Archives

Appreciations

Bakeer Markar

I have good cause to have vivid memories of Mr. Bakeer Markar as it was he who made a public speaker out of me. It was the year 1977 and I was serving as the private secretary to my father who was then the Minister of Education in the newly formed J.R. Jayewardene government. One day, I had to stand in for my father at a school building opening ceremony in Beruwala.

Mr. Markar was then the MP for Beruwala and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. After opening the building, Mr. Markar wanted me to address the audience since my father was not available to do the honours.

I told him, "Sir, I have never addressed a meeting in my life, I can't speak in public." Mr. Markar's response was "Son if you don't do it now, you will never do it. So get up there and say a few words. Just say anything."

Yielding to his insistence, I got up on the stage and made a short speech. It was Mr. Markar who opened a new dimension in my life.

Mr. Markar was born in 1917 in Beruwala to an illustrious line of Muslim traditional physicians. He was educated at St. Sebastian's and Zahira College, Colombo.

At Zahira College, he came under the influence of T.B. Jayah, who was later to become the first Labour Minister of independent Ceylon. During his school career, Bakeer was of a studious disposition and was an able debater with a good command of Tamil, Sinhala and English.

At Zahira College, there was a 'Majlis' which followed the procedure of the British House of Commons and the young Bakeer was an enthusiastic particpant in its proceedings.

Bakeer entered the Ceylon Law College in 1940 but it was only around 1950 that he was able to take oaths as a proctor of the Supreme Court as the war disrupted his studies. He joined the Civil Defence forces in 1942 and was trained in Hydrabad. During his years as a law student, he became the Speaker of the All Ceylon Muslim League and the President of the All Ceylon Muslim Students Movement. He entered politics in 1950 when he was elected to the Beruwala Urban Council, He became Chairman of the Beruwala UC in the first year after his election. He continued to be a member of the UC until 1970.

In 1960, the new Beruwala electorate was created and Bakeer Markar contested the March general election and won. But he was defeated at the 1960 July election.

He became MP for Beruwala once again in 1965 but was defeated in 1970. In 1977, Bakeer Markar was re-elected as MP and he became Deputy Speaker of Parliament. He later became the Speaker of Parliament and was the first Speaker to serve in the new Parliament building at Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte. Bakeer Markar was a Muslim MP in a predominantly Sinhala electorate. Muslims comprised only 26 per cent of the Beruwala electorate. Bakeer Markar was a gentleman. Always neatly dressed, he was above corruption.

He was not a particularly wealthy man when he died. Moreover, he was never a communalist and he stands out as an epitome of a multi-cultural political ethos.

In 1980, Mr. Markar had the unique opportunity to act for the President when both the then President and Prime Minister went to London to attend the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. A.C.S. Hameed once hailed him as one of the most articulate Muslim leaders of Sri Lanka.

May he rest in Peace.

Mano Wijeyeratne M.P.

Freddie Tampoe

Freddie Tampoe, Loap, as most of us knew him, died about four years ago. I cannot claim to be a close friend of his, but see in his life, many virtues I would like to have myself.

Tap lived in this world, but was not of this world in the sense that he was more liberated than most of us are, of the shackles of material goods. At times his generosity was excessive but he was married to a girl, who, despite Tap's generosity, was able to keep the family out of want.

The essence of life consisted for Toap in personal relationships. Toap came from one of the most highly connected families in Jaffna and yet he was a very liberated person.

He did not judge people by their social pedigree, or ethnic background, or material wealth. he was a true socialist and humanist in the sense that he valued a person for his/her own sake. he was generous to a fault and loved to help others. His banking friends tell me that he was a banker quite incorruptible.

He wished to help people if he possibly could, as long as doing so did not interfere with his own code of personal morality. Toap was never petty, or malicious or cheap. If he had a fault, it was his reluctance to speak for himself in the fear that doing so would hurt others.

