W. Karunajeewa

He was proud to be in the SLFP

Karunajeewa, “Karu” to his friends was a child of “1956”. When “1956” took place he was only 10 years old. Perhaps he may have waved a blue flag at that time. He entered the political scene after his education at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and his graduation from the University of Peradeniya.

He contested the Mulugampola ward of the Kandy Municipal Council and was elected. Being close to Hector Kobbekaduwa, he entered SLFP politics having worked with Kobbekaduwa for some time. Mrs Bandaranaike, the then Leader of the SLFP, who was good at spotting talent, made him the Administrative Secretary of the SLFP.

Soon a new chapter dawned. The party went into opposition having been defeated at the polls in 1977. A split occurred in the party and this had to be managed if not healed. The party was in disarray and leader Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike was deprived of her civic rights. Karu had to keep the party together and also look to the needs of the fighting factions. For party supporters a rift in the party is the worst scenario. There was a time when the party office was closed and meetings could not be held. During this difficult time, Karu played a key role. Party men were losing their jobs, others often being arrested for false reasons. Many a time I have picked him up to go to the Narahenpita Labour Tribunal to appear for party men unjustly dismissed by the UNP government.

He never looked for monetary gain and lived a simple life. He had a great dedication to the people of this country and to the members of his party.

He was proud to be in the SLFP and never changed his political affiliation. The eighteen years in opposition matured Karu and many SLFP supporters. The UNP had changed the political structure of the country and it looked impregnable. There was the UNP terror, under which SLFP party men were killed, arrested and the referendum reduced the SLFP to eight members of Parliament. Karu was engaged in helping SLFP supporters in distress.

The landscape changed and the party found itself in power. Being a close confidante of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he became the Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation. The administrative skills he showed in the party, now began to show in the administration of the entities under him. He became the Chairman of the Employees’ Provident Fund. Finally, he was made the Chairman of the People’s Bank.

He showed his ability as a Banker and laid to rest his critics who said he could not do this job. As bank chairman he improved the Bank and presided over its destiny in its 50th year.

The non-performing segment of the bank improved. He engaged in religious activities with the participation of the bank and brought the bank closer to the people.

The bank was meant to be by its architects, a bank that served the rural poor. He worked without any holiday and his health began to deteriorate. One associates a bank chairman with a big showy home. He lived and died at Anderson Flats, a simple man. An honest public servant, dedicated party man devoted to his leaders, his life and work should be an inspiration to all others. We share the grief that he left us all with his family.

May he attain Nibbana!

- S S Sahabandu PC

Janaki de Silva :

Reflections from a Grandson

My grandmother fed her children books. My mother’s favourite memory of childhood is of Aththamma reading aloud a Midsummer Night’s Dream to her and her two brothers while they had lunch. On an old bound thesis, tucked away in a closet creaking with my mother’s publications, is a quote from Strickland Gilland that my mother would often read aloud to me: “You may have tangible wealth untold; caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be – I had a Mother who read to me.”

The moment I was born Aththamma opened a book and read to me. First from the Dhammapada and then those books that make childhood sweet. When Aththamma and Amma read to me, they spun a silky thread that connected us across time and place. Amma read to me of the gentle boy in the Velveteen Rabbit and the spirited boy in Maurice Sendak’s Where the wild things are. Aththamma read to me of the funny and ingenious Andare, the folk jester in the Kingdom of Kandy and always, she read to me of the truth seeking Prince Siddharata. While Aththa discussed with me the crossing of the Alps by Hannibal the Great, Aththamma used to tell me how the Buddha crossed the sea of suffering.

On birthdays and on regular days, Aththamma would mail me books – The Dhammapada and the vast volumes of the Jataka Tales, the Mahawamsa, Gandhi’s Experiment with the Truth, Nehru’s Discovery of India, Rabindranath Tagore’s Gora and Aung San Suu Kyi’s Letters from Burma. I have aththamma’s own grandfather’s gift to her of Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, moth eaten and pages so soft with age that they feel like the silk of Aththamma’s much worn sarees. Aththamma kept pace with my evolving tastes in books and mailed me a copy of Voltare’s Candide-a faded and precious copy that belonged to her father.

