Silent pillar of KDA/KDU and embodiment of humanity

Appreciation

By Nilakshan Perera

My memory takes me back to 1979, to a moment etched in time when a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed military officer, a Master in charge of Cadeting at Prince of Wales College commanding a guard of honour presented to President J.R. Jayawardene by the cadets of 3CCC, consisted of Ananda, Nalanda and Prince of Wales Cadet platoons at the Prince of Wales College grounds.

This lanky yet commanding figure, resplendent in a pristine white uniform and shoes polished to a mirror finish, was a familiar sight every morning around 0615 hrs at the Walana bus halt. As I rode past the Ananda College Panadura 100 school bus, his presence was impossible to ignore a picture of discipline and charisma.

Years rolled by, and on 3^rd of August, 1982, fate had its way of reuniting paths. Enlistment of Intake 3 of KDA was instructed to report to Sir John Kotelawala’s bungalow at 1500 hours to begin our military journey. Amid a gathering of senior officers, the opening address was delivered by none other than a tall, sharp, and authoritative Cadet Corps officer, a Captain.

His voice, firm and commanding, instructed us to hand over our testimonials and presented us with Standing orders. It was at that moment I realised: this was him. The striking figure from years ago, Captain Raj M. Fernando.

What began as an intimidating introduction evolved with time. This tough, disciplined officer, our acting Troop Commander and English master, revealed a fatherly warmth beneath his stern exterior. He wasn’t just a leader; he became a mentor, a guide, and an unforgettable influence on our lives

He had a keen eye and could immediately recognize each of our capabilities and talents. Tasks were assigned to us accordingly.

He played a pivotal role in establishing KDA's very first library. A few of us were selected to help organize and categorize the books. Capt. Fernando carefully sourced the best educational books and periodicals from well-known bookshops in Colombo and corresponded with the publishers to procure the texts not available in Sri Lanka at the time. Sir John Kotelawala's old albums and photographs were meticulously arranged to ensure easy access for anyone.

All of Sir John Kotelawala's belongings were labelled and displayed elegantly. Thanks to Capt. Fernando's meticulous attention to detail, everything was well-organized and securely preserved.

Capt. Fernando was truly the architect of KDA's first library. Due to his dedicated and visionary efforts, today KDU boasts one of the finest academic libraries in Sri Lanka.

Even though there were two intakes senior to us, I must confess that Capt. Fernando had a soft spot for Intake 3. With only 14 cadets, he mentored us with great kindness and compassion. Whenever any of us were punished or reprimanded by a superior officer, a day or two later, he would summon us to his office and patiently explain the situation. He did not believe in the strict punishments which were meted out by all senior officers to the fledgeling cadets.

Despite being in a military academy, Capt. Fernando nurtured a teacher-student relationship with us, always guiding us toward improvement. His approach provided some of the most valuable lessons we could ever learn.

From 1981 to 1985, during Intakes 1, 2, and 3, there were 76 officer cadets. He developed a strong association with all 76 cadets, maintaining connections even after they graduated and took on various roles in defence establishments.

His first home was KDA, where he also served while Intakes 4, 5, and 6 were undergoing training. He played a pivotal role in establishing the KDU Alumni Association, serving as its Honorary Secretary for several years. Once the organization was well-established, he stepped down to allow younger officers to take the lead.

He had the privilege of mentoring and shaping the careers of numerous distinguished officers, including Major Generals, Rear Admirals, and Air Vice Marshals. He was particularly fortunate to witness two of his student officers rise to the esteemed positions of Navy Commander and Air Force Commander.

On January 14, 2016, Intake 3 had the privilege of organizing a surprise 80th birthday celebration for Capt. Fernando at a hotel in Wadduwa. His immediate family members were invited, and he was genuinely surprised and deeply moved by the thoughtful gesture from his former student officers. Every member of Intake 3 attended the event, while three overseas members joined via video conference.

The celebration was a grand affair, featuring captivating performances by the Army dancing troupe and music by the Army band. During his speech, Capt. Fernando expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event so memorable.

In a heartwarming gesture, Capt. Fernando personally visited each attendee to present them with a set of cufflinks, a tie pin featuring the KDA logo, a tie, and a hand written note inscribed with: "From Capt. Raj Fernando: A token of appreciation in recognition of devotion, love, and loyalty to a teacher." This thoughtful act reflected his humility and kindness qualities that endeared him to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

One moment that truly reflects Capt. Fernando’s compassionate nature was when the daughter of one of our batchmates expressed a desire for a manual typewriter. Upon hearing this,  we casually asked him if he knew where he could find an old, functional typewriter with a ribbon. To our surprise, he went out of his way to bring his typewriter from Panadura the very next day and gifted it to her. This act exemplified the depth of his generosity and the warmth of his heart and also his passion to encourage and promote learning.

Captain Fernando’s remarkable educational journey began at Maris Stella College, Negombo, continued at St. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa, and culminated at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. After completing his schooling, he embarked on a professional path as an executive in a private company. However, his unwavering passion for teaching inspired him to join the Teachers' Training College in Maharagama, where he honed his skills as an English teacher.

During this transformative period, he met the love of his life, Miss Leela de Silva from Ambalangoda. Their love story blossomed, leading to their union in February 1965. Together, they built a beautiful family, blessed with a son, Nalin Fernando, an engineer by profession, and a daughter, Dr Priyanka Fernando, a Dental surgeon now residing in Darwin, Australia. Their legacy continues through their three cherished granddaughters: Ravindi, Dinithi, and Shehani.

Captain Fernando’s illustrious teaching career began at a school in Kosgama, followed by positions at Moratuwa Vidyalaya and later at his alma mater, Prince of Wales College. In 1967, his dedication to service extended beyond the classroom when he joined the prestigious Ceylon Cadet Corps as a Second Lieutenant. Through unwavering commitment and excellence, he rose to the rank of Captain. Mrs. Leela Fernando also dedicated her career to Prince of Wales College, retiring as the Head of the Primary School after completing more than 35 years of exceptional service.

Captain Fernando, a trailblazer in every sense, was seconded to the Army and became a cornerstone of the Kotelawala Defence Academy from its very inception on October 10, 1980. With unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and tireless commitment, he played a pivotal role in shaping the institution's foundation, leaving a profound and enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations.

Capt. Fernando always maintained close connections with his fellow student officers, regardless of the time zone or horizon they lived in. He remembered them fondly, addressing them by their initials, just as he did during their cadet days. He held the Kotelawala Defence Academy (later elevated to a university) in the highest regard and respect. Such was his affection for the institution that he expressed his wish to donate his body to the Kotelawala Defence Hospital after his passing, a sentiment he shared with his closest students. Whenever his students visited Sri Lanka, they never missed the chance to visit him, a gesture he deeply cherished and admired.

On the 7th of January, we marked his first death anniversary with profound gratitude and respect for one of the most beloved and admired officer instructors of KDA during our golden era.

Rest well, Sir.

May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!