The legendary leader of Sathkorale who passed away 23 years ago was a gentleman to the core. The people of Kurunegala still yearn for a politician of his calibre. His good name still resonates throughout Wayamba and the rest of the country. Dingiri Banda Welagedara hailed from a respectable family in Sath Korale, or “Bath Korale”, as he fondly called his province. He lived in the thick of politics and society.
At Law College he studied with such giants of the profession as H. W. Jayewardene QC. He joined the newly formed District Revenue Officers Service, a prestigious posting at the time, vesting civil as well as certain police powers in the DROs.
The service replaced the Dissawe System, which had existed from the times of the Kandyan kings. Quite a few politicians, such as M. D. Banda (first cousin of D. B. Welagedara) were DROs. These were grassroots officers, close to the common people. He served the community first as a DRO, and was a part of the first batch of DROs.
He then entered politics at the request of Mahamanya D. S. Senanayake, pitting himself against Queen’s Counsel Sri Nissanka, the sitting MP of Kurunegala, a political giant of that era and founder member of the SLFP. He defeated Sri Nissanka in the 1952 Parliamentary elections, and was called a “Giant Killer” for this feat. However, he was magnanimous in victory, and in fact built a school in his political rival’s name as a mark of respect.
He served as a Member of Parliament for more than 20 years, and as Mayor of Kurunegala for over 10 years. He was also a Deputy Minister, a Minister, and finally the first Governor of the North Central Province, a position he held at the time of his demise, aged 73.
He was always punctual, and a strict disciplinarian. Perhaps this was the training he received at Ananda College, under Col. Henry Olcott. Such qualities are sadly lacking in the present generation of politicians. He was in the first batch of students who joined Nalanda College when it was established. He also attended St John’s College, Jaffna, where he learnt Tamil and absorbed the Tamil culture. He was equally proficient in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The people could bring their grievances to him directly, without going through an interpreter.
True Buddhist that he was, he wanted to serve the community even in death. His final wishes, as set out in his last will, were: “Please donate my eyes to a person who can make use of them. Let my bone marrow and organs be given to a hospital or research body for the use of others. If there is any wrong that I have committed, let it be buried for ever.” His eyes were donated to the Eye Donation Society and his remains to the Colombo Medical Faculty.
May he attain Nibbana.
As in the past 22 years, there was a a commemoration and a floral tribute at the statue put up in his memory at the Ayurveda Hospital on Colombo Road, Kurunegala, on April 22. This was followed by the donation of eye glasses, wheel chairs, scholarships, Buddhist literature, and more. The D. B. Welagedara Commemorative Committee, in conjunction with the Provincial Department of Ayurveda, also organised a free medical clinic for the public.
D. B. Welagedara
You were indeed our sparkling little star
Annouchka Weeratunga Fernando
Annouchka left suddenly on Easter Monday. There was no time for a final good bye, no time for a last hug, no time for a last dance, no time for that last cackle and goz, no time to say thank you. She entered hospital on March 19, went home for a week, re-entered on Easter Sunday and bid goodbye the next day.
She left an army of men, women, and children weeping, all in a state of denial and asking ‘why her?’ A personality that touched a thousand lives, a personality that connected in so many different ways, a personality that reached out to all. Why nip a flower in full bloom?
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We were all together four years ago in April, on the edge of the Sinharaja, when she first fell ill. She savoured and survived South Africa later that year and gave us all a scare when she had to enter hospital there. After her return she had to battle illness, and did so with an energy that was so much a part of her life. The curtain went up again and we all breathed a sigh of relief and watched as the vibrancy and energy progressively returned to her life and ours.
We all thought that this time too there would be more of the same. But this time there was no more, and the curtain suddenly came down on a life that bubbled like a cauldron of rich spice and sweet aroma.
Her life touched so many. At 45 Annouchka did what for others it would take 85. Her vitality, her ability to counsel people, to care for others, to reach out to children was unique. She was the Queen of Hearts, the Joker in the Pack, the Ace of Diamonds, and the Rock, on which we all built a thousand relationships.
