APPRECIATIONS

Prof G G R Thambyahpillay:

Remembered by all

The Fifth death anniversary of George, as he was popularly known fell on January 8, 2012. At the time of his death he was 79.

He received his education at the Methodist Central College. However he entered the University of Colombo from Jaffna College after spending a few years at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. After graduation, he was invited to join the teaching staff of the University.

He continued his further education at the University of California, Los Angeles and thereafter the University of Cambridge.

After having served the University of Peradeniya for several years in different capacities, he decided to move to Nigeria to teach at the University of Maiduguri.

Those who were his students in the Department of Geography at Peradeniya and later in Nigeria and those who worked with him will have their own stories to remember him.

Devamala and her family in Melbourne and Vijayadevi in Colombo and all those who want to remember Dr. George on his death anniversary can be assured of our prayers.

Looking back on Dr. George's life, it must not be forgotten that he was a significant member of his Church, the Sri Lanka Methodist Conference, of which he was once the Vice President.

Therefore Dr. George was more than a Professor of Geography, although he will always be remembered for his work on Climatology.

Sydney Knight

P D Thilakaratne:

Rare human being with sterling qualities

When I saw him a few days prior to his unexpected death while he was being driven to the doctor he had the sincerity and courtesy to acknowledge my random smile although he was terribly distressed.

I did not have the slightest inclination then to believe that it was our last encounter on the earth.

His rough exterior often deluded us of his gentle nature inside and he was readily approachable to each and everybody alike in the society no matter from what social background he or she comes.

He shunned moving among elite circles whenever possible and was more at home with the common people he loved. He was a pious Buddhist and practiced Buddhism without fanfare. He comes from a good family of Piliyandala, the stamp of this good breeding had been indelibly impressed on his character that he never stooped to do anything which even borders on corruption or mischief right throughout his life.

Rare indeed are men with such sterling qualities and soothing words in the current social milieu that is charged immensely with selfish motives replete with hatred and greed and I think that I am blessed to have the company of such a gentleman like Thilakaratne. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.

K. D. Jayatissa

K A PERERA:

English teacher par excellence

It is with utmost sorrow we recall the passing away of our beloved “GURU” K. A. Perera. He was a reputed English teacher in and around Kandy for several decades who imparted much valued English knowledge among the younger generations.

It was fortunate to have his education at Trinity College, Kandy.

He was well versed in Greek classics, Shakespeare's work as well as the writings of D. H. Lawrence.

He was a doyen to many students who took up English Language and literature for their higher studies.

We have noticed that when economically less fortunate students came to him he used to provide them the required educational materials.

One of the outstanding qualities of Perera was maintenance of close and cordial relations with almost all of his past pupils irrespective of their age. He never missed weddings, funerals and other important events of his former pupils.

He had a remarkable gift of memory and could remember the name of each and every student who came to him.

He was a simple, pleasant and humorous person and always decorated his face with a compassionate smile. He never had enemies but friends and well-wishers.

Out of his tenure as an English teacher, Perera served mostly at Vidyartha College, Kandy and later functioned in the capacity of the vice principal of it. Among his ex-pupils, there are a vast number of professionals and academics who serve the nation.

Though he had close affiliations with many powerful politicians, he never betrayed his dignity by asking personal favours.

Though he passed away at the ripe age of 83, until the last minute he had a razor sharp mind which he kept updated.

He used to be a frequent visitor to all the libraries in Kandy and could be seen with a bundle of books under his armpit. During the last stages of his life when he was more feeble, his daughter Purnima stood by him in his visits to the libraries and other places.

Though his wife Hemalatha died when their children were small, he raised them to become responsible and useful citizens. His elder son Jayantha is a medical doctor and the other son, Major General Mano is a war hero who made a substantial contribution to liberate the motherland from the grip of terrorism.

During his latter years Perera was looked after and cared by his two daughters Dammika and Purnima.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Susantha Kodituwakku

PROF B A ABEYWICRAMA:

Unusual personalty who did not seek the limelight

Looking back on the events which took place in 2011, the sad demise of Professor B A Abeywickrama on May 3 occupies a prominent place.

This was an unusual person who did not seek the limelight, but was placed in responsible positions by authorities who needed to get certain jobs done.

Prof Abeywickrama’s strengths included technical expertise of a high order, integrity, love for the country.

It is fortunate for this country that he retained his mental faculties up to his demise at the age of 91, thus enabling this retiring individual to serve as a respected role model to those others, who were willing to recognize him for what he was.

Bartholomeusz Aristides Abeywickrama (‘Bernie’ to his friends since childhood) was born on February 17, 1920. His father was an Inspector of Schools who had served in many stations including Galle and Colombo and his mother was a ‘homemaker’. BAA was educated initially at St. Aloysius, Galle and later at Royal College, Colombo.

