Domingo Sirisena to enter Guinness Book

As the oldest man to be graduated :

Only a few can afford to weather the dispiriting feelings that come in hot on the heels of retirement. An overly soft spoken Domingo Hewage Sirisena is among them, because he takes it as a re-tiring period.

"I didn't want to be stuck inside like a caged bird in my retirement. Something inside me cried out loud I should do something remarkable. So I took up studies in my retirement," says Sirisena, his face lit with glowing touch of a kind soul.

A man in his late sixties to sit for an A/Ls, then follow up to his BA and waiting to get registered for his Masters; it is remarkable, essentially.

At 78 Domingo enters the Guinness World Record Book as the oldest man to read a degree immediately following a University entrance exam.

Sirisena was born as the second son to Domingo Hewage Hendrick Sinno and Eminona Galappaththi on July 14, 1931. Hendrick Sinno had a runaway business, but it was in shatters all of a sudden leaving his family deserted.

Domingo and his siblings had a firsthand experience of hard times since then. But he did not give up his hopes on education - he went to Christ Church college in Tangalle for his preliminary education.

His mother's death left an indelible sorrow in his heart, with which he has been living throughout. He was the brother courage to the family after his elder brother got married in teens.

Domingo could see his younger siblings climb up the ladder of success at least - one of his brothers obtained the BA in 1964 - though his own future was somewhat blurred.

He joined the government service straight away after his exams, O/Ls in today's language, in 1953. He retired as the Accounts branch chief at Prisons Department - his service is still remembered very much precious.

It was 2000 when he thought of taking A/Ls, a way to patch up that missing link in his life. He got enrolled at the Open University after A/Ls to read for Bachelor's in sociology stream.

"I learn to live. Studies make me understand the reality of this life. Sometimes I get fascinated by our own sophistication as the mankind. This very sophistication only grows up the defilement and ignorance instead compassion and discipline."

Domingo turns in and wakes up early at 4 in the morning to see the beautiful sun rise. He is always disciplined to attend the study courses on time. With his unusual kindhearted touch around him, no wonder he was known as Deva Pihita Mahattaya, god-blessed soul.

He is a pleasant sight for his fellow students. He is either uncle or grandfather, never a brother apparently, to his colleagues. He would get up no matter how younger his lecturer may be.

"It was a sudden decision. I had only four months away, so I bought all past papers and the syllabii and studied them day and night."

"I still have ambitions in my life, but I am happy. I know I can achieve my goals. I will obtain not only Master's, but a doctorate too."

Domingo has now travelled across the globe with his savings to learn about people and culture. "I enjoy studying people and places. It is, you know, a part of sociology too."

Getting ready for the convocation to be officially conferred with the degree in November, Domingo would then join Hull University in Lancaster for his Master's.

- Sachitra