But of course, we must not think of him as a serious and dull person. His banking colleagues tell me that he was good company and sang and joked with the best of them and made a lively contribution whenever they got together. It is not given to many to turn the water of life into wine, but Toap had this gift. Where his personal religion was concerned, he was a believing Christian and had a deep faith in his Lord. He had no use for the divisions of the Church. His religion was lived out in his own life, and he influenced others not by articulating his ideas in philosophical or theological terms, but by his own life and example.

I do not wish to pretend that Toap had no human weaknesses that most of us have, but he had may virtues that many of us would do well to emulate. We can thank God that here was a man who lived as it were on the fringe of the Church, and yet embodied in his life, the deepest values of his faith. We can humbly and heartily thank God for him. Our hearts so go out to Manel (nee Gunasekera) and his three children for their loss in losing him so soon. But we would like them to remember that to have had him as a husband and father was a rare privilege - not given to many. Those of us who knew him well can hope that we may be truly worthy of those who have touched our lives beyond measure, and lived in that spirit which alone can serve the world - even the Spirit of Jesus.

The Rev Shelton A. de Silva

Don Rajah Hettiarachci

Don Rajah Hettiarachci 'Rajah' and 'Hetti' to his close friends passed away after a brief illness on July 10, 2001 at his daughter's residence at Kalubowila.

Rajah was born at Waga to a respectable family. His father was Don Marino Hettiarachi and mother was Elizabeth Wijesinghe. He had his secondary education at St. Aloysious' College Galle under the tutelage of the Jesuit father. Father Gaspar, Father Chiriatti and father S. G. Perera.

Hettiarachi brother were hostellers and were popular figures in school. Rajah played cricket and football for the college. He was a member of the college choir singing with his baritone voice.

Having left school he joined the Department of Railways following his father's footsteps as a special apprentice in the Way and Works Department. Passing out as a foreman plate layer, he served in many parts of the island.

He was a diligent worker who planned his work very meticulously. His services were sought by the supervisors on many projects. The deviation of the rail track from Galoya to Minneriya eliminating curves and gradients was one project he completed to the satisfaction of the management.

Right throughout his career his forte was honesty.

He had a repertoire full of jokes and he pulled them out at the evening gatherings we used to have at outstations after a hard day's work.

His meeting his partner in life was ready romantic. The lanky lad was stationed at Homagama and they set their eyes on each other when she happened to be with one of his uncles who was resident by the rail track.

There were some objections due to difference in faiths, but they could overcome them. They had a very happy married life bringing up their children who are doing well in life. One sad event was the loss of their second son who went to the Middle East.

We convey our condolences to his beloved wife, children and in laws. Good-bye Rajah until we meet you again.

May the turf be light on you.

B. B. Perera

Therese Candappa

Therese called me to visit her few days before she died. She invited many of her close friends in this manner during her final weeks to share some of her thoughts and quietly enjoy in the melancholy rejoice at the goodness of her life. Despite her terminal condition these short conversations invigorated her and provided space for her loved ones and close friends to marvel at the warmth of her inner spirit. She evinced great love for her devoted life partner, Reggie, her two daughters, Sriyani and Neela and her adored grandchildren.

Therese was a caring person. "Ruki even though I came to know you during the past few years, I feel we have been friends for ages" Therese blurted out.

Well, the sentiments were mutual. They were genuine words of friendship. Therese never spoke unmeant words. She represented herself and avoided diplomates. She was so refreshing; I loved her frankness and her integrity.

Therese spoke with loving adulation about the unstinted efforts that Reggie was making to keep her around as long as he can. All those medical journeys to Singapore and hospitals in Sri Lanka and finally, in an ultimate effort to fly in a specialist with state of the art medical equipment from USA, failed to restore her health but were acts of unmitigated love and devotion that further bonded her with her loving husband and the family. I have never seen before farewell emotions bonding a husband and a wife in a common spiritual psyche as it happened during the last few months of Therese's illness.

