APPRECIATIONS

Harish Wanigasekera:

He installed 12 bridges in the electorate

Harshanath Wanigasekera was the fourth in the family of 11 children of Dias Martin Wanigasekera and Leelawathi Wijesinghe. Having completed his education at Sri Rahula College, Matara he followed his higher education in India obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Husbandary and Dairy Farming. He was a founder member of the Dakshina Lanka Youth Council.

Harshanath who was better known as Harish entered active politics, being elected as the Vice Chairman of the Beralapanathara Village Council. He married Jinawathi Ranasinghe and both of them were blessed with two children.

Harish entered party politics as a member of the UNP and was elected as a MP for the Hakmana seat in 1977. Subsequently he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Rural Development. He continued his political career with tact and efficiency. He was kind towards his fellow beings and always made effort to assist and help the poor families with employment opportunities. The high regard and respect with which Harish was treated by the people is amply evidenced by the fact that during the 1989 terror period, when the Govijana Seva Centre in Deiyandara was burnt down by the terrorists, the photograph of Harish which was hung in the Centre premises was safely brought out and hung on a jak tree, causing to harm no it. Even the terrorists respected him for his humane qualities.

He was instrumental in installing 12 bridges in the electorate. Likewise, the first stakeholder in the design and construction of the Hakmana and Mulatiyana town planning and development is credited to him. Harish took the lead to develop and upgrade the Deiyandara MMV and the Hakmana Methodist Colleges to Maha Vidyalaya standards.

A very noteworthy event is that Lalith Weeratunga the Secretary to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was appointed as the Assistant Government Agent for Hakmana at the insistence of Harish. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga, Gamini Sedara Senarath are related to the Harish Wanigasekera who associated all very closely. Furthermore, Upali Wijewardena was also a relative of his.

The nation lost the kind and loving services of a humble and loving man in the late Harish Wanigasekera on 14th February, 1988.

M.W. Thilakaratna

Leelananda Eththapaana :

He brought credit to Sri Lanka

The ode of words of my feelings and shock brought me an enigma at the time I heard the sad news of the sudden death of Leelananda Eththapaana, the Sri Lanka national hockey coach and I felt deeply, that the void left by his departure would be rather difficult to be filled. It is with great sadness that I pen these lines in appreciation of an accomplished ambidextrous sportsman who behaved well towards others, a perfect gentleman par excellent who had reached the highest point of achievement and perfection in the field of hockey; his coaching instil increased leaps and bound with added lustre.

He was relatively hale and hearty until he suddenly got admitted to hospital, later diagnosed as suffering from the Dengue virus which brought his untimely death at the age of 52.

It would be my personal obligation to express my views as the President of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation of the epitaph shared by all of us together to reciprocate the eulogy and extol his achievements. He spent a great deal of time to keep going the game of hockey amidst surmounted financial difficulties, sometimes with no sponsorships and sacrificed all sorts of comfort zones in life for the sake of resuscitating back its due past glory intact - an ample testimony of a doyen of a hockey legend.

During my tenure in office, I observed a few qualities in his personal life as well as in the hockey field though I am an old Nalandian and he was in opposite alma mater. Both played the game during our salad days and since then I felt him quite different from the others. He often volunteered to render his services whenever needed without grouching for personal aggrandizement, identically during the engagement of foreign tournaments. He abstained conspicuous consumptions, did well whole heartedly towards the game confronting various impediments on some occasions without sponsorships but held his office with introspection ability as a leader who brought credit to the motherland, such an inspirational high spirited personality stood by on chaotic situations but found him calm and quiet with full of joie de vivre amidst glory and defeats with tears and laughter.

Leelananda affectionately called “Leela Etta” by his colleagues spent a cosy life with his wife at Maradana who had never wished to enjoy an extravagant life style, engaged much of his time in the coaching stint due to his aficionado to the game and the players with a sense of altruism and bonhomie which brought him a host of disciples and officers at national level. His camaraderie and cohesiveness made a good team spirit even the game sometimes fallen into doom and gloom due to poor representations by prospective sponsors. His laconic way of speaking, rarely saying much was applauded by all and his dedication to the game was legendary under his tutelage at Ananda College, Colombo and subsequently as a National Coach who went out of the way to espouse the game.

