A Kandasamy:

Self-made personality and disciplinarian

A Kandasamy, known as 'AKyer' or 'AK Master' in school was the youngest son of Kokuvil Village Headman Periya Mugrugesar. At the age of two and a half years, he lost his father and he was brought up by his mother. He had his earlier education at Kilner College, Jaffna and thereafter, at the Jaffna Central College.

AKyer after completing studies at J/Central College with the advice of his guru 'Kalaipulavar' Navaratnam, he selected Commerce stream for his higher studies and passed the Inter.Com. (Lond) examination.

He started his career as a Botany Teacher and Boarding Master at Victoria College, Chulipuram and from there he went to St.Mary's College, Veyangoda and Kokvil Hindu College (KHC). He was assigned with the commerce subjects- Commerce, Book-keeping, Commercial Arithmetic and Typewriting. He took Geography and good in Cartography as well. It is better to state here that he was one of the pioneer teachers in Commercial Education field in the Northern Province Schools.

AK Master was a remarkable examiner and invigilator. Nobody can detect where he is looking.

We know teaching is not a smooth sailing profession. AK Master introduced us to "learn to learn" techniques which paved ways for success. How to pass an examination? His advice was to prepare well in advance, keep the mind fit, keep confident and do well in the examination, take all necessary things like admission card, pen, pencils, box of instruments etc, go early to the examination hall, enter the examination hall without discussing anything about the subjects with the colleagues, sit calmly in the seat. When question paper is given not to hurry to write answers but read all questions carefully, allocate time based on the marks for each question, select the questions that are thorough for answering first.

Since time factor is important, not to worry for unattempted ones. Go through all what have been written and edit carefully, tie all the answer papers in order with one blank paper at the end for the balance work, check whether Index No., folio number etc. are written in the answer paper, if there is any unanswered questions, which can be partly answered, try to answer it or recheck all your answers.

After handing over the answer papers leave out without discussing anything about the paper, prepare for the next paper, till the whole examination is over not to discuss anything about the subjects offered and also refer to any books or notes in relation to questions that are answered. The reality of his advice is evident in succeeding the examinations.

During the teaching career at Victoria College AK Master married Ponnammah alias Poornam, an educated lady, youngest daughter of Ambalavanar Vyramuthu and Thankammah from J/Sandiruppye. The couple has blessed with ten children - seven boys and three girls. Out of these, one girl in childhood and one boy (one of the twins) in adult age passed away. AK Master had greater expectation from their children but he was anguished by his eldest son who dropped his schooling.

This confined AK Master to sick room. He passed away on May 18, 1964 at the age of 53 while in teaching service. The K.H.C staff and students paid their last respect to their veteran commerce teacher and carried him in paadai (bier) in violet decoration which was the colour of the House in which he was the House Master. It is apt to mention here that AK Master was the house master of Nagalingam house and during his tenure only it won the Champion Challenge Cup for two years in succession.

We did not see him worshipping in temples but we are sure that he was not an atheist. He actively took part in celebrating Thai Pongal and Adippirappu, which are the two Tamil (not Hindu) Cultural festivals celebrated by the Tamils. These are the days in which Sun enters Capricorn and Cancer respectively.

AK Master was a self made personality, disciplinarian and he was the ladder in which many of us came up in life. He is known for punishing students by knocking their heads. In Tamil, there is a proverb saying that if you get a knock in head it should be from a hand which wears golden ring (kuddu venndinaalum mothira kaiyaal kuddupadavenndum). We are happy and proud for his kuddu along with advice gave us awareness, courage, interest in studies etc. All the students, studied under AK Master, are all now senior citizens; some are demised and a few of us remain. He made our past; a memorable past. He taught us many! Stood by us for many! Trained us to stand and laugh at all calamities.

It is not just a homage to our AK Master, but a warmth tribute, stream from the bottom of our hearts to the Guru of our soil, on his Centenary B'Day which fell on May 5, 2011. We all salute our great teacher.

Old Students of KHC

Felix Bhareti:

Interesting conversationalist

Felix Bhareti was a popular newspaper journalist who contributed interesting letters to the editor of reputed newspapers in Sri Lanka.

They were interesting snippets from his notebook titled 'Second Thoughts' made at times of his leisure. Most of them have found publication in newspapers whose editors have always received him with unfailing courtesy.

He had a brilliant school career having being a past pupil at Royal College, Colombo and was a contemporary of J R Jayewardene.

He was a leading lawyer in the Bar and practised mostly in Panadura. He was an interesting conversationalist.

A committed church worker having being a warden at St John's Church, Panadura and was a representative at Diocesan Council and also served in the standing committee making a valuable contribution. He was called to rest at a prime age of 56 in 1967. His family comprised his wife Nita two sons Nihal and Anil and daughter Sharmini who are professionals in their own fields.

Dr C W Amos Bishop of England had this to say about Felix Bhareti.

"I have been associated with Bhareti for several years and submit that felicitations ease and the readable way in which he writes will have felicitation for a wide reading public if these were to be published in book form.

Bhareti's scholarship is well above the average. His classical education no doubt has given him the necessary background and incentive for making pictures of words.

As one time Assistant Editor of the Ceylon Independent and its political correspondent, later as School Master at Uva College, Badulla and at S Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia, and then as a member of the Ceylon Bar, he has brought to bear upon his contributions, his valuable experience, understanding and knoweldge. They are marked by a pleasant literary flavour.

Sharmini Tennekoon

Nanda Pieris:

Talented artist, dancer

She was always smiling. Even one year after her demise, that never ending smile still lives in our hearts. That memory will never end. That was our loving Nanda Aunty, Nanda Pieris Adasinghe Bandara Nanda (nee Jayamaha) Pieris.