The memories of Annouchka are many, not just to us, but to all whose lives she touched. The first flush of romance as teens by the placid Beira at Baladaksha Mawatha; parties at General’s House down Buller’s Road; cycling in the hot blaze at Habarana; chasing dolphins at Kalpitiya; a tempestuous romance with Terry straddling Colombo, Canada and possibly other places; Kumar P’s rollicking toast at their wedding with the few digs at ‘Bull’ that he so graciously took; Pradeep A’s toast at a simple dinner to mark her 40th; Arvindh and Amy’s laughter and antics at home; and much much more. They will remain among a special trove for us all.
A year ago ten of us squeezed into a bungalow just outside Wilpattu chasing that elusive bear and leopard. While we sweated in the day and swatted mosquitoes at night, we enjoyed every morsel of food, every drop of conversation, and every bad joke. Today we long for one more slap on the back, one more cackle, one more drop of wisdom.
Terry, Arvindh, Amy, Sonia, Pam, Rohan, Sam, Ajith, Arlene, Dilhara, and the rest, you were blessed to have had her in your lives. To Minal, Jojo, Gigi, and that inner circle of special school friends, and to Nadine and that circle of ‘after school’ and work friends, you were equally privileged to have known her so well. She connected so well with battalions of different people. Everyone wanted to be ‘Annou’s best friend!’
Thank you Annou for being a part of our lives. Thank you for the love you shared, the children you counselled, the energy you radiated and your infectious smile. You were one of a kind and we will remember you that way.
Travel well sweet princess. Go dazzle in a brighter world. May you receive the rapturous welcome that you surely deserve. On this side the light has grown dim and we struggle to cope with a void as big as a volcano.
And yet, as we pine and grieve, we smile and we celebrate. We celebrate a life that bubbled like champagne; a life that reached out to the poor; a life that inspired children; a life that lived and loved; cared and counselled; and made a thousand flowers bloom.
Sparkle Sparkle Little Star. You were indeed our sparkling little star. Every now and then we will pause ... and gulp ...... and wonder how you are.
Till the next time...
Shyamala, Mario and Raaya
Ports Authority benefited from one man’s decency and honesty
S. D. Rasanayagam
It is with deep sorrow that I pen this tribute to a gentleman of rare qualities. Mr. S. D. Rasanayagam, retired Operations Manager, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, left us on February 25, 2012. While it is but natural that his passing away would sadden all those who knew him, the knowledge that he was well into his eighties may help us face the reality of death with some equanimity.
Not many people are aware that Mr. Rasanayagam had to abandon medical studies halfway through Medical College in order to help his family after the untimely death of his father. With his sound educational background, he secured employment as a junior executive with a leading wharf company of the day. When the Port was nationalised in 1958, he was absorbed into the newly created Port (Cargo) Corporation as a Superintendent (Operations). You would see him briskly riding to and fro, between the wharves, on his newly acquired Vespa Scooter, a luxury few staffers could afford in those days of austerity.
His dedication to duty, honesty and integrity secured him the post of Manager. However, his talents were fully demonstrated when he became Operations Manager (Exports). He had a thorough grasp of all aspects of his job, and his services were often sought by Consolexpo, the Export Development Board and shippers’ organisations that wanted him to train their staff in export procedures and formalities.
Mr. Rasanayagam never compromised his principles at any time in his a career in the Port, despite the obvious temptations. He believed in decency, honesty and fair play. He called a spade a spade, but in his own inimitable style, without hurting any one. He never accepted a Christmas hamper from Port users.
Mr. Rasanayagam was among those who helped set up the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Retired Staff Officers’ Association, of which he was a Vice-President from inception till 2008. That year, he was the unanimous choice for President when the post fell vacant. With his leadership qualities and administrative capabilities, Mr. Rasanayagam took the association to greater heights, especially with regard to financial stability and strength.
Memories of this admirable gentleman, who endeared himself to one and all, are permanently etched in our hearts and minds.
May his soul rest in peace.
H. D. Gunaratne |
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