Many Sri Lankans are being awakened to assume that there is an “increasing” number of people from China coming to Colombo and some other districts. While they are most welcome, our friends from the orient, a few remain skeptic and even cautious. Yet, history beautifully reveals the steady relationship we have enjoyed with the Chinese, their first recorded visitor arriving in our island in the 5th Century BC.
Many Sri Lankans are being awakened to assume that there is an “increasing” number of people from China coming to Colombo and some other districts. While they are most welcome, our friends from the orient, a few remain skeptic and even cautious. Yet, history beautifully reveals the steady relationship we have enjoyed with the Chinese, their first recorded visitor arriving in our island in the 5th Century BC.
The determined Buddhist pilgrim Fa Hien travelled to ancient Ceylon via Nepal and India, enduring a very long journey. He is said to have come to Abayagiri Dagahba and remained there for two years. Thereafter, when Ceylon was the maritime domain of the Dutch, they used to send Chinese men as soldiers and workers to Ceylon from Batavia (present day Jakarta) in the 17th century. A significant year was 1740 when hundreds of unemployed Chinese were sent to our island to work in the vibrant cinnamon plantations. Within the process of this voyage there is an unverified account of some Chinese being thrown overboard which caused great concern.
Migration to Ceylon
Later, as the British defiantly consolidated their influence over Ceylon, the Governor, Sir Fredrick North streamlined a labour operation where many migrant Chinese workers were brought to Ceylon from Penang. These Chinese were sent to Trincomalee and Galle. During their free time they are said to have hunted down sharks for their fins, used in Chinese cuisine. During the tenure of Thomas Maitland 100 Chinese men were tasked with building the Hamilton Canal leading to Negombo.
By the 1920s migrants from Shandong and Hubei came via Singapore and it is recorded that they settled in the Hulftsdorp area. As they got accustomed to their new home, they branched out to Wellawatte and Maradana, where they engage in lucrative business to this very day. The early Chinese migrants excelled as dental staff, textile merchants and in the catering field. These early settlers were initially subject to racial taunts and considered an alien minority. Probing into history we see that the number of Chinese began to dwindle and in 1963 it is believed, only 450 original migrants were still in Ceylon. Since the latter part of the 1990s the number of Chinese entering our nation has steadily increased.
Colours of China
The Chinese community has made a silent contribution to our society, in the form of highly skilled workers in the engineering and construction industry. They first displayed their prowess in the 1970s, building the BMICH. For decades there was concern and debate about their citizenship status and finally on September 24 2008 a Bill was passed to grant citizenship to those who arrived and stayed here since November 1948.
One of the famous landmarks of Chinese influence in Colombo is the Chinese Gift Palace on Galle Road, Colombo-6. It has been run by the Hsu family for decades. I met up with Foo-Kwei Roger Hsu, a second generation Chinese, who is continuing his father’s legacy. In 1936, Stephen Hsu came to Ceylon from the Shandong province, and began his textile business in 1959. Prior to this he had done some catering which was not very successful. The senior Hsu married a Burgher girl named Peggy, and they were blessed with a son, Roger, in 1966.
Today, Roger recalls the peaceful and happy days of his childhood studying at Isipathana College and then St. Peter’s College from Grade six. Learning to read and write in Sinhalese was not a problem for him. He says, “My classmates were amazed to see me, a Chinese boy, and did make a few jokes but we all became good friends”. During this time a change in government policy curtailed the textile quota and Stephen Hsu was faced with a dilemma. Being a wise businessman he began to sell ornaments. The gift palace rapidly blossomed with business as people began to appreciate the exquisite handicrafts, porcelain and religious articles from China.
Doyen of Rugby
Meanwhile, young Roger began to study Mandarin, not from his father but by reading books. He says, his Mandarin is sufficient to have a decent conversation. In keeping with tradition he studied martial arts, focusing on Zen, which he faithfully follows to this day. Roger Hsu begins his day by meditating and finding inner peace. He tells me, “I am a vegetarian for the past 15 years”. Falling in love with a Sinhalese girl he got married and has three children. In 1990, his father passed away and Roger took charge of the family business. He visits China twice a year to buy his products. Walking inside the colourful gift palace transports you to the mystic orient, as it has every artifact you can imagine, with some Sri Lankan products as well. Roger points out that the second generation Chinese in Colombo feel they are somewhat sidelined today, by the rich “jet-set” styled Chinese investors who have come to Sri Lanka over the past few years. He is happy to continue his father’s legacy.
Last of the migrant clan
Perhaps, the most outstanding sportsman from the Chinese community is ruggerite Y.C.Chang, who excelled in rugger at club level, finally, playing for Sri Lanka. Studying at Carey College and later at Trinity College, Kandy, he was a talented player who entertained his fans.
When I spoke to this jolly gentleman who is now 75 years, he recalled a jubilant childhood in Maradana. He said “My father Yu Chin Chai came to Ceylon in 1920 from the Hubei Province of China. He married a Sinhalese lady. He was a dental technician. I was born in 1942”. Chang took to playing rugby at the tender age of 10 at Trinity. Later he played for Havelocks, Kandy Sports Club and CH & FC captaining Ceylon in 1972.
Affectionately called “YC” he went onto become a coach and a referee and subsequently became President of the SLRFU (Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union). I asked him about Mandarin and he replied “Mandarin language is in my system, I used to speak to my grandparents, however today, I have forgotten a few words. My children are fully Sri Lankan and don’t speak any Mandarin”. Chang is undoubtedly the finest ruggerite from that era and will remain a magnificent sporting legend.
As you walk along Deans Road, Maradana a few textile shops that were once vibrant businesses run by the Chinese still remain. With time, the generations have inter married and much change is visible. As with any migrant community, people embrace their new culture and forge a new identity while sustaining a few elements of their “original” homeland. We don’t find a China Town as in other countries where their culture and food can be experienced. Maybe, when the Port City is complete we may have a beautiful China Town square. Indeed, there are many Chinese restaurants in Colombo, but these don’t have a direct connection to the early migrants. Thus, the last remaining members of the once industrious Chinese community from old Ceylon will slowly fade away, leaving behind a beautiful memory that has certainly enriched the history of Colombo.