Tribute:

Cyrus W. Surendra

The towering personality about whom I am penning a few paragraphs today in his memory is an extraordinary, multi dimensional man whose contributions to the society as a journalist, broadcaster, film actor, author, Ayurvedic physician, healer and an orator is widely recognized.

This person concerned is Cyrus W. Surendra whose birth anniversary was in February.

He was popularly known as Cyrus among his colleagues and Cyrus Mahaththaya among hundreds of his disciples. He was a product from a different school of journalism, fluent in English, Sinhala and other oriental languages such as Pali, Sanskrit and Bengali that were very much close to our culture.

Cyrus was born on February 4, 1904 at Wewagedara, Kamburupitiya in South. He had his primary education at Rahula College, Matara which gifted several eminent, prominent and distinguished personalities to Mother Lanka. From there he was admitted to the Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda, Colombo and there he studied oriental languages to qualify to follow the prestigious Ayurvedic course conducted by the Pirivena. He had the opportunity to associate with Most Ven. Welivitiye Soratha Maha Thera and great Sinhala scholar Munidasa Cumaratunga.

Young Surendra after receiving the Donald Obeysekera scholarship he proceeded to India and joined world famous Ashtanga Ayurveda College in Calcutta and obtained the LMS degree with honours. During his stay in Calcutta he had the opportunity to meet Anagarika Dharmapala and receive his blessings at the Sri Dahamarajika Chetiya Vihara, College Street and also to associate with Ven. Neluwe Jinarathana Maha Thera, Devapriya Valisinghe and Tennakoon Wimalananda. While being in Calcutta he gained wide knowledge on Anagarika Dharmapala’s mission and vision to promote Buddhism as well as nationalism in Sri Lanka.

Sinhala and Bengali languages

On the advice of Devapriya Valisinghe, he gained admission to the Calcutta University Institute and underwent a research study course on the links between Sinhala and Bengali languages which was later followed by Prof. D.F. Hettiarachchi. He also visited Shantiniketan, the forest University of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore along with Metiwala Sangnarathna Maha Thera and studied the possibilities of introducing aesthetic courses in Sri Lanka.

While being in India, he wrote several articles, columns and poems to Sinhala Baudhdhaya, Swadeshi Mitraya, Sinhala Samaya and Silumina. After completing studies he returned home and started a Mini-Ayurvedic Hospital at Nupe, Matara. Later, after the marriage from a reputed and respected wealthy family from Colombo, he established an Ayurvedic drug manufacturing concern near at Bake House, Deans Road, Colombo. However, his talents, abilities and capabilities did not allow him to proceed further with money making ventures as his attitudes and lifestyle was of a different nature.

Iriyagolla became a Minister and Sugathadasa served as the Director of Information. Both of them were disciples of Anagarika Dharmapala. By this time his name became popular due to his writings on various subjects.

Due to uprising trend of the Sinhala-Buddhist movement he could not remain inside four walls of his office. He left Government service and contributed articles to newspapers expressing the need to unite and promote national feelings among the public to gain freedom. By these writings he openly exhibited his free thinking and unbias criticism.

It was during this time young Ananda Tissa de Alwis entered the journalistic field and published Lanka. On his request Surendra joined Lanka and devoted his time to promote the journal by filling its columns with valuable materials in his own style. He even wrote its editorial which was considered as a piece with strong wordings. Ananda Tissa de Alwis later become a Speaker in the Parliament and a Minister.

From Lanka, on the invitation of the Lake House management he joined Dinamina editorial as a sub-editor. He was given a free hand in writing and translating articles, features and also editing columns. Distinguished journalists G. B. Senanayake, Piyasena Nissanka, Ananda Kumara, Meemana Prematillake, Densil Peris and Hikkaduwe Sri Lal Liyanage were a few of his colleagues in Lake House. Nelum Vila (Lotus Pond) special feature he started in Silumina accommodate hundreds of young writers to present their creative work.

In 1953, he joined newly published Janatha, evening newspaper of the Lake House group and worked hard to popularize it along with Meemana and Densil. During this time he also made his presence with the Radio Ceylon. Besides presenting several popular pieces and features such as Anith Paththa: (The other side) he made a live commentary on the visit of Queen Elizabeth II from the day of her arrival and departure. His base voice was admired by visiting broadcasters and it took him to the international fame as a broadcaster.

In 1955, leaving all journalistic work he joined hands with the Sinhala only force and went around the island addressing public meetings along with Ven. Baddegama Wimalawamsa Maha Thera, Hemapala Munidasa, Sirisena Madanayake, Ananda Semage and a few national leaders.

Schoolbooks

In 1961, when veteran journalist D.B. Dhanapala started Dawasa group of newspapers he was invited to join the Editorial Department as a consultant editor.

He participated in all organisational work of Dawasa group publications made Dawasa group to bring into popularity as its style of writing presentation and page making was different from other newspapers.

Surendra had difference of opinion of publishing schoolbooks by the private sector and favoured schoolbooks publishing by the Government. On this issue he left Dawasa Group and joined Lankadeepa Editorial where he was free to express his own views and opinions on public matters while being in line with the Editorial policy. There he had a good team who appreciate his talent work. He worked with veteran journalists Mahanama Dissanayake, Peramune Tillake, Dharmasiri Jayakody, D.H. Abesinghe, Deegoda Piyadasa and Wimal Weerasinghe.

He was the languages link between Lankadeepa, Daily Mirror and Times of Ceylon. During his career in Dinamina and Lankadeepa he was a guru to all young journalists in the editorials and city correspondents.

Creative work

In the Sinhala film Dingiri Menika by Piyadasa Sirisena he acted the role of Kongoda Wickramapala, the investigator. Surendra also edited a good number of journals published by the Government and the private sector. He acted in several stage plays while being a strong critic. His famous work, ‘When I see Myself’ (poems) was a landmark in his creative work.

Cyrus W. Surendra passed away on January 28, 1968 after a brief illness. After one week of his demise a Cyrus W. Surendra memorial committee was formed at Maradana making B. Y. Tudawe, the President K. B. Sugathadasa, former Director Information as the Vice President Ananda Tissa de Alwis and I myself were joint Secretaries. Late G.W. Surendra was the convener and the organiser.

- Upali Rupasinghe