Appreciation- Remembering Sri Lankan Boxing Star Hans Van Culenburg

By Lawrence Machado

Hans Van Cuylenburg, one of Sri Lanka’s finest boxers, has passed away after a prolonged illness. The popular Hans suffered a stroke more than 12 years ago and had been bedridden since then, suffering more complications over the past few months. He was 74 when he passed away at his Dehiwela home. Hans is survived by wife Alane, and children TracyAnne (Melbourne) and Alec (Melbourne), grandchild Aria, and siblings Olive and Ronald.

Hans and his three brothers, the late Winston, Geoff, and Bunty, were all household names in Sri Lanka during the sixties and seventies. Their dad worked with my father, Rosario, at their business A.X. Machado and Sons, for many years and he was a thorough gentleman who used to visit us at home.

I last spoke to Hans in February, and he reminisced about the days when he also worked for my Dad when my father was running his own business from the Wellawatte home.

The brilliant pugilist was one of the most illustrious boxers produced by St Mary’s College, Dehiwela. He and his brothers, Winston, Geoff, and Bunty, were champions at school and national level. Winston, aka the “Little Cat’, competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, aged 19.

Despite his stroke, Hans had an amazing memory and recalled many incidents and anecdotes of my Dad and his brothers, Joachim, Lazarus, and Gregory at their office in Bankshall Street, Pettah. Hans also spoke very fondly of my uncle Joachim, who used to hold amazing Christmas parties. Hans even remembered what he used to get as Christmas gifts from my uncle.

Hans and I used to meet at the social club at St Lawrence’s Church, Wellawatte, in the late seventies and eighties and chat about his amazing boxing career and our families. He remained humble about his boxing achievements right to the end.

Our sincere condolences to Alane, TracyAnne, Alec, Olive, Ronald, and their families. Alane, Alec and TracyAnne made sure Hans had the best of love, care, and medical attention he needed after his stroke. Alane was a tower of strength at the toughest times with her amazing faith shining through and inspiring all of us.

May the turf lie gently on Hans and God grant comfort to his family. –

OBITUARY

Hans Van Cuylenburg. Dearly beloved husband of Alane, and loving father of TracyAnne and Alec. Father-in-law of Dane and Shyanika. Much-loved Grandfather of Aria. Brother of Winston, Geoffrey, Sylvia, Ernest, Bunty (all deceased), Olive (Canada) and Ronald (USA). Brother-in-law of Cheryl Jayasekera.

Venue: Mahinda Funeral Parlour, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka

Viewing: Tuesday, March 19, from 9am.

Funeral: Wednesday, March 20. Service at 3.30pm, followed by burial at Borella, at the Anglican section at 5pm.