Appreciations
View(s):My father, the guru of telecom in Sri Lanka
F.V.V. Watson
My father, Vernon Watson was born on April 19, 1927. A year when Telecommunications was taking its first steps, when the very first transatlantic telephone call was made between New York and London. His career started and ended in Government Service – joining the Department of Post and Telecommunications as an Assistant Engineer, he went on to be the founding Chairman of “Sri Lanka Telecom” transforming it from a Government Department to a Corporation.
Vernon grew up in colonial Ceylon, one of seven boys to Gunam and Emily Watson. Some events shape the man that we become, and such an event happened when Vernon was eight. He lost his father to a rare illness that affected the kidney. Vernon grew up with his brothers in Mount Lavinia and attended the school by the sea, S. Thomas’ College. It is here that I believe, he learnt not just his English, Latin and Maths but values and humility that came to embody his life of service to this country.
He would be quite mad at me for writing this appreciation as he never wanted any recognition or awards despite the many achievements of his life. His request was for a private funeral and no obituary. He left us in June 2018 at the age of 91.
None of the success he achieved could have been done without the support and encouragement of Irene, his childhood sweetheart who he married in 1954. They were together for 64 years. They say that when there is such a strong bond between two souls, they seek each other out even beyond this world. Irene missing him, joined him in October 2019.
Vernon graduated from the University of Ceylon with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948, the first batch of graduates to pass out in the year of Independence. Wanting to further his studies, he sailed to London in 1948 and pursued another BSc in Engineering this time from the University of London. It was here in the United Kingdom that he learnt about Telecommunications -a new and little-known subject. On his return to Ceylon he was passionate about teaching this new technology to others. His first job was as an Assistant Lecturer at the Engineering Faculty in the University of Ceylon. He later joined the Department of Post and Telecommunications as an Assistant Engineer. His passion for teaching Telecommunications never left him and during his long tenure in the Department, he continued to be a visiting lecturer at the University of Ceylon Peradeniya and Katubedde campus.
In the early 60’s hardly anyone studied Telecommunications. In his class at Peradeniya, the final year had only four students. He soon realized that if the Department of Post and Telecommunications was going to keep pace with the changing world, they needed more qualified engineers in this field and despite his full-time job, he journeyed both to Peradeniya and Katubedde regularly to lecture in Telecommunications.
This tussle between being a teacher and an engineer came to a head in 1972. He was offered the post of Professor of Telecommunications at Katubedde, but the Minister and Department did not want to release him as he was undertaking the Outer Colombo Area Project installing phone lines to an expanding city. The waiting time for a phone line was counted in years in outer Colombo and the Minister was feeling the political heat to fix this issue.
The dawn of international communication via satellites in the early 70’s was the execution of the 1945 vision of Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Given the role of managing the Overseas Telecommunication Services in the Department, Vernon project-managed the construction of the first Satellite Earth station at Padukka. It was opened in May 1976 by Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. This gave Sri Lanka its first direct dialling service to overseas countries. Vernon was under a lot of pressure to deliver the project on time before the Summit of Heads of State of Non-Aligned Countries in August that year.
In 1977, at the age of 50 he took early retirement from Public Service and took up a position as Chief Engineer in the Transport and Communications Department with the Government of Malawi. His role was funded by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation. His success in transforming that organization, encouraging and training locals to take on the expat positions caught the attention of the President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda and he was offered the post of Postmaster General of Malawi in 1980. A unique position for a
Sri Lankan.
Vernon had a good working relationship with Arthur C. Clarke which was initiated at the time of the Satellite Earth Station project in Sri Lanka. On his return in 1983, he was tasked by the Ministry of Higher Education to establish the Arthur C. Clarke Centre for Modern Technologies.
In 1990, the Minister for Post and Telecommunications Alick Aluwihare appointed him as Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom to transform the Department of Telecommunications into a Government-owned Corporation. The main mandate was to provide telephones on demand by 1995. The Managing Director was P.K Wickramarachi and together their biggest challenge was resistance to change by staff and Unions. The landscape for telecommunications was also changing with the introduction of mobile communications. Vernon was trusted as a leader who had come up the ranks of the Department and had taught most of the engineers now in charge and in the Union. This was the key to him convincing everyone that Sri Lanka Telecom was the best way forward for the country.
