People and Events
* Chutty Kitty his best
friend...
* Sweet taste of freedom
* Patchwork on display
* That Dutch connection
* Saying Goodbye
Chutty Kitty his best friend...
The only companion Captain Thenuwara had during
his long months in prison was 'Chutty Kitty', a tiny cat picked up on one
of his visits out of the prison. So fond was he of the animal that when
he was released and brought to Vavuniya, Captain Thenuwara brought his
pet along.
But that bond will not be broken, because even
at his home Chutty Kitty seems to follow his master. Even when Captain
Thenuwara goes to the toilet Kitty is seen seated outside the door. So
much so that when Captain Thenuwara was taken for medical treatment last
week to Colombo, Chutty Kitty too went along.
Sweet taste of freedom
By Shelani de Silva
Tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy last
week for the families of the three civilians and five soldiers released
by the LTTE after long periods in captivity.
For the families this was the best news they could have had after the
long years of anguish. Yet though reunited, there is much more they have
to do in the healing process. For the wives of the captives, these past
years have been a test of strength, for they not only had to survive alone
but stay cheerful for the sake of their children.
Unlike the families of the soldiers who are prepared for any eventuality
when their loved ones go to the battle field, the families of the three
civilians could not accept what befell them because 'They were not fighting
the war, but helping innocent people.' It was this same sentiment which
gave them hope, all through the dark months of separation.
Loyola Fernando, captain of the Iris Moana which was attacked by the
LTTE in 1995, Sujith Thenuwara, Captain of the MV Missan, which went down
one and a half years ago and Wijesekera. Munesinghe the cook of the ship
were the three civilians to be released last week.
Much has been written of their ordeal as prisoners, but what of their
families?
When Captain Thenuwara after serving on a ship for many years decided
to quit and start a business at his hometown in Nathandiya, his wife hoped
for a different life. But two days after his return home he had been asked
to come back to work and take over a new vessel ' Missan' which would be
heading to the North. Being a courageous man by nature, he had taken up
the challenge. But the challenge turned to horror when he along with his
crew were taken captive.
His family was informed not of his captivity but were told he could
be dead. For eight months they did not, however, lose hope. They visited
temples, kovils and churches. They were then informed by the ICRC that
he was among the POW's. So overjoyed were they that even today the family
says that news was the most important. It gave them hope. But many months
passed before their ordeal could end.
So it was a double celebration last Wednesday when Thenuwara celebrated
his second son's fifth B'day,and his own release.
The many months he spent in prison chained and without proper food did
not destroy Thenuwara's spirit, for at every opportunity he wrote to his
family, even making models of toy vehicles for his two sons. He cut out
vehicles on hardboard giving instructions to the two boys where they should
paste the various parts to make the model. He had even sent the boys question
papers. This kind of exchange he felt would keep alive the bond between
them. He says that he was never afraid of dying, only of not being able
to teach his sons all he knew.
While father and sons communicated, for his little daughter there was
no such comfort.
Thenuwara was taken captive when his wife was five months pregnant.
At the time he had believed that he would be blessed with a daughter and
had even then decided on a list of names. So when the daughter was born
she was given the name chosen by her father.
Although the family is reunited they still cannot hold back the tears
when they talk of their ordeal. One picture is especially poignant. It
shows Thenuwara's pregnant wife with the two boys, trying desperately to
smile through her tears at a studio...this was the first picture they sent
to him while in captivity.
His two sons like many other children whose father is in captivity had
been very boisterous before but lost their sparkle as their ordeal went
on.
"We never told the boys what exactly happened. We said he had gone
abroad, so they were hoping he would come home with toys. But you cannot
fool children. With the months passing, they started questioning. Recently,
the eldest came home after school and cried saying he was told that his
father was taken by the LTTE,' said Dulani, Thenuwara's sister-in-law.
While the family was trying to convince Sachin that his father would
return, the youngest Sajath had mistaken Sri Lanka's cricket captain Arjuna
Ranatunge for his father. Whenever there was a cricket match Sajath would
be glued to the TV to get a glimpse of his 'Thathi.'
'We tried to explain but it did not help. It is true that there is a
resemblance, even we at times have to blink back tears when Arjuna is shown
on TV," said Dulani.
