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| Monday, 8 March 2004 |
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Octogenarian remembers 'Those Phoenix Days' by Anjana Gamage Dr. Mrs. Wimala de Silva, first woman Chancellor of Sri Lanka and the founder Principal of Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya launched her maiden book 'Those Phoenix Days' on March 6 at her residence in Nawala. Her attempt at 83 years will also adds a colour to the International Women's Day because she was the first Chairman on National Committee on Women set up in 1993, first woman to be Sectional (Social Science) President of the Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science, President of the Sri Lanka Federation of University Women and Council member of the International Federation of University Women. As a result of the National Committee on Women, a women charter was implemented for the first time in the country. Expressing her free thoughts on her latest creation- 'Those Phoenix Days,' to the Daily News, she says: "This book is not meant to be a scholarly literary work. It is the attempt of a scholarly octogenarian to fill time. Over five years ago I had a stroke. One of my past pupils saw me lying listless on an arm chair and said: "Mrs. Silva now that you have time, why don't you write your memories? That will be of great interest to your pupils and all those concerned with education". "So, I sat down and wrote. And I have been writing regularly since then. 83 years is a long period of time. Sometimes my memories take on a dream like quality-events breaking their time frames and merging into one another. However don't assume these are the fantasies of one who is "old and grey and full of sleep" for when I have not been sure. I have tried to verify the incidents, sometimes with persons and referring to old documents," she said with a charming smile on her face. "Those Phoenix Days" consists of two parts; first part deals with persona of Dr. Mrs. Wimala de Silva's life and the second is on Vistas on Education and her school days until she gave up teaching. The book also contained several personal pictures of her life. |
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