Appreciations
View(s):A one-man brand innings like no other
Percy Abeysekera
If any student growing up wants to learn how to create a brand of your own, what Percy did can be an example, not necessarily replicating what he did which is his own unique benchmark- a hard act to follow. The point I’m trying to make is that one should not be afraid to establish one’s identity following one’s passion, but do it the way he did – relentlessly. Percy eventually became a global one-man-brand that was most extraordinary.
It is time that we recognize such a personality, the one-man Sri Lankan flag bearer who has not only entertained all of us, but who established long lasting friendships with internationally renowned cricketers whom we saw sending messages of condolence that he had touched their hearts with his unforgettable, witty, demonstrative art of engaging which others dare not even attempt.
Anyone can copy someone’s work or style, but definitely not the passion to pursue what one enjoys the most. Percy truly epitomised an unwavering and positive spirit- a remarkable character that lifted up the mood of the spectators- victory or defeat, and his presence on the field lit it up, like giving a heads up even when the odds were against us.
There is no Sri Lankan, that I know of who has been waving the flag countless times even on a daily basis during a five day test match, to highlight the colourful lion symbol of our country with pride. That itself could be a record worthy of the Guinness Book. That he did it for at least 45 years is a hugely praiseworthy feat.
We all know what he did to boost, enhance and motivate not only the fans but the national team during this long period of association at every given opportunity, standing tall, rain or shine, covering many miles, walking at the venues which itself is another record-breaking effort that he did tirelessly.
As someone who was acquainted with Percy since 1979, I have had the unique opportunity to see a different side of his passion for cricket – one that has been closely tied with bringing people and communities together in unity and harmony during the Murali Cup held in the North post-conflict for five consecutive years 2012 – 2016. Here he played a pivotal role towards building reconciliation and goodwill through building bridges of friendship. People eagerly awaited his arrival at each venue where he would circle the grounds like no other. That itself was phenomenal, notwithstanding the hot and humid climatic conditions. At his age – a rare gift of the ‘never-give-up’ attitude.
In fact, when I told him in lighter vein that Sir Ian Botham was knighted for walking thousands of miles for charity, Percy responded promptly in his usual inimitable manner that he has walked more miles across all of the grounds worldwide, “but not even a good night for me” which was typical of the man- never short of quick witted rhymes. Such a statement could only come from Percy.
We salute and applaud his courageous life, to do what he did. Just like any famous cricketer is recognised in this country there was no place that Percy wasn’t recognised either, even in the North, having had that experience of going along with him which was always an interesting journey, to be accorded a right-royal welcome by the villagers even at boutiques on the wayside with a free cup of ginger tea for his contribution.
His lively and vibrant character, cannot be erased from the Sri Lanka cricket arena. It will be engrained in the minds of cricket fans who will not see again another stadium ambassador for the spirit of cricket.
May his good deeds benefit his Sansaric journey!
Kushil Gunasekera
He was well known for his organisational skills
Wasantha Wettasinghe
Wasantha passed away in his sleep on the morning of November 7. He was 77 years old. He was the sixth child in a family of nine headed by the only sister, now living in the USA. Two of his older brothers predeceased him. Wasantha’s father was a leading businessman engaged in sales as a franchise holder and in planting, living in Tennekumbura, Kandy. His mother was from a respectable family living in Hanguranketa in the Nuwara Eliya district.
Wasantha had his education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy from where he joined the Timber corporation when its Chairman was the Cambridge Wrangler and member of the Civil Service, P.H.Wickremesinghe. He rose to the position of an accountant soon. He then married Kusum Jayasuriya, who was also working as a translator in the same Corporation. She was a Catholic from Moratuwa. The inter-religious and inter-caste marriage was a blessed one, lasting for close to fifty years.
The family had two daughters, Sandamalee and Wathsala both of whom continue to enjoy inter-religious marriages, like their parents. Wasantha and Kusum are proud grandparents to five grandchildren.The senior son-in-law, Chaminda Perera,the owner of Sunpic Graphics Co. is a businessman in Canada while the other, Harsha Samarajeewa, an IT professional and former CEO of EWIS Peripheral Ltd, is the Managing Director of the Wettasinghe Pharmeceuticals .
I came to know Wasantha a year before his marriage when I married Kusum’s older sister Kantha Jayasuriya. I found him to be an intelligent and sociable person with whom I could associate as a friend, brother-in-law and confidant.
When Kusum later joined the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) and qualified as a pharmacist she managed to obtain a dealership, as a local wholesaler on retirement, it was Wasantha who, with his financial and organizational skills revived and developed the enterprise at a time when the business was tottering, initially due to unforeseen circumstances. It was during this latter period that Kusum was adjudged the best dealer in the island by the SPC.
Wasantha was a leading Lion in the Colombo district. He was also a club man, a well known figure at the Colombo Capri and the Moratuwa Carlton. As an investor in the share market I used to obtain his advice on matters relating to investments.There were several banners on display at the funeral home in Lunawa, Moratuwa, indicating Wasantha’s association with organizations like the Surf Society, Asia Crimes Prevention Foundation and several others.
He was also an active member of the political party now led by the President who was represented by some of his ministers and Members of Parliament at the funeral home.