She was a great lady everyone who knew her. She never talked ill or bad about anyone. And she never allowed anyone to do so nor did she listen to anyone talking such things. If she heard anyone saying such a thing, she would promptly say "No, Don't say like that, she / he is a nice person" and that's it. Her heart was full of love and kindness.

She had a ready hand to help for those who were in need.

She was a talented artist, a dancer and a teacher. Her paintings, together with her student nephew's paintings were exhibited at Sarasavi Uyana railway station for many years. Which also helped to win the first prize for the well kept railway station for consecutive years.

She was the Chief Designer at Ceysilks and was promoted to the director board later. Her saree and textile designs were very famous and popular among the generation in that period.

She had to sail the boat through the troubled waters in 1970 when her beloved husband M T Pieris, an English Lecturer died of a lung cancer. This drastic illness was a thunder blow for the family, but she had the courage to bear up everything.

She attended to her husband, nursing him carefully, going to work regularly, and looking after the children, all with a heavy heart. She worked restlessly, day and night to save her husband.

While doing so, she never neglected to visit sick relatives, friends in the hospital or at home, or a funeral.

She brought up her three children with courage never losing her heart.

She also helped other relatives, but never complained about anything.

She was the youngest in the family with two sisters and a brother.

They all left her very much earlier. Sometimes she inquires about a friend or a relative of her age and if she learns that if that person is no more, she feels sorry and says that next is her turn.

She was a active committee member of the Old Girls Association of Newstead Convent, Negombo. She participated in almost all events organized by the association.

She was one of the chief devotees at the Sri Paramadhamma Viharaya, Pannipitiya, and a silent social worker. She lived 91 long and happy years with the love of her children, grand-children and relatives.

She was so lucky that, she had the love and care of her loved ones, especially in her late age.

She welcomed all those who visited her, enjoyed their teasing and jokes; she would remember some similar incident and relate to us in very perfect details.

She was in her perfect senses until her last moment, which was a very rare blessing for a person of that age. This was the merit she gained through her love, care and kindness throughout her life.

May she attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Lucky

IFB Wickramanayake:

Bribery Commissioner with a difference

Ian Wickramanayake is closely connected to my family through my maternal grandmother who was a Wickramanayake.

I came to know him very closely when I joined the Police and had to seek the advice and assistance of the Crown Counsel in Galle Assizes in pursuing prosecutions having assisted the Crown Counsel in all our non-summary cases as I had about six of them when I served as an Officer-in-Charge of Hungama in 1964. His colleague and good friend was Daya Perera and he used to refer to Ian as 'Yakadaya'. The calibre of Crown Counsels at that time were of a high order and they earned the respect of the Judges from the Bar and the Police. At that time, Ian could remember the regimental numbers of the Police Constable and Sergent better than us.

Ian had many good qualities. As a father he was very close to his son and daughter but due to his involvement in his work he had the tendency to neglect the family and that he regretted later in life.

Ian's life whilst as a Senior Solicitor General and Bribery Commissioner reached the peak of his career.

He loved music, singing and dancing. He loved to play the guitar and sing and there were many moments he entertained us in his home at Mt Lavinia.

He also played a very important role with the Special Squad formed along with Director of Intelligence at the time L D C Herath (later I G P) under the command of the Minister Felix Dias Bandaranaike and a team consisting of Upali Seneviratne, Zernie Wijesuriya, B A Jeyanathan, G Ariyawanasa and Gaya Pattikirikorale, Pat Suaris etc.

Ian played an important role in the rounding up of many insurgents of 1971. He had excellent leadership qualities and had the intellectual capacity to plan, execute and prosecute. He had his plans for rehabilitation of those who required change in their attitude to life.

He was a very flamboyant character and was always proud of his revolver which he carried and displayed whenever necessary. He was dedicated, committed and displayed a high degree of honesty and integrity with courage and boldness in his decisions acting without any fear or favour. The Prime Minister Bandaranaike too had great confidence in him. He could never be swayed with political influence and stood firm against any interference.

May you rest in Peace with God's Blessings with you.

Nihal de Alwis

Kumari Abeygoonesekera:

Forthright lady

Kumari Abeygoonesekera was born to PM and bm Talawatte.

She schooled at Mahamaya in Kandy where she introduced netball, played in lama sari. She passed out as a teacher from the Maharagama Training College and her final stint was at Royal College - where she taught Maths, Music, Science and English for more than 10 years. Whilst at Royal she was instrumental in starting the Percussion Band, which is today a feature during the interval of the "Bradby". As a teacher her students remember her distinctly for her special teaching methods that were laced with kindness and firmness: a difficult combination to successfully juggle in a classroom full of boisterous teenage boys.

She was a tower of strength to her husband Justin during his career through the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs to the FAO in Rome and Bangkok and finally as the Parliamentary Ombudsman. She helped him to take important decisions that chartered their lives and stood by him during difficult times.

Kumari was a forthright lady who called a spade appropriately and who fought injustice whenever she encountered it. She had a penchant for offering her love and kindness to the weak, oppressed, unfortunate and differently- abled. She did her best to bring some light, colour and hope into their lives. I remember her somehow making it to Sahanaya once a week to play the piano for the inmates there. But the most significant project she undertook (together with her nephew in the Army) was to build 12 houses in Panama for those displaced by the tsunami. She made it a family project and got all her sisters, brothers, nephews and nieces involved. She loved her nephew in the Army so dearly and when he died tragically she did not stop grieving. And so began a slow decline in her health which brought sadness to all who truly loved and cared for her.

By the time she passed away she had given away everything she owned and has left behind a legacy of love and selflessness which we will find difficult to hold on to, nurture and spread around. But we will surely try.

Jomo Uduman