect of all both young and old for his honesty and sincerity and for his experience over the years and will certainly be missed by many. M.R. Thassim Public
service has lost a brilliant young officer Mr. Priyadarshana, a bright student, joined the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, after finishing his university education. Years later, I met him again on the verge of my retirement from the public service. At that time he was the Divisional Secretary of Matugama and I was attached to the Divisional Engineer's office of the same area and served as a Superintendent of Works in his office. I worked with him till February 2000. Mr. Priyadarashana did his duty without fear or favour and had the full cooperation of his officers. He was a simple, friendly, jovial and fine human being who went out of his way to assist anyone who sought his help. He followed an M.Sc course in Australia in 2002 and on his return, he was appointed Director of Cultural Affairs. As
a young brilliant officer he had a very long journey in the public
service but fate did not allow him to reach the pinnacle of his
career. Mervin Lysander A banker
who cared for his customers Banking, to Robin Talwatte, was not simply a matter of making profits for his bank but of adding an attitude of moral responsibility for his immediate clientele and community, to the benefit of all. This was exemplified when he became the manager of the Bank of Ceylon in Kandy, so many years ago when I first met him. I approached him with my first business plan, to raise a loan facility, with the usual trepidation. We discussed it, he fine-tuned it, then granted the loan. He then reminded me that he had become a partner in my business and that we had a dual responsibility to ensure success - we succeeded! The necessity to be isolated in his office, managing his branch and making local decisions, was obvious yet it had to occupy the minimum of his working day. He was very much a 'People' person, so being behind closed doors was a barrier to his contact with his customers - the people who paid his salary and that of his staff. He was happiest when he was leading from the front and mingling with his customers on the banking floor; dissuading foolish borrowing which could increase problems but encouraging the calculated risk which could be of mutual benefit. At weddings, funerals and social events he would recognize customers and have a few words with each one but, never about banking. When a client was in difficulty he would call him to his office to discuss the solution and only the most irresponsible customer would fear this meeting. During his tenure as General Manager, the Bank of Ceylon, an outstation customer was in financial difficulty. He had leased a lorry from a country branch but had defaulted on payment so the branch, with the help of the police, seized the lorry and impounded it in their yard. The bank then advertised the auctioning of the lorry with posters and handbills which resulted in disgrace and humiliation for the defaulter. In desperation he went to Colombo with the hope of pleading his case at the bank headquarters. Within ten minutes he was ushered into Mr. Talwatte's office where he started to blurt out his story. Mr. Talwatte told him to first calm down and sit down. He then asked him whether he would prefer coffee, tea, or a soft drink. The amazed man then explained his difficulty and Mr. Talwatte asked how long he required to settle the payment and the man replied two weeks. Mr. Talwatte asked him to do so within one month, explaining to his outstation branch that it was their duty to help a customer with 20 years of unblemished trading. The man, overcome by the General Manager's humanity, sobbed. He settled his outstanding amount in three days, then returned to personally thank Mr. Talwatte. The last time I saw Robin was at the funeral of his brother- in-law, the late Mr Samarakoon, Special Commissioner of the Kandy Municipal Council. When he saw me he said "Saheed, he has taken his final flight, you and I are in the departure lounge!!" How true, but I hope that my flight is delayed somewhat longer! M. P. M. Saheed |
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