Florence Wickramage

Your 68th birthday fell on March 2. Darling aththamma this is the second B’day you are enjoying in God’s eternal rest, and we are passing without you and a piece of cake. Every year myself and my two sisters used to wish you with a lovely B’day Card.

Aththamma it’s being a long time for me, and I still feel and remember the same old days at Rukmalgama. Spending my childhood at sea, Arpico and KFC. Though Amma busy with my sister, my aththamma used to always take me and spend her times beside me.

I still hear your kind words, your warmness and the way you cuddled me every night when you come after work. I still feel the nights on your lap and with my little stories and poems.

Oh! darling aththamma I remember and miss you very very, much. Oh! aththamma I feel and like if I could go back in my small days again, so that I have you with me again. I never thought that your days were so short in life.

If I can have you again in my life I will love it, darling athamma and I will be the luckiest person again in the whole world. You are one of the most special and very few people whom I would look up to each step of my life.

Darling athamma when I always go on trips with my parents I always remember you as you always accompanied us. Recently we went to Ambalangoda to see the turtles and it brought back fond memories of the day. I went to see the turtles with you and how you explained each and everything.

Darling aththamma it’s a great great loss for me and to the whole of my family, and Rosadh, my cousin brother.

Aththamma it’s God’s wish and his choice. Darling Athamma you are always in our hearts and in my mind. My courage, my happiness and the light of my life was you Aththamma.

But all was changed and everything was unsettled. All my dreams shattered and changed within seconds.

Your guiding hands have always looked after us and now I know you are watching us with God. I thank you darling Aththamma for the support you gave me when you were with me.

Darling Aththamma May your soul Rest in Peace, till we meet again.

Happy B’day darling Aththamma. These few lines are from your darling grand son.

- VIJINDRA ATIPOLA.

Vice Admiral Asoka De Silva - Former Commander of the Navy

Former Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral, Asoka de Silva, V.S.V, ndc. Psc (Rtd) had to answer the inevitable call from above on 22 December 2006 after a colourful and a fully accomplished career in the Sri Lanka Navy at the age of 75, after a brief illness.

Born in 1931 to a renowned Surgeon and one time Superintendent of the De Soyza Maternity Hospital, Colombo, the late Dr. A.H.T de Silva and Mrs. Beatrice de Silva (nee Rodrigo -daughter of Mudliyar Thomas Rodrigo), Asoka was the third child of a family of eight members.

Educated from the kindergarten at the Royal College, Colombo, Asoka demonstrated his intellectual aptitude as a student and excelled in his studies as well as in Sports.

From a very young age he positively displayed a powerful self-confidence which was circulating in his blood stream as a delicate flame during his college cadetting days by commanding the College Cadet Corps as a Sergeant.

Discipline that was inculcated in him as a Boy Scout moulded him to be a robust young sailor when he joined the Regular Force of the then Royal Ceylon Navy as an Officer Cadet, straight from College in 1950.

On completion of his assault-training course, this young Officer Cadet underwent further naval training at the legendary Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, UK.

Within a matter of one year, in 1951, Asoka de Silva was promoted to the rank of Midshipman and subsequently as an Acting Sub Lieutenant.

He was commissioned to the rank of Sub Lieutenant in 1953. Climbing the promotional ladder in the service in double quick time Asoka elevated to the rank of Lieutenant in 1955 and Lieutenant Commander in 1963.

Assuming duties as a Commander in November 1970 Asoka de Silva held major and strategic command and staff positions varying from the Naval Officer-in Charge of Trincomalee, Co-ordinating Officer of the Administrative District of Polonnaruwa and Commanding Officer of the Flag Ship Gajabahu.

He proved his mettle as an experienced and professional administrator when he undertook the responsibilities in 1973 as Captain and executed his duties as the Naval Officer-in-Charge of Trincomalee, Master of m.v Lanka Kanthi of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation and as Chief Staff Officer (Operations).

