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Part one of this article was
published By Rohan Gunaratne The Sri Lankan Government received the following communique from an intelligence agency: 'Recent intelligence indicates that the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) plans to develop South Africa as one of its main stations for operating in the African region where weapons are inexpensive. The LTTE plans to establish relations with some of the other African regimes and groups through the ANC (African National Congress). These developments call for a review of relations between South Africa and Sri Lanka and the need to develop effective political, diplomatic and informational counter measures to alert South Africa that the LTTE and the ANC are neither electorally nor politically comparable and the Sri Lankan conflict cannot be understood through the lens of apartheid.' In the light of the fresh information, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar formulated a dual strategy to win over South African President Nelson Mandela and to confront South Africa with information regarding the LTTE's activities in that country. Kadirgamar proposed to invite Mandela as chief guest at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sri Lanka's Independence. However, Mandela came under pressure from the Tamil lobby not to accept the invitation. At the behest of the LTTE, South African Tamil activists wrote to Mandela: 'Mrs. (Chandrika) Kumaratunga is scheming to use the upcoming 50th anniversary of British departure from Ceylon to invite world leaders and proclaim it as a tacit acceptance of her policies of ethnic decimation. The Tamils have nothing to celebrate. We are sure that you have courage and wisdom to tell Mrs. Kumaratunga that for a person like you, who has passed through the baptism of fire in the fight for racial justice, to take part in a charade to celebrate 50 years of ethnic inequity is sacrilegious. Please tell her to 'Let the Tamil people go'.' Mandela declined the Sri Lankan Government's invitation. While LTTE activists attempted to lobby with Graca Machel (who later became Mandela's wife) at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Edinburgh in October 1997, Chandrika Kumaratunga approached Mandela in the Scottish capital city and informed him about the LTTE's activities in South Africa. Mandela, who is known to have considerable respect for Chandrika Kumaratunga's mother Sirima Bandaranaike, who is the country's Prime Minister, and acknowledges the support provided by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to the ANC, promised to investigate the matter immediately. Although Mandela and his officials were said to have been somewhat embarrassed by the manner in which Chandrika Kumaratunga accosted him on a sensitive issue, the strategy produced results. Within 24 hours, South Africa's National Intelligence Agency (NIA) reported to Mandela the extent of the LTTE's operations in South Africa. Based on the report, Mandela ordered the dismantling of the LTTE camps in the country. At the crack of dawn on October 29, 1997, South African troops assisted by NIA operatives, simultaneously raided the three LTTE camps in Laudium near Pretoria, Lenasia near Johannesburg and New Castle near KwaZulu-Natal. Investigations conducted by the South African authorities revealed that 24 hours before the camps were raided, the LTTE had been informed about the raids by a high-ranking source. Soon after they received information about the raid, the trainers and the trainees had moved out to other LTTE safe houses in South Africa with their arms. The trainers and the trainees, none of whom were arrested, perceived the dismantling of their infrastructure as a temporary setback. ANC hardliners pacified them by stating that this was a necessity and that it would not happen again. Within a month of the raids, the LTTE resumed training activity, albeit on a lower scale and involving smaller groups. This level of training continues even today and will continue as long as South Africa is hesitant about taking action to disrupt the LTTE's support network on its soil. Owing to political and electoral pressure, Mandela did not ask the South African criminal justice system to proscribe either the LTTE or its front organisations. The support network remained intact, offering the prospect of a revival. LTTE front organisations that disseminate propaganda and raise funds continue to operate in South Africa. Some of the most active front organisations are: People Against Sri Lankan Oppression (PASLO), Gauteng, which has branches throughout South Africa; the Movement Against Sri Lankan Oppression (MASLO), Cape Town and Durban; the Dravidians for Peace and Justice (DPJ), Gauteng, an offshoot of the PASLO, the Tamil Eelam Support Movement (TESM), Durban; the