Appreciations

Ven. Raddelle Pannaloka Anunayaka Maha Thera:

Very versatile lecturer

During the time of my student days at Vidyodaya Pirivena there were a number of erudite and versatile venerables on the teaching staff. Among them, Ven. Raddelle Pannaloka Anunayaka Maha Thera has left an indelible impression in me as one of the best teachers I ever had. He imparted knowledge of the subjects he taught to all of us unreservedly. In the secondary classes he was our teacher for Sinhala grammar, Pali and Prakrit. He taught us analytical Sinhala grammar in the intermediary class, revolutionizing our knowledge of traditional Sinhala grammar we had learnt from Sidath Sangarawa in the previous year. He had also mastered Geiger's analytical approach to Sinhala grammar with a critical examination and added his own observations to present it as clear as possible. His Pali lessons were very interesting and thought provoking.

Knowing that he knew Hindi, a few of us approached him and implored him to teach us Hindi language for the preliminary examination of the Oriental Studies Society. Accepting our plea willingly, he taught us Hindi within a few months. All of us passed the subject with high grades. Now and then in the course of his teaching, he was in the habit of relating an anecdote or a parable to enliven the students in the class. Although I do not remember the incident that prompted him to quote Yuang Chuwang from his travel records, I still remember the anecdote he related in the class to reveal how the kamma done in this life had resulted in the next.

The famous Chinese Buddhist monk travelling in India happened to visit a certain monastery, where an elderly monk with super-normal powers was said to have lived. Once a monk of the monastery when going on his alms round heard that a Brahmin teacher was teaching a grammatical formula from Paninian grammar to a student. On the following two days also when he was on his alms round he heard the same grammatical formula being taught to the same student. Since the boy was incapable of grasping and repeating what he had been taught for several days, the teacher losing his patience kept on angrily reprimanding him with abusive language. The monk being moved by this pathetic incident, after returning to the monastery reported it to the elderly monk with super-normal powers, who said:

“Do you know who this boy is? He is none other than Panini in his previous birth. After the completion of his grammar book he was overwhelmed by excessive pride and thought that he was the best and unique grammarian in the country. Consequently he looked down the other grammarians with contempt and derision. Because of that evil behaviour, in this subsequent birth he has been born a dullard, an idiot who is incapable of learning his own rules of grammar. This is how kamma yields its retribution”.

He had registered the names of almost all of his students in his mind and was able to address them by name even after long intervals. It was quite clear to us that he never came to the class without prior preparation. And also we understood that he had polished his traditional knowledge with modern approaches of the subjects he taught. It is no wonder he had a very brilliant academic career at Vidyodaya Mahpirivena and University of Ceylon as well as Vidyodaya University to his credit.

A few years after my graduation at Peradeniya University (then known as University of Ceylon) in 1961 he became the Vice Chancellor of Buddhashravaka University at Anuradhapura. He invited me to teach Mahayana Buddhism at the university, which I accepted willingly and continued to teach there for several months. Later I had to give up the assignment due to some personal involvements.

As described by the Ven. Ananda the characteristics of a noble disciple to Mahanama Sakya in the Sekha Sutta, Venerable Raddelle Pannaloka Anunanayaka Mahathera was learned (bahussuta), bore in mind what he had learnt (sutadhara), systematically accumulated what he had learnt (sutasannicaya), well deposited in the mind (dhata), accustomed to utter the same (vacasa paricita), reflected their implications (manasanpekkhita) and penetrated their import with clear vision (ditthiyasppatividdha).

He was mindful in wholesome deeds (kusalesu dhammesu satima), endowed with highest prudence (paramena nepakkena samannagata), capable of bringing to mind again and again what had done long ago and what had spoken long ago (cirakatampi cirabhasitampi sarita anussarita) and wise (pannava). We are ever grateful to him and he is ever remembered by us.

May the Venerable Anunayaka Mahathera realise the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana !

Ven. Dr. Pategama Gnanarama Anunayaka Thera Singapore

Lionel Karunasena:

A fearless DIG

Proceeding through LTTE terrorist infested jungle roads to the Kanchikudichchi Aru STF camp on a motorcycle accompanied by a motor cycle patrol was once a routine practice for DIG Lionel Karunatilleke, Commander of the STF at the height of the conflict. Although this would have been a terrific feat for anyone, this was how the DIG acted in order to boost the morale of his men fighting LTTE terrorists at that time. January 21 marked the 13th death anniversary of this brave officer who sacrificed his life in defence of the nation.

When Rahubadda Kankanamge Lionel Karunasena was born on January 2, 1945 his parents R.K. Babysingho and Mrs W.V. Warusavithana would never have dreamt that their son would become a brave war hero one day. Lionel Karunasena who had his education at Seevali M.V. Ratnapura displayed exceptional talents in both studies and sports. As regards sports, athletics was his forte.

