APPRECIATIONS

Ebert Silva:

The picked choice for the Queen’s visit

Every father is every daughter's hero, who fills and occupies a very special place in her heart that no one else can ever substitute or replace. As I sat down to pen these words in appreciation of the unique, wonderful relationship I shared with my father and that of his life, I realised how impossible it is to encapsulate and embody all those years of unconditional and selfless love and affection showered on my family and me and that of his legendary life of passion and commitment to Sri Lanka's transport and tourism industry. November 2, 2012 marked the 80th birthday of my late father, Ebert Silva, a legend in the transportation industry and a wonderful human being.

My father was the eldest son and the second in the family of a conservative Sinhala Buddhist background instilled with Buddhist principles. He was a devout Buddhist, a teetotaler and a vegetarian by choice. Educated at St. Peter's College, my father used to recall the carefree lifestyle he enjoyed in his younger days when he used to cycle all the way from the residence in Dehiwala to College accompanied by his friends.

My father's passion for automobiles was evident from a very young age. After school, he would dash to the workshops and garages situated beside the residence. His friends calling him to play after school often found him emerging from under vehicles he had been tampering with, covered with stains and smears.

My grandfather, Nomis de Silva, incorporated his bus service as 'Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company Limited' in the 1940s adorning his buses with the name of his eldest son. Prior to the incorporation, buses were operated along many main routes including that of Colombo to Jaffna, after which the Omni Bus Company commenced its service along the Colpetty - Eye Hospital - Wellawatte - Kirulapone - Polhengoda - Colpetty - Maradana routes. My father once recalled the bus fare from Colpetty to the Eye Hospital being as five cents and that from Colpetty to Maradana being a mere two cents at that time. It was the love my father had for motor vehicles, especially the vintage and the classics that made him a founder member of the Vintage Car Owners' Club in 1987 and later a Vice President. Among his fine collection were rare and invaluable pieces such as a 20 hp Rolls Royce, a Bentley, a Cadillac, Armstrong Siddeleys and Buicks of which the convertible belonged to the renowned actress Rukmani Devi.

In 1953 my grandfather passed away and my father the eldest son as a young 21 year old, took up the reins of the Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company and carried forward the business with great determination and competence.

Among the titans of the Omni bus company era were many colourful and distinguished personalities such as Sir Cyril de Zoysa, Sir Leo Fernando, B.L. Perera, Mudliyar Mendis, B.J. Fernando with whom my father maintained cordial relations. Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company had 68 buses in its fleet at the time it was nationalised to form the State owned Ceylon Transport Board that commenced operations on January 1, 1958. Post nationalisation left my father with only two discarded buses which were not roadworthy. Overnight all assets of the business were lost and there was an uncertain future and a grave financial issue for my father to address with six siblings. Undeterred and unshaken my father started rising up from the ashes as a phoenix with immeasurable courage and determination. He travelled throughout the country looking for second hand vehicles and lorries to build up his fleet once more.

Lorries were bought and converted under his guidance and supervision into buses in his workshop. Ebert Silva Touring Company commenced business with two second hand cars that were deployed at the Colombo Harbour and the Mt. Lavinia Hotel for tourists. He also initiated many tour packages to less seen and travelled places in the island of significant historical importance and scenic beauty with the vision of promoting domestic tourism.

His vision, leadership and guidance enabled him and his company to withstand the test of a lengthy period of time and ascend to inscribe a unique success story. Always proud to be the son of this Nation he often said,"It should be a primary obligation, responsibility and duty of every man and woman to righteously strive and endeavour to bequeath their best towards the advancement of their motherland and the betterment of its people".

He had an artistic flair and minute attention to detail. The logo of the cheetah's head, the fastest animal on land encircled by a wheel of fire was also his creation. Working 18 to 20 hours a day until his very last day, the zeal and enthusiasm in him as a 21 year old never seemed to have faded with time.

Many efforts of futile persuasion and coaxing to ease his routine and to relax would only make him quip with a grin, "The man at the top should be made out of steel" and the finest steel it was indeed! My father contributed significantly to the realm of the tourism industry in an unprecedented and unparalleled manner. His valuable and expert contribution was extended to the advancement and promotion of the industry with him also serving as the President of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka.

The hand-picked choice of former President J.R. Jayawardena for the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11 to Sri Lanka in 1981 was the Ebert Silva Touring Company. The Queen and her entourage visited and viewed the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the company coaches and Ebert Silva's was the only private company to provide transport for this Royal visit. Even though a legendary personality, my father Ebert Silva was always a simple, unassuming and practical man of very few words. Clad in his signature white attire he detested being driven and was always at the wheel of his much loved cars, the EY Humber Hawk and the Mercedes Benz cars all bearing his signature registration number '3500'.

