Vijitha Weerasinghe: Teacher, Mentor and Guru

Viji Weerasinghe a brilliant product and an icon of Royal College will be 80 years today:

Rizan NAZEER, Secretary, Royal College Union

ICON OF ROYAL: That respected and adored octogenarian began his long sojourn at this hallowed institution of leaning by joining the kindergarten of Royal Prep in 1933 and then went on to Royal College - as a first former in 1939, when the school was under the stewardship of acting Principal Mr. H.A. Wijesinghe.

Although it appeared to be an ordinary beginning, this was destined to blossom into an over 74 years of outstanding and invaluable association with Royal College, a record hardly imaginable to be broken.

His days as a student (I have heard it said), were engaged in productive academia. He had his share of fun and frolic as any other youngster would These experiences undoubtedly moulded him to be the great teacher he was, for he was able in later years to understand a young person’s natural tendency for acts of mischief and how to deal with them., having committed these himself in his time.

Mr Weerasainghe has been a great teacher and his greatness has stood the test of time todate. Not only spirited, vivaciously he took many students through the rich realms of English Literature and the Latin language.

Though some of them may hold envious positions in high echelons be it in politics, society or corporate world being iconic personalities themselves, they still keep coming to Mr Weerasinghe for academic review of their own English language prowess.

I was fortunate to have been under his tutelage for, English Literature. I recall with much nostalgia those great moments when he read the poems, stories and plays out loud varying his tone according to the sense. I have no doubt that the tone he used did justice to the essence of the content and the explanations that followed aptly complemented the tone.

The Literature course work came alive in his hands and I often resented the bell that was rung to tell us that the period was over.

His voice and the lightness of spirit with which he delved into the realms of gold will echo in the hearts of students wherever they are treading life’s way and just as the field of daffodils flashed across William Wordsworth’s inward eye and gladdened him when in a “vacant or in pensive mood”, so his voice will echo in the hearts of students and renew them when their minds hark back to a day far spent. Oh great teacher, we bow to you in gratitude and passion.

Affectionately called “Viji” and also Duckie by his contemporaries and much older students, was some one to whom any one (without exception), could run to for advice guidance and sympathy Tirelessly he would direct them with his wisdom acquired though years of experience.

He would comfort the stricken, encourage the striver and never throw even the most unwanted out of window.

He was in short a breath of fresh air, a tower of strength to all who came to him.

A significant feature in Viji is his ability to shoulder any responsibility with great acceptance and treat every one with equanimity with sympathy. Justice has been his forte, seasoned with an exceptional control of temper.

Whenever some solace is needed, it is due to these exceptional attributes and qualities that we still go to him with great hope and submit ourselves “ to your judgment which was always just” and”you like none, none for constant heart”

In my experience only a handful could dream of contesting, Weerasinghe’s remarkably good memory. He never forgets his students.

He is able to remember his students and would address them by their first name and or surname even after the passage of many years recalling some special anecdote connected with their life, way back in school or an incident in school at that time.

This was one of the reasons that made him special. Each one of us was his personal concern and The Royal College was his life blood.

There were times when it was difficult for him to say all he wanted. These were rare occasions. It was at times like this, that his great sense of humour would well up and he would resort to a quote (in Latin, sometimes, with the explanation in English) or from the Classics or English Literature.

Principals and teachers down the ages sought him out for advice in all matters needing another opinion .

That request was fulfilled with carefully considered direction keeping in mind the established traditions of his alma mater and the emerging trends of the time.

So we see this man of a single vision carved out a mission for himself within the portals of our school, ever alert to the changing fortunes of Royal College, steering her through troubled waters to a safe haven.

Mr Weerasinghe, Sir I am especially grateful to you for moulding me. There was a time of great sadness in my life.

That was when I lost my mother. I was a very small person and I felt the void left by my mother’s death acutely. Sir, you took me under your wing. Comforted me and took me along those difficult days, instilling in me many noble thoughts and telling me to “seek to strive and to find” and also serve our school .

In fact the position I occupy in public life and the position I hold in the Old Boys Union are the culmination of many lessons and ideas that you imparted to me. I have, and will continue to hand them down the ages to as many Royalists and others whenever the occasion presents itself. Thus, in a way I will be handing down the torch that was lit in eighteen hundred and thirty five.

Its’ flame ever growing ever glowing. A beacon flare from the dome of The Royal College, for the entire world to see.

Mr Weerasinghe carries this torch resolutely and as the saying goes “A teacher affects eternity you never know where his influence ends.” You are that teacher Sir.

Happy Birthday to you .May the powers that look over us strengthen your hand, the hand that reaches out to all of us.