Asoka’s rapid promotions, in the shape of a fast moving vessel with its accelerating knots, were to become a common panorama when he was made Commodore on 4th February 1978, a significant day in Sri Lanka’s national calendar.

Until he was promoted as the Chief of Staff at Naval Headquarters on 1st July 1979, Asoka de Silva served as the Naval Officer-in-Charge of Trincomalee, Co-ordinating Officer TAFII (East), Deputy Master Attendant (Trincomalee) and Director Naval Operations.

Asoka was a loyal, efficient and an industrious officer who had an untarnished lifetime career in his chosen field in the Sri Lanka Navy.

In recognition towards his overall contributions to the Navy, his country and his people, The Executive President of Sri Lanka promoted him to the rank of Rear Admiral. He reached the zenith of his career and a lifetime dream when he was appointed as the Commander of the Navy in June 1983.

Three years later, in 1986, Asoka de Silva’s name was written in history books as the first Sri Lankan Officer to be elevated to the rank of Vice Admiral of the Sri Lanka Navy.

He held the high office of the Commander of the Navy for three consecutive years until his retirement at the age of 55, on 1 November 1986; simultaneously acting as the Co-ordinating Officer of the Administrative District of Trincomalee, Commander-in-Chief of the joint Services Special Operations Command Headquarters established in Vavuniya and being responsible for the administrative functions of Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Trincomalee.

Trained at Britannia Royal College, Dartmouth, the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Communication Specialization Course at HMS Mercury, in the U.K, Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College in New Delhi in India, he discharged his unblemished duties as a thorough ‘Officer and Gentleman’.

Asoka de Silva was an unassuming gentleman, with a magnanimous heart, yet the responsibility, the position and the naval uniform projected him as a proper and tough sailor and an exceedingly disciplined leader with ‘no nonsense attitude’ whenever he had to deal with indiscipline or a subordinate going off beam.

During his life long career in the Navy he received seven distinguished awards, including The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, The Sri Lanka’s Navy 25th Anniversary Medal, The Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp, Presidential Inauguration Medal and The Purna Bhumi Padakkama.

As a sportsman, Vice Admiral Asoka de Silva contributed immensely towards promoting sports activities in Services by being the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Navy Sports Board and Chairman of the Defence Services Sports Board.

After shedding his Naval Uniform he was privileged to work as the Defence Attach‚, at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, a diplomatic placement he was entrusted upon during 1969-1970

His charismatic qualities had touched the hearts and admiration of his superiors, colleagues and subordinates.

As a mark of recognition of being a source of encouragement and inspiration to his fellow officers and sailor colleagues, the Executive President of Sri Lanka made him serve as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in the Republic of Cuba, upon retirement from the Navy.

Dear Asoka, your bereavement is not only an irreparable loss to your family, relatives and friends, but to the nation as a whole. While thousands still shed a silent tear and cry within their hearts in remembering you, it takes me personally back to the UK when you and I did a test drive of your new vehicle at the London Hyde Park after assuming Defence Attach‚’s duties at the Sri Lanka High Commission. I shall always hold that occurrence in my heart and treasure it as an indelible memory.

May you attain Nibbana!

- DR. TILAK S. FERNANDO

Nissanka Abeywardene

On the morning of 16th January, grandpa Nissanka left his abode to which he had recently moved, in saying cheers to the grandkings, vowing to bring them the customary goodies as was the routine whenever he was on his marketing rounds. Hours passed, but there were no signs of his return.

His wife became anxious and overly perturbed. So were the agitated kids. Frantic calls were given to hospitals and finally the message came through. The mercenary-minded private bus Mafia had done it again-knocked down poor Nissanka to hasten his demise.

Nissanka had a long and successful career at the Bank of Ceylon, having served in the various branches of the prestigious bank, with the York Street branch bidding him adieu. Later he served Lake House as an Editorial Assistant, in which position he acquitted himself well.

