Dodanduwa Sri Piyaratana Tissa Mahanayake Thero

A quaint stillness permeates the seaboard that was devastated in the tsunami six months ago. Away from the hustle and bustle of the towns, the villages Rathgama and Dodanduwa exude an aura of distinct quietude with men and women going about their daily work. Around the village the abundance of the Rathgama lagoon, a sprawling sheet of shimmering aquatic delight rich in its biodiversity, brings a comforting breeze to the locality. It is like an ancient giant silently watching over the poor villages where women spin coconut fibre strings or make loose strands of fibre the difficult way, beating hard on the coconut husks soaked in the lake with wooden machetes, till the sinews of their hands ache from sheer physical exertion day in, day out. All that labour for a mere pittance, in a country with a milieu virtually adulating the so-called market economy and the "level playing field". The product of incessant labour drips from their hands and faces in the form of drops of sweat, which the celebrated Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote was where God made his abode.

When one passes the Dodanduwa bridge on the Galle Road ancient single storey buildings that line the road among the newly built markets or kiosks seem to beckon one to an age of prosperity and bygone resurgence towards the latter half of the 19th century when Buddhist leaders like the Most Ven Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayake Thera attracted Western intellectuals like the American theosophist Col. Henry Steele Olcott. Olcott came here to learn the rich cultural and religious heritage of this country and unlearn some of the pseudo-intellectual teachings and beliefs of the newly civilized Western world.

Less than a kilometre from the Dodanduwa Bridge is a turnoff to the left that leads to interior hamlets of the main village and a special school. A memorial complete with a statue of another bhikku, Ven Sasanalankara Vinayacharya Siri Piyaratna Tissa Nayake Thera (known as Dodanduwe Piyaratana Nayake Thera), who placed Dodanduwa in the annals of the country’s education history can be seen at the turn. He was pious and erudite monk whose efforts made this school a reality one and a half centuries ago. A name board stands opposite the statue, Dodanduwa Piyaratana Vidyalaya, the first Buddhist school established in the colonial era after the British introduced their system of school education replacing our own system of education that was thousands of years old. Like a lone sentinel, the saffron robe clad image of this illustrious son of mother Lanka seems to be patiently watching what has become of his noble dreams today. Though thousands of people pass the image on Galle Road daily, only a handful of people of even the locality are aware of his great service today.

A hundred yards from the turnoff are a set of walled in school buildings on either side of the road. When this school was opened in 1869 it was in a background of the British colonial rulers discouraging and stifling efforts of indigenous leaders and intellectuals to resurge their own cultural heritage and civilization, the preservation of their very birthright.

British policy

One has to go back to 1812, when Robert Brownrigg, the notorious British governor who was recalled to England in disgrace after his scorched earth suppression of the Kandyan peasantry’s rebellion of 1817-18, wrote to his superiors in England that it would be a useless exercise to open any more schools in this country as the local children do not come to these schools. They go to the Buddhist temples, sit under the Bo tree and learn under Buddhist monks who wield tremendous influence over laymen. Unless the strong bond between the Buddhist monks and the lay society was broken it would be useless to open any more schools in this colony, Brownrigg wrote to his government in August 1812. Thus did the work of "educating and converting the pagans" begin in a country that had a flowering literature, art, sculpture, architecture and the world’s most advanced irrigation systems and well planned cities with running water supplied via underground conduits.

In pursuance of Brownrigg’s policy of discouraging the Buddhist clergy from playing their traditional key role in education, more and more missionary schools were being opened up under the patronage of the British government and a number of laws were enacted to discourage the Buddhists. Dodanduwe Piyaratana Thera, the founder of Dodanduwa Piyaratana Vidyalaya started the Dharmarthasiddha Society with the express intent of starting Buddhist schools as far back as 1869, the year in which the school was opened.

Port of call

An inlet formed along an outcrop of rocks at Dodanduwa, adjacent to the Rathgama lagoon was a small port of call for sailing vessels in past centuries even before the Portuguese set foot in the country that had brought prosperity to the two villages. The fisher folk of Dodanduwa were famous for their salted fish, which found a ready market all along the western seaboard. Local, Indian and Maldivian sailing vessels called over at this port as well as at Beruwala, Weligama, Devinuwara, Colombo, Chilaw, Mannar and even as far away as Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

There was trade with vessels that came from Trichinapoly, Nagapattanam and Kaveripattanam and the goods that changed hands ranged from the famous salt fish of Dodanduwa to clay roof tiles, clay pottery, and handloom textiles. People of the area were prosperous and most fish caught in the locality were salted or sold fresh. When the sea became rough, they sailed to fish in the seas off the east coast during the South West Monsoon. The sailing craft were as large as 60 or 70 feet long, a veritable fishing and trading fleet sometimes drawn up on the beach after sailing like the wall of a fortress.

Religious resurgence

With the prosperity reached by the people religious resurgence and the penchant for learning among these enterprising people also grew. Dodanduwa port became the centre that helped to establish the Sri Kalyaniwansa Maha Nikaya sect of the Buddhist clergy that led to the national resurgence.

In 1808 the Most Ven Kathaluwe Gunaratana Tissa Nayake Thera and his lay followers set sail from Dodanduwa in a local vessel for Myanmar to bring the Upasampada, higher ordination from that country as Buddhism and ecclesiastical development under continuous onslaughts of the Portuguese, Dutch and later the British had continued to suffer and decline. There was an even earlier visit to Myanmar by the Ven Kapugama Dhammakkanda Thera from Dadalla, Ven Bopagoda Sirisumana Thera of Rathgama who also left by a sailing vessel from Dodanduwa in 1786. These devoted theras set up a vihara in Dodanduwa in 1802. Legend has it the theras, seeing a luxuriant ginger plant, when uprooting it found a ginger tuber the size of a parasol and decided to build their temple on that spot. Some years later a marble image of the Buddha was found at Kaveripattanam in India and the French Governor of the district, who was approached by the Ven Sasammatha Dhammasara Thera, chief incumbent of the temple at Dodanduwa, gifted the statue to the temple. A second image of the Buddha that was found at the same site that was smaller in size was offered to the temple by the residents of this Indian port town.

Of this temple’s past, history and legend is interwoven. Named Shailabimbaramaya, the two marble images of the Buddha can be seen in the temple today. More importantly, the valiant and tenacious efforts of the Buddhist clergy of the Southern Province, especially Rathgama and Dodanduwa is an epic forgotten by people whose pursuit of overtaking their neighbour has made most of them rats in a meaningless race.

National heritage

The school had a complete lab, one of the first labs in the Southern Province that was started by the Ven Dodanduwe Piyaratana Thera and fully equipped by Colonel Henry Steele Olcott himself after he visited the school in 1880. Today the lab lacks proper facilities and equipment and science education at the school has lagged behind other schools in the area.

The number of students on roll today is 191 with classes from grade one to eleven. Some classes have only seven or eight children. The principal, Ms. Y. Seelawathie says children of the locality go to other schools, as they are popular and that this school has been neglected for sometime, especially during the past decade. Some of the buildings have collapsed while most others are in a neglected state. The education department or the ministry are probably unaware of the historical significance of this school, which has been named a National Heritage by the former minister of Cultural Affairs Vijitha Herath very recently.

One wonders whether the president who is herself the Minister of Education is aware of the existence of this school as no educational dignitary or plenipotentiary has ever visited it or taken notice of it.