Always shunning publicity, he was a silent and dedicated benefactor and a patron of numerous Buddhist temples, many charitable organisations and institutions. He was touched and moved by adverse and unfortunate stories and would readily make arrangements to offer necessary help.

Having shared an extraordinary love and devotion we were companions who had many similar likings, preferences and fascinations. We would discuss interests ranging from religion, music, aesthetics, architecture, philosophy to motoring to business and much more.

It was my father who persuaded, supported and encouraged me to take on the many challenges of steering and advancing the business, often advising me on how to 'balance' the business with the career in Architecture. He was the constant guiding light, the unshakable strength and inspiration behind my achievements and success. The faith, confidence and trust constantly placed on me by my father gave me immense pride and delight fuelling me with the audacity, inspiration and courage to soar.

Among many fine fathers and among many great men I am indeed proud and privileged to have been the daughter of a man who not only inscribed and engraved his name to the world with honour and distinction, portrayed the rare human traits of courage, determination, resilience and acumen having confronted with insurmountable challenges and obstacles, but for also being a man who tread upon this earth softly and gently with humanness, generosity and kindness.

Rajini de Silva Mendis

Shanthi Devadasan :

A kind-hearted down to earth person

Shanthi, its past six months since you were called by God at the age of 65 after a brief illness. We cannot imagine how you left us in a jiffy. I remember the first day we met at Law College in 1963 in the Ladies' Room, a beautiful little dark girl from Batticaloa. We were friends upto the date you left us. Though you were in a junior batch you were a lovable friend and always looked up to me for assistance in studies or personal matters, respected me as a senior in age and batch. That is one quality I admired in you. You were honest, straight in your ways, and religious as an Anglican. You shared your witty jokes and I never can forget your charming smile.

Shanthi was educated at St. Michael's College Batticaloa and hailed from a respectable family in that area. She passed out as an Attorney-at-Law in 1968 and joined her uncle W.P. Sittampalam who had a lucrative practice in Anuradhapura. After gaining experience in the Anuradhapura District Court for three years she joined the Sri Lanka Transport Board as the Legal Officer and soon after married Ajith Devadasan from Kurunegala. Later she joined the National Paper Corporation as The Chief Legal Officer and thereafter the North Western Transport Board in 1983 where she worked for five years.

She started practising as a Labour Tribunal Lawyer in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. She was a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public too. She completed 44 years in active practice just before she passed away. Though she was a busy lawyer, Notary, a good wife, devoted mother and housewife she never forgot to serve the Anglican Church and the public in social work. She was in the Constitutional Council of the Kurunegala Diocese, President of The Mothers Union and twice had been President of the Kurunegala Housewives' Association. She was the Patron of the Lion Ladies Association, Kurunegala District 306 B 2 when Ajith was the District Governor of the Lions Movement in 2006/2007. She was a kind-hearted, down to earth person and helped the National Thalaseamea Centre Teaching Hospital, Kurunegala. She always joined me in The Sri Lanka Women Lawyers’ Association and contributed in numerous ways such as Legal Awareness Programmes to rural women and children, flood relief, X'mas parties for orphanage children, Women Lawyers' seminars, conferences and annual trips. She took a leading role in the right for women lawyers’ court attire. Shanthi we missed you at the 50th year celebrations of the Sri Lanka Women Lawyers’ Association on November 25, 2012. She leaves her husband Ajith Devadasan, a daughter and a son and three grandchildren she was fond of. She never missed the eldest grandson's cricket matches at Trinity. May you Rest in the Hands of The Almighty God!

Chintha Balalle

Millie Thirubalasingham:

Her love bonded the family

A few words can never describe the impact you made on our family. Courageous from a tender age, having gone through trials and tribulations from the start, your upbringing made you understand us better.

You were the cornerstone of our family and your love bonded our family like one. You extended your arms and opened your heart to all of us and made your home, a home and a place we yearned to be. You taught us the skills of life and how to live a life full of content and happiness just the way you did. Your kindness, affection and generosity was unparallel and limitless. Your love was a protection and a haven which we enjoyed, cherished and dearly miss. We miss you dear Mother of all. You will forever be in our hearts always, remembered with fondest of thoughts.

