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Vicissitudes of family life

"Ma Nathi Da" (the day I'm no more)
Author: Leel Gunasekera
Printers: Deepali (Pvt.) Ltd.
Distributors: Dayawansa Jayakody and Co.

Reviewed by J. P. Pathirana

The title of the book "Ma Nathi Da" (Day I'm no more) is bit intriguing as the name itself, take the reader into a dream that it is going to be the story of the author Leel Gunasekera himself. That dream is not true as the author in his usual inimitable style, narrates beautifully in absolute sequence, the upholding of family values which are fast deteriorating and disappearing in present-day society.

This narration in Sinhala is his personal experience of village-life during his stint of service as Government Agent of a rustic village in Rajarata where the inhabitants of Siyambalawe, depict their day-to-day living in upholding the family age-old traditions and values pointedly reflected in 'Ma Nathi Da" since his masterpiece publication 'Pethsama" which earned a sahithya award and 'Athsana' which followed thereafter.

The crux of the story in this novel is the contemplation of a father of the future of his family-members when he is dead and gone.

The citizens of this rustic village in Siyambalawe are struggling in haste and veracity as to how to build-up a state of "progress" and the economic and other day-to-day problems that face in reflecting the economic and other problems that face in reflecting family-values, are abundantly and skilfully narrated in this Sinhala novel. The problems faced by this family are in a struggle of struggles reminding that saying 'Anthojata bahi jata' (problems within and without) and the Head of the Family (Appachchi) is caught in a web of struggles and uncertainties to bring up the son and daughter to lead successful lives in society and the darkness that will pervade the whole family: the day I'm dead and gone and the painful and diverse worries in the mind of the Chief householder, is the main character that webs the whole story.

Leel Gunasekera takes the reader in an arduous journey of literary ecstacy to describe beautifully the characters of 'Appachchi', and his struggles, the dutiful wife, son Tillakeratne, daughter Ranmenike, Vidana-Mama, Hamuduruwo, and the author webs the whole gamut of episodes keeping the reader spellbound to go through the pages of 'Ma Nathi Da", to a guessing-ending. The ending is abrupt that One get's the feeling to use a cricketing-term, whether the character of Tillekeratne had to face a LBW (leg-before-wicket) as the future of this boy was doomed to life of uncertainty, chaos, problems, ups and downs and feels deserted to a vacuum of society and thrown into thin air.

Leel Gunasekera merits a word of comment of his literary style and how he depicts his services as a Senior Civil Servant and how he sharpened his literary talent to superiority in a galaxy of publications ranging from novels, short-stories, child literature, translations and his crowning glory in winning the sahithya-award to that master-contribution of his "Pethsama". "Ma Nethi Da" is a novel that can be read and re-read and keeps the reader in full attention from page to page and when modern society and family values are fast deteriorating this Sinhala novel brings a ray of hope as to how these values can be restored and face problems with brevity and an 'eyeopener' to society at large.

At a time when teledramas on the screen are sometimes pregnant with vices of theft, robbery, child-abuse, rape and other vices openly depicted on various channels robbing of opportunities for the whole-family to watch and enjoy; "Ma Nathi Da" will be an ideal setting for a teledrama for the viewers as this story brings in its trail, mixed feelings of joy, sorrow, struggles and other vicissitudes of family-life and how to face life "when the main tree has fallen"; so elegantly narrated by the author in this Sinhala novel for the reading pleasure of the printed-word.

Sharing an architect's experience

My Contribution to Architecture
by Panini Tennekoon

Reviewed by C.J. de Saram

Archt. Panini Tennakoon or "Pani" as we know him, belongs to that early Post-Independence generation of architects, whose thinking and work largely spearheaded the contribution of the architectural profession of this country to the prevailing demands of nationalism and Sri Lankan identity. Although professionally educated in England and Australia, as were many of his colleagues, he neverthlesess drew inspiration from his roots that were deeply entrenched in our traditions and natural environments, and so transformed his imaginative skills to an architectural imagery that was essentially relevant to the aspirations of our emergent ideologies.

His numerous works, while demonstrating conceptual attitudes which were modern in approach by virtue of his training, were yet shaped to merge with a context that was undeniably Sri Lankan. His reserve and innate sense of modesty, may in many instances underplay the depth of his thinking, but the sensitivity and commitment displayed in his work, have few parallels.

It was entirely due to the persuasion and the insistence of his many friends, colleagues and students that Pani, in the first place, initiated the publication "My Contributions to Architecture".

This records his work, for the most part in the public sector, in which he held responsible positions. The buildings selected for this purpose reflect his ingenuity and innovation in spite of the many constraints and pressures that operating in such an arena invariably imposes. His own comments on the design of each building gives invaluable glimpses into concept-making his use of materials his sense of economy and most importantly, his approach of "Living with Nature". The initial preoccupation with low cost house design, with which he is increasingly involved since retirement, is also illustrated and discussed.

It was somewhat disappointing to find that a number of private residences designed by him had not found places in this publication. This particularly applies to his own residence down Maitland Crescent, which is a land-mark building in the modern domestic architecture of this country, and which is also noteworthy for its relationships to urban-landscape. Pani, with his typical sense of courtesy and consideration, bases the reason for these omissions on his fear that such publicity could cause "possible disturbances" to the occupants. May we hope however that another publication in the not too distant future, would include these.

