The case against torture

Consideration of Sri Lanka's first period report to the Geneva based UN Committee against torture in May 1998

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardena

Cynical observers may well agree with Yosef Lamdan, the Israeli Permanent Representative to the United Nations, that his country received the most flak from the UN based Committee Against Torture (CAT) in this week's sessions in Geneva for one reason. It was too candid about itself. The Israeli government had, in fact, maintained before CAT that interrogation practices such as violent shaking, handcufing in uncomfortable positions, hooding for long periods and sleep deprivation amounted to "moderate physical pressure" and could fairly be applied to terrorist suspects in order to obtain information that might foil future attacks.

Not surprisingly, the ten members of CAT, appointed to monitor the implementation of the UN Convention against Torture by state parties, disagreed. The members, all highly respected figures in the international community, noted that "the state of insecurity that Israel is presently coping with cannot justify practices amounting to torture". The response from Lamdan was colourfully aggressive, stating among other things, that while his government continued to battle with the "agonizing dilemma" of terrorism, its report was brought before CAT like "a lamb going to the slaughter". Israel was being held to a higher standard than other countries, he alleged, "because its government operations were more open than those of other states."

Rather unfortunately, as if to illustrate his point in a none too subtle manner, the very next report to be considered was that of Sri Lanka, coming before CAT for the first time since the Convention was ratified in November 1994. In contrast to Israel the Sri Lankan report was a model of decorum, one wit commenting that indeed such faultless mechanisms to protect human rights must be the envy of less fortunate countries. At first glance, the twenty eight-page report is indeed impressive, starting from the cataloguing of several formal legal provisions that guarantee the right to freedom from torture. Not only does the Constitution explicitly forbid torture with the Supreme Court "jealously protecting this right" but specific legislation referred to as the CAT Act of 1994 makes torture a criminal offence punishable by stringent penalties. Again, procedures relating to investigation, taking a suspect into custody and detention outlaw torture as an acceptable practice and human rights education and information form a significant part of the training of police officers, members of the armed forces and prison officers. A plethora of committees, commissions and bodies supervise the actions of law enforcement of officials while the recommendations of a 1995 committee to "inquire into and report on the reorganization of the police" are being considered. Presently, complaints against police officers, including complaints of alleged torture can be made to a special sub unit set up under a senior DIG. Action is being taken to refer complaints against police officers to an independent panel and to set up a "cell" directly under the IGP to monitor these complaints. In a burst of exuberance, it is even announced that a separate directorate has been established at army headquarters to deal exclusively with international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, three commissions on disappearances have completed their work and issued reports, the government is now considering how to implement their conclusions, including possible prosecutions. Some 188 cases have been referred to court for action, 20 indictments have been issued with 14 cases discharged.

The case, in other words, could not have been more different from Israel. Sri Lanka wished to reiterate its commitment to the stringent standards of international human rights law. The government, it appeared, neither did any wrong, nor wished to do any wrong. Perish the thought of "moderate physical pressure". On the contrary, it gracefully apologized for any excesses that may have occurred, relegating them to the status of "isolated acts of torture carried out by some individuals, and not the outcome of a deliberate policy". The strategy, it seemed, was one of subterfuge with a few clever nuggets of truth thrown in. Did it work?

Reportedly, government representatives left the Geneva sessions if not in a complacent mood, then certainly as relieved defenders of their briefs. It would not be correct, however, to think that each country did not have to pay its own price. While in the case of Israel it had to justify its honest but undeniably arrogant admission that it applied "physical pressure" to those in custody of its officials, Sri Lanka was called upon to answer in a different way, perhaps less severe but nonetheless very stern. The question was obvious, what about the actual efficacy of these much touted mechanisms against torture, do they succeed in bringing perpetrators to justice? Do they, indeed? Consider the other side of the coin. In March and December 1996, the Supreme Court declared two clear instances of torture. One individual had been stripped, suspended from an iron pipe, clubbed, chilli rubbed on eyes while the other had been stripped, hung on a beam by the hands and clubbed, chilli then being applied to nose and other parts of his body. They were awarded compensation, with the Court ordering in the latter case, that a copy of the judgment be sent to the IGP. This was in line with long established thinking of the Court that law enforcement officers found responsible for torture should be subject to departmental sanctions. The fact remains, however, that the authorities ignore these judgments. The frustration of the Court as regards this noncompliance is legendary, strong statements being made repeatedly from the Bench. In one particularly heinous case in 1995 where a 14 year old girl had been tortured by police officers resulting in the impairment of the sight of one eye, the Supreme Court expressed its disgust in the following manner.

