Tributes

M.J.C. Fernando

M.J.C. Fernando, born on March 27, 1885 to the late Abraham Fernando and the late Celestina Fernando had his primary education in the village school, in Horetuduwa and later entered Ananda College for his Higher Education. After leaving school he was engaged in self-employment and later took the hand of Nellie Margaret De Mel, daughter of late Mr. and Mrs. W. Johannes de Mel as his partner in life.

In the early thirties, though there was a majority of Buddhists in Moratuwa, they did not have a central place to conduct and Buddhist activities, nor did they have a proper Buddhist educational institution to send their children. It was at this time that the late M.J.C. Fernando seriously took upon himself the task of coming to the rescue of Buddhists in Moratuwa.

M.J.C. Fernando Summoned Buddhists from Moratuwa and neighbouring towns to "Sunny Side" (presently called Veera Puran Appu Square) where he was residing, and at a meeting held under the shade of a large mango tree, presided over by the late Arthur V. Dias of Panadura, a society to be called "Sri Lanka Baudha Samithiya" was formed on May 24, 1924. The society had as one of its aims, the promotion of Buddhist education in addition to engaging in Buddhist social activities.

It took only a short period for M.J.C. Fernando to purchase a block of land, 8 acres in extent, centrally situated in Moratuwa and called "Aluth-watte" owned by some Colombo chettiars. He ably negotiated with them, and purchased the land by mortgaging the said land and a property owned by him. And on this land the present Buddhist Hall was built. This magnificent hall was opened on June 24, 1929 by the then Governor, Sir Herbert J. Stanley. On the same day, the Governor laid the foundation stone for Moratu Vidyalaya which was opened on January 19, 1934 as a Buddhist Co-educational Institution.

M.J.C. Fernando whilst engaging himself in Buddhist social work also took to local politics and was continuously elected for six years as a member of the then "Moratuwa Local Board" and for three years as a member of the then "Moratuwa Urban Council." This enabled him to widely serve the people of Moratuwa. He got himself interested in the construction of the Digarolle Bridge which then connected Moratuwa with Panadura and was also actively participating in the reviving of the Moratuwa Mahajana Sabha. He was also a, a trustee of Visakha Vidyalaya, President of Horetudu Sangamaya and even served as a teacher in the Dhamma School conducted by the Sri Sugatha Dharmodaya Samithiya of Horetuduwa.

The Buddhist Hall, Moratu Vidyalaya and the Sri Bo Maluwa situated on "Alutwatte" stand as monuments to one who led a truly Buddhist way of life, simple in manner, much loved by the people. Today the Buddhist Hall serves as the centre for Buddhists, social and cultural activities as well as the assembly hall of Moratu Vidyalaya, and the latter, today is fully geared to impart its students in all spheres of Buddhist education. The Sri Bo Maluwa with an off-shoot of the Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya much venerated by the Buddhist public. M.J.C. Fernando passed away at the age of 54 years on August 24, 1939, and today (March 27, 2010) happens to be his 125th birth anniversary.

Wimalasiri de Mel

*****

Milton Aponso

The demise of our beloved brother on the 15th of February, 2010 left a deep heartache in all who loved him dearly. The dear Lord granted my brother length of life much more than the Psalmist's Span of life - three score years and ten - for at the time of his death he was 84 years. I thank and praise God for the beautiful life he led.

We were a happy band of eight-five sisters and three brothers until my elder brother, Leslie the second in the family, died at the age of 18 - in the prime of his life and my elder sister, Charlotte at the age of 62. The others who joined them in their Home above were - Ivy, the fifth in the family, Infanta, the sixth and Dr. Happy the youngest (8th) in the family.

My loving brother Milton joined them on the 15th of last month leaving me and my younger sister Claudette in deep agony to feel that both of us were the surviving members of a large family.

Milton, my beloved brother was very sad over the loss of my sister Infanta and my youngest brother Dr. Happy. He often used to ring me up asking me why we were left when the younger ones had to go leaving us to bemoan their loss!

My brother had a very successful educational career at St. Joseph's College, Colombo, winning several prizes. Thereafter, he graduated from the University of Colombo, securing a Hons. Degree in Western Classics. He joined the Ceylon Administrative Service and served in various capacities including that of Director, Civil Aviation. He retired from Govt. Service to accept a UN job in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and was stationed in Bangkok with his loving wife Sirima. Sirima was a tower of strength to my brother encouraging him and giving him sound advice. As the saying goes "Behind every successful man is an efficient woman", so was Sirima to my brother. Together they travelled to several countries in the world. Having served the UN for a little over 10 years, he retired from ICAO and took up residence in his home town, Moratuwa. They had a lovely home of their own which was always open to their friends and relations. His nephews, nieces loved to visit them and enjoy the comfort of their home and their hospitality.

My dear brother and his beloved wife Sirima celebrated their Golden Wedding three years ago. His only child Bimal, his wife Devika and their adorable grandson Revaan came down from the United States to join in the grand celebrations. Milton and Sirima looked a very smart couple and one could hardly say they were married 50 years!

My brother extended his hand of financial assistance to all his loved ones, and also to the less fortunate deserving undergraduates of the Engineering Faculty of the Katubedda Campus. One could see the depth of gratitude of these students by the way them came to pay their last respects to him. He had a wide circle of friends of high calibre. The saying that "One could move with kings and not lose the common touch" was applicable to him.

It is very painful for me and my sister Claudette to say 'Good Bye' to you our beloved brother, but let us console ourselves in the hope that we will be meeting you and all the dear ones who have left us on that beautiful shore someday.

May your soul Rest in Peace!

Emerine and Claudette