Peace for Sri Lanka Support Movement (PSLSM), Pretoria, an alliance of several groups, and the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO). The TRO, the LTTE's principal fundraising organisation, acts as a central conduit to channel money out of South Africa. The PSLSM, the latest front organisation to be established by the LTTE, was set up in March-April 1998. In an effort to wield greater influence, the LTTE also attempted to infiltrate other Tamil organisations in South Africa such as the Natal Tamil Federation, the South African Tamil Federation, the Tamil Federation oi Gauteng and the World Saiva Council of Chatsworth. The links between the LTTE front organisations and the South African Tamil Tigers is clear. For instance, G. M Veerabadren of the DPJ is the spokesperson for the South African Tamil Tigers. When he spoke to Prega Govender of Sunday Times, Johannesburg, South Africa, he identified himself as 'Thamiah Veerabadren. THE most recent round of discussions between Sri Lanka and South Africa followed an article and a photograph of armed men published by the Sunday Times on October 25. The photograph taken by Nicky de Blois, had the caption 'Armed and ready: Some South African Tamil Tiger supporters have had militia training. They say they are ready to fight for the cause of a separate state in Lanka. This determined group was pictured in the bush in Gauteng.' 'Thamiah' Veerabadren said the LTTE members regularly slipped into the country to receive secret training in the latest weapon technology. 'We also have a.highly disciplined and militant group of Tamils here who have received training in explosives and tracking....they are prepared to make the supreme sacrifice for the Tamils of Sri Lanka.' He has also written letters on the DPJ letterhead under his original name while lobbying for the LTTE. For instance, February 4, 1998, he wrote to several prominent persons in South Africa 'Dravidians for Peace and Justice, South African chapter, is a human rights organisation monitoring human rights abuse worldwide. Presently our focus is on Sri Lanka...' In addition to disseminating propaganda and raising funds, the front organisations hold public events and engage in lobbying. For instance, on July 4, 1998, the TESM staged a 'play of conscience' titled 'God is Silent'. The play, centred on the Sri Lankan conflict, was staged in the Regional Hall, Arena Park. It was organised in support of the LTTE. The advertisement for the play stated: 'Thousands of Tamils are being massacred and raped in Sri Lanka. Don't just sympathise with the cause. Do something about it.' Around 20 influential South African Tamils promote the interests of the LTTE either for financial or ideological reasons. Some of the activists who have come to the attention of the South African authorities are: Dr. P. Lingam, V. Pillai, Tommy (Tony) M. Padotan, M. Peddy, M. T. Pillay, T. D. Pillay, Kisten Chinappan, Y. Chetty, Ned Pillai and Kumbesan Sandrasegaran. In an effort to keep an eye on the LTTE's activities, particularly on its political and military activists who visit South Africa from time to time, the NIA has stepped up its surveillance on these organisations. The South African Government's attitude to the LTTE is shaped by the level of its (the LTTE's) propaganda and lobbying. However, it is incorrect to presume that there is no opposition to the LTTE in South Africa. After Mandela met with Chandrika Kumaratunga, his attitude towards the LTTE changed, at least for a while. In December 1997, a South African Tamil activist wrote to Mandela: '... recent statements made by your officials reflect a number of misconceptions and missing conceptions about the situation in Sri Lanka.' Thus, South African opinion vis-a-vis Sri Lanka is not monolithic. There are prominent South Africans, including South African Tamils, who are aware of the LTTE's role in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, and who do not wish to support the LTTE. However, they form a silent majority. Former U.N. expert Elizabeth Bennette, who is with the Institute of Strategic Studies, Johannesburg, is openly critical of the LTTE's role in recruiting and deploying child combatants. As the current head of the institute's project on Children in Armed Conflict, Elizabeth Bennette, who was earlier with the National Children's Rights Committee in South Africa, is working towards an ad hoc tribunal that will prosecute both governments and guerillas who 'commit war crimes against children'. She is specifically examining the use of children under 15 in warfare by Laurent Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo; Kony of the Lord's Liberation Army in southern Sudan; and the LTTE. Because of Mandela's aversion to violence, the LTTE's front organisations have adopted the technique of portraying themselves as peace organisations. They regularly call on South Africa to promote negotiations between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government. For instance, a South African Tamil activist wrote to Mandela: 'Our beloved President, you are the symbol of struggle against evil and a symbol of freedom and hope. Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga is hunting for trophies. What is more rewarding than to get the most incorruptible and courageous fighter against injustice to put the stamp of approval on her atrocious and vicious acts against a long-suffering Tamil minority who simply want to be masters of their own destiny. We also appeal to you to use your enormous influence and expertise to solve the problems in Sri Lanka through peaceful means. An offer from South Africa to mediate the conflict... and to set up a truth and reconciliation committee would be welcomed by all peace-loving citizens of Sri Lanka.' In preparation for the NAM meeting in Durban, South
Africa, in September 1998, the LTTE made an appeal to
President Mandela to use his good offices 'to impress
upon the Govcrnment of Sri Lanka to abandon its
aggressive military policy and seek a negotiated
settement based on the principles enunciated at the
Thimpu talks.' The message, dated August 29, 1998, was
widely distributed. The LTTE's front organisations also
staged a demonstration outside the venue of the NAM
meeting in Durban. The demonstrators urged South Africa
to ban Colombo from attending the NAM meeting and carried
placards stating: 'Sri Lanka kills her own people' and
'Child murderers, our sincere greetings and well wishes.' Point
of view by Kingsley Heendeniya The main target attacked is the devale in the temple and the worship of the Hindu god Vishnu. Other gods such as Brahma and Kataragama are also not spared. There is innuendo that these are Tamil gods and should therefore be replaced by Buddhist gods such as Sakra and Sumana of Adam's peak. It is understood that worship of our regional Sinhala gods such as at the Natha Devale in Kandy, the cult of ancestor-gods like Bandara-devio, Minneriya-devio etc can continue as it conforms to the teaching of the Buddha and the practice of Sinhala Buddhism by the masses!! I am writing this article as a Buddhist to condemn the sanctimonious, tendentious, ill-advised tone and hypocrisy of this program in the state television. The government and many leaders in the country are engaged in a herculean task to heal wounds between the Tamils and the Sinhalese and a sedulous well planned Sinhala Buddhist nationalist crusade of this type can affect the generally emotionally-thinking masses, both Sinhala and Tamil, and widen the ethnic divide in the country. I hope the ITN producer and others responsible will carefully review this program. The crusade begun by GS can be perceived, examined and evaluated in several ways. For example: the historical, scholastic and the political. I shall leave much of it to persons more knowledgeable than me. I am also limited by a preference to write briefly and precisely as possible and I will go straight into the heart of the subject with a quotation from the PhD. thesis of the late Aggamahapanditha Walpola Rahula, 'The History of Buddhism in Ceylon' published more than 40 years ago. Quote, Mahinda is reported to have preached on the second day of his arrival in Ceylon the Petavatthu and the Vimanavatthu, two buddhist texts dealing with the spirits of the dead. This, perhaps, indicates that Mahinda, at the very beginning of his missionary activities here, thought of winning the hearts of the people by appealing to their sentiments through a sermon which they could easily understand and appreciate...The god Sumana of Samantakuta (Adam's Peak) is also a pre-buddhist deity...Even after the Sinhalese were converted to Buddhism they desired to continue to venerate their friendly deities. But being Buddhists, they did not like to worship a non-Buddhist deity. They therefore, converted these deities to Buddhism and elevated them to a higher plane as in the case of Sumana. Such is the case also with most of the other local gods...The idea of the 'establishment of Buddhism in a given geographical unit with its implications is quite foreign to the teaching of the Buddha. Such a thing was never expressed by the Master...nowhere has he given injunctions or instructions regarding ritual or a particular method of 'establishing' the Sasana in a country. Buddhism is purely a personal religion. Once a man realizes the Truth, Buddhism is established in him...Religions are always expected to uphold the established order and discourage innovations and revolution...We have to admit that from the day that Buddhism was adopted as a state religion, it began to lose its original spirit of renunciation and simplicity, and gradually developed into an ecclesiastical