Appreciations
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He
was much more than Prince Charming of the Police Would senior bureaucrats garner super power, take full responsibility and say "No" to a Minister or MP and "Yes" to a well established NGO? Rudra would and did. Politicians
respect those who do not shuffle thoughts and papers, especially
work of worth and immediate operational nature. But this is incompatible
in a country in which economic solutions are riddled with corruption.
It was 1970. A property at 25, Temple Road, Modera in this congested slum area had been gifted to the De La Salle Brothers’ ‘Mission for the poor’ giving bread once a week to the poor. The donor of the property lived next door at No. 51, Watersmeet. He had died and Watersmeet had fallen into complete disrepair and was now occupied by some narcotics dealers, prostitutes and ‘kappam’ (extortionist) men. A heritage building, with a beautiful sea-front- vandalised. It faced the Hindu temple and St. James Church was behind. Years later, I rang Rudra who was then IGP. Within a week, the police raided No. 51 and took everyone to the Police Station. The late owner’s daughter resident in U.K. moved security in and finally sold it to the De La Salle Brothers. Directors were appointed: Bro. Emmanuel, Bro. Marc, Dr. Brighty de Mel and myself as Executive Director, a lawyer and accountant Hector Fernando. An institution to give drop-outs, non schoolgoing children vocational training with consumer knowledge for girls and women free was set up. It was 'learn to earn' in Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW). They were trade tested by NAITA (National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority) and given a national certificate. 'Plenty
Canada' moved in for two years with soya and set up the Catering
Section. The Group of Five with V.L. Wirasinha and Ranil Senanayake
and the Back to Indigenous Food and Medicine programme was launched
as well. There
are more stories to tell, some sad, some hilarious. Rudra was SP,
Mannar and my husband Raine was G. A. Vavuniya. Both were Trinitians.
He
was reading a book in bed. "Rudra for God’s sake, with
all this chaos what are you doing in bed"? On
another week-end in Mannar, we accompanied him in his jeep inspecting
Police on the watch-out for illegal immigrants from India. Suddenly
a policeman rushed out from hiding "Get back Sir, Get back
Sir, we've spotted an illegal boat and are just about to shoot the
flares,” he said. The flares were shot too soon. The boatmen
pushed the women and children overboard and turning rushed away.
Eighteen bodies were washed ashore the next day. Aubrey Collette,
the famous cartoonist has illustrated this incident on Page 180
of my book, What did upset Rudra was Police Operating Section 35 (b) would place a 12-year-old child in the care of any fit person-- decent middle-class families, and there were many. But now the hyperactive market of false accusations keeps these people away. Where have all the good people gone, was Rudra's comment. Lorna Wright He
was both mentor and teacher His
death has left a deep void among his family and relatives and among
the larger number of his friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka and
abroad. He retired in 1988 as Additional Director of Irrigation. After retirement he continued to serve as Consultant to the ID for a further three years. Thereafter he was employed as a consultant at "TEAMS" and then was Director, Water Resources Board and Director ICTAD. Even at the time of his death he was functioning as the Chairman of the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum. He was an active ex-co member of about 20 professional associations, societies and NGOs. He served as the President of the Institute of Engineers and was the President for over five years of the Association of Franco-Ceylonese Technologies. Some of the Societies and Associations were kept alive due to his untiring efforts and dedication. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife Hema and children. May
he attain the bliss of Nibbana Anton
Joseph Alles My good friend Anton is no more. He died on March 7 this year. I grieve his loss because he was a very quiet and lovable person in our batch. Those were the happiest days in our lives when we joined the General Hospital, Colombo, as trainee x-ray technicians. We were a carefree lot; we were just out of school and grew in our working environment with utmost cordiality and friendship. I admired Anton as he was humble and devoted to his work throughout his career. It was his real Catholic spirit and upbringing which gave him the strength of his noble character and excellent moral integrity. He was the Honoree Treasurer for our trade union, The Government X-ray Technical Officers’ Association, for nearly 25 years. This is an unblemished record of service for a single person to hold such a position for so long. He served last as the Supdt. Radiographer, Chest Hospital, Welisara. After his retirement he worked as radiographer at the Healthcare Lab at Horton Place, Colombo, and at Glass House. Anton
was a very good and practising Catholic. I am sure that in the true
Catholic spirit, Anton's family was a source of consolation to him
in the last lap of his life. Anton's much loved wife passed away
a few years before him, but his deep trust in his religion and in
the Heavenly Father must have given him the moral strength to face
all life’s trials and tribulations with courage. She
was a pillar of strength She was barely twenty when she left to Talawakelle to spend a holiday in a tea estate where her elder sister lived with her family. Little did she know, that fate would have her meet a handsome, cheerful man from Kandy, who was employed on the same estate. Soon the Lord paved the way and they tied the nuptial knot which lasted for 60 long years. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters. Twenty five years they stayed on in Talawakelle to raise the family and educate the children with good Christian values. Then they moved to Kandy to spend the rest of their lives. Thirty five golden years they were to be, which both of them dedicated to the service of the Lord and the service of man. Their eldest daughter 'Mani' was sent to the Convent to serve as a Franciscan Missionary of Mary. Their two sons are holding responsible positions in prestigious institutions. Enid mamma was sensitive to the needs of her relatives and neighbours. She touched their lives deeply. When any need arose, or there was a function she would rush from Kandy to Moratuwa, do her maximum and get back after a few days. She was a pillar of strength to her sisters and brothers. She could admonish with great foresight and was able to solve a problem very tactfully. She was talented in embroidery and the culinary field. Every niece has at least one item of beautiful embroidery which she gave them. She made cakes for the weddings of some relatives and neighbours. During our memorable holidays with her in Talawakelle and Kandy she fed us delicious meals. In August last year she clebrated her 60th wedding anniversary. The gratitude of her neighbours in Kundasale was seen in the large gathering that was present at her funeral. The
Bishop of Kandy, 15 priests and several religious sisters and laity
were also present at the funeral service. The orations were touching.
Berney Fernando A man
with a heart of gold Charlie
was working in the Freight Dept. and did so until he retired. Charlie has been a wonderful and caring friend to me and my family down the years. He was always ever ready to help anyone who asked for help be it big or small and no one would ever know he had. Charlie was such an unassuming and humble person with a heart of gold. Although Charlie and family were living in Australia and my family and I in Canada we always kept in touch. I met Charlie last in June 2004 when I visited Melbourne and stayed with him and Phyllis for a few days. We then had the opportunity to reminisce about the good times both families were fortunate enough to have shared. Charlie
was always with a smile and nothing ever worried him. He was pleasant,
calm and collected at all times. That was his nature. He
was a wonderful husband to Phyllis and Dad to Roddy and Dirk and
a dear friend to many who will miss him. Sheila Wijeratne Hugs, kisses at the gates of heaven Ruth
Rajamalar Yet
you were first and before us Nelson, Niron and Jennifer
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