Therese and I became close friends in a short period of time over the bridge table. Non-competitive bridge is a game of great dignity that gels kindred spirits. Therese, in addition to the usual club circuit hosted a private bridge afternoon every Friday at her home. Her longstanding friends Saro Kadirgamer and Dulcie Wijenayake joined to make the foursome. We deeply enjoyed the mental challenges of the game and the bonhomie until few weeks before her goodbye.

Her daughter Neela knew how much her mother loved her bridge. She announced at the elegant private memorial held to celebrate Therese's birthday on July 27 that Candappas would organise an annual bridge tournament to celebrate Therese's birthday. Therese would have loved that for that is how she celebrated her birthdays when she was alive. A fitting tribute.

But as far as our Friday now threesome is concerned, we will not play with a substitute. No other friend could substitute Therese. The chair shall remain vacant.

Ruki Wijeratne

A. B. Madawela, Dottie Madawela and Kusuma Pereira

It is with deep and heartfelt sorrow that I write of the demise of my parents and my only sister Kusuma. Appahchi passed away in 1956 when I was just 11 years from then onwards my beloved mother devoted her life to bring up akki and me. She did her utmost to educate us and make us good citizens of Sri Lanka.

My mother was a religious and noble lady who lived in the hearts of those who were near and dear to her. She suddenly fell ill and was bed-ridden for some time. At this time I had to hand over Amma to akki as I had to go with my family to Canada. After a few months akki too fell sick and I was informed. I hurried back to Sri Lanka leaving my family. Then onwards I cared for my mother.

At the time of her demise on September 12, 2000, my husband was at her bed side. Two weeks later my beloved sister Kusuma too passed away.

May they attain the Supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Sujatha Ratnayaka - Canada

Visuvanathar Dharmalingam

Sixteen years ago on September 2, 1985 a cannibalistic gang deprived Sri Lanka in general and the Tamils in particular of the life of a person who possessed nobility of character, a pleasing personality bereft of any venom or intolerance.

Dharmalingam was born into an affluent family inheriting riches from three of his uncles. But he was a simple man both in appearance as well as in outlook. We belonged to two different political parties. Nevertheless he was my friend whom no one except death could put asunder. Dharmalingam was not politically ambitious. I remember once he organised a political forum with the late and revered Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike to iron out differences.

One can write volumes about this great and noble man. Though affluent he was dressed always in a simple dhoti and shirt or national costume.

Though sixteen years have elapsed since his demise, I say that it is impossible to forget this noble personality.

Goodbye! Elankayar you live and continue to live in my heart as well as in many hearts for ever.

Thampimuttu Poopalan

Marie-Claire Corea

My aunt, Marie-Claire's mother brought this fairy babe when she was only a couple of months old to my grandmother's home in Kandy. I was enchanted by this pretty perfectly formed impish child who took the place of the little sister I never had. I would spend hours gazing at her curling eye lashes and angelic face when she was asleep. I enjoyed buying her little things, as she would exude so much joy with the little things of life. When I bought her a balloon, she would promptly pinch it and enjoy watching it burst, and when another was given would give it the same treatment and this would be he result with every balloon given to her.

Marie Claire's chief attraction lay in her sunny disposition and captivating smile with which she greeted one and all, despite her many troubles in her losing her mother at a tender age of nine months and the consequent problems that beset her young life. No one had any inkling of her problems which seemed to glide off her young shoulders and hardly mark her.

Throughout her life she gave so much love to all who came into contact with her and she went out of her way to help, counsel and pray for anyone who was in need She lavished all her love and affection on her young family of three daughters Shanika, Ianthe and Darshini and was a good wife and mother. To me who knew and loved her from the day she was born, she was a perfect friend, companion and first cousin and no words can express the love and gratitude I have for her for the times she gave of herself for me, despite the loss of her beloved brother Godwin and her debilitating illness which eventually took its toll of her young life.

I know she is now enjoying eternal peace with the God she loved very much and this birthday is a joyous and peaceful one in the bosom of her Father in Heaven.

Sadly missed and mourned by her family and Rani Akka on her birthday on August 11.

Iranganie De Pinto

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager