Twenty two years ago, on April 19, 1990, Dr. H.W. Jayewardene, QC, a colossus in the legal profession, passed away whilst on a visit to India. It was the end of an innings of a great legal luminary Sri Lanka had produced. It was a loss not only to his wife Claribel, son, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren but to the legal fraternity at large.
Dr. Jayewardene was an advocate par excellence, and at the time of his death, had completed 49 successful years at the bar. Born to a family of lawyers, Dr. Jayewardene was conferred silk at an early age. Fame and success came to him within a short period and with hard work. Though civil law was his forte, the later years of his practice were dedicated to the appellate courts where he excelled in every case he appeared. The law reports of Sri Lanka and England bear ample testimony to his brilliance.
The legal fraternity of Sri Lanka owes a deep gratitude to Dr. Jayewardene for his contribution to the profession. When the Bar Association of Sri Lanka was set up in 1975, he became its first president. When there was a move by the then government to shift the courts from Hulftsdorp to Bambalapitiya, it was Dr. Jayewardene who steered the opposition with success. He was instrumental in getting the Government of China to construct the Superior Courts Complex in Hulftsdorp. Even the trees that stand in the superior courts complex were planted under the strict stewardship of Dr. Jayewardene. Many others in his position would have wished to get their names inscribed in a prominent place in the Court Complex for posterity, but not he. Dr. Jayewardene QC was a true leader of the Bar.
Dr. Jayewardene was a keen student of the law and a great teacher who was always willing to share his knowledge with fellow members of the profession. Among those who learnt the intricacies of the law in the chambers of Dr. Jayewardene were judges, politicians, senior practitioners and President’s Counsel. The high calibre advocacy, meticulous chamber work and academic approach to any legal issue were some of the valuable lessons Dr. Jayewardene imparted to juniors under his wing.
My legal career began in his chambers and I saw the hard work put in by Dr. Jayewardene in defence of his clients -- and in several cases, he appeared without payment, pro- deo. Dr. Jayewardene enjoyed working with his juniors in chambers and in courts and ensured that they were well equipped to be exemplary in the profession.
I am happy to note that Dr. Jayewardene’s grand-daughter Shahila Wijewardena, a law graduate from England who completed her attorneys finals in Sri Lanka, has decided to follow her grandfather’s footsteps. She is now apprenticing in my chambers and will take oaths as an Attorney-At-Law in due course.
The contributions made by Dr. Jayewardene to the country were not limited to the legal field. He held several important posts in the public and private sector. He was the chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation. He also led the Sri Lankan government team that participated in Thimpu talks with Tamil parties and groups in order to find a solution to the burning issue of terrorism at that time. He was a perfectionist and his achievements were far too many to mention in an appreciation.
He was a true Buddhist who followed the precepts of the Buddha in his own quiet way. Dr. Jayewardene was a devoted husband and a wonderful father.
It is said that writers leave behind their books and teachers leave behind their students. It is a fact that Dr. H.W. Jayewardene QC has been a large hearted man and great guru to several in the legal profession.
May he attain Nirvana.
Harsha Cabral
Forever young
Lankika De Livera
You shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old.
For in our mind’s eye you’ll always be
Slim, young, beautiful and good,
For you were kind and generous
Yes, generous to a fault.
You were a marvel at giving gifts,
You could put Santa into the shade.
So sincere was the mind that gave.
You never took revenge
On those who hurt you,
You did not want to litigate
Even though your grief was great.
You suffered and bore it,
That is why you went and left us all.
Gertrude de Livera
She rendered a valuable service to the country
Ira Wanasinghe
On July 24 1935, Wanasinghe Arachchige Elaris Perera Jayathillake Ralahamy and Isona Alahakoon were blessed with the birth of twins, Ira and Amara. They were fondly known to family and friends as “Kera” and “Myne”. Ira Beatrice Jayathillake, after completing her primary education, joined Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya, a reputed school for her secondary education. After completing the Senior School Certificate she pursued her career of teaching by joining The English Teacher Training College at Maharagama. After passing out as a trained teacher she was appointed to Parakrama Maha Vidyalaya in Godagama. During her tenure as a teacher she led many generations of students in achieving their academic goals and to become useful citizens.
In 1960, at the age of 22 with the blessings of the parents, Ira stepped into a new chapter of her life by joining hands with childhood friend and relative, Hamilton Wanasinghe who at that time was a Captain in the Sri Lanka army serving in Jaffna.
The young and handsome Hamilton, a product of Ananda College, Colombo was a keen sportsman and a Sergeant Major in the Cadet Corps during his school days. After completing his education, he pursued his lifelong ambition of serving the motherland by joining as an Officer Cadet, completing his training as an Officer Cadet of the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst in U.K. He was a commissioned officer in the Sri Lanka Artillery as a Second Lieutenant. In due course the skilful and intelligent young army officer, with the support and backing of his wife Ira, went on to hold almost all important positions in the Army, including Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Joint Operations Commander and Secretary Defence from which position he retired in 1995.
The ceremonial army, at the time her husband joined, gradually turned into a formidable security force with high responsibilities and risky undertakings. However, Ira encouraged her husband to continue his services despite its new challenges and it was the main factor behind her husband’s success in his career.
