Appreciations
View(s):The ‘diffident’ scientist who made waves in his quiet manner
Prof. Samantha Hettiarachchi
Unfortunately, this scientist-engineer who spent such a large slice of his life to prevent deaths from disasters himself passed from life to death on April 24 at the relatively young age of 62, after a courageous battle against cancer. Neither he nor his wife ever hid the fact of his cancer from others. However, many of his friends and associates did not know he was suffering from the disease until his death – that was because he always adopted a positive outlook to life, made the most of what life gave him, and indeed was a source of counsel for others who suffered from the illness – even complete strangers whom he met during hospital visits for radiation therapy. Many are the times when my own wife has pointed to him as an example for me to be more positive about life.
Paradoxically, the man who achieved so much in his comparatively short life was one who had his bottle of fruit juice sent to his primary school from home during the interval (he was the youngest of five children and spoilt rotten); and his wife carrying his briefcase for months after a hernia operation for fear of reversing the procedure. Even after his doctorate from Imperial College London (1987), for many years he would attend conferences and make study visits only to the U.K. because he did not want to expose himself to environments he was not comfortable with. One would not think that such a sheltered and diffident person could influence his world of coastal engineering so pervasively. The fact that he did, speaks volumes for his technical mastery, uncompromising pursuit of excellence and charismatic panache.
His success was also clearly due to the unqualified support he received from his loved ones – something he always acknowledged. His wife Premini chose deliberately to support Samantha’s career unstintingly without seeking to develop all-encompassing ambitions of her own as a fellow academic at Moratuwa University with her own PhD from Imperial. They did not have any children but both of them doted on their nieces and nephews. Samantha was a Buddhist and Premini a Catholic but they respected each other’s religions. In any case their religiosity was expressed more in their everyday ethics than in excessive religious ritual.
Samantha was a man of many parts. At S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia (STCML) he was co-editor of the college magazine, head prefect of the school in 1975 and won the Victoria Gold Medal for the best all-round student. As a university academic he delivered for many years the welcome address in Sinhala to parents of the freshman batch. As an orator he could keep an audience spellbound, if not in fits of laughter; many are the times he delivered the felicitation address when engineering faculty members were retiring. As a teacher he invariably painted the big picture while tackling the intricacies of differential equations. He also took time to talk about life, love and laughter and was held in the highest regard by his students, some of whom flew down from afar just for the day of his funeral. As a mentor he always encouraged the high performers and nurtured the stragglers, fully aware of the often trying circumstances from which state university students come.
As a raconteur he could draw widely from the many books he devoured (Bill Bryson being a favourite author); and also his encyclopaedic knowledge and remarkable memory of both Sri Lankan and world politics. I suspect that books and politics were pastimes acquired from his father David, a proprietorial tea planter and pioneer of the cooperative movement – a man I always held in the highest esteem. Incidentally, his mother Manel was an Abeywickrema, and the Mt Lavinia street on which Samantha lived virtually his entire life is named after her father.
Samantha was Head of Civil Engineering at quite a young age from 1997 to 2000. Some of the administrative systems he set in place are still being followed. He also went out of his way to help those with specific difficulties, whether colleagues or students. Although encouraged by many to climb the usual academic leadership ladder to becoming Dean and Vice Chancellor, he was single-minded in his devotion to his specialization. He always wanted to “parley as an equal” with anyone associated with his field the world over, and that he was able to do in no uncertain terms. His technical advice was sought not only in Sri Lanka but also in Oman and Indonesia.
All this did not preclude a passion for fountain pens, his most dominant avocation. Not only did he amass an enviable collection (and that cleverly, with minimal financial outlay) but he also became a world expert in this area too, writing to international pen magazines and being consulted by dealers and even manufacturers.
As his research moved from the more technical hydrodynamics to the broader areas of coastal management and disaster resilience, he solicited and encouraged the engagement of a range of other specialists. This made him uniquely positioned to lead Environmental Impact Assessment studies of various sorts including controversial ones – both the Mattala Airport and Port City ones drew the ire of environmentalists. But I can say unequivocally that he was highly sensitive to the environment and never kowtowed to politicians. Neither could he be bought. On many occasions he declined legitimate financial compensations of various sorts on higher ethical norms.
My own career coincided with Samantha’s at STCML from 1967; and then at Moratuwa University’s Civil Engineering Department from 1975 as both students and teachers, including overlapping periods of doctoral study at Imperial College London from 1983 to 1986. When Samantha and Premini got married in London I was privileged to be Samantha’s best man, attesting witness and photographer all in one. I feel that their wedding away from familiar surroundings contributed to the very close relationship they shared in their marriage. I shall miss him; and will be at a loss to find someone with whom to share anecdotes, the nuances of which only both of us appreciated.
Priyan Dias
Thank you my friend, counsellor and most of all, dear mother
Vimala Aponso (nee Dias)
I can’t thank God enough for choosing Ammie to be my mother on my earthly pilgrimage. How blessed I am to have had her; she was kind, generous and an example to us all. Ammie went to be with Jesus a few months ago. Her death was sudden – painless with no suffering. She lived a full life and gave of herself unstintingly to all who came to know her and associate with her.
