Appreciations
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Thank you for being our guiding light
ANTHONY CHRISTOPHER (A.C.) ALLES
I am often humbled and inspired by reading appreciations of people known and unknown, silently saying a prayer of gratitude for their lives and for strength to their families.
My own father was not sufficiently appreciated by me during his lifetime but at least now let me put forward another side of him that I knew but appreciate too late.
A lawyer by profession, Solicitor-General and retiring as Acting Chief Justice, Anthony Christopher Alles (July 9, 1911 –January 1, 2003) is better known today as an author, a legacy he left behind with his series ‘Famous Criminal Cases of Sri Lanka’ and other records of historic events such as the JVP insurgency and the assassination of a Prime Minister and others. These were written in a most readable style. I feel sad that I discouraged him from writing these as it touched on lives of people still around, to which he, with fond gentleness, reminded me that all cases were heard and already in the public realm.
On another occasion when he mentioned computer related crimes in his writing, in my arrogance I asked if he knew enough about it. He gently defended himself with humility so as not to crush the young architect’s aspiring knowledge, so limited at the time.
He never ever raised his voice and was not prone to unwarranted anger, and even in dire situations would evaluate and find an equanimous solution. This was as I knew him which probably made him a good Puisne Justice.
He rarely expounded his thoughts even on our early morning long walks on holidays, which were many, covering most places on this beautiful and intriguing island. One such was in the late ’60s, while enjoying the hospitality of a lawyer friend at Komari, when he woke me before sunrise, and took me for a walk on the beach. The sunrise on the East coast was spectacular and as the two of us walked northwards in easy silence as usual, an enormous light-house came into view. As we neared he broke the silence, simply saying “This is Sagamankanda Lighthouse, the eastern-most point of Sri Lanka.” I was in awe being just out of my teen years.
Daddy never made any comment about places but only stated the facts; he left the cognitive experience to us without overlaying his thoughts. He loved gardening and his collection of roses, offering a flower, the shade of my saree for my hairdo. The nature-lover in him was often displayed in his actions. Even at home, No. 8 Cambridge Terrace, he would come upstairs to observe a storm approach. He was a keen observer of natural phenomena and social interactions whether in the jungles, sea-shore, ancient places or among people.
He much-loved and respected all facets of Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon. He held my hand when I was little while gazing at the Samadhi Buddha image in the then jungle of Anuradhapura simply saying, “You must know your heritage.” He took the family to other ancient cities and climbing up to the rock monasteries of Thiriyaya and many other similar places.
The resources of this island were also laid before us, without comment. Going out to the ships anchored at sea off the coast of Pulmoddai on the North-East, loading mined black mineral sands, the palmyrah landscapes of Jaffna, or visiting tea factories in the hill country, or managing a coconut farm, he introduced us first-hand to the country.
Daddy was respected and made friends easily, many of whom were hospitable hosts or guides. He was always grateful for assistance from his heart. Families travelled together, his dear friends, Proctor Herschel Pandittasekera, Dr. John Perera, Judge Victor Tennekoon, now all no more, but lasting friendships among the next generation were left as legacy. All trips were ably supported by my mother, his wife Doreen an excellent organizer and provider of delectable cuisine.
Not all was first-hand but his love for reading and research made for an accumulation of books, manuscripts and his own writing. From ancient mythologies and historic records of West and East his collection was vast. If I wanted to know something, he did not give his views but guided me to references.
He attended to our needs of growth and education as all good fathers do, but most of all allowed us to grow while guiding us with discernment. This, unfortunately is seen in hindsight. Many children feel they are suppressed by parents, but gentle protective guidance is necessary to keep one from straying off a beaten track too far. Forays off-road in life were permitted with restraint and the comfort of knowing that our parents were steadfast in their support.
Daddy rarely gave advice, but when he did it was profound. On coming to their home from the maternity hospital with my husband Sunil Amendra and new-born son Shantha, he proffered that “the best gift you can give your child is a good set of values.” Our son, Sajith, now a father himself can follow your advice.
Dearest Dad, rest assured, you did your best with us, Pam, Tony and Shereen and the next generations are your shining lights too.
May you rest in peace.
Shereen Amendra
Memories of my ‘Pettai’ and the Zorba dance
EVELYN DE ZOYSA
We were four boy children and our father and mother were missing a baby girl. On the eighth of April 1946 she appeared with my father shouting the word for girl in joyous Tamil, “pettai!”, “pettai!”
Had Daddy been here on May 15, 2024 he would have been crying soft and low, “pettai………pettai.” My father and mother were blessedly saved from this grief, as Pettai is now saved from the griefs that will come, which we who are still here have to take on.
Evelyn had her schooling at Chundikuli Girls’ College, Jaffna, and made her living in the commercial sector of Colombo. Like her married love Lucien de Zoysa, her absorption in life apart from the daily routine of making a living, was theatre, music and dance. She performed in plays I directed and memorably she directed me.
Once when my wife Nalini, Evelyn and I were holidaying in Greece, the restaurant we were dining in, announced live musicians playing the signature song of the film Zorba the Greek, inviting guests to dance to the music. My sister leapt up and started the Greek shape of dance. Others crowded in and body in motion she summoned me and guided me.
This dance with ‘Pettai’ came back to me because the Zorba dance is a dance of life and death, surging upward in dance and music and then plaintive notes and slow body movements, but a quick burst again to end, an artistic creation of life and death.
Senaya and Kaavinda, her grandchildren with whom she is pictured here, were both the love and meaning of her life, giving her the evidence that she lives on also on earth, a process that began with her husband, Lucien de Zoysa followed by their caring daughter, Iana de Zoysa Wijemanne.
To you Pettai I say “though your youngest brother and I are much older than you, God designed that you step forward a little ahead in the journey that continues. Death is not the end. There is “the undiscovered country…” where also, you will be lovingly called Pettai.
To want an obituary to be read by newspaper readers unknown to you is from the feeling that this is as much a short story, as is life.
Ernest Macintyre
A tribute to my darling Aththi
Gerald De Alwis
Aththi, you were definitely a gift from above
A grandfather like no other.
To reflect and to give thanks, for an exemplary man,
As a family we now gather.
A man of God, and a true disciple,
You lived by his word till the end.
You shared your wisdom, and your selfless love,
With many a family and friend.
Your home was always my second home,
Staying over was always a treat.
I loved sitting with you on your garden seat,
Swatting mosquitoes flying around our feet.
You always stood out, with your silver hair,
But you stood out more for your kind, humble ways.
You took me for swimming at the crack of dawn
And loved telling stories of the good old days.
You had a passion for teaching and excelled in sport,
You were always the best you could be.
The values and beliefs you instilled in us
Will always be your true legacy.
Our hearts are heavy, we will miss you so much
But we know you are in a better place.
Safe in his arms you have fought the good fight,
And now you have finished the race.
Ineshka De S Wijeyeratne
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