In 1993, in recognition of the success in setting up Sri Lanka Telecom, President Premadasa requested him to extend his Chairmanship by another three years, but Vernon decided to call time, after 41 years of service to the Governments of Ceylon,
Sri Lanka, Malawi and Mauritius.
Vijendran Watson
Two shining stars who won’t dim with time
Shantha Mayadunne and Nisanga Mayadunne
On Wednesday, April 21, Sri Lankans everywhere, together with the global community, stopped to remember the countless lives that were taken during the Easter Sunday bombings. Two years have passed since that tragic day when the violent actions of a few affected the lives of so many.
Amongst those we lost were our Punchi Amma – Shantha Mayadunne and our cousin – Nisanga Mayadunne – two people whose loss wasn’t just felt by family and friends, but by the nation as a whole.
We are the children of Shantha Mayadunne’s eldest sister. Punchi Amma and our mother were not just sisters but each other’s trusted confidants and closest of friends. Our families have always been close, have always supported each other through the good and bad times, but none of the bad experiences shared can compare to the morning when we received the news that our beloved Punchi Amma and Nisanga Akka had been murdered. The reality of what happened that day still feels like a distinct nightmare that we are all waiting to wake up from.
Punchi Amma and Nisanga Akka were both more alike than they would have ever admitted, and both in the limelight – Punchi Amma nearing the end of her career, and Akka just beginning hers. Many people will remember Shantha Mayadunne for her accomplishments as a TV Chef. She featured in several cooking shows and demonstrations and was loved by the people of Sri Lanka for bringing flavoursome and accessible recipes to households everywhere. Some may not know that she was the first female TV Chef in Sri Lanka – a tremendous accomplishment by any standard.
Punchi Amma rose to the top of the culinary industry in Sri Lanka for her unique brand of cooking which catered to the masses. “Quick and easy recipes” became synonymous with her image, together with a tastefully chosen Kandyan saree, hair tied back in a bun and an energy and smile that would have brought warmth to anyone that met her.
She travelled across the nation to introduce her recipes in live cooking demonstrations, always with the intention of bringing her food to all homes, irrespective of class, race or ethnicity. Punchi Amma also participated in numerous TV shows and published three recipe books – ‘Rasa Bojun 1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’. The third book was published posthumously.
Punchi Amma was also an incredibly devoted mother and wife. She raised two daughters and was known as a selfless individual who treated everyone around her with love and compassion. She was a friend to so many, and always put the needs of others before herself. Bappa would tell you that his wife was the life force within their home.
Nisanga Akka was certainly her mother’s daughter, not only in appearance but also in personality. She attended Musaeus College in Colombo and gained a Bachelor of Science in Management with Law from the University of London and MBA from Sikkim University, India. Nisanga was at the beginning of her career as a TV personality – she participated in a number of TV shows, including as a judge on the popular show ‘Sri Lanka’s Got Talent’ and was the host of ‘Business Today’ on Channel Eye, interviewing business personalities from around the world. Nisanga was also well established in the banking sector with an influential role at Pan Asia Bank.
As the eldest female in a family that consists of 20 cousins on her mother’s side, she played her role as the head with kindness and great responsibility. Anyone that knew her personally would find it difficult to fit her character in a box . She was quick-witted, never failed to see the humour in things and she approached life with a spring in her step.
She was very fond of music. As a student, she came first in the All-Island Singing competition, and went onto successfully write songs for a number of popular singers. She also excelled in sport, particularly Squash and was the captain of her school Squash team who went onto become All-Island Squash champions. She was decorated with Public Schools Squash Colours and served as the Manager of Sri Lanka Junior Squash Team.
Like Punchi Amma, she was a devoted mother and wife. Her daughter was the jewel of her eye.