Her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ kept her cheerful through life’s ups and downs. Though she could have chosen to have whatever she desired in terms of worldly things, she chose to walk with the less fortunate, giving of her time, talents, and possessions to many who didn’t have the blessings she did. Countless are the stories we hear now, of her generosity and kindness.
She, together with Thathie, went the extra mile always, to help those in need, sometimes sacrificing much. While she did help many people external to the family, I always felt that her love began at home. She first saw to the needs of Thathie and us three children, and as the family expanded, the needs of our spouses, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was generous; she would give and give and give. Whether it was cooked food, linen, or other necessities for our homes, she would be the first to see the need and provide it. She loved to buy gifts for those around her, and took delight in wrapping them beautifully and inserting a card, before joyfully giving it to the receiver.
Till about two years before she died, there was never a day when she wouldn’t sew something for someone, and not just for family but for many others too. As I remember she sewed sarongs for each of my brothers till about a year ago and all my clothes were stitched by her during my growing up years. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the happy recipients of the numerous beautiful dresses she sewed. She passed on her skill in sewing to many, including to girls who came regularly to the YWCA, which was a part and parcel of her life, and where she enjoyed serving, for a good part of her life.
Her culinary capabilities and hospitality are things many would remember. Various people from different walks of life were fed and looked after by her, not just at home but in hospital and in other places of need. I can’t count the number of times she has entertained people, with her excellent organizational skills.
Her wise advice and her simple values have helped us to see what really matters in life. I still remember her saying that, as much as she appreciated us doing well in school and in other places, we would never have our school reports or certificates hanging around our necks; what was more important was that we did our best at a job allocated to us, in the presence or absence of the person who had allocated the job. This bit of advice given to me in my childhood years is always a reminder to do my best in whatever task at hand, be it at home or elsewhere. She was a lady of a few words, but the few words she spoke, spoke volumes.
I have learnt much from her, but know that I am not fit to hold a candle to Ammie. Thank you darling Ammie for all you were to us and all that you passed onto us. You lived a good life, depending and trusting in your Saviour and friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now enjoy His presence in the mansion He has prepared for you. You were my mother, my friend, my counsellor and a great example to me– thank you from my heart. I will always love you. Your smile and positive attitude will always be a hallmark that will be remembered.
With much, much love and grateful thanks to God for your life of beauty and example.
Your loving daughter, Charmalie
The epitome of sincerity
Asoka Raddalgoda
Born as the eldest son to illustrious parents P.L.N. Raddalgoda, JPUM, of Hiniduma, popularly known as ‘nadukara hamuduruwo’ and Lillian Margaret Abeynayake on December 13, 1933 at Unawatuna, Galle, Asoka passed away over ten years ago on December 26, 2007.
He studied at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia and during the war years at Richmond College, Galle and opted to become a planter following in his father’s footsteps. He was a creeper at Non-Pareil Estate in Belihul Oya under the well-known British planter, Superintendent Boyd Moss.
After several years of planting, he had no option but to return to his village as his father had a bad bout of rheumatoid arthritis. Asoka offered all support to his mother and the family left no stone unturned to help their father back on his feet. Asoka also looked after his beloved grandfather who lived upto almost 97 years. A few months prior to his passing, he offered a roadside portion of his land where a ‘budu medura’ was built in memory of his grandfather, Andreas Dias Raddalgoda Maha Ralahamy of Hiniduma.
Asoka was the apple of his mother’s eye for all the sacrifices he made to take care of his family as well as maintaining the family properties as his younger siblings Sriya Ratnayake and Senaka were stationed away from home.
Asoka served as a Visiting Agent in the Southern Province. In 1973, when the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority was launched, he was one of the first to represent the tea small holders on its board. Whatever task he undertook, his service was honourable and selfless.
We married on May 15, 1972 through a proposal. I at the time was a resident teacher at Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, where I had also studied. My student hostellers, who knew about Hiniduma, were quite shocked and discouraged me from going to Hiniduma. “There will be pandals and garlands for you but you will not be able to find students like us and life will be boring for you!” they said. Nevertheless, I went ahead with the grand engagement, wedding, home coming and all that was being planned.
Asoka took good care of me. It was the very best of gifts that he always gave me. After the wedding, he took me to his favourite hill station, NonPareil Estate in Belihul Oya which had 18 hair pin bends along its 16 km approach road. It was most enjoyable. After we went to Hiniduma – as fore-warned by my students, there were pandals and garlanding at every junction and finally a guard of honour! I was stunned to hear Asoka’s speech made in flawless Sinhala.
Both his parents as well as relatives greeted us very warmly and gave me the best of attention to make me happy and comfortable. The village students were simply bewildered by the attention I paid them and every day would come with a bouquet of wild orchids to show their gratitude.
After some time, Asoka decided to bring me back to town as I was to have my first baby. We were in Galle for a while and thereafter in Bambalapitiya, when I resumed teaching at Visakha Vidyalaya. Despite our moving, Asoka never failed to look after his parents.