During the 1988/1989 JVP insurrection and the second Eelam war in 1990, when security personnel faced a situation of high risk, and assassination of leaders of the country and senior police and military officers were the order of the day, Ira stood by her husband and provided support in her capacity as a dutiful wife.
Mrs. Wanasinghe’s family has rendered yeoman service to the country. Her brother’s sons Captain Nalin Jayatilleke and Brigadier Bhathiya Jayatilleke who was also her son-in-law and Major Panduka Wanasinghe, who was her nephew, laid down their lives to safeguard the sovereignty of the Motherland. As the then President of the Army Sewa Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Wanasinghe played a major role in every welfare programme for the army personnel. She did not forget to look into the needs of the Panagoda Army Cantonments and the Pre-school, founded by the former Army Commander’s wife Mala Seneviratne.
She led the dedicated wives of other senior military officers including Mrs. Thilaka Waidyaratne, Mrs. Lali Kobbekaduwa, Mrs. Manel Wimalaratne, Mrs. A. M. U. Seneviratne, Mrs. Asoka Tillekeratne, Mrs. Hamangoda, to render an laudable service to the Ranaviru Sewana and other Ranaviru programmes. Mrs. Wanasinghe was largely instrumental in maintaining the wards in the Mulleriyawa Mental hospital and launching a housing programme for the disabled soldiers.
Mrs. Wanasinghe, spent the autumn of her life engaging in religious activities.
She who led a great life rendering a unique service to the country and fellow men, passed away on April 12, last year. She leaves behind her beloved husband, General Hamilton Wanasinghe and their five children. May she attain Nibbana.
Thompson A. Vande Bona
Giant in the transport and travel trade who was also a big-hearted benefactor
Ebert silva
For 10 years, starting in 1971, the Yowun Pela organised a special programme for the patients of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. Food was supplied to the entire patient population on a day selected by the hospital authorities. Apart from the food, we distributed essential items such as soap, sugar, tea and clothes for the children. A Buddhist monk advised us on how to conduct the day’s business. The day before the food distribution, we would take all the materials to the hospital in a lorry, and next day a busload of volunteers would help us distribute the food.
Ebert Silva was our silent adviser. He provided the lorry to transport the goods and the bus to take our well-wishers to the hospital. He would also make a generous donation of dry rations. When the hospital needed foreign currency to purchase certain drugs, Ebert Silva Mahaththaya was there to help us.
When the Local Cine-Goers organised film shows, cinema-related lectures and seminars, Ebert Silva Mahaththaya was there to sponsor the events, provide an advertisement, and even a vehicle to bring the lecturer. He was not only a giant in the transport and travel trade, he was a media pioneer in the hospitality sector. The late SLBC chairman Lalith S. Maithripala would listen to Ebert Silva Mahaththaya for hours, when Ebert Silva Touring Company sponsored a weekly radio programme covering the ancient sites of Sri Lanka. Ebert Silva Mahaththaya was born and bred in Dehiwala.
Dehiwala was known for two things – the Zoo and the Ebert Silva Bus Company. He always wore white and he sported a bushy D. S. Senanayake-type moustache that added to his authority and personality.
He enjoyed this life to the maximum, and I am sure he will be very happy in the hereafter too.
Adios, Sir.
Haji Abdul Kareem Nandasena
A loving uncle who showered
us with affection and advice
E.C. K. de Silva
Had my father been alive, I know that he would have written a tribute to a much loved brother-in-law. Even though I cannot match my father, in style or eloquence, this is my personal tribute to him.
E.G.K. de Silva, our uncle, “Shoke Maama” as my sister had named him, was known in his family, among relatives, friends, students and community for his kindness, gentleness, generosity and compassion. Many would remember how he came to their support, when in need. But no one would ever remember him with a raised voice, in a temper or involved in some conflict. He was named very appropriately, as Karunatunga; an embodiment of ‘karuna’ or compassion.
My sister and I were fortunate to have received much affection from him, from the toys he brought for us when we were little, to the strength he provided in times of need, throughout our adult life. There was a strong bond between Maama and our parents. My father was like an elder brother to him and they communicated candidly about issues as well as joyous occasions. My mother, being much older than him, took care of him when he stayed with them in his student days. In later years, she would always turn to him in times of illness or other problem. This closeness remained throughout my parents’ lifetime.
Shoke Maama liked to reminisce and I have enjoyed many hours listening to old stories. I would, in turn, relate these to my daughter Naamal. She asked “Diggala Seeya” as she called him, to write down these stories, so that she could include them in a book she wished to publish about stories in our family.
Diggala Seeya kindly obliged and I believe enjoyed writing these for Naamal. They included stories about my parents, their relationship with him, about my mother and her aunt, and last but not least, about his marriage of 53 years, and the secret of its lasting success. This last story he had written, including the secret, as advice for Naamal’s marriage. It will be revealed at some point when Naamal decides to publish her family stories. I will miss him. As I enter the house, my gaze will go to the chair on which he used to sit. I will remember the twinkle in his eye when presented with a bag of sugar free chocolates. I will remember the kind and amused smile when I told him: “Maama, I thought I had given you a good haircut, but the left side seems longer than the right”.
It is important to grieve, and I am grieving. What is more important I believe, is to celebrate and take example from his life, to remember him, with love and gratitude.
May his journey through Sansara be pleasant and may he attain Nibbana!
Dr. Indu Hewawasam
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