Nissanka turned 79 last December but he didn’t look his age. He was an embodiment of fitness and a bundle of energy. He flaunted his well-being by doing 35 push-ups on the trot. He struck to his daily constitutional like a prayer and sometimes courted the displeasure among those who offered lifts to him by declining them with apologetic courtesy because he valued his health walk very much.

He was an epitome of kindness and compassion, a human-being nonpareil. Nissanka was besotted with religious worship and there was no doubt that he loved to listen to and chant “Pirith” more than anything else in his life.

The encomiums showered on Nissanka in the oration of the incumbent monk of the Temple where he frequently visited left the distinguished gathering of mourners convinced that this devoted follower of Buddha’s doctrine was a saint in human garb.

He was a true gentleman, a faithful husband and a devoted father whose moral excellence would have already ensured him a place in heaven. He bore his setbacks with incomprehensible patience and equanimity. ‘Ahimsa’ and ‘Maithree’ were his guiding principles.

May he finally attain the bliss of Nibbana

- BANDULA

Vivian Louis Blaze

I was but a stripling, eighteen years of age when I first met Vivian. I still vividly recall that meeting way back in 1963. He and his beautiful wife, Charmaine, (who died last year) were a truly striking looking couple, who no doubt had a mesmerizing effect on a callow youth, such as I.

I met him again about a year later when I began my planting career as one of his Assistant Managers on Mahadowa Estate, where he was the manager.

The Mahadowa Estate is in Madulsima, one of the most beautiful planting districts situated in the eastern escarpments of the central massif. It was also the best run property in the district and in the Scottish Tea and Lands Company of Ceylon Ltd., to which it belonged.

Working under Vivian was no walk in the park. Being a hands on planter who led by example, he drove his assistants to the limit and ensured that the company got their pound of flesh.

As a planter Vivian had few peers. His pragmatic approach to management and a rare common sense proved much more effective than those of others steeped in theory or half baked premises.

His estate was invariably the highest profit maker in the company and Mahadowa was verily the jewel in the crown of Scottish Tea and Lands.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have learned my trade under him, as assistant superintendent and Senior Asst. Supdt, on Mahadowa and Sarnia Estate in Hali Ela. When it came to pruning and plucking, those prime operations on a tea plantation, he set the standards himself by demonstration.

Of course it was not all work and no play for his assistants. His unarticulated motto could well have been ‘work hard and play hard’.

If you proved your mettle, his brusque attitude would thaw to a definitely warmer and cordial one, and if you were invited for breakfast you were on the right track. Dinner meant that you were accepted.

Vivian hailed from a solid conservative and distinguished family of Burghers. The Blazes had already etched a trail of enviable achievements and were prominent members of the community and society in general.

His father Dr. Louis Blazes was a doctor of renown who held the post of Director of Medical Services of Ceylon. His uncle John was Professor of Medicine at the Colombo Medical College. His granduncle, L. E. Blaze was the Principal of Kingswood College and a Historian of repute who had authored many publications.

Vivian was an exceptional marksman too and had that special hand and eye coordination which spelt doom for the snipe and garganey that came within range of his trusty 12 Bore, as I myself have witnessed on many an occasion.

True, everything came easy, and he could acquit himself admirably be it Tennis, Snooker, Bridge, Poker or that unique gentleman’s game so popular in the upcountry planters’ clubs in those twilight years of the British Era, namely, Cardinal Puff! He had a ready wit and a wicked sense of humour and could out-squelch most.

Once, when I had forgotten to attend to a task he had assigned, he said, referring to my preposterously lengthy name, your name should be S.L.E.E.P. Holsinger and not S.L.E.E.M. Naturally, I failed to see the humour in this at the time.

Reflecting upon his planting career of about 22 years in Sri Lanka, Vivian became a manager in The Scottish Tea and Lands Co. a scant four years or so since he commenced his training and finally rose to the position of General Manager.