Dilo, Rochelle and Sanjay

Prof. Anton Jayasuriya:

A man with a vision

It is said that men may come and men may go but only a limited men will go on forever, leaving their mark or stamp which people cannot forget for generations. One such person was Acupuncturist Consultant Rheumatalogist Pandit Prof. Dr. Anton Jayasuriya, who loved and cared for humans, healing over 3.5 million patients from 140 countries.

He did it free for all but a few volunteered to make payments to enable him to continue his services to humanity with less burden. Professor Anton Jayasuriya was born in Colombo on June 20, 1930 and was the recipient of many qualifications. He also had many Post Graduate qualifications and attended many workshops and seminars the world over.

He held appointments such as Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, Physiology and Neurophysiology at the first WHO International School of Physiotheraphy, Medical Superintendent in Charge of the Ratnapura General Hospital and Government Nurses Training School, Lecturer at the Government Nurses Training School in Jaffna. He also worked as the Assistant Director of Health from 1971 to 1975.

He wrote and published 94 books and taught and lectured in more than 110 countries. He did not show any differences between the poor and the rich. He brought hope for people who were in despair. The knowledge he passed to us will enable us to continue his services to humanity by healing and curing them. We will remember him for spreading his knowledge and services for which we are much obliged and thankful.

Dr. Kumudini Niroma Peiris

Gertrude Constance Piyasena nee Rosa:

She was a tower of strength

Gertrude Constance Piyasena planted and nurtured the seeds of beauty and wisdom in us, her children. She opened our hearts to the value of patience, love devotion and care. Her precepts, values and principles instilled in us have an indelible influence in our lives. Constance as she was affectionately known, hailed from a distinguished family from Katunayake and was a tower of strength to my father and the entire family. She guided the destinies of the family. Despite her onerous responsibilities as a teacher and also nurturing a large family, she spent time with each of us teaching and guiding us and at times joining us in play. She was our protector and friend besides being our Guiding Star with her invaluable advice on insignificant as well as substantive issues.

I vividly recall her unfailing faith in God when my sister was diagnosed with a terminal ailment. While we were totally broken, she knelt and prayed for God’s guidance whilst we could not comprehend God’s plan Our sister left two young infants in her care. She gladly accepted the responsibility of nurturing and educating the children as she had done for us. Her sole objective was always to guide us to become responsible and God fearing children.

Sunethra Piyasena Fernando

Y.I. Ahamed Izzeth :

He was an ambassador

Y.I. Ahamed Izzeth passed away after a prolonged illness at the Colombo Delmon Hospital. He was a former Member of the Colombo Municipal Council, Provincial Council of the Western Province and had the distinction of being the youngest member at one stage. He was also the President of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya which was formed by Vijaya Kumaratunge.

He served as ambassador to Kuwait during the period Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge was the President of Sri Lanka. He leaves his wife Z. Nawaza, two sons Fawaz and Fiaz and daughter Rezona.

May Allah in His infinite mercy bless the departed soul. May he attain Jennatul Firdhouse through His mercy and a humble abode among the Saliheens in shaa Allah. He was a wonderful human being with sterling qualities and had the blessings of Allah.

Mamoun Saleh

Kanthymathy Chelvatamby:

The whole world was one family to her

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” These immortal lines by Alfred Lord Tennyson reflected admirably in the life of Kanthymathy Chelvatamby who passed away two years ago in Puloly East, Point Pedro at the age of 95.

She will be always remembered by her relatives, innumerable friends and all her loved ones for her excellent qualities of head and heart. She viewed life as a pre-ordained opportunity to obtain perfection through a blend of human and divine love and thence to blaze a righteous trail for others to follow and perpetuate.

Kanthymathy's considerate kindness, charitable understanding, faith in God, spontaneous and supreme affection towards everyone and inspiring piety have notched a permanent niche for her in the family circle.

Though she was born into an orthodox and conservative family, she was liberal in all her dealings with her people.

Her consideration for others was something that welled up from within, a natural outcome of her conviction that the whole world was one family. Kanthymathy was a wife who had no life apart from that of her husband and children. She found comfort in providing him all the comforts to make him comfortable. She found happiness only in his happiness. She was in short, the embodiment and personification of all the paragons of virtues and qualities prescribed by our culture and tradition for a housewife.

Kanthymathy mothered eight sons and a daughter, all of whom are highly qualified and academics, following successful careers. In bidding farewell to her noble soul, I bow to God's will in gratitude. May I say, “Good night sweet queen and may the flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”

C. Thurairajah