Appreciations
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He
liberated the Ruhuna people The political life and culture of D.A. and D.M. were so organically linked that they are ever remembered collectively. D.M., the elder brother was an acknowledged leader of Sri Lankan anti-imperialist movement and indomitable champion of the downtrodden people of Ruhuna. Though his political career was relatively brief, his name is rightfully associated with the galaxy of pioneering Left leaders such as Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe, Dr. N.M. Perera, Phillip Gunawardena and Dr. Colvin R. de Silva. Though he never held ministerial portfolios, his brief political career had an indelible imprint and a profound impact on the lives of the people so deeply as to be ever remembered. Ever since D.M. entered the second State Council in 1936 as member for Hambantota, this district has been represented in Parliament by one, two or more members of his family. D.M. first entered the election fray in 1931 together with his brother D.A. supporting Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe in the neighbouring Morawaka seat which embraced the present electorates of Deniyaya, Hakmana, Kamburupitiya and Devinuwara. When D.M. was closely associated with the anti-imperialist Suriya Mal movement he had to traverse the entire country and it was his brother D.A. being a grassroots leader who maintained links with the people. While D.M. was a national leader, D.A. was a regional leader. D.A was confronted with his first challenge in life, when his beloved brother suddenly died of a heart attack on the floor of the House in the old State Council. The burden of looking after both the families fell on D.A. at a time when all the children were of school-going age. The challenge was so overwhelming that D.A. refused to be drawn into the by-election for the Hambantota District purely for economic reasons. I am personally aware how my uncle – my mother’s brother, D.S.P. Amarasekara, a close friend of D.A. (Dostara Punchi Mahattaya) then resident at Ambalantota – prevailed upon him to accept the challenge and face the by-election. He was taken to the Hambantota Kachcheri in my uncle’s car on nomination day. The impact of D.M.’s sudden death was so overwhelming that none of the political adversaries representing Mudliyars, Muhandirams and Village Headmen who aspired to contest had the guts to face up to D.A. the silent. So, he was returned uncontested. We as children were privileged to witness the reception accorded to the uncontested hero in our home on his way back to Weeraketiya from the Kachcheri on nomination day. The heartening news flashed through the backwoods of Giruwa Pattu and Magam Pattu, bringing relief and ease to the grief-stricken people shocked by D.M.’s sudden demise. D.A. kept the people together with him throughout his struggle carrying forward his brother’s policies to the hilt. He was silent but strong and courageous in his convictions. In spite of many vicissitudes, he stood up to the challenges through the strength of his qualities and political convictions. His childhood sacrifices, the environment in which he lived and the culture in which he was nurtured, all moulded D.A.’s character which was the measure of his greatness. I remember how D.A. with all his children in his old car visited his wife’s ancestral home at Palatuwa in Matara, when we students of Rahula used to have our week-end swims in the Nilwala Ganga flowing through the paddy fields of Palatuwa. D.A who was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Lands in the W. Dahanayake Government stepped down from office within 14 days of his appointment at the height of the political crisis caused by the assassination of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. He was so attached to Premier Bandaranaike that he was not prepared to associate with the leaders remotely connected with the assassination of his beloved leader. His silent entry to the Cabinet and equally the silent exit from the government was so eloquent, symbolizing the character of D.A. The Hambantota District with its historic Giruwa Pattu and Magam Pattu was not what it is today, when the two senior Rajapakses first entered national politics in the 1930s through the Suriya Mal movement. It has taken giant strides in social development, thanks to them who liberated the people of Ruhuna from the shackles of colonialism and feudalism. This is precisely why they should be remembered each year with respect and honour so that posterity would continue to remember that they pioneered the struggle for social development.
Dew Gunasekera He
was a source of inspiration to us Gamini, a student of Sivali, was a dashing young man during his schooldays, fair and handsome. He was loved by all. He was an excellent sportsman and excelled at cricket as a fast bowler and opening batsman for the college, establishing a number of records in his time. Though he was much senior to us, we cultivated a close friendship with him during the past three decades as active members of the Past Pupils’ Association’s Colombo branch. He took a keen interest in improving the lot of the present student population, discharging whatever responsibilities entrusted to him with devotion and diligence. Having retired as a Probation officer, he lived a happy and contented life with his family. His children are all doing well and daughter Laxmi is the Deputy Principal of Royal College. Gamini never missed any of the monthly meetings of the association or any of the trips. His presence was a source of inspiration and pleasure to all of us. He was jovial and took life easy having discharged his responsibilities to his family. He lived a simple and unassuming life but enjoyed every minute of it. Gamini was an eloquent speaker and writer in English. He regularly contributed English articles to our periodical "Ape Withthi" and was our mentor in all activities we undertook. Gamini was a man of sterling qualities. He never hated, antagonized or envied anyone. He was a friend in need and would go out of his way to extend a helping hand. In short he was a man for all seasons. We have lost the live wire in our association and the void created can hardly be filled. Though he has left us, his name is enshrined in the hearts of all of us who enjoyed his company. He was no doubt, an unforgettable character we have met in our life. Our deepest sympathies go to Rathnavali, Gamini's wife, sons, daughters and all his relatives. May Gamini attain the supreme bliss of "Nibbana" and may his journey in Sansara be short. - Thilak Iddamalagoda A distinguished
police officer and gentleman boxer Eddie Grey had been a product of Royal College, Colombo. He had been a college cadet, and captained the college at rugger, athletics and boxing. Boxing was his forte. He joined the Ceylon Police Force as a Sub-Inspector straight from college in 1937 and dominated the next twenty years in the Police, excelling in several fields. He represented Ceylon in boxing, in the lightweight division at the 1948 London Olympics where Duncan White won a silver medal in the 400 metres hurdles. Eddie Grey represented Sri Lanka again in boxing at the 1950 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. He was an excellent horse rider and was the first Ceylonese to be in charge of the Police stables. During this period he used to ride horses with Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake every morning and when the Prime Minister fell down from the Police mare "Chitra" at the Galle Face Green on the morning of March 22, 1952, it was he took who took the Prime Minister to hospital. There were allegations in the media that the mare had stumbled and caused the fall. Eddie right throughout maintained that the mare never stumbled but the Prime Minister fell quite suddenly. His version was proved to be correct later when the famous neuro-surgeon, Professor Juma who was flown from Pakistan to treat the Prime Minister confirmed that he suffered a stroke whilst riding. Eddie's sense of fair play was well known. Once when he was boxing at an international meet with Gene Raymond, Raymond’s gum-guard had got dislodged from his mouth and had fallen. Raymond had bent down to pick the gum-guard. Eddie Grey had ample time to finish his opponent, but he took a step back and allowed Raymond to fix his gum guard and continued fighting. Eddie lost the bout but the loudest applause was for the loser. Eddie had been a distinguished police officer. He had an unblemished record and the necessary qualifications for his promotion to the rank of Asst.Superintendent of Police. But some say he was deprived of his promotion due to professional jealousy entertained by his seniors. Eddie got disgusted of the police service and retired prematurely. But his love for boxing made him visit the boxing ring at the Police Field Headquarters and coach the budding boxers. He
retired from the police service in 1957, the day I joined the service.
Ananda
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