There are various Buddhist societies and organisations in the country like the ACBC and even political parties that claim to fight for the rights and privileges of the Buddhist society and religion but the first Sinhala Buddhist School has not received their attention for decades. In fairness to the Buddhist Theosophical Society, it has to be said that they thwarted a recent attempt of the Southern Provincial Council to convert the school to a temporary shelter for tsunami victims last year. The Theosophical society official objected to the school being used as a camp for tsunami displaced but a part of the school’s land has been given to an NGO that has been criticized in certain quarters as an anti-Buddhist organisation to put up tents for the displaced.

Best library

The school had one of the best libraries in the south that Col. Olcott and many other Buddhist leaders helped to develop but surreptitious hands had been at work and most of the invaluable books have gone missing. There is no librarian. One of the objects of historical value and significance, an 8mm film projector gifted by Col. Olcott to the school has been sold by the Education Department to a person of the area for 400 rupees. The department has acted under the Financial Regulations and had condemned this artefact as an "unserviceable item" and sold it to the highest bidder! Just how stupid could red tape really become?

Olcott

Col. Olcott visited the school and Sri Shailabimbarama Dodanduwa where the Piyaratana Nayake Thera lived. The thera advised Olcott to help open Buddhist schools, not in competition with the Christian missionary schools but to give an opportunity to rural Buddhists who could not get the recognition of the colonial authorities if they had received their education in the Buddhist temples or Pirivenas.

Col. Olcott took this advice, as he had known the thera with whom he had corresponded since 1878. Though many writers have written that Olcott's visit to Sri Lanka was inspired by learning about the religious debate at Panadura it is the correspondence he had with the Ven Piyaratana Nayake Thera that brought Olcott to our shores.

In the archives, Olcott's diary still exists. He has written that he came to this country from the port of Galle and visited the temple of Piyaratana Thera after addressing a gathering of about 2000 that came to Galle to greet him. He said the temple was one of the most well organised and orderly temples. He spent ten days at the temple discussing the future of Buddhist education in this country and formulating the concept of the Buddhist Theosophical Society (BTS) schools that changed the colonial education map of this country.

History sits like an unseen but ubiquitous reality here. Even the Tibetan born Ven S. Mahinda who adopted this country as his motherland and became the poet laureate of the freedom struggle was also ordained in the temple of Ven Dondaduwe Piyaratana Nayake Thera in 1911. At present, we have stepped into an era of spurning history, especially after 1977. When one visits the school one is really treading on hallowed ground, still held close to their hearts by persons of the locality.

The principal proudly shows the shrine room with a Buddha image completed recently by two well-wishers. This new shrine in spotless white is perhaps the only feature that has been added on by the present generation.

The promontory projecting into the lagoon from the adjoining Rathgama rises above the waters as one goes on a village road to the hamlet Moraththuduwa. Here atop its crest hiding under the lush canopy of areca, bamboo, jak, and coconut trees is a middle class home where a lone campaigner Amarajeeva de Silva Rajakaruna shows old documents, meticulously kept records of dates and events which he values as the most precious of all his worldly possessions. His father, octogenarian and retired principal D. D. de S. Rajakaruna, and his own father had been students of the Dondaduwa school. They have both campaigned for the revival of this school to its past glory.

However, has our nation been cured of the ailment of the open economy that disdained this country’s national heritage preferring to count dollars while the people were told to earn money, money and more money and make merry, even if you had to commit the vilest calumny on the sacred treasures of this nation?

source : The Island - 6th August, 2005

 

A stamp released in honour of 
Rev Dodanduwa Sri Piyaratana Tissa Mahanayake Thero

J N Oleap Fernando

I wish to express my thanks to the President & Editorial Committee for having requested me to write an article about Oleap & his professional & academic activities as I know it from my knowledge of him during the 35 years of our married life.

Oleap is a unique name given by his father to commemorate the unusual fact that he was born on Leap Year's Day; the letter "O" runs down the family & hence his third name & the name by which he is called came to be OLEAP. His other names Jerence Nansel are also unique since like his 2 sisters & 1 brother all their names have been coined by their father after names of relatives and/or God parents.

Oleap had an excellent scholastic record at St. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia, where he received 12 years of his post Kindergarten education: he was the recipient of many prizes & scholarships including the Panel Awards of Liturgy Prize Winner for 3 years, Gregory Scholar for 2 years and Miller Mathematical Prize winner. He was placed first in the island at the 1959 SSC/GCE (O/L) examination & was awarded the C. A. Hewavitharana Prize. He was again placed first in the Science stream at the University Entrance examination in 1961. Oleap takes great pride in reiterating again and again that on many occasions in his personal & family life he has tried to do things in the way that he preferred rather than "go with the crowd". As a striking example, one could cite the fact that while all his classmates at St. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia customarily applied to enter the medical faculty or the engineering faculty at the end of their school career, Oleap was unique in applying to join the science faculty instead since he felt that he was not interested in becoming either a medical doctor or an engineer.

His parents had been broadminded enough not to force or influence Oleap to do the more popular or perceived to be prestigious courses. Oleap & I were also similar broadminded enough 30 years down the road, to permit our only child Oshan to do what he wished, which happened to be Arts, which usually only those students who are not eligible to offer science do as a third hand option; looking back on life, Oleap always maintains that neither he nor his son have been any the worse as a result since both have done what they liked & wished with relatively low stress & much peace of mind! Financially too, neither has suffered!

Oleap thus entered the University in 1962 to do a Science degree, not necessarily in Chemistry since he was equally good in Physics and even better in Mathematics; he could have chosen any of these 3 disciplines for his special degree but after a great deal of internal debate, investigation & consultation he chose Chemistry perhaps because it seemed to be the most relevant & useful for him in the Sri Lanka scene in the middle of the twentieth century. However, his passion for Physics made him choose that as his subsidiary although most students chose Mathematics since it is less exacting as it does not involve practical classes. He was once again placed first in Chemistry at the B.Sc. examination of the University of Ceylon in 1966 & awarded the Bhikaji Framji Khan Gold Medal for Chemistry.

Soon after graduation, Oleap joined the University system as a temporary Assistant Lecturer at Peradeniya for the first year & then he received his permanent academic appointment at the University of Colombo.

He pursued his PhD at Imperial College London in the area of Surface Chemistry while on a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship. Returning to Sri Lanka in 1971, he became a Lecturer in Chemistry and in 1977, a Senior Lecturer at Colombo. His love for University teaching has made Oleap continue in the University system for 41+ continuous years and looks forward to a total of 43 years in the Sri Lankan University system when he retires in September 2009.

Another unique feature in Oleap's academic life is the unique feature that he was a Chemistry Special student at both Colombo & Peradeniya and subsequently an academic staff member in the Chemistry Department at both these campuses: such a record no other can ever achieve. Looking back on his professional life, Oleap wanted to pursue an academic career in the University system in Sri Lanka and has for the past 41+ years never thought it relevant or necessary to think of a change within the country or by going abroad for financial or other gain!

The lack of physical infrastructure, funding and the critical minimum peer atmosphere for extensive research was quite evident in the seventies, when Sri Lanka had a foreign exchange starved closed economy in which nothing substantial seemed to happen. In such a situation, Oleap found it rather difficult to continue with experimental research particularly in the area of his specialty. Oleap, however, thought it more relevant and useful to involve himself in an honorary capacity in a big way in the activities of learned societies and professional bodies, which very badly needed human resources to provide the services that they are expected to provide. Oleap's organisational capabilities in organisations had come to the forefront while he was a teenager doing church work in the Junior Guild and Sunday school teaching staff in his home parish at Holy Emmanuel, Moratuwa.