Asoka was an adorable father to our two children Kalhara and Lokeshwari. I can’t remember him ever punishing them. Hence, I had to be the disciplinarian. He was also a good and caring son-in-law to my mother, who enjoyed staying with us very much.
Asoka was quite close to the monks in the area wherever we were residing. He was keen on organizing Katina Pinkamas and did it very successfully, the last being at Mahamegharamaya temple at Maharagama. He never failed to offer alms at very short notice to any monk from the South visiting Colombo. Ven.Neluwe Gunanada Thera and Ven. Akuretiye Amarawansa Thera were frequent visitors. During the last days of Ven. Narada of Vajiraramaya, Asoka used to take home -made kola kenda daily which was appreciated by the priest very much. With my influence, Asoka also began to observe sil regularly at ACBC.
Asoka had no craving for money or possessions and was always prepared to help the needy. Once, when we came in for a bit of a windfall by the sale of a property at Unawatuna, his first donation was to the Valley Devale there. He electrified the temple, prior to its the annual perahera which was much appreciated by the people of the area.He was a rare tax payer who sought the advice of the Commissioner of IR himself to pay his taxes and his honesty was much appreciated.
When we came to live at Mahamegha Gardens at Maharagama, he became a loyal dayaka of the Mahamegharama temple under the Most Venerable Ankumbure Sugunapala Thera and later, Ven. Ankumbure Amarawansa Thera. He continued with the many pinkamas, the annual Katina, Sangika and Upasaka danes with much dedication. He was a popular resident of the area, always available to help those in need.
He went through a bad spell healthwise in the late 1990s, when he was hospitalized at the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital, but recovered miraculously due to the care by Dr. (Mrs) Neomali Amarasena, the late Dr. (Mrs.) Niluka Karunaratne and their team of doctors. He was able to live on happily for almost ten more years, and saw his dear son Kalhara’s marriage to Piyumal and his first grandchild, bonny little Bimaya.
His pilgrimage to Buddhagaya too during this period brought him great solace.
With all the merit accrued by him simply by the way he lived his life, may he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Rukmani Raddalgoda (nee Seneviratne)
Many were the battles he fought to regain Kotte’s glory
DOUGLAS D. RANASINGHE
Roads and streets are named after people as a mark of respect for the yeoman services they have rendered to the country and or society. The present generation living down Douglas D. Ranasinghe Mawatha (formerly Galpotta Road) in Nawala might wonder how this name came to be given to that road.
Douglas D. Ranasinghe who lived for over six decades down this road and passed away on May 1, 2000, at the age of 90 years, was above all others singlehandedly responsible for bringing to the notice of the rest of the country, Kotte’s rich culture and heritage.
He was a man with a mission to preserve the cultural heritage of Kotte and dedicated more than 60 years of his life to this cause. Though not a qualified archaeologist or historian, he became an authority on this subject and his contributions were recognized with the Government conferring on him the title “Puravidy Chakravarthi”.
He grew up in Kotte and played amongst its ancient ruins as a boy without ever realizing their significance. As an adult he came to know more and more of his hometown’s history. Preserving what was left of Kotte’s glorious past was mostly a thankless job he undertook alone. People in the area were wont to think of him as an interfering nuisance because he kept remonstrating with them not to throw garbage into the remains of the old rampart (described so gloriously in the “Sandesha Kavya”) or desecrate or demolish the ruins. He was always a staunch supporter of teaching history and archaeology to students so that they might become more appreciative of their heritage.
If not for Douglas D. Ranasinghe, there would be no museum in Kotte and in fact the ruins which were excavated from 1949 and the archaeological discoveries made by the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Senerath Paranavithana would have been destroyed or neglected. Almost all the items exhibited at the Kotte Museum are private collections of Mr. Ranasinghe.
From his research he produced an authentic map of “Purana Kotte” not only showing the inner city (Etul Kotte) and outer city (Pita Kotte) but 28 locations of all important places in the capital City. The map of “Purana Kotte” is on display at the Kotte museum. He was responsible for identifying the flag of Kotte. He also noticed the disappearance of the original document of the Kandyan Convention, from the Colombo Museum. There was a document purported to be the original. Mr. Ranasinghe noticed a water mark on the paper and this gave him the clue it was not the original. This was immediately brought to the notice of the authorities. He was proved right when the original document was discovered later.
Though he fought what probably felt like a losing battle to maintain and preserve the heritage of Kotte, he achieved a lot towards the end. His achievements were well recognized and he was selected many times as the “Most Outstanding Citizen of Kotte “in the field of Art and Culture. He was also recognized by successive Governments for his contribution to Kotte. He authored many books in English and Sinhala and wrote countless articles to newspapers and magazines.
In recognition of his services, at the request of the Archaeological Department, the Kotte Municipality, by a gazette notification named Galpottha Road after Douglas D. Ranasinghe in 2005.
The Archaeological Department needs a big ‘thank you’ for honouring his name.
Vasantha Ranasinghe