Social injustice faced by a majority of the less privileged classes gained his attention from his young days and he resolved to bring about justice to them by joining the Police service to help maintain law and order. His ambition was fulfilled when he joined the Police service as a Sub Inspector on June 26, 1967. Continuing his sports activities, he established a new Sri Lanka long jump record representing the Police on 24.11.1964 which remained unbroken till 1988. Promoted Inspector of Police in 1973 his integrity, discipline and devotion to duty earned him promotions in quick succession. With the setting up of the STF in 1983 he was assigned to this new arm of the police.

Karunasena who had expert knowledge in guerrilla warfare rendered a memorable service as the Commander of the STF for 13 years and later moved back to the normal police service on September 05, 1996.

Married to Chitra they had two children. Though a familied-man many were the times he spent the new year and other important festival occasions away from his family with the troops he loved. While serving in the Vanni region he assisted the Army by protecting the Vavuniya Defence Line and the A 9 route which was the main supply line, with his troops. His untimely death following a heart attack on January 21, 2011 was an irreparable loss to the Police Department. His name will be marked in the history of the Police Department in letters of gold for the great service he rendered to it as well as the STF.

May be attain Nibbana!

Special Task Force, Colombo

Sanjeewa Hulangamuwa :

A charming personality

Sanjeewa Hulangamuwa, who was a member of the Kandy Municipal Council and Chairman of the Sports Committee made his last journey on Monday January 21. The crowd that attended his cremation was ample testimony to his popularity. Sanjeewa was the son of Alfred and Joyce. He received his early education at St. Sylvester’s College and later at Trinity College. He excelled in athletics and hockey at both schools. President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his last respects and there was also his good friend MP Arjuna Ranatunge, Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake. There was a large gathering from the Rotary Club of Kandy of which he was the President at one time, at his funeral.

Former Diyawadane Nilame Niranjan Wijerathne, the present Leader of the Opposition of the Municipal Council, a cousin of Sanjeewa, said that the he was a respected personality among local politicians. Sanjeewa as he was affectionately called, had a charming personality, was a sportsman and a leading Insurance man in Kandy.

Sanjeewa was blessed with a heart of gold and was quick to respond to anyone. He was a great gentleman. There can be no stronger compliment. He said Goodbye to all his loved ones, families, relatives, Rotary friends, supporters, employees and friends.

Sanjeewa, not in the sky not in mid-ocean, not on a mountain cave is found that place on earth where one will not be overcome by death.

Hafiz Marikar

Cecil Edwin Jayasinghe:

A Teacher and Advocate

The fourth death anniversary of Cecil Edwin Jayasinghe fell on December 24, 2012. Jayasinghe and I do not belong to the same age group of generation. Actually in terms of age he was a contemporary of my father, both who were Attorneys-at-Law and close friends and that was how I came to be associated with Cecil Jayasinghe.

Our association began in 1980 and although we were separated by more than a generation, we became fast friends. There was hardly a week during which we did not meet or communicate with each other and this close companionship lasted until his death.

Cecil Jayasinghe was born in Polgahawela. He had his early education at Ampitiya English School and later at Mahinda College, Galle. He graduated in 1958 and joined the Local Government Service for a short spell and thereafter the Education Department as a Teacher and served for more than ten years.

He qualified as an Advocate and practised in Kandy and Colombo High Courts until his demise. He was also in-charge of the Lawyers’ Library in the Kandy courts for nearly 30 years and was also the Legal Advisor to the Kandy Municipal Council for a considerable time, attending to the council's legal work free of charge. He was also instrumental in getting the land to build the new office complex for lawyers in Kandy.

He travelled to Colombo to meet the former Justice Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda to get it expedited. He also passed a resolution through the Kandy Municipal Council along with Hector Wickramaratne, Attorney-at-law, to re-erect the Ward statue in front of the Kandy Railway Station in honour of Sir Henry Ward a distinguished Governor, whose liberal English views of Gladstone gave vent in Ceylon at that time and that his place in history should be given appropriate recognition by authorities, was his views.

Cecil Jayasinghe was also a very active member of Rev. Fr. Augustine Berrawaert's commemoration committee, who was the founder and the first principal at Ampitiya English School where Jayasinghe had his early education. He was a long standing leftist in Kandy and had also contributed many articles to the daily newspapers. His death caused an immense void not only to me but also to countless many, known to him.

May he attain the Bliss of Nibbana !

Lloyd V. Ponnambalam

Fr. Michael Rodrigo OMI:

Priest, hero and martyr of the poor

He was often seen clad in pure snow-white, walking briskly the short distance between the Oblate Scholasticate and the National Seminary, Ampitiya hugging a stack of books and notes for the classes which he so loved to impart the knowledge he acquired in Rome, Paris and in daily life with the students and people.

