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It is with profound sorrow and pain of heart that I write this appreciation of my beloved brothers-in-law who were tragically and so suddenly snatched away from our midst on June 4, 2000.

When my elder brother-in-law Milton married my sister Joyce on December 27, 1958, I was only 12 years. He was in the Royal Ceylon Air Force and was fortunate enough to be provided with married quarters at Katunayake.

I still remember the fatherly attachment and affection he showed me by taking me under his wing and providing me with all the assistance and comforts.

He made arrangements for me to travel daily to school from Katunayake to Kotahena. Being the elder brother-in-law he played a leading role in guiding the destinies of the family by his wise counsel and responsible actions. He was a pillar of strength to me and other members of the family.

He played the role of a father to all of us with affection and love. He was magnanimous and always stood for what was right and never spoke ill of anyone.

My third brother-in-law Leslie married my younger sister Monica on February 4, 1971. He was an excellent printer and more than that a sincere friend to all of us. He was dedicated and devoted to his profession and climbed to the top through hard work, determination and efficiency. He was unassuming and benevolent and sweet by nature. “Love and forgive, live and let live” was his motto. The loneliest, the most wretched received compassion at his hands. He never missed family functions whether they were weddings, funerals or confinements.

It would be an understatement if I say that it was Leslie who laid the foundation for the betterment of my life and that of my family members. He was fond of my three sons, particularly my youngest Dodwell, on whom he showered affection until his untimely tragic death.

Even after a lapse of six years I find it still difficult to get over the shock of their tragic deaths and the devastation caused to the whole family . But by the grace of God my sisters have gradually recovered now to lead a normal life.

In the words of the poet “They were statesmen, yet friends to truth of soul sincere, in action faithful and in honour clear, who broke no promise, served no private end, who gained no little and who lost no friend. They were noble, Nay nobility itself.”

Eric Joseph, as he was popularly known and his batch-mates, were enlisted as officer cadets in the Sri Lanka Army on February 23, 1953. Immediately, thereafter, all four of the batch, proceeded to the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa (now re-designated the Sri Lanka Military Academy) for basic military training.

It was at Diyatalawa, during our initial training, that the batch-mates got to know each other closely. And, when one lives with others, following the same routine, sharing accommodation, eating the same food, sharing the rigours and, at times the very occasional pleasantries of military training, one gets to know one’s batch-mates closely indeed.

Eric, whom the batch, after a short while affectionately named Periyapulle, undoubtedly because of his six-foot plus physique, big heart and most charming and pleasant personality, hailed from Mannar.

He was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna, which had the distinction of producing many famous personalities, including many respected and honourable politicians from other parts of the country. At school, Eric had enjoyed a reputation for being a good and disciplined student, and was more popularly known for his outstanding athletic prowess.

He participated in the Public Schools Athletic Championships, representing his college over a number of years in the early fifties, in the 400 yards event, winning this event in the final years of his schoolboy career.

After basic training at Diyatalawa, our batch of four proceeded to the UK, to continue training. We underwent a further eight weeks training in July/August 1953 at the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot and here too, we were accommodated in the same barrack rooms, along with National Service Officer Cadets of the British Army.

On September 9, 1953, we entered the portals of Sandhurst, and were admitted to different colleges, Eric being accommodated in Inkerman Company, at Old College. Eric, as usual, with his warm and charming personality and his athletic talents, soon became very popular. For his outstanding performances in the field of athletics, during his officer cadet training, he was awarded Sandhurst Colours, a rare achievement indeed, which brought glory to him and Sri Lanka as well.

After his commissioning on February 3, 1955, Second Lieutenant Eric Joseph was posted to the 1st Battalion, The Ceylon Light Infantry, which Battalion he served for many years with his customary disciplined loyalty and dedication. In later years with the raising of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Lieutenant E.E.P Joseph was posted to that regiment till he retired in the rank of Major. Eric had a fine sense of soldierly discipline, which made him not accept any breaches or violations of the military code of conduct. He was outspoken. At all times a man of religion, he practised his faith quietly, unobtrusively and with dedication.

He always had a smile and a tremendous sense of humour. Eric retired from the Army prematurely, at his own request, to obtain employment in a prestigious mercantile organisation, where undoubtedly his services were highly appreciated. He retired from this appointment, after many years of service, much against the wishes of his superiors for reasons of ill health.
Eric passed away three months ago.

When I read the ‘Tribute to C. Sankarakumaran’on May 20, by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal, I felt a pang of regret that I had not been in contact with Sankar even on the telephone, since he so graciously entertained us his contemporaries at the University Catholic Hostel – about 10 years or so ago at the Queen’s Hotel, Kandy.

A few of us had decided to go to Kandy to see him. He was overjoyed to see us after such a lapse of time and rolled out the red carpet.

It was in 1944 that I was admitted to the Catholic Hostel by Fr. Ignatius Pinto, the Warden. I was not a Roman Catholic but then I had studied under Fr. Pinto at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. In Sankar’s case, he was a Hindu and a devout Hindu at that; yet Fr.Pinto admitted him. I can only imagine the words the Principal of his old school in Kandy would have used to describe his character in the letter of introduction to Fr. Pinto.

Undoubtedly, his old principal described Sankar’s qualities of head and heart in such a manner that convinced Fr. Pinto to admit him.

This was, without doubt, due to the ability of Sankar to impress others with the rare qualities that Mr. Gandhi speaks of in his tribute.

When one meets Sankar one is impressed by his quiet dignity and, above all, his humanity. I can only describe it in the words of the Roman poet Virgil, “Sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt”.

This defies translation into English and the closest I have come across is “The world is full of tears. Men’s sorrows touch men’s hearts”.

Most of us, during the three years at the Hostel had disputes and differences of opinion with each other which sometimes led to frayed tempers. Sankar was supremely above all this – not that he had no differences of opinion with others – but he was a person who calmed tempers and guided us to reason.

Mr. Gandhi speaks of Sankar being ‘so light and frail’. When I read these words, a picture came into my mind, that of two strong hostellers, I think they were Mervyn Ferdinands and Andrew Joseph, holding out Sankar over the quadrangle from upstairs, one by his shoulders and the other by his legs. Even now I get the jitters when I remember this incident – what if one of them had let go? Sankar stayed calm and quiet and I feel he may have held his breath throughout this manoeuvre.

On graduation, after leaving the Hostel, we went our separate ways. Two years after that, in 1950, I found myself in the Kandy Kachcheri as a Probationary District Land Officer and we were able to renew our acquaintance. I was a frequent guest at his house – a welcome guest.

I agree with Mr. Gandhi that Sankar is a unique person destined to bring joy and peace to all who came into contact with him.

His contemporaries, including myself, have reached the age of eighty or are about to reach it, like Sankar.

I reiterate the hope of Mr. Gandhi that Sankar will continue to live the span of life intended for him with joy in the close company of his family. I am sure that our fellow hosteller Greg Marcelline will join me in this tribute.