These abilities were well recognized by his professional peers in learned societies & professional bodies. Initially, it was at the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) where as Treasurer and General Secretary even before he was thirty years in age Oleap utilised his leadership abilities & organisational skills to raise the quality & service provided to members. Oleap regards his association with the SLAAS in an honorary capacity as something that benefited him personally a great deal as well in putting out his innermost abilities and also getting to know & working with professionals in all scientific areas including the Social Sciences, an opportunity he would never otherwise had. Oleap's current "on the job" knowledge of finances, investments, taxation & economics has its origin in what Oleap learnt informally at the SLAAS while being Treasurer.

That knowledge & experience served him personally very well in later years. Oleap served the SLAAS in numerous capacities and was ultimately elected General President in 2001. He has served over 25 years in the SLAAS Council and takes pride that its Headquarters Building (Vidya Mandiraya) came up in 1976 while he was General Secretary with Architect Justin Samarasekera as General President.

That grounding at the SLAAS laid the foundation for what Oleap considers as his crowning service of value in his own professional body, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. Oleap's services to this Institute are without parallel and have enabled him to make an outstanding contribution to Chemistry, the Chemical sciences and professional organisations in a big way. Oleap has served the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon in various capacities and in various ways and has been responsible for a number of new initiatives, which are too many to list. However, the unprecedented manner in which he has been able to organise a Graduateship Programme in Chemistry for the past 30 years in a very unconventional and unique manner outside the regimented, bureaucratic and highly politicised state system is regarded by him as his most outstanding and unparalleled contribution to human resource development in the field of chemistry in Sri Lanka. 519 Graduate Chemists have so far been produced through this marvellous activity through 25 batches which have passed out. Oleap also considers the recognition that he received from his professional peers in the Institute of Chemistry over the past three decades as the most satisfying result of his entire life in a professional sense. Amongst the series of recognitions he got, he identifies two as crowning glories: Firstly, his election as President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon at the young age of 40 years was indeed extremely satisfying since he was still a senior Lecturer at the time of his election and became a Professor only a few months later while he was holding the said Presidency. Secondly, the decision made by the Institute to name a lecture hall in the new headquarters of the Institute in 2005 as J N O Fernando Hall in recognition of his immense, unique and outstanding contribution has given him such satisfaction and joy which no amount of money could ever have given him. It was in such a context that he has voluntarily given his services free of charge more or less on a full time basis as Honorary Dean of the College of Chemical sciences during the entirety of his two-year sabbatical leave from 2006 to 2008. The amount of service and financial gain he has been able to provide the Institute of Chemistry during that period gives him much more satisfaction than he would ever have got working elsewhere for personal monetary gain.

Oleap's services to the University system for over 40 years at the Universities of Colombo and the Open University of Sri Lanka(OUSL) has also been considerable particularly since remuneration and other working conditions had not been attractive for many years. He has been Head of the Department of Chemistry for several years and Dean/Science at OUSL for 6 years. Very recently in March 2008 he has once again been honoured for the services rendered by the Chemistry Department there and its Buckyball Society by collection of funds to launch the J N O Fernando Prize Fund for the best performance in Chemistry at the OUSL B.Sc. examination.

When he retires at the age of 65 in September 2009 he would have served the University system in Sri Lanka for 43 years and been a Professor for 25 years!

Oleap has also been actively involved in the international scene and attended numerous conferences in the areas of Science & Chemical Education, Chemistry, Distance Education, & Professionalism in Science in many countries. In particular, he has been the Institute of Chemistry representative on the Federation of Chemical Societies for nearly 15 years and served as Director of its Asian Chemical Education Network for 4 years. He has also used his sabbatical leave entitlements to serve as a Leverhulme Commonwealth Fellow at UMIST, Manchester in 1977/78, as Visiting Professor of Chemistry in the University of Papua New Guinea in 1987 and as Visiting Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Colombo in 1992.

While he has carried out numerous ad-hoc national assignments pertaining to science policy, educational publications, Advanced Level Examinations etc and has been Controlling Chief in Chemistry at the GCE(A/L) examination for 4 years his non-involvement in partisan politics has presumably prevented him from been even considered for appointment by Ministers to serve on the Management bodies of any state institution; it is however interesting to note that there have been two occasions on which he has served at a national level but that has been a direct result of non-political recommendations: firstly, when he was the SLAAS nominee for 4 years on the Board of Management of the National Science Foundation; secondly, he was recommended by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon to the first Constitutional Council in 2002 as a suitable appointee for the first-ever independent Commissions. Accordingly, the non-political Constitutional Council appointed Oleap to the Public Service Commission for 3 years; the very nature & structure of this appointment is valued very highly by Oleap! It would be far too numerous to list all the other appointments which Oleap has held in various spheres; suffice it to mention in conclusion, a few in the Church scenario: Oleap became a Church Warden at Holy Emmanuel Church, Moratuwa at the age of 29 years; he represented his Church at the Diocesan Council for about 20 years during which time he also served on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Colombo. He represented the Church of Ceylon at the seventh General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Vancouver, Canada in 1983. He was a nominee of the Bishop of Colombo on the Board of Governors of St.Thomas' College for almost two decades and was the Board Treasurer as well as Board Secretary. He was also the Manager of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela for almost a decade.

Finally, may I conclude that I have had the great pleasure of having Oleap as my husband for nearly 35 years and I greatly value his consistent remark that he would not have been able to do what he has done or achieve what he has during his professional, life if not for my help, assistance and toleration!

Mr P L Weerasooriya and family

- By O. M. Weerasooriya

When the family magazine ‘Sooriya Katha’ was published last year there was no mention about my father – late Mr Peter Lionel Weerasooriya (affectionately addressed by many as Peter uncle). Some close friends including a few family members queried and asked me the reason for this omission. I believe, I am partly responsible for this as I failed to provide the necessary information about my family in time when requested by members who were editing the magazine. Some even raised doubt as to whether we actually belong to the ‘Dodanduwa Weerasooriya family’

I must confess that I do not know very much about my father’s early years as I spent most of my early years as a boarder at St. Aloysius’ College, Galle till I entered the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1957. The only thing I was aware is that he was very happy to see me entering the university which I assume was one his silent wishes. Unfortunately he died in 1958 after a hernia operation from which he never recovered fully, partly due to lack of proper aftercare combined with stress and worries created as a result of financial problems existed at that particular period.

I did manage to gather some information about my father’s past from my mother, but unfortunately, she also died in 2000 just as I was about to retire from Government service as the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.

My father was born in 1896 and belonged to a fairly wealthy family. He joined St. Aloysius College,Galle on 19-9-1903 for his early education as the 463rd student after his pre-school education at Sacred Heart Convent, Galle. During his school days, he has been a very active member of various extracurricular activities.

He became the Secretary of the General Literary Association in 1916 and was a member the School’s Cadet Corps. He even played soccer for the school team and was very proud to see me play soccer for the same school in 1956, almost 40 years later.

He left College in 1917 and had a brief spell as a teacher at St. Servatius’ College, Matara. He continued his studies and passed the Cambridge Senior and ‘First in Law’, in keeping up with his family tradition in legal profession as his father Theodore Weerasooriya was a Proctor. My father managed to trace the ‘Weerasooriya Family Tree’ up to 1938 and produced a manuscript detailing the ancestry of his family. I am very glad to mention that I still have this manuscript detailing the of his family history including the highly cherished ‘parker pen’ my father used for his beautiful hand writing. According to this document my father is the great great son of Magiris de Silva Weerasooriya Patabandy and grandson of Don Haramanis Weerasooriya and the youngest son of above named Theodore Weerasooriya.