A scholarly achievement of his school days was a precursor to his later life. The school he was attending offered a prize in ‘Christian knowledge’.

Though BAA was and remained a devout Buddhist all through his life, he decided this was interesting, took up the challenge of studying this religion and won the prize.

He distinguished himself academically at Royal College before entering University College, Colombo in 1937. His studies there culminated in an external degree (B.Sc.) of the University of London in 1941. He was appointed an Assistant Demonstrator in Botany in 1942 at the University College, Colombo.

In 1946, he went up to Clare College, Cambridge on a Government Science Scholarship for research on temperate woodlands. He enjoyed this period, which included going on his bicycle to his locations of research. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1946 for his thesis ‘A Study of the Variations in the Field Layer Vegetations of Two Cambridgeshire Woods’ and returned to the University of Ceylon to take up an appointment as Lecturer. He was appointed Professor of Botany in 1965.

It may not be out of place to note some incidents from his life I have not seen elsewhere recorded. The first was connected with a conference in South America which he was deputized to attend due to the reluctance for some reason of the person initially assigned.

Prof Abeywickrama was not briefed on the requirement to be inoculated against yellow fever.

In consequence, on the return trip he was taken off his plane at Bombay airport and required to be admitted into a quarantine camp (in the company of patients suffering from small pox, cholera etc.).

Much negotiation was needed before he was allowed to resume his journey having given an undertaking to report at regular intervals to the Quarantine Department in Colombo.

A noteworthy incident occurred during his term on the first Board of the Central Environmental Authority (on which this writer also served). At a board meeting it was reported to us that the waters of the Beira Lake had turned green and that then Prime Minister, Ranasinghe Premadasa, (under whom the CEA functioned) had been advised that an industrial establishment had been dumping green paint into the lake.

Prof Abeywickrama asked for a sample to examine under a microscope and established that it was a case of ‘eutrophication’ by minute algae and other microorganisms due to pollution of the lake.

The Police, for one, were extremely grateful for this information since they were being pressed from above to apprehend those who were guilty of dumping green paint into the lake.

Dr. Rohan H. Wickramasinghe

E S Abraham:

Kind - hearted physician

‘Doctor’ E S Abraham as he was popularly known, was an Estate Medical Assistant (EMA) on Palmerston Estate, and took over his uncle Solomon's practice at Kotagala town about 15 years ago. In the early days of his practice, his dispensary was a dark, tiny and ill lit building and yet he attracted a fair number of patients. From there he moved into a bright, spacious and well lit building which was his dispensary at the time of his death.

As mentioned at the funeral oration at St Margaret's Church, he was a kind hearted physician whose soothing words prior to administering drugs healed many patients. He was lenient with the patients when it came to payment of fees. He only levied a nominal fees for the drugs and did not have ‘Consultation’ charges and if the patient did not carry enough money to pay his bill, he used to waive off the balance. He was so magnanimous in his dealings with his clients.

Although he was 75 years old at the time of his death, it was difficult to believe it as he looked very much younger and kept a polished appearance, and was always well clad and kept a low profile in whatever he did.

Like his face, his writing too was beautiful, neat and legible and the estate managers who received his medical certificates/bills through their employees were reluctant to accept them as genuine as they were used to the scribbled writings of the doctors in general.

Although he had been receiving treatment from a leading hospital in Colombo, for his heart ailment, he was reluctant to go for further treatment as he did not want to tax his children. In fact, he was due to go for further treatment shortly, but alas, before that, God took him to his kingdom.

Had he wanted, Dr E W Abraham could have moved with big shots in the city but he always preferred a quiet life and chose a quiet living area in Kotagala where he lived with his wife Selvy.

Similarly, if he wanted to earn, he could have set up his own ‘lab’ conducted various ‘tests’ and earned big money, but he was well satisfied with his humble earnings.

The large number of mourners who visited his house and attended the funeral service was a fitting testimony to his popularity and simple living.

He was a devout Anglican Christian and never missed the Sunday service at St Margaret's Church, Kotagala.

He leaves behind thousands of patients, his wife and children who can rest assured that he has gone to rest with his maker above.

D J Williams

Hasitha Ranasinghe

Innocent is the fitting word for you, your sudden and untimely
demise reminds us of the uncertainty of human life
Being teetotaller and a pre-cautious
Character to its meaning has not
Prevented the killer fever dengue grabbing your precious
Life away
A brilliant mind and a tower of strength to
Everyone, you have shown us what it means
To care and share
Your unblemished character would have pleased
Even the most difficult people to please because
You were so true and natural
Words are insufficient
Feelings are hard to express
How precious you were to us
No siren was needed to awake
All your loved ones who streamed
In to pay their last respect to you
We can go writing on and on of you
But it does not remind us anything bad of you
We will fondly remember you for ever
Your ever loving Amma, Thaththa, Akka and all the relatives