"In many cases in the past, this Court has observed that there was a need for the Inspector General of Police to take action to prevent infringements of fundamental rights by police officers, and where such infringements nevertheless occur, this Court has sometimes directed that disciplinary proceedings be taken. The response has not inspired confidence in the efficacy of such observations and directions..."

The Court, going by the premise that compensation was therefore, the most appropriate remedy, ordered the state to pay Rs. 150,000/= and the respondent police officer to personally pay a further sum of Rs. 50,000/-

Earlier statements of the Supreme Court have been even harsher. In one case of severe torture of a person arrested under emergency regulations in 1992, the Court asserted that the use of such third degree methods were "barbarous, savage and inhuman" and "revolting to one's sense of human dignity and decency". It was pointed out that despite frequent reprimands to the police, incidents of torture continue unabated.

Apart from disciplinary inquiries within the police structure, other methods of control have also remained dormant. For instance, on the basis of information disclosed in a fundamental rights application, the Attorney General can prosecute any individual police officer. Up to date, only one prosecution has been launched against six police officers of the Embilipitiya police station against whom a fundamental rights judgement had been delivered. The Supreme Court ordered not only that the IGP be furnished with a copy of the judgement but that he report back to the Court on what action had been taken. Subsequently, criminal proceedings were initiated against all those named by the Court. What now, of the much vaunted procedures under the CAT Act whereby the High Court can be moved by the Attorney General to look into cases of alleged torture? Since the Act was enacted in 1994, not a single case has been brought before the High Court in the manner provided for. The Sri Lanka country report grandly and somewhat naively attributes this to the fact that the victims prefer to go before the Supreme Court, rather than press a criminal trial in the High Court where proof is stricter and procedures more complicated. In a caustic commentary on the report, the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) has categorized this as a rather "strange" explanation, stating that if this argument is correct, one wonders what the need is for the CAT Act at all. It is of course, the Attorney General who has the responsibility of initiating a prosecution before the High Court with the victim having little say in the matter. CRM went on to articulate its concerns thus;

"Even despite the Supreme Court's requests for further action in a number of cases, the absence of even a single case being filed for a period of three years, let alone a conviction, raises questions of the government's seriousness with regard to the effective implementation of its obligations under the Convention Against Torture.......it is not our contention that every finding of torture by the Supreme Court means that there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution........our concern is that the absence of a single prosecution (let alone a conviction) under the Act, and indeed the sparseness at all times of prosecutions, even under the normal law, suggests that the necessary will to engage in follow up investigations and institution of legal proceedings is lacking."

The report itself admits that there are allegations of torture by the security forces in the context of counter terrorist activities and by the police in combating crime. It is explained that these are only isolated instances. The fact remains though, that no lesser body than the Human Rights Task Force, in its 1993-l994 report concluded that "......in Sri Lanka, we have government tolerated torture. Torture cases when brought to light rarely attract government attention."

Meanwhile, certain provisions under emergency and PTA continue to encourage aberrant behaviour on the part of law enforcement officers. These include the absence of any or minimum safeguards relating to conditions of detention, admissibility of police confessions to senior police officers, (though conviction on a mere confession is rare) and doing away with the normal procedure in relation to deaths in custody in respect of inquests, postmortem examinations, disposal of bodies and judicial inquiry.

