Brigadier Alex Abeyesinghe:
A most accomplished volunteer soldier
Brigadier Alexander Edmund Rajepakse Abeyesinghe was an amazing gentleman who left a lasting impression on every military person who worked with him.
Many decades have given many men to measure up to the standard of greatness; heroism; gallantry; intellect; but, no single character has been so deeply loved by the people whom he served, and admired by the military, than Brigadier Alex Abeyesinghe. His very name is an inspiration to the hearts of SLLI Volunteers; his conduct a model for our young officers; and his goodness like a ceaseless prayer for volunteers’ welfare.
Brigadier Alex was a tall handsome and articulate man, who hailed from Negombo. He studied at Royal College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo. Though he inherited honor and fame; he held them not as an idler’s toy, but applied his vigorous energies and intellect to match his forefathers in all their courageous, virtuous, and noble characteristics. He loved cricket and played for his company and the army. Born in 1926, he was the only son of a politician and philanthropist. His father, a very dedicated Buddhist, was the Mayor of Negombo and later a Member of Parliament representing Negombo. His mother a Catholic was a known philanthropist.
Brigadier Abeyesinghe was brilliant, modest, humble and faithful to his religion, his kith and kin and fellow military men. His life was a picture of love and beauty; and all his actions from youth to old age infused with the highest ideals of Volunteering. No considerations could turn him from its path; no inducements could deviate his inflexible devotion to truth.
He served twenty eight years in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (1954 to 1982), and was considered by all officers, as the most accomplished Volunteer soldier in the service. His uncle Sir Cyril de Soyza was very close to him and Brigadier Alex worked for him at Associated Motorways, Kalutara. Young Abeyesinghe was lured to military service and enlisted to 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, The Ceylon Light Infantry as a Second Lieutenant,where he formed strong bonds with all ranks, especially, from ‘D’ Company (Negombo) and ‘C’ Company (Gampaha). Sir Cyril loved young Alex so much that he used to get military uniforms and accoutrements from England for him; he was one of the best dressed young officers in the CLI.
He became fascinated by military history and was a pioneering researcher. He had many connections with numerous Military Societies in UK to get a clear understanding of any issue.His family background was steeped in societal responsibility and philanthropy. His grandfather, father and mother had donated and built roadways, playgrounds, cooperative societies and housing schemes in Negombo.
His affection for the 2(V) SLLI, for its traditions and its liveliness persisted right to the end. He was hurt when it came to light that SLLI Regiment had forcibly taken away the 2(V) SLLI Colours to Panagoda.
He was up against it, and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that some officers of the Regiment would not have the 2(V)SLLI property under any circumstances.
On that fateful day, he spent all day with his long time close associate and subordinate dictating letters to Military hierarchy, requesting to stop intimidating the Battalion he loved and cherished. His enthusiasm for the Army especially for his unit never waned. He is the only officer in the history of the Army who went to UK spending his own money to participate in the Platoon Commanders course.
He had an interest in photography and military history. A very good instructor, he taught his subordinates everything he knew and encouraged them to have an innovative and a creative mind.
He commanded the Oldest Battalion of the Sri Lanka Army (2nd Battalion, The Sri Lanka Light Infantry Volunteers) on its Centenary year (1981) and Trooped the Light Infantry Colours for the President and others.
After relinquishing the command he was assigned to the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force as Deputy Commandant, where he initiated methodical changes from Volunteer Officer Cadet Training to Medals and Decorations for Volunteering.
A pioneering researcher he completed the book ‘The Raising and Development of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force’before he fell ill. He inherited the princely flags of ‘Salagama’ from his ancestors which he wished to donate.
“The scent of flowers cannot go against the wind; nor the scent of sandalwood; nor of rhododendron; nor of jasmine; only the reputation of good people can go against the wind. The reputation of the Virtuous Ones (sappurisa) is wafted abroad in all directions”
(Verse 54 of Pupphawagga, Dhammapada)
“May He attain the supreme Bliss of Nirvana”
Major Anton Edema
Prof.Chandra Jayasuriya :
Simple, humble and caring academic
A most unconventional , caring, simple and excellent teacher, Prof Chandra Jayasuriya, a former Dean and Head of the Department of the Faculty of Education, University of Colombo, passed away three months ago.
