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Appreciations He hurt none,
but helped the poor and weak He was a rural
lad from a respectable family. We were classmates in an English
school of a by-gone era. He was a great influence on us. He was
also a brilliant student liked by his teachers. His winning smile
was characteristically his. On completing
his secondary education he could have gone to university but due
to circumstances joined the government clerical service. His diligence
and exemplary record saw him rise to be a Registrar of the High
Courts. He served in many parts of the island and earned the praise
of all the judges under whom he served. A much-honoured
citizen in the community, he was always in the thick of all social,
religious and cultural activities. A trailblazer, free of pride
and prejudice, he hurt none but helped all, particularly the poor
and the weak. Although he shunned the limelight and transient honours,
he was appointed a JP on his retirement. The community
would have gained more if he had been in our midst for a few more
years but, it was not to be! He leaves behind fragrant memories.
Om Shanti! Legendary lady A man of many
sports He excelled
in soccer, hockey and indoor games. He represented several clubs
such as Old Bens, Kotahana Rangers, Cambridge and Tamil Union. In
the mercantile sector, he represented the Port Commission. He possessed
good leadership skills and under him the Kotahena Rangers won the
prestigious Gold Cup. His superlative
performance at club level enabled him to tour India and Pakistan
in 1960 with the Colombo League football team. He was capped
for both soccer and hockey. During that period, he had the opportunity
of playing with some greats such as Karunapala, Synoon, Jaimon and
Podiappuhamy. In his career
with the Port Commission, Rajaratnam had the opportunity of becoming
the first goalie in hockey to score a goal whilst keeping, in a
Government Services tournament. Unfortunately,
it was nullified because a player was ruled off-side. However, it
did not detract from the uniqueness of the attempt. Later he held
several responsible positions such as Sports Secretary of the Port
Commission and management member of the Rules Revision Committee
of the Government Services Soccer Association. He was also
a well-known sports writer. Mentor, boss
and friend Geekiyanage
Turner Arthur Wickramasinghe played his role well with good results.
He was able
to touch lives and also interact with others with his down- to-
earth qualities. He had the
capacity to fit in and provide the mood for any occasion whether
it was serious or flippant. He was equally good at both. He came
up with appropriate kiyamana in Sinhala or English to liven up any
occasion. He was able
to quote from the Guththila Kaviya or Shelly. He was able
to translate the most insensible argument to a positive stance.
This was possible as he had a fair knowledge of many subjects which
also made him the good architect he was. He was able
to impart these qualities and knowledge to the numerous students
who came to him. He spotted the best talent in students and made
them realize it. He had the ability to teach and made sure it was
taken in its pure form. He was a guru,
mentor, boss and friend. He did not
want us to mourn his death but to release him to be free. May he find
solace in the great expanse on the other side of the bridge. May
his family find warmth in his memory! Friend of the
farmers Bandu spent
most of his life in Tissamaharama, selling, repairing and servicing
tractors. He gave yeoman service to the farmers of the Hambantota
district. He was a kind
and considerate man. He was deeply
religious and tried to practise what the Buddha preached. His generosity
knew no bounds. His genial smile and affable personality brought
happiness to many. He got rid of
Negombo's tithe system A former Municipal
Commissioner, Uncle Felix was a colossus during his lifetime, but
passed away as an unsung hero. I still remember
how he encouraged me to join the Sri Lanka Navy in 1956. Then, I
did not know the difference between the stem or the stern of a ship,
but Uncle Felix encouraged me as he knew that we Negombians had
a life at sea and he who dared the waves always won. His publication,
"Catholicism in Negombo" is a treatise that traces the
advent of Christianity in 1505, with the arrival of the Portuguese
in Negombo. Uncle Felix
was a pioneer in doing away with the "tithe" system which
required the poor fishermen to contribute 10% of their daily earnings
for the maintenance of the Grand Street Church in Negombo. Uncle Felix
was not only a guiding light to his children and grandchildren but
also to his nephews and nieces. May his road
to paradise be strewn with flowers like Paradise Road, Negombo,
on the day of his funeral. May the turf rest lightly over him till
Thy kingdom come. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