Though very busy and involved in numerous new projects, he never missed an occasion to listen to a worker's grievance in the seminary gardens, help solve an interacting problem in the community and take time to discuss life's situations with scholastics and seminarians in a very positive manner.

In the Methodology and Liturgy classes he taught, he was a consciousness teacher and a disciplinarian. Should he observe a little sign of impertinence in the class, he would quip, smilingly of course, “Beware, there are two ways to be popular but helas, one is very cheap!”

Long before computers appeared he taught his students the methods of 'computerize' diverse information on square cards classified in alphabetical order. His liturgical innovations thrilled many in the two seminaries. Long before the renewal movement of the Vatican Council he was a proponent of the vernacular mass in the scholasticate.

Father Michael Rodrigo OMI lived his priestly life to the full before our eyes in the full sense of the word, following his Master, by being very close to the scholastics and seminarians and by being at the behest of neighbouring villages, remote farmers and peasants in their daily toils and sufferings.

We also have often witnessed him in the role of the Good Samaritan. He would never miss being at the sick-bed of a fellow priest to utter a few soothing words, to say a healing prayer and leave behind a little part of his meager resources with the sick person. On an invitation from the then Bishop of Badulla Dr. Leo Nanayakkara, Fr. Mike as we all affectionately called him, moved to Sewaka Sevana, the house of formation in Bandarawela to help out in forming a service-bound, outreach-minded indigenous ministers and ministries. This was in renouncement of an offer from a leading French Catholic University, Institut Catholique, for a prestigious professorial position with a sure promise of Parisian high living and fame.

After fulfilling his task with dedication and to the best of his ability at Sewaka Sevana, he proceeded to live out his ultimate ideal to be a Minister of Christ to the poor. He chose the rural village of Alukalawita in Buttala in the Wellassa region, set up his house there, named it Subaseth Gedara and lived with the poor people of the place, experiencing their lot as part of his own life. He 'learnt' in his own words, 'at their feet, patience, tolerance, acceptance of suffering and belief in solidarity'. These were a few of the Sara Dharmas of rural life. In return, he showed them slowly and surely through his life, the practice of the love commandment (Matthew 19:19) involving dialogue and love of the neighbour as one's self.

He was a striking witness to God's love through the love of his neighbour. This was no easy task. It involved all the conditions of a costly discipleship. Fr. Mike knew this and he was all prepared for this. As he put it in his own words, he would be the oil and the Lord the flame and both would burn unto death because death is life. So he lived among the poor and weak as one of them and carried the cross of life with them as the Lord did, facing bravely the challenges and fighting the evil of the society firmly unto the ultimate sacrifice, paying the price with his life. People of the faiths respected him, found knowledge, solace and hope in him and valued his witness among them immensely.

This is why every year in the month of November, people here and abroad come together, without any difference of religion, to commemorate his death with tears and gratitude, calling him a hero proclaiming him a martyr and wishing him declared a saint. The 25th anniversary of his death falls this year.

May the Lord, who gave much to the poor and to us through him, also give us a grateful heart to thank Him for Fr. Mike by emulating his precious witness, though perhaps in a smaller way in our own life.

S. D armasena
Paris, France.

Dr. C.S.P. Jayawardene (Sam):

Best Photographer during his heyday

A year has passed after the demise of Dr. C.S.P. Jayawardene, fondly known as Sam, of Colombo 5 after a brief hospital stay, at the age of 84 leaving his family and friends in great sorrow. He was a very compassionate Doctor of Medicine, hailing from Gampaha. His father was Dr. Charles Jayawardene and mother Nanda of Hanchapola. Sam distinguished himself academically at Royal College before entering the Colombo Medical College. He got married in 1957 to Soma, daughter of a famous Ayurvedic Doctor. He was attached to the Government Health Department for a long period serving in island-wide hospitals. Sam spent one year in England doing his post-graduate studies in 1964. From the government service, he joined the Colombo Municipality and served in several clinics in the city, as the M.O. and was a very good friend of the common man. He treated nearly 200 patients daily in these clinics. His forte was his ability to diagnose the condition of a patient quickly and to treat properly if it was within his general medical capability or refer the patient immediately to a specialist doctor instead of dragging his own treatment. His integrity and honesty were admired by all his patients as he was straight-forward and to the point with his patients when it came to divulging medical conditions and advice.

Sam retired and continued to serve the community through his private clinic in Colombo 5. He was also the accredited Medical Officer of the Ministry of Defence in Oman from around 1984 to 1998 to screen all applicants to access the fitness to serve the MOD Oman, where a large number of Sri Lankans worked.

May he attain Nibbana!

Ariyasumithra Wijeratne