A century, whether it be a cricket match or a break on the billiard table is an event which calls for publicity, congratulations and celebrations.
I consider it a great honour and privilege, to send this congratulatory message to my very dear, sister-in-law, Mrs. Sumana de Silva, my husband’s sister, on her hundredth birthday, tomorrow, the 8th of May.
Sumana Akka as we all affectionately call her, was born on May 8, 1917 in Ambalangoda. She was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Patuwatha Withana Thomas de Silva. She started schooling at Girls’ High School, Kandy and later when her father joined the Government service, she joined Southlands College, Galle, where she was a boarder.
She joined the Govt. Training College in 1941 when it was situated at Thurstan Road and passed out as an English trained teacher in 1942.
After training she joined Prajapathi Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda and later taught for a short time at Mahabodhi College, Colombo.
She devoted 27 years of her teaching career at Ananda College, Colombo. She joined the Ananda College staff in 1948 and retired in 1975.
During her tenure as a teacher, she was sent on a scholarship to the University of Michigan to study the teaching of English as second language.
As a teacher, thousands of students have passed through her hands and I’m sure she can still remember each and every one by name, where he was from and his life at college. Many of her students have become leading doctors, lawyers, engineers, administrators, academics, officers of the Armed Services, Police, businessmen, planters and so on.
She always practised what she preached and left an indelible mark on everyone who came in contact with her. She was a much loved teacher, who rendered almost 35 years in the cause of education.
She never sought publicity, but went on in quiet efficiency throughout the years, giving of her best at all times. Generations of young men have surely reaped the benefits of her high ideals and values.
Sumana Akka is very kind-hearted and possesses a sense of fairplay and justice. Simplicity, is the hallmark of her personality. She possesses many admirable qualities - patience, integrity, amiability and honesty – all these are part and parcel of her.
She married Donald de Silva who worked at the Department of Fisheries. Her husband passed away in 1994, just a couple of months before their 50th wedding anniversary.
She was the pivot around which her family unit revolved. Her family always came first. She symbolised the quintessential qualities of motherhood.
She was an exemplary mother whose devotion and concern for her children extended beyond their childhood years. Her unconditional love and understanding allowed her children to make their own ways in life and today all of them are doing extremely well in life.
She is the mother of four children. The eldest Dr. Lal de Silva is a consultant surgeon, the second Dr. Iyanthiemala Abeywickreme is a consultant physician and was the former President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Tissa de Silva, the third is an engineer and is the Director of Intelligent Systems (IBI) Group in Canada.
The youngest, Channa de Silva who captained the Ananda College Cricket team was an officer in the Air Force and later migrated to Australia, after marriage.
Although Sumana Akka is a centenarian, she has her wits about her, and is interested in all that is happening around her and in this country.
Very great indeed!! Till recently she was an avid reader and still is an ardent cricket fan and a champion at Scrabble.
She is a very good seamstress and has done exquisite cross-stitch embroidery on her own clothes as well as household linen.
She is an excellent cook and can turn out tasty dishes in a jiffy. But all these activities have slowed down gradually due to failing eyesight. She is a true Buddhist and lives by the principles she upholds.
After her retirement it was her practice to visit the Kuppiyawatte temple regularly. She lives with her daughter at Fifth Lane, Colpetty.
Here’s wishing her a very happy birthday and may the Noble Triple Gem bless her with good health, happiness, peace and contentment, all of which she richly deserves.
Chatra S. Withana