Her book parcels with Master Akshan de Alwis written in her curving handwriting would arrive across the miles. It was Aththamma’s way of spinning those threads connecting me to her and to the magic of books. A card often accompanied each book on which she had tenderly inscribed an old Sri Lankan folk saying: “Just as the moon outshines a thousand stars; a lone child of virtue may dispel the darkness of the night sky.”

When Aththamma fell very ill, I was far away from her and from my own home in Boston. When I got back from a school debate, to seek comfort, I went looking for her books that had nurtured me and helped me grow up. At that moment, I knew that I was who I was because once there was a mother who read to her daughter on sunlit days and in turn her daughter read to her spellbound child on wintry nights, in another place and another time and this will go on through time. When all else becomes a dream, I known I have wealth untold because I had a grandmother who read to me. Her legacy will endure through Ambritha, Malin, Raveen, Tavisha and me.

- Akshan de Alwis. Noble and Greenough School, Boston

Association of Past Singer Employees

At the 12th AGM of the Association of Past Employees of Singer, the following were elected to serve in the Executive Committee for the year 2013

President - Bertie Fernando, Vice Presidents - Nelson Mendis, Kalyana Dheerasekera, Secretary - Ananda Epa, Asst. Secretary - Vijitha Jayawardena, Treasurer - A.M.M. Nissar, Asst. Treasurer - Janaka Kaluhendiwela,

Committee Members - John Emmanuel, Gamini Wasalathanthri, Lashantha Perera, W.G.E. Dabara, Kaushalya Murugadasan, Judith Vannitamby, H.L.M. Nawaz, M.Z. Hassen

Carmen Dharmarathne:

A lovely friendly person

Carmen Dharmarathne's death anniversary fills my mind with memories of our friendship and the strong ties between our two families. I had special admiration for her because she was exceptionally talented and versatile.

She was a lovely person always friendly and out-going, gifted with a fine sense of humour and a cheerful disposition, never pompous or haughty. There was never any insincerity nor a trace of pettiness in her character.

She was the star pupil at O.L.V. Convent. In every school drama she was selected for the main role and always gave a superb performance. Her solo singing and ringing voice reverberated in the hall, delighting the audience. In oratorical contests her clear diction and eloquence held us spell bound. Coming from a family of lawyers, oratory came to her effortlessly and spontaneously. She a bright student and much loved and respected head perfect. Whenever she came to our place I would get her to sing and play 'Sleepy Lagoon' over and over again. Her magical touch on the keys, her lovely singing and beautiful flowing interludes gave immense joy to me.

A few years ago when I commented on her playing to another music teacher, she made this remark “Carmen's playing is like water flowing down a precipice”. That was an apt description of her playing. She used to go for music lessons to Irene Vanderwall who was the best teacher in Sri Lanka.

Her God given talents were an inspiration to the scores of pupils who came to her. For a few years she was on the staff of St. Sebastian's College and was also an examiner in the Association of Western Music Teachers.

She was a loving mother to four children and a faithful, caring wife to her husband. During a crucial period of my life, when many of my 'fair weather' friends drifted away from me, she stood by, and her beautiful qualities became apparent in her visits and the gifts and consolation given to me when I was sick and house-bound. May her soul rest in peace.

Rita Irene Fernando.

P.V. Pathirana:

A Mahaweli Accelerated Programme pioneer

In the early 1980s I heard about Pathi from Mahi Wickramaratne of the Mahaweli Economic Agency (MEA). Later, I worked with Pathi at the Head Office in Colombo as well as in Girandurukotte. As the Government Agent Matara, Wickramaratne came to know Pathi as the Divisional Officer attached to the Agrarian Services Department, Matara.

GA was aware that Pathi was a hardworking field officer. In the 1980s Pathi was attached to the Agriculture Development Authority as District Manager. With much difficulty, ED managed to convince Ranjan Wijeratne, Chairman ADA and transferred Pathi to MEA. ED placed Pathi as Co-ordinator, System C. Within a short period Pathi was appointed as Resident Project Manager, Girandurukotte. This revealed that Pathi was capable to accomplish any type of post offered by the management.