Regretfully, my father did not pursue his Law studies due to some strange and selfish belief that the lawyers always had to be economical with the truth and rather not entirely honest when they defend clients in legal work.

My father was a scholar in Latin, Mathematics, French and English, and was fluent specially in French and always made communications with reverend fathers in French. I can well remember that my father never missed a single weekend to see me at St Aloysius College hostel and gave me tuition in all above subjects. He would always be willing to help and assist anybody who needs help in learning those above subjects. Some of my father’s notable tuition pupils in Mathematics include my uncle, late Mr Sam de Silva- Chartered Accountant , ( father of Aravinda de Silva who needs no introduction in ’cricketing world’) and Dr David Weerasooriya (son of Mr Harry Weerasooriya) who is at present living in Australia. He was also a clever bridge player and had regular playing sessions with friends.

In early years after his marriage, he devoted his spare time writing a book ’Latin for Beginners’ . Even though my father completed the full version of the book, he was unable to publish it as Latin became a superfluous and a dead language as it was not included in school syllabuses .

Even after leaving , he kept close contact with the college establishment and kept a keen interest in its general progress. According to the magazine he made generous contributions and regularly donated several prizes to St Aloysius College prize giving. It has been recorded that in 1936, he even contributed to the general School Playground fund. According to the ’Aloysian’- the annual magazine published by the St Aloysius College, Galle, my father was enrolled as the 1st life member of the St Aloysius Old Boys Association immediately after it was formed in 1924. When Rev Fr Delaney made and urgent appeal and requested every old boy at that time to enrol as ’life members’, it appears that it was only my father who responded immediately. Rev Fr Delaney was so appreciative of my father’s response and wrote in the magazine praising my father’s devoted in faith in College as follows:-

“………….. As far as I am told the applications for membership has been very poor. There is only one life member from ‘California Estate’ in the name of Mr. P L Weerasooriya. How he wished that he were an American millionaire from California itself ; He could then pay for every Old Boy and make all of them life members. However we thank him for his good example he has set and hope all that tea, rubber and plumbago kings will come out of their seclusion and emulate this young old boy’s example ………”

According to the Magazine in1917, my father became the Manager of the now famous Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya in Dodanduwa . As explained in the last edition of “ Sooriyakatha “ this local school is recorded as the first Sinhala Buddhist School in Sri Lanka established and founded in 1896, pioneered by Ven Dodanduwe Piyaratana Thero. As we all know, Ven Piyaratana is the younger brother of Mr. David Weerasooriya who are all illustrious and well known members of the “ Weerasooriya Clan “. As I understand, when the school had no funds available to pay teachers salaries at times , my father has very generously paid them from his own money including free school books for the children. As a mark of respect to his unselfish commitment to this local educational establishment, the school closed for a few hours on the day of his funeral.

My father was very eccentric in certain ways and habits and was a teetotaller and never smoked. He used to buy his soap bars for washing (sunlight) and keep them for months for ‘conditioning’ as he believed that ‘hard’ soap would last longer. He would never bother a ‘bus conductor ‘ or any ‘ ticket collector’ during his travels as he always had the exact fare in hand. At home, my two sister were strictly disciplined not to leave any needles or pins on tables or would never let them sew at night. One of the noblest deeds he carried out during his life was to look after his beloved mother and his niece ( his sister’s daughter ) Kusuma Akka who was a toddler at the time. Kusuma Akka later married Mr Wilson Silva - the parents of Chitta ,late Sunil and Dr Demantha. My father was so unselfishly devoted to his mother that he never contemplated marriage until the death of his mother. In 1940, after the death of his mother my father married my mother Jayawathie who was only 19 years old at the time. It has been rumoured in family circles that my father has made a promise to marry the first lady who sits on his bed and this still remain a mystery to all of us whether this had any relevance or significance to his ultimate marriage.

At the time of his marriage, my father had a fair amount of money at his disposal and property including California Estate at Dodanduwa and also the proud owner of a car driven by a chauffeur. My father continued living his comfortable life at Patuwatha, Dodanduwa after his marriage even though the house was owned by Mr Harry Weerasooriya. (always addressed him as Harry uncle ).Mr Harry Weerasooriya was the father of David ,Monica, Annette, and Frank. During his tenure at this house ,it is believed that the house was offered for purchase by the above owner but why he refused this offer still remains a mystery to all of us. At present this house at Patuwatha is occupied by one of Frank Weerasooriya’s sons.

During late 1940, he gradually found that everyday life was getting a little bit difficult due to his dwindling resources and had no alternative but to sell his main asset ‘California Estate’ to boost his finances . His partnership in plumbago business with his father-in law Mr P U de Silva also appeared to have been a dismal failure.

In around 1946/47 ,with very little money left my father moved to Colombo with his young family to start a new business venture with one Mr Panaluwa. As far as I can remember we lived in Campbell Place and I attended Wesley College for a short period. As the house was owned by Mr Panaluwa my father paid rent but for some strange reason he let the owner live in the same house as a guest. I am still not sure what the business partnership involved but this venture also failed miserably.

With no money left and self esteem shaken, my father had no alternative but to bring the family back home to Tiranagama and occupy a house given as a gift by his father-in-law. Even at this vulnerable and helpless situation my father was so adamant and stubborn not to accept the house as his dowry. Eventually with no hesitation or regret he changed the deeds and transferred the ownership to his brother-in-law, Mr Lynton de Silva.

With no income to depend on, day to day living for my father became a nightmare. My father started worrying and became rather concerned about the welfare of the family and had no choice but to seek financial help from a few selected friends and trusted relatives. One of the worst humiliation he had to endure during his entire life must have been the let down by some friends and relative who ignored his desperate call for help . Regretfully, they were the very people who received and accepted favours from my father during his better days. When people of similar age were retiring and drawing up their pensions , my father started applying for jobs. He managed to find a temporary clerical job at Galle Municipal Council and later worked as an accountant’s assistant at Indian Walker Estate, Udugama. While he was there, the owner Mr Gunasekara, who appreciated his hard work seemed to have helped my father immensely. Even though penniless, my father managed to keep his dignity and lead a honest and disciplined life. When he sold his California Estate at Dodanduwa , the new owner has requested my father to remove any produce that was ready to be harvested. He has flatly refused to accept anything saying that any crop belong to the new owner immediately after the sale. One of his close associates named ‘ Edwin Aiya’ from the adjoining village Pinkanda told me, that on one occasion my father very angrily refused to take back some money loaned to him because he failed to repay the money on the agreed day.

In fact ,after his death I found that he has kept most of the relevant letters and documents connected with his past business and financial affairs and expected them to published at a later date when he once again become wealthy. I expected some of these documents to be very controversial and critical of some people who obviously had business and financial affairs including those who ignored him in his time of need. I took the liberty to destroy these documents without any hesitation to avoid further embarrassment and resentment among those involved.

In a funny way , he always lived in a dream world hoping that he would one day, once again become rich and revert back to his past comfortable life. My father always made sure that he bought a Gymkhana Sweep ticket for Rs 2/ and used to fill the ‘ nom de plume’ column with words ‘sure to win’. He believed in ’Wigi-board’ and ‘tumbler talking’ game and rather foolishly expected the ’mysterious spirits’ to forecast his dream future.

