‘Ananda’, comes to our memory the moment we begin to remember names such as L.H. Mettananda, P.de S. Kularatne and Col. G.W. Rajapaksha. Of the three, the name G.W. Rajapaksha was on everybody’s lips since during the final battle against the LTTE. Four or five armed services commanders on the battlefield were his ‘products’ – students. Not only Prof. J.B. Dissanayake but also hundreds of others who had mastered languages, literature and other disciplines were also Col. G.W. Rajapaksha’s past students.
The biography of the legend of Ananda written by Sisira Dissanayake, an old Anandian himself was launched recently at the College’s Kularatne Hall. The key address was delivered by author old Anandian, Imitiaz Bakeer Markar of the premier Sinhala, Buddhist Ananda. He was the Leader of the College’s debating society, leading orator former Minister of Mass Media and present Member of Parliament.
Here his tribute to his former guru Col. G.W. Rajapaksha.
Greatest educationalist
“I believe Col. G.W. Rajapaksha was the greatest educationalist I have in witnessed in my life. He gifted to the country a generation of students endowed with Buddhist values and a wide vision. As a teacher he had never been armed with the Cane! Neither did he use any rude or coarse words. A former Army officer, his beaming visage, snow white kit and shining pair of shoes were always conspicuous. He closely studied the behaviour of his students. The manner he dealt with them with them left a classic example to the posterity.
It is still fresh in my memory how our forefathers walked chest-erect but circumspectly while the national anthem and College song was sung. He was in our company when he played tennis with us in the evenings.
Wherever he was and whatever he did his sense of self-confidence, leadership expertise and esprit de crops were a source of inspiration to us all. Col. Rajapaksha was in fact a rare personage. He won the heart of each and every one. Whenever there was a wrong, he did not hesitate to have it righted promptly but never found fault with or condemned the wrong doer and helped put him back on right track. Very often he rejoiced over the victories of all Anandians and reiterated his theme, ‘Ananda is ours, we are all Anandians’. His aft-repeated mantra was ‘Blessings of Ananda to you all.
When three of us, former Colombo Mayor, Ratnasiri Rajapaksha, Presidential Candidate Ossie Abeygunasekera and myself represented the College at the All Ceylon School Oratory Competition in 1966 and won three gold medals, our principal Col. Rajapaksha was so happy that his had displayed the medals in the college notice board a number of days as a mark of appreciation.
Although Col. Rajapaksha had led the College to many victories, it is pity that as a country we have failed to act collectively with mutual understanding and unity among us to consolidate our gains and move ahead fast.
Col. Rajapaksha’s life story is a model for realising our aims with zest and determination. It is equally benefitial to our individual times.
At a student voting in the college when certain sections made attempts to drag religion he summoned the entire student community of the College and warned that the principle behind voting is not based on religion but on student skills. It is time to consider how appropriate are his thoughts to the present day society even after elapse of a few decades.
I firmly believe if we preserve the values he advocated and follow the right path it could be the noblest tribute we could pay to him. During its long history Ananda College has gifted to the country a healthy generation conscious of its responsibilities to the country and the world at large. We could speak eloquently on those pre-war Anandians such as Tibatan Monk S. Mahinda, Col. Olcott, Kularatnes, Malalasekeras, T.B. Jaya, Philip Gunawardenea, Iriyapallas and NMs, and post independence political leader and other competent in manifold disciplines. Within the atmosphere of freedom unleashed by Col. Rajapaksha of course these were heated debates, dialogues and arguments. The principal who himself observed all there vicissitudes encouraged the students to go ahead with their studies.
Dr. N.M. Perera was the chief guest at the College prize-giving in 1972. I was assigned the task of preparation of the vote of thanks on behalf of the students. The Principal summoned me to his office and advised, “now make your speech in my presence and I shall tape record it. You should not utter a single word outside this speech. It is your duty to safeguard the dignity of the College.”
These words still resonate in me. I believed he would have been quite aware of my political predilections. He was also aware, I believe that a group of Anandian including myself had initiated the set up of a UNP youth movement following the UNPs debacle in 1970. In my address of thanks I overstepped my approved speech when the chief guest Finance Minister Dr. N.M. Perera said, ‘Ananda could remember me only after my being crowned as Finance Minister!
I made my speech with due respect to Principal Col. Rajapaksha at the sametime safeguarding the honour of the minister. I still remember the oration of the audience including the old boys. When the ceremony was over the principal summoned and presented me a copy of the souvenir meant for the guests, with a note on its cover, “your speech at the prize-giving will remain for ever in our memory”- Principal.
Some more stories reminiscent of Col.Rajapaksha, our beloved principal still echo in our memories.
Former Governor General William Gopallawa was due to be the chief guest at the College prize-giving. The principal acted as the chief guest at the rehearsal on the due of the prize-giving and when a student bowed down to receive his prize, the principal remarked, “Son, Anandians won’t wisdom to anybody. Just bend your head and show your respect.
That is enough! Admirable personality
Col. Rajapaksha wanted to gift to the nation a generation who would not bestow before any bigwigs. These are precious value he meticularly embodied over lives, his admirable personality bestowed on the college a sense of pride.
Prime Minister, J.R. Jayewardene reference to Col. Rajapaksha at the ceremonial opening of the college’s new playground is evidence of his unrivalled leadership.
“Ananda is Rajapaksha’s school, no minister, Member of Parliament nor. I myself would not interfere with Rajapaksha.
If he asks for something will promptly give it as long as Colonel Rajapaksha was principal Ananda was his Kingdom”.
Col. Rajapaksha had the courage to equate the status of the college principal to that of the kingship!
Col. Rajapaksha enrolled as a four-year-old student at the college in 1924 and from that time upto 1981, a period of a half a century he held numerous positions such as Cadet Team Captain, head prefect, Teacher in charge of Cadet, Hostel supervisor, sports teacher, vice principal and Principal.
The only exception to his long association with the college was his one-year sojourn abroad for higher studies and two years as principal of Isipathana Vidyalaya, Colombo.
Being dedicated to the cause of the premier Buddhist College of the country for over twelve years from 1969 to 1981 the services he rendered to the student community as well as the country are inimitable.
Appended below are a few words contained in a letter addressed to my former principal during his retirement.
Sir you are the archetypal Disapamok who gave me knowledge.
Your eyes kindness in me, the flame of life.