Further problems abound in the report. The Human Rights Commission is mentioned as a model of a monitoring body, yet serious questions continue to be asked about its efficacy. Indeed, some of the other monitoring bodies mentioned in the report is unheard of to human rights activists, such as the "Committee to Process, Classify and Recommend Rehabilitation" which apparently scrutinizes the detention of suspects under emergency law. An independent body and not some little known unit within the police structure itself, to look into complaints against the police remain a dire necessity.

Responding to all these concerns, CAT this week asked the government to ensure a review of the emergency regulations and PTA. It recommended that the Human Rights Commission be strengthened to ensure its impartiality and effectiveness. It urged that the government allow individual communications on alleged torture to be submitted to CAT, and suggested that Sri Lanka commemorate all victims of torture on June 26th of each year, in line with a naming of this day as the International Day Against Torture by the UN General Assembly.

Most importantly, this week's Geneva sessions compelled the government to confront one primary question; what preventive measures are being taken to eradicate torture as opposed to compensatory measures? The stubborn fact is that despite all the paper wasted on the "whys and the wherefores", precious little has been done to dent the attitude of impunity with which law enforcement officers still commit acts of torture on defenceless individuals. An effective answer to that primary question therefore, could only be very short, very simple and very negative.

Where was the debate?

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti our lobby correspondent.

If voters harboured the il lusion that live television coverage would make our people' s representatives better-behaved, they could wait till cows come home.

As evidenced on Tuesday, when the controversial Air Lanka agreement was taken up for debate, vituperative attacks became the redeeming feature, perhaps, much to the distress of the voting public.

Gamini Atukorale


If garrulity was ever deemed a virtue, many qualified for the highest stakes, as insults were traded with gay abandon- laced with heavy innuendo and direct barbs.

It was UNP' s anti- corruption campaigner, General Secretary Gamini Atukorale in his opening remarks claimed that political leadership was not a privilege but a trust, a fact forgotten by the PA.

" It was the UNP which created Air Lanka, and therefore a heavy duty of protecting it was cast upon it, the reason why the party made representations to the World Bank. The present valuation of Air Lanka exceeded US $ 86.2 million, and the government has sold the profit making venture lock, stock and barrel to its personal favourites. "

Waxing eloquent, he accused the government of swindling public funds and resorting to selling the family silver for a few individuals to make a fast buck. Though the agreement required the payment of US $ 70 m, only US $ 45 has been paid in stark contravention of the initial contractual terms.

The MP who has mastered the cutting barb said that the Minister who was quite knowledgeable on ground handling has been played out by those well versed in 'under ground handling'. The irony was that Sri Lanka has reached such levels of self sufficiency that it was able to grant incredible fuel subsidy to one of the leading oil producers in the world!

" Minister G. L. Peiris categorically denied any wheeler dealing with regard to this deal, and vowed to make a statement in Parliament before concluding the process. He lied to this House Sir, and the manner in which Cabinet approval was obtained was another stinker. I have no faith in him and the corrupt government " he thundered, while Minister Peiris patiently awaited his opportunity to reply.

In turn, Professor Peiris said that he did not wish to hurl abuse at anyone. But the UNP General Secretary' s remarks had obviously hurt the gentle professor of law who kept on referring to the harsh words.

In a speech highly flavoured with economic jargon, he explained why the financial clout of the Emirates was necessary for the resuscitation of an ailing Air Lanka.

Half the fleet was over 25 years old, and horrendous consequences could emanate if archaic and outmoded aircraft were used for passenger handling. Their fuel efficiency were low and maintenance cost was greater. "

Claiming that the government did not embark on this ambitious privatization programme blindly, he sought to counter the allegations raised by the Opposition that certain companies were stealthily barred from bidding.

" We called for tenders and besides Emirates, the other two contenders did not posses the necessary expertise. Unlike the previous practice, this government did not write off the UL debts for the Emirates, and the purchase of the six airbuses were a cause for happiness as refleeting was required now " he countered.