During these difficult times, my father’s long established connection and association with St Aloysius College helped my school career immensely. He wrote to Reverend fathers Chiriatti and Perniola explaining his financial hardships relating to my school education. With no hesitation what so ever, they promised help and admitted me immediately to the college hostel offering me a scholarship funded by the Old Boys Association even though I was a Buddhist studying in a catholic school. I am ever so grateful to Reverend Jesuit Fathers and Father Morell for giving me all the asistance and moral support during my stay at school, including my first new pair of football boots when I was a under 17 soccer player. When I entered the University the school very kindly generously awarded me the Rajapakse Scholarship for 4 full years so that I could continue my university studies without worrying about financial problems.

In a rather strange way, my two sisters Pearl and Queenie who were attending the Hikkaduwa Central School at the time, boosted our family budget immensely by receiving Rs 40/ and Rs 20/ monthly, after winning government scholarships. During our hard times my father depended heavily on a very understanding and sympathetic village shop keeper called ’Ralahami’ who allowed us to buy everything available on unlimited credit for years trusting that someday my father will settle the account. Unfortunately my father did not survive that long to keep his promise but we did settle the full amount due, as soon as we could even though a few years late.

Even though my father, sadly did not live long enough to see our progress, my mother Jayawathie, through her sheer courage and determination kept the family going through the most difficult period of our lives. At least she lived long enough see all her children doing rather well and establish themselves in society .

I retired as the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue after serving the department for 37 years. My eldest son Nishan , ( a Chartered Institute of Management accountant and a Computer Engineer) is a very proud father of triplets and is employed by DFCC. Other son Thushan , ( Chartered Accountant) is married and have two daughters and is the Group Accountant at Pership.

My sister Pearl graduated in Economics at the University of Ceylon, Peradenia and began working as a teacher for a short period in Sri Lanka. After marrying Mr Justin Pinnaduwa - ( a Chartered Civil and Municipal engineer ),they emigrated to U K and continued her career as a teacher for another 36 years. Her elder daughter Priyanthi read a Mathematic degree at Oxford University and obtained a MA in Personal Management and is at present working as the Manager-Human Resources at a pharmaceutical firm in Cambridge. Her son ,after obtaining a science degree in Computer Technology from University of Manchester is employed by Exon-Mobile as the ’Human Resources Manager -Europe’. My younger sister entered the Vidyodaya University but decided not to continue her university studies and went back to her job at Telecom. She later married Mr Harris Jayasuriya who was a police inspector at the time. My brother Donald has a Diploma in mechanical engineering from Katubadda Technical College and is presently working at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Germany. He married Hildegrad from Germany and have two sons Sascha and Nico. Sascha, after getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering is continuing his studies for a Masters in International Engineering and Nico is continuing his studies to obtain a Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

Indran Ramanaden

- By Indran Ramanaden

I will be turning 72 in January 2010. Soon memories will fade. It is autumn now in Canada, and soon we will be in the cold and snowy grip of winter. But my thoughts turn to a youth spent in warmer climes and recollections of the “Clan”.

My mother was Iris, a daughter of Richard & Elsie Weerasooriya. My earliest recollection of mummy is associated with the birth of my sister Shanthi. Mummy did not like going to the hospital and all three of us were born at home. Two months later on Easter Sunday, I remember the Japanese Air Raid on Ratmalana and mummy getting us under the strong teak dining table for protection. The last poignant memory is of her funeral at the house in Patuwata in 1947. What struck me to this day and is still unexplained is why daddy carried me (a 9 year old) for most of the time that we spent outside in the garden just prior to her internment across the road.

I cannot forget time spent at Woodlands Estate. Seeya – sarong hitched to a star doing the morning rounds; Aachi preparing kaludodal, kavuns, lawariya and halape (best I tasted); the distinctive smells associated with the house and the gardens with the fruit trees. That house was one of many on the estate that belonged to other members of the clan – the Koddippily’s, Sam Seeya’s, Uncle Walter Mendis’s place – that come to mind. As children, I believe we have slept over at all these places but if we did not, lighted coconut leaf pandans guided us in the dark on our way back to base. I remember seeing a lot of Uncle Rex at the house. He was mummy’s one sibling (of the other 5 who had fled the nest) who happened to be living there at that time. He spent most of his time standing up.!! He took almost the whole day to do a bath – at the well. He wore national dress and if memory serves me right, he taught at the local Gonapinuwela school. I remember Uncle Leslie, the self-anointed “mummy’s joy”. He liked to hunt deer on the Estate and when the spoils of the hunt materialized in the morning there was a lot of excitement – the skinning and the cutting, culminating in the feasting. Mummy was predeceased by Uncle Lucien. I remember visiting him in the Galle Hospital just before his death from diabetes. Another picture comes to mind - a hackney ride to Church with Aachi and the gona deciding to kneel suddenly as if it wanted to pray! No uncharitable mention of Aachi’s weight that could have been a contributory factor.

In December of 1947, I remember attending Aunty Bertha’s wedding which was hosted by Uncle Percy. My two sisters were the flower girls and there was this little pageboy. I cannot explain this but he reminded me of a new born chick. To think that he later morphed into a mustached general to command our national army!! Uncle Leslie arrived with a bunch of army buddies for a roistering “baila” session the day before. I remember that I wore a nice pair of dark grey shorts with a light grey shirt to match.

My last memory of Seeya is of a visit (around 1949 or 1950) to see us in Nawalapitiya. He was impeccably dressed in Western attire and spent a few days with us. This turned out to be a farewell visit. We were told that he made the rounds seeing many people shortly before he died.

Funerals and Weddings – that’s the common association with family. But interspersed were many other things. We spent many a childhood holiday with Aunty Bertha and her family. She treated us as her own. We watched her children grow and the ties forged then are still strong. Who can forget Ruth’s smile as she ran along the rail line to greet us as we got off the bus. Who can forget Aunty Bertha’s jokes and the tears streaming down her face as she laughed. Or her quotes in Sinhala (“onna Sam loonu kirinawa” drawing attention to Uncle Sam’s dozing, “hakke thiyala sema arinawa” referring to the act of chewing a bone and sucking the marrow, “cigarette eka kate, kalu kalisama athe” which I have still not figured out, “galauda BA” referring to a wastrel who had given up studies and was wasting time, etc.etc. She was offset by the strong and quiet Uncle Sam, the artist whose drawing of Christ still hangs in Indrani’s bedroom in Canada!!. He always woke us up with his famous egg flip (coffee) sans whiskey or brandy. A frequent visitor to Aunty Bertha’s place was our Aunty Lena who was always impeccably attired - beaded necklace, powdered face, nice hairdo and all!

I did attend a few early Pelapatha gatherings and remember the stalwarts of the time – Uncles Maurice, Percy, Hubert, Aunty Merle &Dr JHF Jayasuriya, HSR Goonewardene, Sam Seeya, Aunty Grace (impeccably dressed in Portuguese evening dress and speaking with a refined English accent) among others. There I met family, enjoyed the good food, drink, music and dancing.

I remember meeting Aunty Manique for the first time in Wadduwa in the mid-50’s. Subsequently Uncle Merrill was transferred to the Jaffna peninsula. Daddy was principal of the School for the Deaf and Blind in Kaithadi. We enjoyed the company of our younger cousins and this was probably the happiest time of our lives. Jaffna was a revelation to me and I enjoyed my schooling there and we met many good people who remain friends to this day.