Eththapaana, a down-to-earth man who has had no chips on his shoulder, a flamboyant national coach who held the pinnacle coaching instinct for two decades whose ability was exemplary, a cosmopolitan in hockey created a huge void. The presence of many friends, former colleagues and subordinates influxed in a jostling crowd to pay their last respects to him was a clear manifestation of the high esteem which was held, paid him a glowing tribute highlighting not only his coaching assignments but on his personal values cherished by him radiated through out his life, piety, simplicity and honesty and also his sharp judgements at any event of intricate situations. Though we are sadden by his demise we are lamenting, yet consoled by our Buddhist belief that all component things are subjected to decay.

May he attain Nibbana to reach the ultimate enlightenment of the voyage of Sansara!

Sumith Edirisinghe - Colombo

Dr. H.I.E. Katugaha:

An adorable, genuine, friend

Dr. Katugaha was a wonderful person who was cheerful, kind hearted and selfless at all times. He was ever willing to help everyone around him. He would leave his personal work to help the needy. He practised his profession as a true human being. He was a modest man who never went after money. In other words he was a very great man. Equally charming was his wife Lalitha who too rendered yoeman service in assisting Katu. Both of them with their two daughters, followed the principles of the Buddha Dhamma diligently. That is the magic tough they had and they will always be in our families.

When my husband was transferred from Hellbodde Estate to Glen Alpin, Badulla, I was pregnant with my first child. We did not know anyone in Badulla but had been told about a Dr. Katugaha. On reaching Badulla I had to see a doctor and so drove to Dr. Katugaha's clinic. Having met him and experienced his charm, it was like 'Home sweet home'. We lived in Badulla for 12 years thereafter and for our three children it was always 'Uncle Katu' or 'Katu Batu'. I remember him advising me to breast-feed the children and not to resort to ‘Cow and Gate’ or 'allapu gate' (next door gate).

My daughter's ears were bored by Katu. He enjoyed tremendous 'ath vasiya'. It was a sad day for all of us in Uva when the Katugaha's decided to leave Badulla and make Kandy their home.

We will cherish his sweet and comforting words with Mettha. May his loved ones be blessed to carry on with courage and dignity with his noble blessings. Having always lived a life of pure wholesome deeds, I am sure he will achieve his goal of attaining Supreme Nibbana very soon.

A good friend

Kasippillai Balasubramaniam :

Quiet and unassuming

An ardent devotee of Kokuvil Manchavanapathy Murugan (KMM) and a dedicated social worker, K. Balasubramaniam (Bala) passed away last August. He was a simple, gentle, quiet and unassuming person, who was fondly called “Weesum”. Due to his untiring contribution towards the KMM temple, he had been elected as the President of the Trustees’ Board of the temple, consecutively for the last seven years. He was also in the executive committee of the Rural Development Society and the School Development Society in Kokuvil. People valued his services on a high level. Hailing from a Hindu family, Bala had his education at Kokuvil Hindu College. During his school days he actively participated in social activities and was a good footballer. Football fans still recall his excellent performance in soccer. On completion of his higher studies, he joined the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation as a clerk and held the position of Chief Auditor at the time of retirement.

After retirement from service, he devoted his life in the spiritual field in addition to social services. 'Service to humanity is divinity', was a dictum which he believed and practised in life. It is appropriate to quote an incident that took place in October 1987. Hundreds of people took refuge at the KMM temple to save their lives from danger developed by the war then. Under the leadership of Bala the sufferings of the starving refugees were relieved to a certain extent, with the minimum resources available then. God Murugan had given courage to Bala to assist the people who needed help. The refugees remained at this temple for a couple of months till the situation returned to normality.

“Blessed are those who sacrifice their lives for God and his children”.

K.K. Arumainayagam

Theodore Hettiarachchi :

The only lay Eucharist minister

Our loving brother Theodore Hettiarachchi, popularly known as Tudor to his friends passed away. Theodore who won the love and affection of neighbours, friends and relations was a resident of Negombo. He contributed his best to the devotees of St. Peter's Church, Negombo. He served as the sexton of the church for over 25 years, performing his duties with the utmost perfection. As a cousellor in his Parish church, he guided all those who came to him with problems, in the correct path.

Theodore was the first and only lay Eucharist minister in the parish. In their funeral orations, the Rev. Fathers praised him immensely for his devoted and loyal service rendered to the parish. Theodore enjoyed doing missionary work and was a community leader (Sanga Thatha) for the Catholic Apostolate of Renewal (Kithu Dana Pubuduwa) at the Croos Convent, Negombo. He conducted prayer meetings and spread the word of God to the devotees who came from various areas.