But the Opposition was not convinced, and when UNP' s Mahinda Samarasinghe rose to speak he cast heavy doubts over ' the very questionable brief Minister Peiris carried for the government '.

Emphasizing that ' figures lied and liars figured ', he stressed that the various dubious dealings of the government were proving the quotation true. Adding credence to claim that ' liars figured ', the burly member claimed that Air Lanka has made a profit of Rs. 3.1 million for the financial year ending in march 1998, despite the Minister claiming it to be only Rs. 2.8 million.

The annual cost of the war effort was a staggering Rs. 55 billion, and there were thousands who have lost life and limb as direct consequences of the war. The question was whether it was a responsible act to commit US $ 700 m just because Emirates refused to come here unless its refleeting programme was accepted.

The economist turned MP claimed that the government has ousted a pioneer airline due to some concessions it sought, while awarding the same and more to Emirates. For 26% of UL shares, Emirates has received management control, and the refleeting exercise was stinking to the very heavens.

It was the member of the ' kankun ' fame, Minister Kingsley Wickremaratne who was next on his feet launching a wrathful attack on the UNP- listing its many sins by way of defence.

Accusing the UNP of sabotage, Minister Wickremaratne claimed that the UNP' s economic policies were tailor made for cronies-hence the extreme levels of corruption during its tenure.Not to be outdone by the criticism by Opposition speakers, he moved to list several questionable deals by the UNP: " The UNP was so corrupt that it has by now developed a jaded vision- hence the desire to tarnish the image of the government. Ousted by the people for breaching their trust, the UNP had resorted to its trade mark tactics of sabotage, black mail and under world tactics " thundered he.Speaking next was one time SLFP 's crusader against corruption and vociferous critic of the UNP's air bus purchase agreement, Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne who did his valiant best to defend the government.

But in a speech which lacked arguments and replies to the many queries, the Minister concentrated on lambasting the UNP on its past wheeler dealing.

" The prophets of doom are back again Sir, and they even like the so called God Father of Airlines to purchase 51% of Air Lanka, and in their astonishing wisdom, have perceived that this was a safe exercise " he asserted.

Challenging the PERC 's authority to privatize Air Lanka was Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, pressing the point that the Company concerned did not come under its preview, hence there was no validity in the agreement.

Dr. Senaratne, riding his hobby horse again, scornfully declared that hereafter Air Lanka would not fly to Amsterdam, Trichinapolli, Bombay and Karachchi, due to so called operational difficulties. The Board of Directors would include four Sri Lankans who would not have clout, and the whole deal has been a stinking sell out and a complete betrayal.

" Corruption charges were framed against Pakistan 's Benazir Bhutto, " he quipped, adding that nothing was being done regarding the deals of ' Ms. Thushnimbhutho '- a masquerading female here ".

NDUNLF 's Ravi Karunanayake was awaiting his opportunity to speak, but was being adamantly refused by the government, much to the consternation of the member. Finally, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe generously gave away of UNP 's time- something which triggered off the PA benches to exclaim angrily that he was already taking orders from the UNP.

Seething with anger, the visibly moved parliamentarian denounced the agreement which lacked transparency, and if the many charges made against him were proved, he would unhesitatingly resigned.The deal was detrimental to the national interest, he thundered, adding that his business interests never interfered with the discharge of his duties as an MP. But Deputy Minister Athauda Seneviratne was unconvinced, and while the round of insults on Mr. Karunanayake continued, he pressed the point that Mr. Karunanayake should be having vested business interests when he castigated the PA for a hard won, worthy deal, which earned him an uncustomary attack from the backbencher.

When Sarath Kongahage rose to speak, already the house was in turmoil with MP s liberally trading insults. Speaking amidst the noises, certain remarks of his drew an angry response by the government.

While the Deputy Chairman of Committees Rauff Hakeem pleaded for sanity and even suspended the sittings for ten minutes to bring a house gone wild under control, the voices never abated.