The book is available at the modest price of Rs. 500/- and may be purchased at one of the following addresses:

(1) Pani Tennekoon,
15A, Matiland Crescent, Colombo 07.

(2) The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects,
120/7, Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07.

(3) Deveco Designers and Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd.,
105, Hunupitiya Lake Road, Colombo 02.

Sound base to study 1915 riots

Ceylon Police and Sinhala-Muslim Riots of 1915
by A C Dep Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha Publication, Ratmalana, 2001.

Reviewed by Haris de Silva, Former Director, National Archives

The Sinhala-Muslim riots of 1915, is a much researched occurrence in the history of Sri Lanka. The riots broke-out on the night of 28/29 May 1915 in Kandy, spread to some neighbouring villages on the 30th, to Colombo and some other towns in other provinces on the 31st and thereafter, was generally suppressed by 6 June, and ended after three last incidents on 7, 8 and 11 in Kurunegala, Puttalam and Chilaw respectively. Martial Law was first declared in the Western and Sabaragamuva Provinces on 2nd June, was extended to few more provinces in the next few days, and was terminated on 30 August.

Many hypothesis have been put forward to explain its occurrence. They range from a conspiracy to topple the government-treason-to ethnic animosity between the Sinhalese and the Muslims.

At the time, the British were in the midst of the first World War, and in the island, Sinhalese were having their temperance movements, and agendas for national reawakening. By and large the Sinhalese were the Sinhala Buddhists, and the leaders of the temperance movements were mostly the low country elite. They were grist for the treason theory. Muslims were the more recently arrived Coast Moors, enjoying a certain British patronage in their trading activities.

The distal cause for the riots stemmed from the issuing of police licenses restricting drumming and music in peraheras, within 200 yards of a mosque (1900) reduced to 100 yards in 1907 (Dep). In 1912, the Basnayake Nilame of Wallahagoda Devale, Gampola, sought the usual permission to conduct the annual perahera. At first, permission was refused for the perahera to proceed on the Ambagamuva Street, where a Coast Moor's mosque had been constructed a few years back. Later permission was granted to take that traditional route, but music was prohibited within 100 yards of that mosque.

The Basnayake Nilame contested the order in the District Court, Kandy, Judge, Paul E. Peiris in his judgement of 4 June 1914 said that the restrictions imposed were contrary to custom, and ruled in favour of the plaintiff.

That judgement was appealed by the Attorney General, and was overturned by the Supreme Court'. The SC decision came on Feb 12, 1915, and became the immediate 'casus belli'. In his book, Dep-a former Deputy Inspector General of Police-shows what happened between May 28/29 and June 11, gives details of police personnel involved, the directives given by the Inspector General of Police, and in general the sequence of events during and up to the end of Martial Law on 30 August.

His presentation in seven chapters is based mostly on police files. That source is apparently used for the first time in a publication, and basically provides the police point of view. In his last chapter eight-Dep, too, contributes to the view that there had been pre-planning.

As noted earlier, many reports and studies have been done on the riots. The government itself instituted a Police Inquiry Commission in 1915, consisting of five members, with Alexander Wood Renton, C.J as Chairman: it had one Sinhalese member, S. C. Obeysekera. Their findings are published in Sessional Paper XVI of 1916, which contains their report and recommendations in 14 pages and the evidence given at the inquiry in 201 pages.

The Commission found that, 'In each of the cases that have been under investigation the act of shooting cannot be justified on the ground of existence of Martial Law; in short, it had no legal justification'. But, they said, they were bona fide for the maintenance of good order and government and for the public safety of the Colony, and, that action was protected by the Ceylon Indemnity Order in Council, 1915. (SP VI of 1917).

At a 1970 Symposium on the 1915 Communal Riots, PTM Fernando contributing a paper remarked that summary justice of Special Commissioners had at least the facade of legality, but what was far worse were the atrocities committed by 'English volunteers' mainly planters of the tea estates and employees of Colombo Commercial Houses - who flogged and also executed (Sinhalese) without trial. Although these details are not available in Dep's book, it gives a picture of what happened and where, the machinery deployed for curbing the riots, finding evidence, the famous Pedris and other cases tried under Martial law, and as said earlier, his views in retrospect on the occurrence.

The given chronological framework of rioting and the chapters reflecting sequential action would be very useful for any researcher wishing to examine or re-examine the event. It is noted that the Administration Reports of the IGP, as well as of the GA, CP for 1915, have hardly anything on the riots: to an extent that reflects the attitude of those officers on that occurrence.

Thus, to have a comprehensive view of the dark days of 1915, while Dep's book will be important-based as such on police files - it would be very necessary to see the Commission Reports, the official and unofficial correspondence, the press of the period, the contributions made by many scholars on the various aspects of this occurrence, and significantly, also understand the idiosyncrasies of the officials/personnel of the day.

Dep has also provided 16 very usefully appendices, which include the names of key officials, and a short bibliography. I might add, that the National Archives holds the official correspondence and publications on the riots, some private collection of papers on the subject, and also the newspapers of the period.

We must be thankful to Priyasath Dep, his son, presently the Additional Solicitor General, for bringing out this book as a posthumous publication. It would, no doubt, once again draw the attention of the public and of scholars to an occurrence considered one of the very important and significant landmarks in the island's march to independence.

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