After daddy’s sudden death in 1961, Uncle Percy, Aunty Freda, Uncle Merrill and Aunty Manique took us under their wing and looked after us till we were soon able to fend for ourselves. Aunty Freda brought my morning tea to my bedside and Lakshman gave up his room for me!!

Time passes and memories will fade. But as we remember the many acts of kindness, compassion and love shown to us by many a member of the Weerasooriya family, let us not forget to be thankful and proud of our heritage.

Introducing members of the family of ‘Will’ Soysa and (Dr.) Mrs Kathleen Soysa.

- BYCHANDRAKANTHA SOYSA

“ the leopard’s spring hit me hard on my upper left shoulders and we both went down hard. I had no time to fire the second barrel of the 12 bore that I exchanged for the rifle, as the cover was thick brush. His mouth smelt of putrid flesh and his fangs cut through my left ear, leaving the lobe hanging down. His fangs or right front paw opened a good portion of my upper arm but, fortunately his lower feet did nor cause any serious damage to me. I had fired my first shot, using 2 ¾ Alphamax SGs which had gone through his left side, seeming to hurt his rear right legs, but the first shot from the 7 mm rifle had got him in the lungs, a fatal shot. The tracker, Saranelis “aaratchy” and Carolis were both shouting and trying to scare the animal off, and as the leopard moved away, to die they came and held me up. I was covered in blood by that time…..” Thus, is the description of the now famous “Leopard incident” at Palatupana, by the late Will Soysa.



Firstly, I have to mention my appreciation of anyone and everyone who would have ha a ‘hand’ in producing the DWFWA SOORIYAKATHA MAGAZINE. I am actually a member through marriage; much surprised, that none of the family members of the above mentioned family took upon themselves to write about such a wonderful couple as my father-in-law and mother-in-law.
I grew up in an era where most in our generation – had a quiet yet fun-filled exciting childhood. A period in which we had time to enjoy our grand-father and mother, aunts and uncles and gather memories that would live in our minds forever. I often tell my children and their spouces, that it was a magical world for any child. Therefore, I congratulate the President and committee members of the DWFWA for such a book of stories which take us back in time to appreciate our colourful ancestors.
Kumara (son of Will and Kathleen Soysa) and I went to see his maternal aunt Sybil Fernando, the only survivor of the renowned 7 sisters and 1 brother of the Weerasooriya/Mendis Jayawardena family. There, on the table in the verandah was the Sooriyakatha Magazine. I HAD to immediately start reading it. This interest comes from having heard so many stories of this clan, on my visits to the homes of Marjorie nanda, Derrick mama, Hubert Bappa, Beryl nanda, Johnny Bappa, and by listening to my husband’s discussions, when he got together with his many cousins. I just could not stop reading, enjoying every article and the many pictures that put a face to the stories contained therein.
Fredrick Wilfred Anthony Soysa was the 5th of 7 children born to Haramanis Soysa and Alice Weerasooriya. This family grew up on Hermont Estate where their ancestral home built by his mother still stands. This was very creditable, because this lady had lost her husband when the children were yet quite young. Thatha (as I have called him) “Will” started his education at Trinity College Kandy, as a hosteller. He passed The London Matriculation Examination. After this, very appropriately, he entered the university – made more inviting because Amma too was in the same place of learning. After one year, he could not continue, for the lack of funds available. Giving up his university studies, he very gallantly went back to Hermont Estate to work and redeem their estate, which had been mortgaged by his mother. He had a pioneering spirit and went on to plant three more s’nut estates before he passed away in 1974. I have heard people say, that he had classical taste, whose aristocratic nature was exhibited, being the first gentleman in the village to own a horse and saddle.

Thatha had all the attributes of a Weerasooriya; love of Pork, love of hunting, love of fishing and the ability that every Weerasooriya possessed – to make any conversation into a lengthy story of days gone by. A sense of humor has always prevailed in the “clan” and the few members I have associated with all had this same gift which made them great story tellers to young and old alike.
Early in his life, thatha set his eyes on a first cousin (children of two Weerasooriya sisters) and amidst a little disapproval from elders, won his bride and married her in 7th June 1939. I hear their courting was done during trips to the jungles when amma’s youngest sister Sybil was the “chaperone”. Amma (Dr. Mrs. Kathleen Soysa) was stationed in Batticaloa and after marriage, they spent many happy days in places like Kalmunai, Jaffna, Beruwela, Weligama, Colombo, Kandy, Matara, Panadura, Galle etc..

They had four children, Kumara, my husband, the eldest, Laleeni, Vajira and Kierthi. Sumithra was the 3rd child who unfortunately and tragically died as an infant.
I first met Thatha when Kumara decided to introduce me to his parents a meeting at Fountain Café the restaurant of family gathering in the 60s. I noticed he was a man of few words often curling his lips to show humour that always lurked inside of all the Weerasooriya “clan” his age. I knew thatha for only 7 years. He commanded respect of others around him in the way he moved and was always consulted in matters that concerned his relatives from Gonapinnuwela. His relatives had a habit of stopping by at their Hikkaduwa home and stayed for a sea bath and a meal. There was no fuss to prepare extra food, but everyone sat at the 8 seater and shared the food for the day. He could never be rushed but I suppose was a stickler for time.
The story goes, that on our wedding day, (February 2nd 1967) he announced to the rest of the family “I am leaving at 4 p.m. – anyone who is not ready can walk”. Everyone made it a point, I am told, to be ready on time. Thatha had a peculiar way of talking; very softly, very slowly, using unfamiliar sinhala language. Kumara used to give thatha a bottle of whiskey each year, which he collected – waiting for a suitable occasion to celebrate. I heard he had over 8 – 10 in this collection, kept locked away in his almariah.
I know his relatives thought him to be “wealthy man” but thatha was a very careful spender. However, I know of many occasions where he helped his relations in need as well as friends and neighbours in need with large amounts of cash given without any security or even a pro-note. I also know, that he was “always there” to help a relative who needed his help.
There were no TVs during his time and he entertained himself by becoming a self-taught pianist playing the piano, paying no attention to the tempo of the piece at hand!!
He was a man with his own convictions, voicing it only to Amma and then standing firm without wavering with a mind made up. Thatha, like most of the “clan” was a keen hunter and fisherman. I do not think any of the “clan” could match his story of how he was mauled by a leopard and lived to tell the tale. Thatha purchased Shantha Sri in Hungama, a nature hideout, surrounded by a lagoon, an ocean, elephants,birds, fish and reptiles. This place was a haven to many in the “clan” he belonged to. Amma and thatha lived in a picturesque manner of leisure, living content lifestyles holidaying by the lagoon and spending the latter part of their lives by the ocean.
I have said thatha was a man of few words, one who rarely showed his emotions. This is why I was so surprised one day, to see him sitting by my baby son (of 3 months) and fanning the mosquitoes away. A silent show of love.
Kathleen Mendis Jayawardena was the 2nd of 8 children born to Edo Mendis Jayawardena and Mary Weerasooriya. She attended Prince of Wales Moratuwa and studied to become the highest qualified in her family.
Dr. (Mrs.) Kathleen Soysa LMS (Cey) my mother-in-law was in the 1st batch of lady doctors to pass out. She came from a very simple family where a mother loved her 8 children and instilled in them the fear of God Almighty. One became a missionary (Connie/Constance) who established a mission in Urubokke, which has over 100 converted Christians; one became a stay at home, to look after her mother (Doreen); one became a popular cook par excellence (Florie); the other a teacher (Edna); another who became the first Sri Lankan Principal Matron of Nursing in Ceylon; and the youngest a housewife, to look after two naughty sons!!
Amma was also a soft-spoken, quiet, yet strong minded woman, who put her work and profession first in her life. Her many transfers to different parts of Ceylon made it necessary for her to send her children to boarding school, which was not welcome by her children.
Amma must have had a piece of her heart fall out, when in 1946 she watched helplessly as her 3rd child, Sumithra succumbed to cancer. This must have been such a difficult time for her and I admire her and thatha for having had the courage to have another child (Vajira) born in their 8th year of marriage.
Amma had a way of walking that was only peculiar to her. Her step was light and her demeanour so calm, seeming as if she was always in the presence of God.
I have never seen Amma too long in the “house-coat” the night-time attire favoured by the other ladies. She would always wear a crisp cotton saree which made her slight figure look a little fuller. This was her attire, be it in the house, in the dispensary or jungle. Amma was a very dedicated, conscientious medical practitioner. I would hear her answer the door-bell at all hours of the night, be it 11 p.m. or the wee hours of the morning. Arising from her bed, she would make the least noise as she went to attend to the sick and needy. She did not charge a fee from those that could not afford to pay. Practices long forgotten by the medical profession of today. She would be up early, ready again the next morning, to face yet another day of duty.
She looked so frail yet did not hesitate to drive the large Bogward they owned – even as far as Moratuwa. A Herculean task for her. She and her “matron” sister were among the very few ladies that took to the wheel in those years gone by.