One evening Pathi invited me to visit the Army Commander, General T.I. Weeratunga at his residence. As soon as General Weeratunga saw Pathi, he invited both of us to tea. He associated the Army Commander very closely.

When Pathi's wife was seriously ill in Colombo, he was unable to visit her often due to his responsibilities in System C. During these days when Lands Irrigation and Mahaweli Development Minister Gamini Dissanayake visited System C, he too inquired about the wife. Eng. Gamunu Silva, brother-in-law, took the responsibility of attending to the immediate needs of his sick wife.

Pathi was always proud to proclaim that he was a Southerner and to claim that he is from Puhulwella in Matara.

He was a Colonel in a Volunteer Regiment in the Army and shouted at mistakes, but never bore them in mind. He treated all as friends.

Similarly, he treated the Mahaweli settlers as his family members. When there was a threat of illicit liquor production and sales in a Mahaweli village, Pathi caught the leader of the gang and handed him to the high priest at the Girandurukotte Buddhist Centre, the Ven. Ambaliayadde Somarathana for rehabilitation. After the rehabilitation process the released man was the catalyst to prevent the irregularity in that village.

Pathi had his own management skills to work with his staff as well as Mahaweli settlers. Both these categories were fond of him because of his humanitarian qualities (Manawa Hithawadi). About a year ago, Jayatissa Bandaragoda (former ED, MEA) inquired of Pathi and I told him that he was not well. Bandaragoda immediately decided to visit him at Narammamala.

That was the last time I met Pathi. Pathi was one of the pioneers of the Mahaweli Accelerated Development Programme and his genuine contribution to the largest ever development project in Sri Lanka will help him to shorten the long walk of Sansara.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

Senaka A. Samarasinghe , Winnipeg, Canada

Girty Wijesinghe (Kumari):

A Sri Lanka nightingale

It is with great sadness that I pen these words about our dear friend Girty (Kumari) Wijesinghe who passed away recently. Girty retired as a Senior Tutor Nursing Sister attached to the Health Ministry.

She was a devoted nursing tutor sister and helped the Health Department to produce thousands of talented nurses who now serve throughout the country. She served at the Colombo General Hospital Nurses’ Training School and at the Mulleriyawa Nurses’ Training School.

After retirement from the government service, Girty worked in the Oman Health Ministry as a senior tutor and later was attached to the Central Hospital as a tutor.

Her fond memories will always linger in the hearts of everyone who knew her well.

She was a devout Buddhist who lived her life in a very simple way. She was a charming and a genial personality whom I knew very well.

Girty was a very devoted and caring mother to her son Menaka, daughter-in-law Subodha and to her grandchildren. Her demise created an untold void in everyone's heart for she always was a very admired personality.

Her honesty, kindness and dedicated service to the nursing profession and the goodwill she earned will never fade away. Her sincerity and steadfastness to friends, relations and neighbours should serve as an objective lesson to all in the world where changing loyalties and shifting attitudes are the order of the day.

May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

A.D.T. Maithripala

Iyadurai Paraparan:

Race was no barrier to us

Paraparan was my best friend although he was a Tamil and I, a Sinhalese. Race difference was no barrier to our friendship.

We joined the People's Bank together, studied for the Banking Diploma together, obtained the AIB, read for the MBA at the University of Colombo and sat for the CIMA exams - all together.

On December 23, 2004 we were supposed to go to Batticaloa together in my vehicle to meet a friend of ours to spend the week-end together with our families.

But fate prevented me from going there and Para went with his family by the night mail train.

Very sadly, he along with his family became prey to the tidal waves of the Tsunami.

It created an unimaginable void in my life. I lost a good friend as well as a faithful companion and the People's Bank lost a competent high officer who could work equally well in all three languages - Sinhala, Tamil and English.

It is my sincere wish that Paraparan should be my best friend throughout Sansara until we attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana together

W.P. Somawardana

Manik Fernandopulle:

A lovable personality

It is hard to believe that the noble-hearted gentleman Manik Fernandopulle is no more. His untimely demise at the age of 54 was indeed a shock to all of us who knew him. We have lost a lovable personality with a vision, purpose, determination and a passionate devotion to his near and dear ones, especially his family.