On this second anniversary of their passing, we have a chance to reflect on the legacy left behind by Punchi Amma and Nisanga Akka and all that they inspired within the people around them. Our love for Punchi Amma and Nisanga Akka is immeasurable and we are grateful to have had them in our lives but only wish it could have been for longer.
May they attain the supreme bliss of Sansara.
Tharindu Ellepola and Dinidu Ellepola
Osariya-clad beloved madam who instilled discipline in us
Seetha Mohottigedara
Seetha Mohottigedara (nee Seneviratne) affectionately called “Madam” by generations of Dharmaraja College Hostellers passed away peacefully, three months ago at the age of 90. She hailed from Ampitiya, Kandy.
She was Matron and in charge of the C dormitory from 1960 up to 1971 and again had a second stint in the 1990’s for a couple of years.
Her husband and two sons, Ananda and Jayampathi predeceased her and she is survived by her daughter Dilhara.
I remember her since January 13, 1966, the day I joined that hallowed institution as a 4th grade hosteller. I remember her as a very fair lady with curly hair, always dressed in Kandyan Osariya from dawn till the time she put us to sleep.
Madam instilled discipline in us waking us up at 5 a.m., brushing our teeth,washing our faces and then making sure we dressed smartly and looked well groomed!
May she be Matron of our beloved hostel in her next birth and be amongst us in the journey of Samsara.
Anil Ellepola (A grateful pupil)
She lived by her belief that ‘everyone needs someone’
PUSHPA RANJANI DE VAS GUNESEKARA
There is a saying “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect in, for I may not pass this way again.” How apt these words are when referring to Pushpa Ranjani de Vas Gunasekara.
Her passing away was certainly a sad moment for all of us. We will always remember the kindness and concern she showed to human beings following that well known saying ‘Everyone needs someone’.
If I were to speak of her illustrious past, she was the daughter of Charles and Daisy de Vas Gunasekara and the loving grand-niece of Sir Bennet and Lady Soysa, the founders of Mahamaya College in Kandy. She studied at Girls’ High School, Kandy and went on to do her higher studies at the University of Peradeniya. Passing out as an Arts Graduate at a very young age, she was on the staff of Rahula College till her retirement.
We could say that her innate belief that ‘everyone needs someone’ followed her even after her retirement as a well loved and devoted teacher. From 1991 she worked in a well known suicide prevention organization. She was very conscientious in following the norms of this body and when anyone came to meet her, she was always ready with a smile to give the person her undivided attention and time. She listened with concern and empathy without any sentimentality.
I was fortunate to work with her in 1992, just a year after she got involved in this organization and learnt a lot from her. I will never forget her love for the downtrodden and the less fortunate of society and her kind and approachable manner towards her colleagues. She was also very punctual. I cannot remember her missing an appointment.
Even though she is not with us physically she will certainly be close to us in memory. Let us therefore, say not in grief that she is not more. Instead let us say in thankfulness that she was! “A death is not the extinguishing of a light but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come”. (R. Tagore)
The poet William Blake was right when he said; “Joy and woe are woven fine. A clothing for the soul divine. Under every grief and pine runs a joy of silken twine.” In our grief of not having you with us physically dear Pushpa, lies the silken twine of joy of having known, associated and worked with you. The memory of you will always be there within us.
Goodbye dear Pushpa, till we meet again on the shores of eternity.
A colleague & friend
Remembering with gratitude
Daisy Don Willie
It is now four years since the passing of our foster aunt, who was the epitome of courage. She cared for our grandmother (her foster mother) and our disabled uncle until their deaths. Although her burden was great, she was blessed with an easy smile.
Our aunt was a giving person who had a heart of gold. Those whom she helped remember her with gratitude.
She was resourceful and supplemented her small income by engaging in trade. We remember her repairing binoculars until eyestrain put a stop to it.
After the death of our grandfather, our aunt ably ran his business establishment twice. She passed away with the closing down of the business, which was all she had known.
Her life was an example of fortitude and her many sacrifices will ever remain in the memory of those who cared about her.
A niece