Theodore was also a very active member of the Mediation Board in Negombo and was capable of solving various situations he encountered as a mediator.

He was always ready to help those who needed his guidance and advice. He expressed what he had to say directly and won the hearts of the people. Being a Justice of the Peace, he was a real gentleman, highly respected by the residents of Negombo.

Theodore Hettiarachchi also served as the Secretary of the All Ceylon Madel Owners' Association for a number of years with Rev. Sextus Kurukulasuriya as the President.

Theodore worked hard to bring island-wide madel owners together and gained recognition for this association. The books and files he maintained shows how methodical he was and how every document was neatly filed and handed over to his successor. In God's sight, Theodore retired. He was a shepherd until God called him home.

"A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can have in this world" - Mathew Henry. May he Rest in Peace!

Ernest Dharmasiri

D.G. F. Walter :

A perfect gentleman

On December 6, 1901 Don Julian and Justina Fernando of Paiyagala were blessed with the birth of a son who was named Walter. Although born to an ordinary family, he was well-cared by his parents during his formative years. He exchanged letters in Sinhala verse with his friend Aloysius Fernando who was a Sinhala scholar. In addition to his professional status he was also a volunteer worker in etymology of the Sinhala dictionary. Walter's birth place was in the heart of Paiyagala bazaar. In 1957 he put up a house in a very quiet environment where he lived until his demise. At the age of 95 he passed away peacefully on September 1, 1996.

Walter was the eldest in the family and had his early eduction at the Roman Catholic School in Paiyagala and later at Holy Cross College, Kalutara. For higher education he entered St. Joseph's College, Colombo where he passed the Cambridge Senior and London Matriculation. He later served as a botany teacher at Holy Cross College, Kalutara. In 1921 he joined the Law College where he passed out as a Proctor and Notary. When he passed out in 1925 there were very clever lawyers with whom he could not compete.

Julian, father of Walter issued invitations to a party on a weekend in honour of the enrolment of his son as a Proctor of the Supreme Court. A distinguished crowd was present at their residence at Paiyagala. Those who were present spoke in eulogistic and arrogate terms of good qualities of Walter and wished him every success in his new career.

In May 1925 Walter started his practice as a Proctor and Notary at Kalutara under a European District Judge W.H.B. Carbery, who was a civil servant.

In 1926 he got married to a lady from Beruwala. Walter was honest, humble, fearless and independent imbued with heritage of noble tradition alive to his rights and privileges but no less conscious of his duties towards the court. He was always kind and considerate to his clients. He did not pester the poor and did not bargain for legal fees from clients. He told his clients to settle their problems without going to courts. He did not encourage his children to take up his vocation. He was a man of courage who asserted himself without flinching as occasions demanded thereby earning the respect and regard of the Judges and suitors.

He was exalted to the position of President of the Kalutara Bar Association. He acted for the District Judge of Kalutara in the absence of the permanent Judge. At the completion of 50 years in his profession, his portrait was unveiled at Kalutara courts law library. Walter gave up his law practice in 1986 and continued in notarial work at his residence at Paiyagala. As a Proctor and Notary he had a record in Kalutara District by having attested 41 deeds on the same day.

He was highly respected by the court office staff for his straight forward attitude, versatility, humanity and virtuous carrier. He was an exemplary figure in the Kalutara Bar and shone amongst the practitioners of the noble profession of law.

Walter wrote several books on the history of Kalutara both in English and Sinhala. His masterpiece was 'In and Out of Kalutara Courts' Book 1 and 2 which were full of court drama anecdotes, wit and humor. It became so popular that it had to be reprinted.

An institution by himself Walter was a perfect gentlemen. A man noted for his versatility, he has left his footprints on the sands of time.

May he Rest In Peace!

Candide de Silva

Hiran Senarat Dassanayake :

He helped those in difficulty

Hiran Senarat Dassanayake, expired in January and his cremation took place at the General Cemetery, Borella amidst a large and distinguished gathering. Death is a common phenomenon which we bring along with our birth. But the loss of a close beloved person to those around him and specially a very young one, is hard to bear to those affected, as in the case of Hiran Dassanayake. On many occasions Hiran quietly helped those in distress financially, overlooking all financial rules and regulations of the company which he was heading.

Hiran had the knack and ability to deal with the vast workforce of about 2,000 persons without hurting their feelings. No one would have dreamt that Hiran would die so soon and in the most unexpected manner in the prime of his life. From the top to the bottom at Management Information Security Service (Sri Lanka) (Private) Ltd., all and sundry loved him as their Joint Managing Director. He was a gentleman in the best sense of the word and one who was a sportive, energetic, young budding entrepreneur with a matching personality. He did not however show himself as the 'Big Boss' of the institution.