Today is a day to remember with gratitude their late father, by his only son and daughter and his beloved wife who was the pillar of strength and the driving force behind all his achievements and her all-round performance in supporting him in every task.

It was a moving scene to see him say good bye to everybody at a very unexpected time at very short notice. Hardly a day passed after showing signs of illness.

It was very sad to see the family grieving, unable to bear the sudden death. He hailed from a well to do respectable family from Morukkuliya, Dankotuwa. He was the eldest in a family of three boys.

Their proper upbringing by the parents brought success to their lives. His hard work had its rewards, for he too did his best towards his parents, a notable feature known to everybody and later his own family leading them towards a hopeful future, giving them more refinement in education subsequently continued by their mother. What they are today is mainly due to his guidance.

Thanks to him due to his far sighted planning they are both now professionally qualified and the mother is relieved of her responsibility regarding their education.

Going back to the early days of this illustrious personality will reveal the amazingly wonderful rise in his professional career. His record runs in life from his school days. Having had his primary and secondary education at Maris Stella College, Negombo and St. Joseph's College, Colombo 10 he distinguished himself brilliantly in numerous ways.

He was a Chemical Engineer by profession. He did his Engineering degree in India. A few years after his return to Sri Lanka he joined the Colombo University to do his Masters in Business Administration (MBA). His professional career was truly a unique achievement.

He served in a number of prestigious institutions. To begin with, he performed a valuable service in the Oils and Fats Corporation. Later he served at Dankotuwa Porcelain handling exports. In June 1984 he married Mangala, a well devoted person from an educated, distinguished, religious family, her uncle Guy Manuelpillai an eminent figure domiciled in Canada, being a contemporary colleague of mine at the Peradeniya University.

Physically he looked majestic with his tall figure, fair complexion and stature. His powerful personality had a great influence on his associates. During his youth he led an active public life too.

He was a prominent Rotarian and an active member of the St. Joseph's College OBU, Negombo Branch. He devoted his money, time and energy for religious work as well. He was a good friend of the Parish Priest as he was involved in regular Church activities. Having performed all his duties he remained a simple person with excellent qualities.

May his soul Rest In Peace!

Rupa Banduwardena

M.K. Jeewagathas:

A gentleman to the finger tips

I was shocked to be informed that Jeeva is no more. His death is a blow to journalists in general and to the North Lanka Journalists Association in particular. He was the Secretary of the Association after the demise of Nimalarajan who steered the Journalists Association with valour and dedication. While we were hunting for a person of equal ability and popularity, by a unanimous voice Jeeva was chosen to don the mantle of secretaryship.

The activities of our association rose in splendour during the stewardship of Jeeva. He did not want the association to be a regional organisation for journalists. He wanted the North and the South to merge and be the untied voice of the Tamil and Sinhalese. The progressive journalists in the South gave a lending hand in forming a New South Journalists’ Association.

The inaugural meeting was held in Colombo and the office bearers were elected. Jeeva was elected Joint Secretary.

Along with the Journalists’ Association he was drawn into “Aaravali Poraddam” (Non violent direct action group of the Tamils). He was its Secretary. The intelligentsia among the Tamils with the support of the Sarvodaya activists entered the field of non violence and launched several project to ameliorate the living condition of the unemployed youths of Thenmarachchy.

Educated, poverty stricken women joined the non violent movement and with financial aid of NGOs, hundreds of women became self employed. Weaving and spinning centres were formed, tailoring marts were opened, sewing and cookery classes were inaugurated and delicacies and handwork of unemployed girls found a ready market in the South. Jeeva was the brain child of these innovations. He found them life sustaining vocations that sustained the life long.

He always had an arm to aid the weak, a friendly hand to raise the fallen and a kind heart to hug the miserable. He was a man of able talent, a gifted speaker, a writer both in Tamil and English and a gentleman to the finger tips.

The sheet anchor of his success was the natural endowments in him such as perseverance dedication and determination.

As a dutiful husband and loving father he gave his son a good education here and abroad. Thiruvalluvar has enunciated this in Thirukural “What a good father can do to his son is to prepare him for a prominent role in the assembly of the learned”. This he has done to the plaudits of everyone.

S. Kathirgamathamby