But if anyone chose to blunder in brilliance with sweeping statements, it was no lesser person than Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. He began his account by making several adverse remarks on certain UNP MP 's- comments liberally deleted by the Chair.

" I have a duty to explain why Mr. Karunanayke was denied the right to speak. He has recently formed a cargo handling company and has been refused by Air Lanka to do air craft handling for the Company, the reason behind his vehement opposition to the deal. He has conflict of interest and I think he should not speak on this " he claimed.

While the MP concerned tried to explain something, he was inelegantly shouted down by PA members, taking the level of the debate from the sublime to the ridiculous. Adding insult to injury, the minister went on to attack the free media, stating that speeches appeared only if some gratification was made to the pressmen.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was in his wittiest best was concluding the debate for the Opposition, said that the debate was not a move to overthrow the government, and there was no reason too, specially considering how effectively the PA did it all by themselves.

Pulling enough punches, Mr. Wickremesinghe noted that the process adapted in privatization, manner of selecting partners and the questionable purchase of six air buses were never explained by the government.

" The tender procedure has been blatantly violated while the PERC exercised no authority to privatize Air Lanka. You did not want Continental Airlines, but would accept anything on bended knees from the Emirates. If you let both parties bid, at least that would have ensured better terms for Sri Lanka ", quipped he.

On a more critical note, he reiterated that the UNP would not honour this agreement which was a mere sell out of a national asset, adding that he would go further, and file a complaint with the Bribery Commission for the same.

But Minister Dharmasiri Senanayake, once presented with the opportunity to reply was more keen to find out whether the UNP would abrogate the agreement than meet the arguments.

Plainly dodging, the Minister sought refuge in making trivial accusations, attributing sinister motives to the UNP.

The theatrics apart, the real question facing the nation today is that, an institution which should symbolize the dignity of a nation has been taken over by representatives whose arrogance and lack of accountability has made democracy a bad word.

He led us with exemplary zeal throughout

M.T.Thambapillai, our Revered Guru , was on the verge of his 88th birthday when he passed away on April 19. Yet it is hard to believe that he is no more largely because of the tremendous impact he had on the lives of a good many of us, who came under his caring tutelage.

Moses Thirugnanasingham Thambapillai, to give his full name, or endearingly Thamba to all of us, was born in Jaffna on April 25, l910. He cut his initial teeth at Chundukuli Girls School and thereafter was nurtured at Trinity College Kandy. For good measure, he had attended Royal before circumstances compelled him to join Trinity. But what Royal missed in him as a student, she gained in ample measure later on when he joined her staff as an Assistant Science Master in 1946 and served her with dignity and distinction for well-nigh 25 years. He had a short teaching spell at STC before finally blossoming at Royal. He took over as master-in-charge of Rugby at Royal in 1947 when Mr.J.C.A.Corea, the principal was quick to recognise his capabilities. The principal could not have made a better decision as subsequent events were to amply demonstrate. Thereafter for over twenty years he was to influence not only the game of rugby at Royal, which he loved so much, but also the lives of everyone of us, who had the good fortune to come under his care. During his stewardship there was nothing he cared for more than Royal rugby to make men out of the countless number of his protégés. To describe him as a teacher would not do justice to him. Rather, he was one, who created for us that essential learning environment both on and off the field, to enable us to learn of books, learn of men and learn to play the game.

He led us with exemplary zeal caringly guiding us to Man's Estate, as it were, along that straight and narrow path, exerting a rich influence of good, clean living with no rancour, no malice and, more importantly, no prejudices. He carried these wonderful qualities right through to the end. In his final hours lying in hospital following the accident that eventually proved fatal, he refused to give a statement to the police. I had occasion to ask him why he had so refused, which query, too, he dismissed with a characteristic shrug, referring to the bus-driver, who callously felled him at a pedestrian crossing as 'that poor fellow : he wouldn't have intended what he did'. Such was his magnanimity even in distress.