The news of Prof Jayasuriya’s death was quite unexpected to most of her friends and former students. Unfortunately, her funeral took place on the first day that lectures commenced after a prolonged nonacademic trade union action. Hence, many academics of the University of Colombo could not attend the funeral, but paid their last respects at her home, the previous day.
At the Mount Lavinia cemetery, that Saturday morning I was sad to note that there were only a handful of people. Mostly her relatives and workers were from her estate. However, a week later when I posted a comment about her death on Facebook, I was surprised and happy that many of her past students had shared my comment and from the responses I understood that in spite of the obituary being carried in the daily newspapers, many had missed it. This shows the power of the social media over the print media!
In this appreciation I am not going to highlight her academic excellence or her administrative capacity, but her qualities as an excellent teacher. In more than a 100 comments on Facebook this is the quality that was highlighted by all.
I was fortunate to be a student of Prof Jayasuriya three times. She first taught me in the Postgraduate Diploma course in Education (Teaching of English as a Second Language). The group was small and the majority were experienced teachers who had done their first Degree in Arts. Prof Jayasurya taught Measurement and Evaluation which required a mathematical knowledge, and was a difficult subject. Aware of this, she made it simple. Prior to teaching a difficult concept she would spend half the period talking about quite unrelated, sometimes personal anecdotes which resulted in much laughter in the classroom. It was only later that we realized, it was a technique she was using to put us at ease. She would then teach a difficult concept in the most simple and clear manner. Finally, she would ask me and another colleague who had done A/L science whether we understood, and then entrust us to help our colleagues. This was peer teaching, by which both groups benefited immensely. The following comment by one of my colleagues supports what I said.
I’m deeply saddened by this news. One of my favourite lecturers. Yes, she made testing and evaluation simple and interesting and it became my favourite subject. A very simple, humble and caring academic .Great story teller too.Thank you dear madam for being a great teacher.May you attain nibbana!
Prof Jayasuriya also taught me Research Methods in two Masters’ Degree courses. The second course comprised a diverse group such as, doctors, teachers, psychologists. She used the same unconventional method of teaching and they all enjoyed it.
Her teaching style was referred to in one comment as a “student friendly style”
She was also a very caring academic. When I first joined the Faculty of Education as a probationary lecturer she was the Dean of the Faculty. Due to the shortage of space in the Faculty there was no cubicle for my personal use, and even before I noticed this she told me, “you can use my cubicle as I hardly go there because I am in the Dean’s office. However, I am not going to be here for long as I am not going for a second term. Then we can share the room without fighting with each other!” This statement shows how caring and simple she was. Had I shared the room with her it would have been unforgettable. But I lost the opportunity, as very soon I had my own cubicle. When I become the Dean of the Faculty years later I often thought about this statement and tried my best to cater to the needs of my junior colleagues.
Below are two comments from her students to exemplify her caring and simple nature.
I am so sad that I could not pay my last respects to a teacher who was like a mother. I was in Sri Lanka, yet did not know about her death. I do not know the reason for that.
Her simple qualities are an example to all, especially, to people who are swollen headed due to their position.
I first learnt from her that more than the position simplicity shines.
Dear madam thank you very much for all you did for thousands of students who in turn may be imparting their knowledge to many more. Rest in peace madam!
This is the wish of your students. May you attain nibbana!
Marie Perera
Dr. Nisal T. Kurukulasuriya (Bunty):
A genius in obstetrics
My association with renowned Obstetrician Dr. Nisal T. Kurukulasuriya, known to many as “Bunty “commenced in the early 1960s, nearly 60 years ago, having grown up in the same neighbourhood in Mount Lavinia in identical ages. Until the time of his untimely demise we remained close friends. We were both instilled with the noble Buddhist precepts from an early age from the Daham Pasela of Mallikaramaya Temple under the tutelage of the Most Venerable Agga Panditha Weligama Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera.