While the Thenuwaras were celebrating his homecoming in Nathandiya,
Captain Loyola Fernando's family were rejoicing in Galle. For Captain Fernando
it was a heart breaking and emotional welcome. His mother who was bedridden
after hearing her son's captivity three years ago has not recovered. Even
when he hugged her and spoke to her for hours she was not convinced. It
is only after a day that she recognised him.
Captain Fernando's wife Malini said that when she was first told of
her husband's release on Friday night she had immediately informed the
families of the rest of the crew.
'I could not ask the ICRC whether they were all released. But later
when I was told it was only three I was sad because I know what they are
going through,' she said.
'I have always believed that they did not fight the war, they were helping
the innocent people. With the Bishop visiting the area a few weeks ago,
I knew something would come of it,' she said.
They may have been reunited but Malini as a single parent has gone through
much hardship in bringing up two sons. The eldest who is ten was the most
affected by his father's absence.
'He had a problem with his eyesight and hearing, also with digestion.
This was all psychological. He used to have nightmares and even sleep walk,'
she said.
Not surprising Captain Fernando had not been able to recognise his sons,
although the boys had rushed to embrace him. They had insisted that he
visits their classroom the very next day and that he take them to school.
The families are reunited but it will take many more years for them
to wipe away all those bitter memories.
Patchwork on display
'Pretty Patches VI' an exhibition and sale of patchwork, applique, creative
crafts, and X' mas decor will be held on November 7 and 8 from 10.00 a.m.
to 7 p.m. at the J.R. Jayewardene Cultural Centre, (opposite the Town Hall,
Colombo).
 Mrs.
Rachel Silva, a former teacher and diploma holder of the Kathleen School
of Dressmaking, and the author of the book ''Patchwork Made Easy'', has
been one of Sri Lanka's foremost promoters of patchwork and crafts, as
a teacher since 1989 and thereafter by holding exhibitions and workshops.
Her frequent overseas visits brought new ideas and enabled her to gather
craft materials which will be evident in the products at this show. She
is assisted by her two daughters Rowena and Niro, who specialize in teaching
creative crafts they gleaned in Australia.
Among an enchanting array will be patchwork quilts, bags, stained glass
and appliqué bags - shadow work and hand-embroidered cushion covers
- each an orignial, in a fascinating display of colours, design, and fine
quality.
For the housewife there are natural looking fruity ''hang on'' adornments,
serviette holders ornamental door stoppers, novel tissue box covers, toilet
roll holders, each an original again, in a hard to choose array of colours
and designs.
For baby –hand-stitched cot sheets, quilts, nappy holders and linen
in diverse colours, soothing textures and originality.
For kiddies there will be a variety of soft cuddly toys. With X'mas
drawing near, it is not too early to pick up some beautiful Christmas trees,
bon-bons, wreaths, Santa's stockings and exquisite X'mas tree ornaments.
Yet another attraction will be a variety of hand painted saris, bags etc.
Also on view will be artistically painted pots and vases which would add
grace to any verandah or drawing room.
The exhibition will be ceremonially opened on November 7 by Ms. Janice
Smyth, wife of Deputy Chief of Mission, of the Embassy of the United States
Colombo, who herself is an avid quilter and a quilt historian.
Part of the proceeds as in previous years will be donated to "Mau
Sevana'' a home for destitute children in Mattakkuliya. Entrance tickets
are priced at Rs. 40/= with a lucky draw for a free air-ticket to Bangkok
with compliments of Cey-Can Travel & Tours Colombo. There will also
be several consolation prizes on this draw.
Wife of the Netherlands Ambassador Lillybetch
Princen is a descendant of the Dutch rulers as she tells Roshan Peiris
That Dutch connection
 Lillybetch
Princen, wife of Netherlands Ambassador Hein Princen is a woman of taste.
Her home has beautiful pieces of furniture and glass such as a beautiful
tangerine hued tea set and an elaborate model of a church she had picked
up in Beirut, made of figures engraved in wood.
When the Dutch ruled Ceylon from 1656 to 1796 under the Dutch East India
Company known as the VOC, Lillybetch's ancestors spent many years here.