It is no exaggeration to say that he never spoke ill of anybody, though he was intensely critical, especially when he genuinely felt that an injustice had been perpetrated. This was especially manifest when any rugby referee made a mistake ( deliberate or otherwise), which proved costly for his team. Here, more than anything else, he was conscious of the sweat and toil that went into the hard endeavour at practice sessions, which was almost instantly negated by the referee's callous blast of carelessness!

His benign presence helped us to learn in no unmistakeable terms, to play the game of life, like the game of rugby he taught us, the only way he knew - in honour and dignity

His secret of good living, he used to always implore us, was a strict abiding, adherence to the four W's, as he called it, viz ;

Work : to which he was intensely dedicated. Those who were closely associated with him in school, particularly on the rugby field would assert with what meticulous care and concern he set about the tasks at hand, not the least of which was his untiring effort to set up the schools rugby section of the Rugby Union, assisted by Commander Eustace Maththysz and Dr.Larry Foenander and others who were in the higher echelons of rugby administration, who were his personal friends.

Walk: He walked miles on end to sustain a vigorous health, which he had in ample measure to the end. Ironically, it was his fervour for walking, inspite of admonition to the contrary, that proved eventually fatal.

Water: which he took in plenty to, as he asserted, cleanse the system .

Worship: which he did most assiduously to cleanse his mind and keep it on even keel. None can deny that he did things with supreme equanimity, treating everyone alike with no fear or favour.

Of course, he used to invariably add in a lovingly enthusiastic whisper the 5th W : the woman in his life, Lolita , his Lolita, the one behind his bliss, who stood by him in unrelenting support, unobtrusively for well-nigh 55 eventful years: years filled with the joy of living and caring, years with the bliss of nurturing four dutiful and discerning sons, who are now themselves excelling in their own chosen professions, while deriving the best of the qualities of their rare and wonderful father. Indeed, it would not have been easy for a humble school master with no supplementary income, and for whom teaching was a calling in life and not a private tuition business, to nurture them into the four quality products that they are. Yet, that he did so, while at the same time caring for all his protégés with equal enthusiasm, was his crowning achievement, so ably supported by his Lolita.

He also had the supreme ability to have a good laugh especially at himself, while laughing along with others, often recalling, with that very special cherubic smile of his, the rugby misdemeanours of a Bulla de Silva; a Ralph Wickramaratne; an irrepressible Puggy Gooneratne; a Summa Amaresinghe or an Abeysinghe ( Singho, as he was called ), who bound his rugby boots assiduously with coir rope for greater security! Yet he loved them all with a very genuine sincerity. His continued contact with his protégés was mutually rejuvenating. He was much sought after at most gatherings of old Royalists, here and abroad, not only because he was loved and respected by one and all but also because he was a superb raconteur, a more than welcome speaker and a good singer, whose stentorian voice helped to wrap the gathering together with a gorgeous rendering, inter alia, of 'Among My Souvenirs' or the 'Song of the Hypotenuse.' At all these gatherings he was most deservingly an honoured guest. For, by his simple approach to life and the concern for his pupils, which never wavered, he was able to reap a rich harvest of goodwill, a reciprocal concern and unmitigated respect from them.

He never missed our annual '54 Group rendezvous, except when abroad, where he used to regale us as usual with his wry humour and the never ending fund of stories of the past and the present, in the company of other great teachers of our time such as Lennie de Silva, Harold Samaraweera, Viji Weerasinghe et al. His one regret at our '54 Group gatherings was that he couldn't meet his schoolmate, and probably the oldest living Trinity rugby lion, John Hill, who was also on the staff at Royal and who now understandably prefers to lead the life of a recluse inspite of many invitations.

His contribution to Royal rugby cannot be easily measured. With an unswerving devotion he dedicated himself to developing rugby at Royal towards sustainability ably assisted by such great men in the game as Sidney de Zoysa, Summa Navaratnam, Mahesa Rodrigo, Geoff Weinmann, and Stanley Unamboowe for others to follow later on.It is that same devotion that impelled him to learn the finer intricacies of rugby football as the years progressed. When Royal was on the field his figure was unfailingly seen, with umbrella in hand, strutting up and down the touch-line in a frenzy of enthusiasm urging his team onto greater success. Mrs.Thambapillai would surely have had to keep account of the number of umbrellas that were sacrificed in the name of Royal rugby!

