Appreciations
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true friend of Lankan expats in UAE Chandi was a sincere friend to all Sri Lankans in the Middle East. Everything he did in business or otherwise was aimed at serving the Sri Lankan expatriates, especially those in the UAE where he was based. My contact with Chandi began in 1983 and developed into a strong friendship over the years. He was the only Sri Lankan in the UAE on whom I could unreservedly count on to support various community, social and sports activities we organized through the "Lanka Lions" of which I am a past president. In addition to developing effectively the core business of Trico/Frico International, a clearing and freight forwarding company, Chandi embarked on setting up a number of service-related ventures such as a Sri Lankan grocery, restaurants, entertainment and Sinhala programmes broadcast to the Middle Eastern countries by renowned Sri Lankan announcers through the UAQ Radio. He wanted to make the Middle East a "Home away from home" for the Sri Lankans there. Another important activity initiated by Chandi was a counselling service at the Frico office in Dubai, to advise Sri Lankan workers particularly women who faced hardships and ill treatment from employers. He began this service at a time when there were no Sri Lankan consulates in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Dedicated personnel having knowledge in this field were engaged to provide this service. He was virtually an "unofficial Sri Lankan Consul" in Dubai. Chandi, the great human being left us at the young age of 42 years after achieving much and leaving fond memories among all those who knew him. Lakith Peiris The
right man for the tough job When Nahil Wijesuriya decided to build a sports club for Trinitians at the Asgiriya grounds, his only choice for managing the project was Huthaifa. Again, the rest is history. Successive presidents of the Trinity College Old Boys Association took on the mantle of office with the assurance that Huthaifa would be the moving spirit. Be it Senator B.H. Dunuwille, Madawela Dissawe, M.D.H. Jayawardena, E.L. Senanayake, Hector Kobbekaduwa, Willie Ratnavale, Neville Samarakoon or Kavan Rambukwella - all of whom regretfully have departed - they counted so much on Huthaifa's unparalleled abilities and unstinting commitment. The dependency continued with subsequent presidents as well, up to the time of Huthaifa's passing away. I recall the time when the late Attorney Lakshman Wijegoonewardena - perhaps the longest serving secretary of the Association - wanted to call it quits. He was coaxed to stay on with the assurance that Huthaifa would function as the de facto secretary. Together with such dedicated personalities as Harry Goonetileke, Huthaifa took on the challenge of transforming the traditionally conservative town of Kandy with the much renowned annual social event - the "Rugger Ball" - that follows the Bradby Shield match. While management and logistics were his forte, I cannot recall anyone in the long history of Trinity who strove so hard, for so long, with such success as Huthaifa did in raising funds for the college. He had an unbroken record of serving continuously in one capacity or another, including that of vice president in the OBA - an achievement that was recognized and feted during the "Night of the Lions" event a few years ago. While the wings of history leave many a person behind and forgotten, Huthaifa lived a life that was inherently associated with Trinity - one could say that much of his own history was tightly linked to the history and events of Trinity for beyond half a century. He displayed the same passion when he was a trustee of the mosque down (what was then called) King's Street. He was devoted to the poor and friendless. Their cause was his concern. And so he brought joy to a countless number of people, young and old. In a fitting tribute he paid to his Master for the blessings bestowed on him, Huthaifa undertook the Haj pilgrimage a few years ago. We pray that Almighty Allah rewards him with paradisiacal bliss for his faith, service to the community, and for being the gentleman and good Samaritan he was. M.V. Muhsin A sister
beyond compare She was many things to me; from the time I was little she was my guide, my mentor, my role model, my confidante, my friend and above all, my dearest Big Sis who meant the world to me. Today, three interminable years after her loss I remember with utmost gratitude all she did for me. I cherish every moment I spent in her company and above all remember the special love that bound us three sisters in a loving family embrace. The courage and fortitude with which she endured years of physical pain were her lasting example to me and it is this quality of Dinesha that gives me the courage to endure this ever-present and terrible grief of losing her so suddenly in the prime of life. I know I was blessed to be her sister for she was truly a sister beyond compare. Nirma Samarawickrema Doyen
of Lanka’s academic lawyers The legal establishment of the day led by practitioners and the Council of Legal Education viewed law as essentially a practical subject best learned on the job. The Colombo Law College had been responsible for training lawyers for more than 75 years and it was felt in Hulftsdorp that there was no need for another centre of legal education. The Council of Legal Education was initially reluctant to recognize the new law degree. They even opposed granting exemptions to law graduates from some of the council's own professional examinations. However, later they relented, probably after the appointment of Sir Francis Soertsz, a retired Supreme Court Judge, as the first Professor of Law. Nadarajah was appointed Reader in Law and concentrated on the organization of the courses to be taught. Tambyah Nadarajah was born on December 27, 1917 to a conservative, Tamil Hindu family. His father, Murugaser Tambyah, was a wealthy landowner. His mother, Sivanandam, a most gentle and cultivated lady, was the daughter of Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam. She was the dominant influence in Nadaraja's earlier years and it was from her that he acquired his life long love of books and learning. Following several generations of his family on both sides, Nadaraja received his secondary education at Royal College. Among his contemporaries were Pieter Keuneman, H.W. Jayawardene, Sam Kadirgamar, Glanville Peiris, P. Nadesan, Neville Jansz and Professor Douglas Amerasekera. At Royal, he won several prizes including the coveted Shakespeare prize, which he won beating Pieter Keuneman, a contender and winner of the previous year. After a year at the University College in Colombo, he proceeded to Cambridge where he was admitted as an undergraduate of Trinity Hall to read Law. The choice of College was apt, for it had been founded in 1350 principally for the study of Law and over many centuries it produced several distinguished lawyers in Britain and its colonies. Nadaraja found fulfillment by securing a first in the Law Tripos in 1940 and being elected a scholar of the College. He was also awarded many prizes at the College. - A Well-wisher |
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