"I am very, very proud of my heritage. My mother's family name
was Racket and one of her ancestors was a mayor in Belgium. But what is
more my relations such as Mathias Racket joined the Dutch East India Company
and was also the Head of the VOC in Japan, before coming as Commander to
Sri Lanka,'' Lillybetch said.
"For twenty five years my family, that is on my mother's side lived
over here where they had their roots and married but not to locals,"
she said.
One of her ancestors Bartholomeuz was Commander of Jaffna from 1777
to 1792.
"Another of my ancestors helped build the Leper Asylum or hospital.
Johan Simmons was his name as far as I recall,'' she added.
Lillybetch herself has been here for an year and a month now and says
she is very proud and gratified by the fact that people talk so warmly
of the Dutch influence.
''We were largely business people and some think we Dutch are stingy
but that is very very wrong.''
"I am aware that my people the Dutch were responsible for giving
your country the now famous Roman Dutch Laws,'' she smiled.
Elegant Lillybetch is charmingly candid and did confess "my hair
though brown has many a grey hair hidden within.' She adds, equally frank,
"I studied for no profession, but did a course of learning to translate
from Dutch to English and even that I did not complete. But I must say
I have practised as an assistant anaesthetist, not a very rewarding job
since one does not get a feedback."
"Ryke Van Goens was governor over here and he married the daughter
of my mother's relation-the Commander of Jaffna-Mathias Bartholomeuz.''
She acknowledges the Dutch influence on the architecture of the country
such as seen in those broad verandahs built to keep houses cool.
"You are lucky people - the country is so beautiful with mountains,
hills, sea coast and all together. No wonder the Dutch lived here for over
a hundred years before handing over to the British."
"I like the people,'' she adds "but no one can like all the
people. I am also very hurt seeing this ethnic war. So much bloodshed.
But these are my thoughts, I am not talking as a diplomat's wife but voicing
my own thoughts.''
"Our national flower is the Tulip and we specialise in 160 different
kinds of cheese. But I must confess we don't eat the Edam, the round, red,
large wrapped cheese which foreigners like. Edam cheese is only for export.
We also don't care much for sweets and our tastes often has a combination
of Chinese, Italian and Indonesian food," she said.
Lillybetch shows none of the hurry associated with life in the 20th
century. She is an ideal diplomat's wife with her charm and candour and
tremendous loyalty to her country.
Saying Goodbye
David Henry, Section Head, Development Co-operation of the Australian
High Commission, and his versatile and charming wife, Alya, will leave
this country shortly, on the completion of their assignment. Their friendliness
and warmth have won them many friends.
Alya (short for Alexandra) grew up in China with her missionary parents
- a fact that obviously moulded her interests and made her reach out to
people from many different walks of life and care about them. She went
to school in Australia, where she met David at university.
Among her accomplishments are a Bachelor of Education degree from the
University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Letters from the Australian
National University.
She has identified herself with some aspects of her husband's work projects
such as Street Children Refugees, Women in Small Business and Women in
Need.
She has been involved in workshops and seminars on the partially handicapped,
Family Planning, Child Abuse, Crimes Against Women and problems arising
from underprivileged children who have no birth certificates.
An environmental seminar with special reference to the Sri Lankan elephant,
interested her greatly.
The Henry's have been impressed with the country's diversity and beauty.
Their interest in Buddhism and Hinduism has taken them to many religious
sites, relics and antiquities.
Alya is a well-known poet and free-lance journalist and a musician.
Her reviews of theatre, art exhibitions, Kandyan and Indian dance recitals,
art music and her poetry have appeared in the local press.
She has been extremely helpful in guiding visitors through Australian
pictorial exhibitions held here like those on the Aborigines; and also
the craft show 'The Gloss Exhibits '- Aurora,' and 'Other Stories.'
She gave publicity to the concert Sirocco, featuring rare old musical
instruments of Australia, like the didjerido, which encouraged great children's
participation on stage. The puppet show ''Little Red'' produced the same
effect.
Alya is an eloquent speaker. She has been a lively participant in fund
- raising for worthy causes, like the CANZA Ball, whose proceeds supported
the handicaps.'
The Henry's brand of informal entertaining was great fun and heart -
warming. One met the most interesting people in their home.
Henry and Alya will be missed by a variety of people. Our best wishes
for success and happiness go with them.
A. de S.
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