May he be born again amongst us so that we could be his beneficiaries once again.

D.W. Nandisena. Colombo 3.

David Paynter :

Born in foothills of the Himalayas

David Paynter, son of a missionary was born in 1900 in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. It was a coincidence that he came to be known as Paynter for he had the inborn talents and qualities of becoming a painter par excellence, one day. The Painting, Sculpture and Art and Crafts Sections were formerly at the Ceylon Technical College under the stewardship of J.D.A. Perera who was also a talented artist. Like Ceaser he was ambitious. He strove hard to break away and finally broke away from the Ceylon Technical College in order to form a separate institution which came to be known as the College of Fine Arts with the blessings of the government which was in power at that time. The College of Fine Arts took into its fold the School of Music headed by Lionel Edirisinghe and the School of Dancing headed by Pani Bharatha. After some time, Paynter was appointed Acting Director of the College of Fine Arts.

Paynter had exhibited his works of art at the Royal Academy in England. Having won a travelling scholarship to Europe, he had the rare opportunity of exhibiting his great works in a number of galleries in Europe. The mural entitled the 'Last Supper' at the Trinity College Chapel at Kandy and the mural at St. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia are ample testimony to his capabilities as a great artist. Many of his students emulate his style of painting with gratitude. David Paynter had the knack of befriending the students and members of the staff with his bewitching smile.

He was a simple person with genial qualities which drew him closer to his students and members of the staff and friends.

I had the opportunity of working with him during his stewardship of the College of Fine Arts in 1958/59. May the Good Lord bless the soul of David Paynter and may his soul rest in peace.

R.M.L. Ratnayake

U.A.S. Perera (Siri Aiyya) :

He formed the Lama Theeraya

The 19th death anniversary of U.A.S. Perera (Siri Aiyya) falls on February 20, 2013. Poet,Teacher, Radio Presenter, Lyric, Playright and Lawyer, he was a most sort after person on cultural activities in the forties. A native of Meetotamulla, he had his primary education at St. Mathew's College, Dematagoda and later was admitted to Nalanda College and passed the London Matriculation examination under the tutelage of great educationists of the era. Having entered the university he selected Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala as his subjects.

During this period there was a renaissance of Sinhala poetry and the Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Samajaya was formed. Siri Aiya who had a dent on Sinhala Kavi from his school days became a member of the Samajaya with Ananda Sagara “Keyas”, P.B.Alwis Perera, Meemana Prematilleke, John Rajadasa, renown poets of the era.

In 1942 he joined the Nalanda staff as the tutor in oriental languages. It was during this time that he was entrusted with conducting the children's programme (Lama Theeraya) which he made a very popular programme. Even elders were regular listeners. Radio Ceylon was under Sir John Kotelawala's ministry and at a meeting when Siri Aiya was introduced to the minister, he said that his mother Lady Alice Kotelawla was a keen listener of the Lama Theeraya. He produced a play once a month under the name Jayadeva.

It was World War 11 period and many Ceylonese were in the Middle East serving with the British Army. The army wanted some tape recordings of Pelkavi, Goyam Kavi and Virudu to be sent there for their entertainment. The Director Radio Ceylon assigned this to Siri Aiya who had the necessary material and personnel. Recordings were done in Radio Ceylon Studio at Cotta Road, Borella.

After the cessation of the war when Nalanda could go back to their buildings, Siri Aiya formed the Nalanda Dramatic Club under the patronage of J.N. Jinendradasa. Siri Aiya selected Harischandra a story from the pantheon of Indian literature and wrote the play anew reducing the number of songs. He selected actors from the staff and students.

This was the first play that Henry Jayasena came on stage cast as Rohitha Kumaraya, the son of King Harischandra and the writer did the role of King Harischandra. Crowning all his contributions to the society was his being guru to Gunadasa Amarsekera, Sriyani Amarasena, Karunaratne Abeysekera, Trilicia Gunawardena of Maname fame. Even the late President Premadasa cycled to Meetotamulla to learn the fundamentals of Sinhala kavi at his feet.

He was a free thinker and he failed as a teacher in government service when he decided to take to law and practice as an attorney until his death. I bow my head with gratitude to my guru and mentor.

My association with him made me a teetotaler even being in the Railway for 42 years.

B.B. Perera