Appreciations
View(s):He had all the hallmarks of an excellent hotelier
WALTER PERUMAL
Walter Perumal, the genial hotelier passed away on September 1, at the age of 70 years in Melbourne, Australia. Walter was a past pupil of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St Aloysius College, Galle where he excelled, among other things,in cricket.
My friendship with Walter began when he joined the Ceylon Hotel School in 1969 – the boy from the south joining some of the boys from the rest of the country. Walter embedded in the crowd like duck to water. In happier times, we were living at the Hotel School hostel, the historic house, ‘Sefton’ at No. 78,Stuart Place opposite present-day Cinnamon Grand on the sea side. There were no differences between seniors and juniors, as we all lived under one roof. The Sefton is no more.
The ‘Sefton Boys’, as we were well known then, have great memories of our time there. Walter was the sportsman of repute amongst us. We were also exposed to the practical but fine art of hospitality management which allowed the products to secure employment in the fast-developing hotel industry.
The three-year management programme had all the trimmings to make a raw individual into a polished hospitality executive. Some of them carry the Sri Lankan flag in various locations locally as well as overseas. Some pursued careers overseas but Walter stayed put working his way up initially joining Pegasus Reef Hotel, in the outskirts of Colombo. Then he joined Browns Beach Hotel, Negombo as Assistant General Manager before making his mark as the General Manager there. He was loved by his customers and staff alike. Subsequently, he managed the Confifi Group of Hotels, prior to seeking greener pastures in Australia in 1985.
His leadership qualities proved well beyond his career achievements. He was a past president of Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association and at the time of his death, the president of the Australia/ New Zealand chapter of the same orgnisation based in Melbourne.
He continued his success working Down Under, in various organisations. His career was not only limited to hospitality but later in life he also managed other businesses. He was also the local batting hero, skills he honed while playing cricket both at St. Joseph’s and St. Aloysius. Much to the amusement of his Aussie friends, on one occasion, he hammered a blistering century which included 23 fours and a six before being stretchered to the pavilion with muscle cramps. Cricketing was in the blood of the Perumal family. Some of his brothers and cousins played cricket for their respective schools. His brother, Bryan Perumal, St. Joseph’s College skipper in 1963, was a bowler of repute many batsmen feared. His other brother, Felix Perumal, captained the formidable Police Cricket team which won the Government services ‘A’ Division championship in 1967/68 and 68/69.
Friends recall how generous Walter was setting fine examples for others to follow. He was a man always willing to help others without exception. Whether a party at home or in a hotel,it was evident that he was the standout host, a hallmark of an excellent hotelier. His style of hospitality had no borders.
His demise, after a prolonged illness, was a great loss not only to his family but also to his numerous friends. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. Walter will be sorely missed by his loving wife Cordelia, sons Colin, Wendell and Keith and many friends around the world.
May he rest in peace.
Ranjith Samaranayake
She was like a sister to me
Mary Anne Murugesen
I met Mary Anne Murugesen when she came to work as a telephone operator at the Assembly of God church, Kollupitiya where I worked as a secretary. We got to know each other well and shared a wonderful friendship.
Her mother Aunty Lorna was planning to visit her brother in Bangkok and requested me to come and stay with Mary Anne when she was away. I accepted and thereafter would go and stay whenever Aunty Lorna wanted me to. I got close to the family and they were very kind to me. Later Aunty Lorna had a room built for me and I moved in to stay with them.
Mary Anne was a clever, capable, beautiful, talented, well mannered young lady. She taught me many lessons. She was generous and God fearing. She was like a sister to me. I was the exact oppoosite to her but we got on very well. Her brother too was like a brother to me. I was blessed to have her as my friend and be part of their family.
She was very independent and able to do many things on her own so much so it was difficult to think that she was differently abled. She could sew, cook, decorate cakes beautifully and was computer savvy. She was also able to attend to her affairs with great efficiency.
When she moved to a new house, I was able to help her move but a short time later she was taken ill and had to enter hospital. I waited and prayed with her at the hospital but God saw it fit to take her. Thankfully she did not suffer.
I miss her greatly and am sorry she is no longer with us Memories of the happy times we had will always be with me. I have the assurance that she is with Jesus in Heaven and that I will meet her one day.
A friend
The void left by his passing will be hard to fill
NEVILLE JAYAWEERA
I was much saddened to hear of the death of Uncle Neville in London during the height of the coronavirus outbreak in May this year. Sadly, his beloved wife Trixie had also passed away a few days earlier.
Uncle Neville and my mother were batchmates and close friends at Peradeniya University. After passing out in 1954, my mother joined Radio Ceylon while Uncle Neville joined the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service. He was one of the brightest products of the Civil Service and was Government Agent of Ratnapura, Badulla and Jaffna. However, the pinnacle of his career was when he was appointed Director General of Radio Ceylon in 1965 and as he often said, he caught up with his close colleague – my mother, after more than 10 years.
He went on to become the Chairman of the newly formed Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation and many innovative programmes were produced during this period. He took the initiative to introduce Sinhala pop music to be aired over the English Service which resulted in singers like C.T. Fernando and Clarence Wijewardene becoming household names among the English speaking Sinhala community in the cities. He also brought back the famous Sunil Shantha from the wilderness and encouraged him to record several masterpieces.
With the change of Government in 1970, Uncle Neville was posted as Government Agent - Vavuniya but shortly afterwards, migrated to England and held top positions in the BBC, Commonwealth Secretariat and World Christian Organization. After retirement, he spent a quiet life in Kent with his wife, devoting himself to religion, meditation and writing. His only daughter unfortunately predeceased him in 2017.
During my mother’s last months in 2016, Uncle Neville used to call regularly from London to inquire about her health and also give her strength and courage to overcome all health difficulties for which gesture I am always grateful. Even after her demise, he wrote a long e-mail to me and also had a nostalgic telephone conversation reminiscing the past.
May his soul Rest in Peace!
Mangala Herat Gunaratne