Both parents would have been proud of the performance of the grandchildren. The eldest two granddaughters were able to pursue higher studies in universities in Canada while the older grandson, Kevan, played the role of a commentator at the last Royal Thomian cricket encounter. He is also a leading member of the Royal College orchestra as the first violinist.
I mourn deeply the loss of a good friend.I wish to offer my condolences to members of his family.
Wasantha’s body was cremated at the Rawathawatte public cemetery.
May his sojourn in Samsara be brief.
Dr. Leo Fernando
My father leaves behind a successful legacy
H.K. Sirisena
November 28 marked the first death anniversary of our dearest father H.K. Sirisena, a highly respected planter and tea factory owner.
Thaththa was also a devoted family man of undoubted integrity who set good examples and guided us through our journey in life.
My father hailed from a planting family down south. He was highly knowledgeable and committed to producing quality low grown tea. Loyalty was a prime feature in his life. He had a longstanding staff who grew with him. For many years he was the top tea planter for John Keells Tea Brokers. Modest and low key, he was closely associated with a small team of businessmen with whom he shared a great deal of camaraderie.
My mother Chandra and my father had three girls and two boys. We were a close family unit. My parents enjoyed a long relationship of mutual respect and admiration.
My father leaves behind a successful legacy. My mother, we his children and grandchildren always remember his favourite saying ‘class is eternal’.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Loving daughter Dammi Pasqual
Carrying on the pet project of a dear and caring friend
Prof. Chandra Abeysekera
We were colleagues at a professional level for many years being in the Teaching staff of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya and the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya. Later on she became my daughter’s mother-in-law (Ammi). After we both retired, I was closely associated with her from recent times as one of the Vice Presidents of the Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society (PKIPS), she being the founder of this society and the founder President. It is in this capacity that I really began to know the other side of Chandra.
Much has been written about Chandra’s attributes. What has struck me is what she was not. Never loud or abrasive, never overdressed, never domineering, never a hurtful or thoughtless remark, never controlling or imposing her will on others, never in a hurry, never disorganised – and the list can go on.
The establishment of the PKPS was Chandra’s brainchild. Her pet project. Her life.
After she fell ill, it was my duty to look into the affairs of the society. It is only then that I realized how carefully she had handpicked her committee members. Many of them were non-medical people. But their commitment to the tasks at hand was amazing, undoubtedly inspired by Chandra’s dedication to this cause.
We now have a moral obligation to Chandra to continue this phenomenal project that she initiated. This society, amongst assisting the Kidney units at Peradeniya, has a sponsorship programme to assist needy children and also adults with kidney disease. During the COVID crisis, the PKPS was in the forefront making sure the patients had all necessary drugs and medications, not only helping Peradeniya, but units in other parts of the country too.
Assistance poured in from all parts of the world, mainly due to the credibility of Chandra and her husband Tilak. We are proud to say that no kidney patients died due to lack of medications. Please visit our website, and assist us in this endeavour. This is the least we can do in memory of Chandra Kumari Abeysekera, a dear friend, so charming, clever, committed and caring.
Neelakanthi Ratnatunga
You are our rose in heaven
Ramani de Silva Wijeyeratne
Your laughter is no more
Your thoughts are still
Even the blue of the skies and
The lush green meadows
As you go to a further destination
You will remain quite still
You were the stronghold of the family
You protected them as your own
In the raging seas and stormy weather
You are an anchor my dear Ramani
Malkanthi, our rose in heaven
At last amongst the twinkling stars
So as we bid you adieu
Rest among the heavens
Gloriously take your heavenly rest and bliss
Residing in the arms of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Bye sweet princess
Rest in peaceful slumber
Shiranthie de Silva Wijeyeratne
Memories of a fellow journalist hunting for scoops and breaking stories
T. Sivapragasam
My memories of T. Sivapragasam go back to the late 1950s when we were both residents of Marrs Hall at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. By a coincidence, we also had another Siva: K. Sivapragasam. So, one was called T. Siva and the other was called K. Siva. Both were products of Royal College, Colombo.
After graduation, where we both specialised in Economics, Siva and I crossed paths again, this time at Lake House, one of the major newspaper publishers in the country. I was on the editorial staff of the Observer and Siva was on the Daily News.
Siva’s beat was politics and finance. He was regularly seen hanging out in the lobby of our parliament, chasing MPs and cabinet ministers, hunting for scoops and breaking stories.
Perhaps one of the legendary stories at the Daily News was an investigative piece he did on the shenanigans in the Bank of Ceylon. Our news editor, who rightly believed in the right of reply, asked Siva to contact the General Manager (GM) of the Bank, an influential figure at that time, for his comments on the story.
When he spoke to the tight-lipped GM, he told Siva to call him around 2 p.m. that afternoon for his comments. As agreed, Siva called him sharp at 2. The GM asked him “Do you have a pen and paper”. When Siva said he did, the GM dictated to him: “When the Daily News contacted the General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon, he said, he had no comments to make”..
But that did not prevent the Daily News from running the story on Page one. In effect, his colleagues said, it looked as if it was Siva who outsmarted the GM.
A longstanding journalist, Siva was Executive Editor of the Toronto-based 18-year-old monthly Monsoon Journal.
TMD
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