It was hell to pay for those who made the silly mistake. These were reminded in no unmistakable terms that rugby was played not only with brawn but with brains also - a point that was sadly missed on some. But he never failed to compliment the good work done as well - all this in the interest of Royal rugby and with avowed concern to make men of us all

In the evening of his life, it caused him much pain to see his country getting dismembered and his fellow Sri Lankans maiming and mangling each other.Indeed, he was a true Sri Lankan. Everyone was equal before him - his sole yardstick being honesty, integrity and merit. None can ever forget those efforts he made to get his pupils at Royal to visit Jaffna to interact and integrate with their dear Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in the Peninsula. Royal cricket teams of the past would recall these visits with nostalgia. He was not entirely free of peccadilloes either; such as the ones he used to commit, in retirement, at glorious bridge sessions at a Royal nook at Nawala, especially when partnering his life-long pal, Harold Smaraweera, with whom he had a bridge partnership of over fifty years! Channa Gunasekera, a former Royal cricket captain and his pupil, could say more of these bridge sessions and the accompanying indiscretions!!

When I visited him in hospital along with his youngest son, Nirmo, he certainly was in some pain going through a traumatic experience, though seemingly stable and on the way to recovery. I had taken with me some photographs from last year's Old Royalists' Rugby Dinner, where he was honoured with a felicitous publication. In those photographs he was in the effervescent company of Summa Navaratnam, Mahesa Rodrigo, and Geoff Weinmann, three of his most loyal accomplices at Royal rugby, and who were among his best friends off the field as well. The photographs were an instant elixir! His face lit up as he livened to the occasion. Stories started rolling out in smooth, multi-faceted succession, his memory sharp as ever, never failing to touch on the minutest of detail of the glorious days of yore. He talked lovingly of his charges: of Roti and Bala, the reference being to Ratna Sivaratnam of Aitken Spence and Ken Balendra of Keells. He talked of mercurial Maurice Anghie, brilliant fly-half/centre in his day. He talked of H.S.de Silva as a fine chap and an equally fine forward; of Dudley Fernando, who, he said, was a special son; of Ralph Wickremaratne, who had unreservedly declared to him what a wonderful father he had been to him.

These and many more, who were nurtured to manhood under his magnificient influence. Indeed, he was a father to every one of us, who came under his care. He talked most endearingly of the men whose photographs he was now fondly scrutinising and whose unfailing and tireless endeavours helped him to make rugby flourish at Royal. Yet, for all that, those who really knew him would readily assert that he was not a man just for the rugby season alone. Rather, he was a man for all seasons: a veritable collossus who bestrode our world with a calm dignity and whose influence was very much a boon to all who knew him. Now, death has taken him away from us.There will never be another Thamba. But death has not, and cannot, take his spirit away from us.The Sanguine Spirit of Thamba will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him and loved him- and they were many and countless, the world over.He could count among his proteges, here and abroad, many who have reached the pinnacle of their careers or are well on the way to doing so. To say that he walked with the highest and the best is only to say half the truth. The highest and the best came in search of him for guidance, succour and the privilege of his delightful company.

Yet, he remained the humble self he always was with that Fussels Lane humility of a simple school master- the type of humility that was to shower blessings on all around him, after having thanked his God, just before he closed his eyes for the final time in the wee hours of that fateful Sunday morning.

With such credentials behind him, it is hardly surprising that the Angels would sing unending Hossannahs for a man, whose life was well-meant and well-spent in the service of his fellow beings.

Vale! Sir. Fare-thee-well.

' To us you were so wonderful,

So wonderful and true 'We will always keep that cherubic smile that spoke a million among our souvenirs. May you reap the Rich Rewards that you rightly deserve.

ULK.

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