He was a proud product of the prestigious Royal College where he had an illustrious academic career coupled with a passion for cricket, having represented the College Cricket X1 in 1964, with distinction awarded with colours. He was an all-rounder, a left arm ‘chinaman’ exponent and a left hand batsman. He was a gifted cricketer with an equal flair for other sport, such as, swimming, tennis, badminton and table tennis. Playing cricket for Royal College first X1 under JD Wilson did not deter his academic career as he was one of the best students at Royal, having excelled in the GCE A/L in the Bio stream, and entering Medical College effortlessly.
In his inimitable manner, he breezed through Medical College and was recognised as one of the best students in his batch. Thereafter, he proceeded to the UK and worked in several hospitals in England and Scotland, such as the Warrington Infirmary, Royal Infirmary Stirling, St.Mary’s Hospital, London and Hammersmith Hospital, London. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Great Britain. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, Bunty worked as a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the De Soysa Maternity Hospital and the General Hospital, Colombo. Bunty was also a Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Colombo for approximately 10 years. He worked tirelessly and eventually rose to become an eminent and popular sought after Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in his own right.
Apart from his work with patients in the wards, there was a terrific demand for him in the private sector. He cared for patients in his private practice largely at St.Michael’s and at McCarthy. He treated all his patients equally irrespective of their status, creed or religion. The attention and time each patient received during his ward rounds depended exclusively on the severity of the illness or how puzzling the clinical dilemma was. He had a remarkable aptitude of just looking at a patient and making a spot-on diagnosis.
Bunty refused consultation fees from friends for his services and would tell us not to waste time outside his consultation room, but to just show faces by peeing in, so that he could call them in. Similarly, he did many operations sans his fees to many of his friends. I myself had this experience in 1994 when he performed a hysterectomy on my wife and did not charge me although I was covered by a BoC medical scheme. We as friends are deeply indebted to him.
Perhaps, of greater significance than all his professional achievements was his unwavering dedication to his wife, children and grandchildren. He cultivated a unique and enduring bond with his sons and their families overseas, visiting them often. His doting daughter Shalini continued to live with him after marriage and named her son Nisal as a fitting tribute to her father who she considered a mentor and living inspiration.
A unique quality in Bunty was his low profile simplicity, unassuming mannerism, his commitment and compassion and his immense love for humanity. He never accepted invitations to be chief guest or attesting witnesses at weddings. My own experience of inviting him to attest my daughter’s marriage is testimony to this. He did participate and told me that he prefers to attend and maintain a low profile at these functions.
Bunty retired from medical practice in 2010 to enjoy more time with his family. He continued to read widely across many disciples including the Dhamma where his knowledge was extensive.
He had abundant talent and skill as a brilliant professional in his chosen field, always warm and unassuming, placing his patients at ease, with his large heart and beaming dimpled smile.We are saddened by the untimely passing away of dear Bunty ( Dr. N.T.Kurukulasuriya) but he will remain forever our hero. Words will fail us to console his beloved wife Dayaneetha, and family. His void is irreplaceable but his legacy would live on. “The flower blossoms and fades. The sun rises and descends,. But the memories, dignified and gracious deeds and accomplishments of Bunty would linger on, never to fade away.”
It is the fervent hope of all that his journey walking through ‘Sansara’ would be swift and short until he attains the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Sunil Thenabadu
Brisbane
Flowers and Hearts…
In honour of my bosom buddy, Nadeepa….
Devnaka Abhisith Nadeepa Dharmasiri
The reminiscent memories of your life,
Always bringeth a glazing smile.
If only I’d get one last chance to chat with you,
Just for a little while.
Then we could sit and have a tete-a-tete,
Just like we used to do,
When once you filled the moment with supreme delight,
And now your memories always doth too.
Thanks for trusting me from the start,
Although I couldn’t say you had a warm heart,
Trust me, your secrets will always be,
Under the tightest lock and key.
Sayeth one poet,
“SEASONS CHANGE: SONGS DO FADE
DEATH NEVER DETACHES FROM OUR FATE…”
Never mind, we’ll meet somewhere someday,
In heaven, where eternal glee’d stay.
It fills two years for today,
And I’ve learnt from day to day,
Your memories will linger within my heart,
Overflowing with gleams of sunshine, flowers and hearts.
Ravindu Fonseka