In the midst of her medical work, I used to see her come to give out provision for the day and to make her own cup of tea. She walked close to God which was evident by the bible I found in her dispensary desk drawer. In a ‘gentle way’ she affirmed what she expected others around her to be, and followed it by example. She was respected by all in Hikkaduwa and every relative who knew her personally.
She lost the love of her life in 1974. Whenever we went to Hikkaduwa, it was apparent how lonely she was; still, continuing to serve the people of that town as before. Vajira had married and gone to London and with 2 babies that came one after the other, Amma was given a new lease of life, enabling her to travel away from Hikkaduwa, to be with them. By 1979 she had 5 grand-children. Krishan and Neshanthrie Soysa (Kumara and mine) Dharshan, Praveen and Jiten Wignarajah (Vajira and Wigi’s) Dhushyanthi and Surinda Jayawardena (Laleeni and Senarath’s).
Sadly, however, cancer took hold of this lady of medicine and after 2 surgeries I had the privilege of looking after her in my home. I bathed and fed her and became friends with her and she told me that she was not going to get the operation done again. Her “matron” sister and many others did not accept this, but I did understand and supported her on this issue. Thereafter, one last test was done and she won be insisting on going back to Hikkaduwa. She rested in the large room facing the ocean hearing its sound and feeling the breeze that came with it.
She may have had many a conversations with Jesus till she gave her soul to Him in 1979. My son (Krishan) has a daughter named after Amma. Kathleen Soysa II. We are all praying, hoping she will be everything her paternal great-grand-mother was and more.
Kumara and I have 2 children. Krishan Rajiv Sumitta Soysa B. Sc , working for Xerox Capital Inc., of NY, married to Margo Malvaso living in Rochester NY and Neshanthrie Soysa married to Alakan Sabanathan a millwright technician, living in Toronto, Canada.
Laleeni and Senarath Jayawardena have two children Dhushiyanthi Jayawardena a qualified architect, living and working attached to an architectural firm in New York married to Nagulan Nesiah Consultant to an Aid agency of the Episcopal Church, living in Manhattan NY and Surinda Jayawardena still studying.
Vajira and Wigi Wignarajah have three sons; Dharshan living in Amsterdam and working for the consultancy firm of Makinsey, Praveen attached to the British government Department for International Development, and Jiten who works in a bank. Dharshan passed out of the University of Edinburgh, with an degree in Economics and Politics, Praveen achieved a first class from Cambridge, in Natural Sciences, and Jiten a Degree in Physics and Philosophy from Oxford.

Kirthi is married to Saroja and they have one daughter Shervanthi who is a promising junior grade student. This family lives in Australia.
This is the story of the family of my husband another few illustrious members of “the Clan”.

p.s.

My parents were very modest people. Many people are not aware of the many welfare and social activity they were involved in Hikkaduwa and Baddegama. My father would quote the Bible and say, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, with reference to the charity work they did. My sister in law wonders why no-one had written about the lives of their children and grand children. Maybe that is why.

But they would be proud of their children and grand children’s lives and what they have achieved.


Vajira

My trip to England

By Richard Weerasooriya


From my younger days, I always had the idea of wanting to travel abroad. England was always my first choice. Before I left Ceylon, from my school days, I was always an ardent English Cricket supporter. Actually, I was the only member of my family who supported England whenever they played against Australia.

How I finally achieved my ambition of visiting England came about like this –

Where jobs were concerned, I did not have any particular ambitions. Whatever ideas I had about possible employment in Ceylon did not meet with my father’s approval.

However, one of our relatives (the late Mr. Julian de Silva) recommended to my father that I take up an apprenticeship in a firm of Architects with a view of proceeding to England after a while to get qualified as an Architect.

I simply had no clue as to what sort of work and study was needed to get qualified as an Architect. My belief was then an architect designed houses. Anyway since there was a good possibility of my being able to go to England after a few years of apprenticeship, I decided to take the plunge and join M/s. Billimoria & De Silva, Peiris & :Panditharatne (Architects) as an apprentice. Until I joined the above firm I hadn’t seen any of the instruments etc. that were used to do drawings. I was so ignorant that one day I used a scale rule to draw lines thinking it was a ruler! I should have been using a set square. This actually amused some of the chaps who were seated close to my drawing board.

From Augusut 1960 till early March 1964, I worked for this firm of Architects. I did not get any pay for the first six months. Then I was paid rs.50/- per month for about an year and during the final few months in their employ, I was paid a salary of Rs.187/- per month.

I must admit that by this time I had become a fairly accomplished draughtsman having worked on numerous projects including the construction of the Maliban Biscuit factory in Ratmalana.

By this time my intended trip to England was also getting nearer. Once the decision was made I had to apply for an employment voucher to the British Government. I had to do this through the British High Commission. I had to satisfy certain conditions to obtain a Priority Voucher that was issued to technically qualified persons.

The employment voucher was issued to me within 3 months of application. Soon afterwards, I had to start making preparations to leave the island quickly as I had to get to England within 6 months of receiving the Employment voucher. So the next step was to get a passport and all other necessary documents as soon as possible. I had also to get clearance from the Income Tax Dept. The cost of a passport at that time was a mere Rs.15/- during the time I was attending to the above mentioned matters. I also dropped in at a shipping Agents office (namely, M/s. Harrison & Crossfield) and inquired about possible sailings to the UK in the month of March 1964. I was told of a sailing to the UK on ss’LAOS’ – French ship owned by M/s. Messageries Maritimes which would said from Ceylon on the 11th of March 1964. The fare quoted was Rs.1025/- (Stg.75/- according to the then exchange rate). I booked a passage in the Economy class on that day and agreed to pay the required monies by a certain date which escapes my mind at the time of writing. I had already saved the fare for the passage out of the pay packet. I was receiving each month from my employer. So I didn’t have to worry my father about this. However, I did have to ask my father for a further Stg.75/- in foreign exchange which was the only amount of foreign exchange granted at that time to travelers. Stg.35/- was given to my hand and the rest had to be collected from a bank after arrival in the UK.

