Deshabandu Dr Wimala de Silva :

Strength behind Devians’ success

Lilian Somalatha Ratnayake - Devi Archives-Past Pupils Association

When Devi Balika Vidyalaya is celebrating its 59th anniversary on January 15, we cannot but admire the far-sighted programme of work the founder Principal Deshabandu Dr Wimala de Silva introduced at its very inception. Her policy was indeed a rigid one where character building was given precedence over academic education.

Mrs. Silva was first and foremost a scholarly individual with a Post- Graduate Diploma, a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D, all obtained at the University of London.

Assuming duties as the Principal of the new school, she selected as its motto “Those disciplined in mind are indeed wise” a saying from the Dhammapada. It was a far cry from the narrow limitations of academic education which is confined to exams and university admissions. True to the motto chosen, the Principal planned an all round education which brought out the best in each girl and developed her potential to face the challenges of the modern world. Her efforts were channeled, not towards the improvement of the rugged physical structures which we then called Govt. Girls’ College, but towards the moulding of the character of each girl in her charge.

When I bring together my recollections of student life under her, she stands out as a woman who relentlessly addressed herself to her task with dedication. Together with the five teachers on her first staff, she ran the school under her close scrutiny. Extra curricular activities whether they be sports, guiding, music, dancing, drama or debating, were considered equally important and they deserved her personal supervision. If the practices were done for a competition, she would insist on perfection, in every little detail. It was only as an adult, it dawned on me that we were all the time learning the greatest lessons of life.

Simplicity was the theme in all Dr. Wimala de Silva’s school activities. I remember that even her dress spelt out simplicity and elegance. Later when I visited her home as an adult, I could see the same theme in her home and her garden, that is, simplicity with silent dignity. The crudeness of the physical appearance of her new school was no deterrent to her in implementing her broad-based, far sighted scheme of education for the school. When she insisted on personal cleanliness, neatness of the classroom and environment, responsibility and trustworthiness of character, the immature child in me saw the unrelenting firmness of this person called Principal. Now as an adult, my heart fills with admiration for this strict principal who tirelessly worked to transform the girl child into a good woman, a good wife, a good mother and above all a Sri Lankan citizen worthy of her multi-faceted role.

Exposed though she was, to English culture as a school girl and later as a student in foreign universities, she still upheld the cultural values of Sri Lanka both in thought and deed. She enriched herself with all that was good in foreign lands, but stood far above all narrow divisions maintaining her mental balance and dignity. At the same time she instilled in us the pride in being Sri Lankan both in word and deed. Mrs. Silva was a woman with such strength of character that she handled all issues of stress with perfect calm. Childish mischief in school was handled with patience and grace. A stern look, a sarcastic smile, a few measured words, or sometimes an earnest discussion in the principal’s office, did wonders in driving a message home. She had her own charming techniques to help young girls to blossom into young women with responsibility and accountability.

Mrs. Silva, though renowned as an educationist of the highest calibre, her interests were certainly wider in scope than educating young girls. She proved herself to be an incomparable educationist by implementing effectively her own vision for the school, and as it gained popularity as a model school, several woman’s forums sought her services, some to take off the ground, and others to establish themselves.

The distinguished services of this great lady were first recognized and honoured by the University of Sri Jayawardanapura by appointing her to the post of Chancellor and later again by conferring a D.Litt. Among many other awards she was honoured with, special mention must be made of the Presidential Award and the Deshebandhu Award.

As she grew weaker and almost confined to her home, she had more lessons to teach us. She taught us that one has to face the realities of life with equanimity while maintaining one’s dignity all the way. “Medication helps to bear up what is” she said, “and not to regain what cannot be”.

If fire kindleth fire, let the fire that is Wimala de Silva, kindle more fires of wisdom at Devi Balika.