Vivian decided to emigrate to Australia. This move was prompted as much by his concern for the future of his young family as his fear for the future of the tea industry.

In hind sight the wisdom of this move might come under scrutiny, but reality is that his children, Vicki, Hans, Graeme and Paula, benefited enormously.

They have integrated easily, are doing extremely well and really are ‘Dinkum Aussies’.

Vivian, who had been together with Charmaine for 52 years, was absolutely shattered by her death. As an equal partner in the marriage she left a void that was difficult to fill.

Her departure no doubt had a seriously debilitating effect on him and scarcely a year later, he succumbed to a disease which he bore with heroic stoicism and quite obviously, with a great yearning to be with her.

I met Vivian and Charmaine several timer in Sri Lanka, when they came back on holiday and we kept in touch with frequent letters. On every visit he would reunite with his friends among whom, were his former assistant managers.

In point of fact, It must be ruefully admitted that most of them, namely, Kumar Boralessa, Ranjan de Alwis, Harish Weerasekera, Nelson Wijewardene the late Hilary Marcelline and myself met each other only when the Blazes were around!

There is so much more to Vivian than I know of, or presume to know of, but there is one thing that I am absolutely certain of. Anyone who knew Vivian will mourn his loss and remember the warmth of a genuine friend, a genuine friendship.

Vivian was after all, a human being and doubtless evinced some of the flaws that characterize humankind. To my mind that probably made him all the more likeable and more lovable. His children are disconsolate.

One of his daughters said, I miss my beautiful father so much! What a grand, loving, fitting epitaph! That is something to aspire to no doubt.

I suppose, time has inexorably caught up with me as it must with anyone, and I am at that juncture of life where reminiscences play an increasing part in the daily routine.

Should it be said that this tribute to a remarkable man bears more than passing adulation or hero worship I would readily, and quite unashamedly reply, So what?

- MONTE HOLSINGER

Charles Henry de Soysa

The 3rd of March is considered a red-letter day for the people of Moratuwa, in particular. It is the birth anniversary of C.H. de Soysa, the greatest philanthropist par excellence of Sri Lanka.

Thousands of people have always been and are deeply grateful to the munificent gift. Charles Henry de Soysa gave, in building Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges. By doing so, he realized his dearest wish, that his home town of Moratuwa should become one of the most educated, in this land.

These 2 Colleges are unique educational Institutions in that they were founded and maintained by a single individual with the express purpose of making education available even to the poorest child in the town.

Today the 2 schools and the students who have had their education there, bear ample testimony that his dream and desire have been fulfilled. Many have held and are holding very responsible office in diverse walks of life, both in the public and private sector and in Banks, in this country and overseas.

Bishops and priests, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Civil Servants and Government Officials, Doctors, Engineers, Professors and Lecturers IGP’s and Commanders of the Forces, Supreme Court Judges and lawyers, carpenters and housewives.

It was not only the two schools that Mr. C.H de Soysa gifted to Moratuwa. Though a Christian himself, he built temples too. St. Mathia’s Church, Laxapathiya, Moratuwa was founded by him, The De Soysa Maternity Hospital formerly known as the lying in Home, The Moratuwa Carpenters’ Society and the Moratuwa co-operative society for the benefit of Carpenters, were started by him.

The fabulous banquet he provided to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, was indeed a unique and historical one. The royal guests were served their food on plates of gold.

The solemn March Past, his grave at Holy Emmanuel Church Cemetery on March 3rd followed by a service in the church, continues year in, year out, by past and present students.

The garlanding of the statue of C.H. De Soysa at de Soysa circus formerly known as Liption’s Circus is also done annually. In this statue Mr. De Soysa holds a key in his hand-symbolic of the treasures he opened out for our people.

Let us pledge that what he has done for us will be remembered in the days to come, when we do reverence to his memory and honour to his name.

“Praise to the Founder whose bounty has sped us,

Green be his memory with benisons rife”

- MYRTLE MENDIS