By this time I had also handed in my resignation to my employers. So for a few days before I left the country it was farewell party time. At first it was a case of going for drinks and meals with various groups of friends. During this period, I also received a few gifts from my friends. A few days before leaving the country there was a farewell party in our own home. This was attended mainly by my relatives plus 2 English Engineers who were engaged in the construction of the Maliban Biscuit factory at Ratmalana. My first ever speech was made at this party. Only a few words though!!

The date of sailing was on the 11th March, 1964. It was a very busy day with having to hand over the luggage which was going in the ‘Hold’ of the ship that morning at the Colombo Harbour. After a special lunch attended by mainly close relatives and also after having taken some photos, we left for the Colombo Harbour in the late afternoon. Apart from our family members, there were a number of other relatives and friends who came to see me off. At the Harbour everyone got into launches and went to board the ship.

Once on the ship, I had to see the Purser first. He provided the information about what cabin I was to occupy etc. We took more pictures etc., while onboard. Finally an announcement was made for all visitors to leave the ship. This was a very sad and emotional moment. It was indeed very sad to say goodbye to everyone who came to see me off. We were not sure if we will ever meet again. After all visitors had left, I went to see my accommodation etc., which was a cabin with two double bunks. I shared the cabin with three other Ceylonese gentlemen. The cabin was actually below water level. At about 5.00 p.m. the ship started to move slowly away from the harbor towards the high seas. Some of us stood on the deck and watched until the lights of Colombo disappeared out of our view. This was a very sad moment for everyone who was leaving Ceylon that day. A little later there was an announcement for everyone to come to the dining room to have their dinner.

The facilities for the passengers in the Economy class were very simple and basic. Most cabins had two double bunks. The toilets and other washing facilities were in a separate area. So in the mornings, one had to go a fair distance to have a shower and other early morning ablutions. The dining area could be compared to a canteen. Even the service was not much different to what happens in a canteen.

One good thing was that we were served plenty of wine during meal times which of course was a novelty to chaps like me who up to that time had tasted only milk wine and that was also only during Christmas time. The food on board was also rather simple but plentiful. So I had no complaints about it.

After leaving Colombo Harbour, we were at sea for 3 whole days, without seeing any land until we reached the Port of Bombay (now known as Mumbai). During this period a lot of time was spent on the deck getting to know some of the other passengers. From Ceylon, there were two families with kids, one couple without kids, and there were four of us single men and also one lady who was travelling alone. There were some Japanese students and also a few people from Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Australia and some Englishmen who were returning to the UK after a spell of travel. We were in Bombay for nearly 3 days. On the first day I couldn’t leave the ship till about 3 pm., as I had drunk too much wine and had to sleep off a bit of a hangover! While in Bombay, we used to go out during the day and return to the ship in the evening. I noticed that in India they sold imitations of every well known English cigarettes. Being an occasional smoker, I purchased a few packets of these cigarettes.

I also had to pay a visit to one of my bosses’ daughter who was an Architectural student in Bombay. I was to collect a parcel from her to be given to her brother who was a student in London at that time. I visited her with two other shipmates. She welcomed us and treated us to some Bombay sweets etc., which was much appreciated by all three of us. We also did some sightseeing and took some photos. In Bombay some passengers joined the ship. Amongst them were a group of soldiers from Pondichery (a French colony at that time) who were been taken to France for military training.

The ship finally left Bombay and headed towards our next port of call which was to be Djibouti which was in French Somali land. During this time we were sailing in the Arabian Sea. I was fascinated by some strange looking Arabic boats that were sailing in these waters. We also saw a whole lot of flying fish.

In Djibouti, the ship stayed for about 1 ½ days. Enough time to see a bit of the town etc. which was about a mile away from the port. As we came down the gangplank to the quay there were people selling mainly cigarettes on the jetty. I managed to palm off a Rs.5/- note for a tin of 50 John Player Navy Cut cigarettes. Ceylon money was not worth very much at that time too. I was surprised that he actually accepted my money. When I got back to the ship and told the others of my achievements, some of them also went and got some cigarettes for themselves.

After leaving Djibouti, we sailed in the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal. We had to wait at the mouth of the Suez Canal which is at Port Said for about a day until clearance was granted as only one ship was allowed in each direction at one time. At this point excursions were organized for trips to see the pyramids and to rejoin the ship at the other end of Suez Canal in Port Said. I did not join this trip due to lack of funds. But there were several who took advantage of this offer. When they rejoined the ship in Port Said they told all about the trip with much excitement. While we waited for clearance at the entrance to Suez Canal, the ship was surrounded by several boats owned by local traders. They got their merchandise up to the deck and displayed them. Most people including myself purchased some souvenirs from them. When it was time for us to begin our journey through the Suez Canal all the traders left the ship, except one of them who actually got his boat on the deck. He was taking a ride on the deck up to Port Said where he disembarked. This man even trying to sell pornographic photos to us!

The journey through the Suez Canal to Port Said took a fair amount of time. It was quite a pleasant one with people waving to us from both sides of the canal.

Early next morning we left Port Said and headed for Barcelona which was the next port of call. This was to be the first part in Europe where we set foot. Barcelona was in Spain and it took us quite some time to arrive here from Port Said. During this journey we sailed on the Mediterranean Sea passing the island of Cyprus and various Greek islands including Crete. As we were approaching the port of Barcelona we spotted the ship in which Christopher Columbus sailed when he went on his journey of ‘Discovery of the New World.’
Barcelona was rich in Architecture. Fine buildings etc. A few of us were in a park taking photos etc. when a man approached us and asked us to pose for photos. We posed for a few photos, thanked him and went on our way. Suddenly, we found about twenty people following us. They were insisting that we pay the man for the photos that were taken. We told them that we did not ask to be photographed and that it was the man with the camera who asked us to pose. We finally managed to shake them off and hurried back to the ship. We also managed to get some souvenirs before we set sail.

The last port of call for this ship was to be Marseilles in the South of France. A concert was organized for the final night. Each country had to be represented. A program of the items were also printed and distributed. That night we had a grand time with good food and wine etc. A few Ceylonese including myself did some singing and baila dancing.

We arrived in Marseilles next morning. We were sad to leave the ship that day. We said goodbye to some of the passengers who were not continuing the journey to London. We had made so many friends during our voyage.

The next part of the journey was to be by train. The first of the journey was to Paris where we had to change to a train which was to take us to Calais. We had to keep our luggage with us all the time during the train journey. When the train stopped at one station close to Paris, we noticed a man pick up one of our bags and leave the train. About five of us jumped out and chased this man along with platform. Suddenly he dropped the bag and ran off. This was the only awkward incident we experienced during the train journey.

At Calais, we had the usual immigration formalities and left Dover on the English Coast in a ferry. This journey took about 1 ½ hours.

After more immigration formalities at Dover, I boarded a train with my companions and left for London Victoria terminal which was the final stop. I was getting a little anxious when I was left almost alone on the platform after most of the other passengers were met by either their friends or relatives and departed. Finally, I was very relieved when one of my friends turned up to meet me. Nearly twenty days after leaving the Port of Colombo, my journey to England had just ended. After all the fun I had during the journey, the time had come for me to face reality!!