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Appreciations Pibidev, Pibidev: he lives on Jason Aurileus Bertram de Silva The death of Jason de Silva on September 4 was indeed a shock to us. He was born
on October 16, 1926 to a respectable family in Idama, Moratuwa.
Jason was very
versatile. He was a musician, composer of songs, playwright, actor,
softball cricketer and above all, social worker. My memories
go back to our days at the Prince of Wales College in 1937, when
we formed a small team to play soft-ball cricket in the premises
of 'Silva Villa' adjoining Jason's home. The late Percy J. de Silva,
Milton Perera, Mallison Fernando, Militus Peiris, Anton Fernando,
Jason and myself were part of the team. Later during
World War II, a formidable soft-ball team known as "Keen Sight"
was formed in Idama, and Jason was one of the skippers who led it
in a series of annual rival matches against another strong team
from Kadalana known as "Burlington". In the early
forties, Jason also excelled as an actor. Of the many roles he played,
the most remarkable was "Kehel Mal John Singho" in a sham
trial conducted by the Senior Guild of the Church of The Holy Emmanuel,
Moratuwa. As a composer,
his song, "Pibidev Pibidev" is still popular and heard
at every sing-along session in Moratuwa. Jason led the
singing of his composition of "Somi Panadura Nadiye Me"
sung to the tune of "Silver Haired Daddy of Mine" at the
inter-platoon annual concert held at the CVF camp in Diyatalawa.
Prince of Wales won the most coveted Herman Loos Trophy for all
round efficiency in 1946. After his school
career, he joined the CGR in 1947 and retired in 1986 as an Assistant
Station Master. He was a staunch
UNPer and was the organiser for the Idama ward during the general
election campaign of 1977. After his marriage,
he became a Roman Catholic and after his retirement, he devoted
his time for religious and social activities. He lived more than
the biblical span of life and celebrated his 75th birthday in grand
style last year. He leaves behind
his wife Hilda and children Priyantha, Prasanga, Priyamalee and
Surein. Jason was an
institution by himself and man of many parts. Farewell Jason.
We shall meet again on that beautiful shore. May his soul
rest in peace! A man who served
Mahinda Mr. Abeywardena,
a stern disciplinarian, but a silent educationist believed in precept
and example rather than strap and tongue in shaping the behaviour
of the young. During his tutorship at Mahinda, he helped the school
to earn a reputation for well-behaved students, devoted and dedicated
to the protection of culture. After retirement,
he turned his energy, money and time to the service of his fellow
beings. During the
many years he was chairman of the Karapitiya Hospital Committee,
he did much to improve efficiency, benefiting poor patients. He was generous
to a fault. Honesty, integrity and sincerity were the hallmarks
of his life. He kept an
open-house for all who sought his benevolence and advice. His children
imbibed his ideals so much that the people of Galle made his son
Vajira, their representative, returning him to Parliament term after
term. I came to know
Mr. Abeywardena quite well through my wife's family. A senior citizen
of distinction, honoured by the state and society for his selfless
services, Mr. Abeywardena leaves behind his beloved spouse and three
children. May he attain
Nibbana for which he has acquired ample merits. He fought a
good fight I wonder what
I would have asked him if I had known that it was his last breakfast
with me. What would I have shared with him? Most importantly how
much more would I have learnt from this 'Living Encyclopaedia'?
His Maker beckoned him home on June 13 and the strong, seemingly
healthy figure of 'Tha', who bid me goodbye at the gate, returned
home to rest in peace, in 48 hours. The many appreciations
and tributes published in the newspapers in the weeks that followed
were testimony of his worth as a friend, colleague, teacher and
mentor. To our country
he was a dutiful, patriotic and concerned citizen. To us he was
the best father anyone could have dreamt of having. Needless to
say he was a caring father figure to many persons he met. To quote
a Professor from Canada who e-mailed me recently, "Luckily
for those of us in journalism, he was a prolific writer and his
insights will be available to us for years to come. Accept my sympathies
and know that your father is missed not just in your home, but in
the homes of hundreds in more countries than you can imagine".
Thus was he recognized internationally. My father was
quick to judge, outspoken and critical on subjects on which his
facts and figures were thorough. Sometimes to the extent of being
insensitive to others' views he would strive to 'drive the point
home', resulting in being misunderstood and misinterpreted. However,
I believe he did this with the best of intentions as he was a man
of principles and valued truth. Often, I would speak or write English
with much precision lest the competent authority at home correct
me. Such was his nature and he did it for our betterment. My parents
sacrificed much, through good and hard times to mould us and nurture
us to stand firm in the world today. They inculcated moral values
in us giving importance to spiritual growth too. When I recall
my childhood years, from tricycles to school uniform days, my father
was my protector and guide. Across the chess board, my opponent,
through teen and young adult years, my chaperone and mentor. In
my profession and business, my advisor and director and in recent
years, my companion and friend especially after my mother's demise.
As I pen this
sketch on the eve of my father's 75th birthday on October 15, may
I pay tribute to a gentleman who has engraved his footprint in many
fields of life. Cricket in his youth, English language and literature,
journalism and media, law and justice, social welfare, Christianity
and the Catholic Church to name a few. Space will not permit me
to touch on his interests and achievements. In conclusion,
I quote from Scripture, the words of Paul the Apostle which describe
his life best.... "I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith" - (2 Tim 4:7). Janaka
Mahes Witana Born on August
22, 1950, Mahes received his education at Royal College and moved
onto the University of Peradeniya, from where he graduated with
a degree in mechanical engineering. His enthusiasm
resulted in him also qualifying as a management accountant. Miriam
stepped into his life during those unforgettable days at university
and they married five years later. A gentleman
par excellence, Mahes was a senior member of the Colombo Toastmasters'
Club. His humility, sincerity and pleasant demeanour enabled him
to relate extremely well with his peers. The day before
his untimely death, the club was celebrating its annual past presidents'
day. Mahes and Miriam, a past president herself, were both there
having a wonderful time, mingling with friends. Mahes received his
"Competent Toastmaster" medal that day. Mahes, three
other Toastmasters and I walked out of the hotel to the car park,
and that was my last moments with him. In Miriam's words, "He
loved Toastmastering", and it was certainly a coincidence that
he passed away doing what he loved most. She worked with
dedication and honesty When I opened
the Sunday papers at 5 p.m. her obituary stared me in the face and
I was speechless. I could not believe what I was reading. And it
was too late to attend her funeral. I am sad I could not say goodbye
to her. I met Chitra
when I was working in the hotel trade. She was loved by many hoteliers.
She never said no to any of my invitations and made it a point to
be well briefed before arriving for the function. Chitra never
failed to advise me on various issues be it official or personal.
She gave her honest opinion and was always open to constructive
criticism. She was a very
versatile woman. An excellent journalist and methodical worker.
Her honesty, punctuality, understanding and dedication were sterling
qualities. |
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