organization with its numerous duties, religious, political and social. It is impossible for any religion, when it becomes an organized body, to continue in its original form. It has to change with the times if it is to maintain its power and prestige 'adapt or perish' is nature's inexorable imperative. Unquote. I am particularly anxious to advise GS and the producers of the program to stop ridculing Hinduism and their gods, most of who have been adopted and adapted from the time of the Tamil kings and queens who ruled the country hundreds of years ago. The Buddha never insulted or denounced the Jains and their gods. He is unique for tolerance and humility. His teaching is also unique only in the doctrine of No-soul and Dependent origination (Nyanatiloka Maha Thera). Gods, whether Hindu, Tamil or Sinhala have no place in the underlying theme of Buddhism. These beliefs and practices are perversions he anticipated when he declared that even the dhamma is impermanent and subject to decay. That has happened for more than 2500 years after his death-and it will continue. It is true there is skulduggery in our temples and devales. I probably know more than GS about the rackets at Kataragama. This type of debasement is universal. Before he throws out the kapuralas with their hocus-pocus, starve them with unemployment, ruin thousands who make a living on stupidity and gullibility, there are more than 54 items (Luther nailed to the church door) which I can suggest GS undertake, leaving as they are, the Hindu, Tamil and Sinhala gods people have worshiped for more than a millenium. As the Buddha advised, GS should turn the searchlight inwards and for example, request fellow monks to give up trade union work, abstain from strikes and rags, abandon vaskavi, stop breaking coconuts and burning coconut oil, refuse to chant pirith to our cricket team etc. If he must carry on the crusade against god Vishnu et al regardless, he should be consistent and genuine. The gods of the Sinhala Buddhists and the entire institutionalized system of prayer and worship as practiced in the name of the Buddha should be demolished. He must finish what he has started. But that will never happen, it is safe to predict. The shock treatment will wear off. People will realize that he does not know all the answers. The show will not last to reap the whirlwind. Wanted: An eco - efficient industrial system By Asitha Jayawardena A bright banner reveals what's up: Symposium, Engineering Research Unit (ERU). Participants settle in seats, turning the pages of the book - in fact the proceedings of the symposium, containing the thirteen research papers to be presented and the abstracts of the five poster papers on display outside the auditorium. The Engineering Research Unit of Moratuwa University was established in 1990 to promote engineering research and disseminate its findings. In 1995 the first annual symposium on research for industry was held. This is the fourth, with several improvements: peer-reviewed research papers related to the industry, nicely-bound proceedings with an ISSN number, poster papers and an annual research directory on the cards... The Chief Guest makes a grand entry. Vidya Jothi Dr. R. O. B. Wijesekera, Chairman, NASTEC (National Science and Technology Commission), Starts the annual event, where the practising engineering professionals in the industry would meet the researching engineering academics of Moratuwa University. * First, the Welcome Speech by Professor Priyan Dias, Chairman, ERU. Then speaks Professor Lakshman Ratnayake, Dean, Faculty of Engineering. And finally, Professor Sam Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor. This is a common summary of their speeches. Universities are knowledge-based institutions. A university cannot claim to be a university if it is not actively engaged in research. Knowledge workers like academics value professional freedom, open culture and opportunity to further learning. They are in direct contact with students only for 12 to 20 hours per week, so enough time is available for further learning. Moratuwa University is committed to research; it is emphasized in its mission statement. Its faculty is strong, with about 75 PhDs and its laboratories are well equipped. However, attracting people for research is not easy - both fresh graduates and professionals from the industry. One reason is the long duration needed for the MPhil or the PhD: two to three years. Today, a fresh graduate would be in the age group 26-28. Hopefully, in three or four years, this age group may fall to 24-26. Then, fresh graduates may be more willing for further study. The industry also would not like to release employees for so long for full-time research. To strengthen the link with the industry, the university gives priority to research directly related to the industry. Moreover, to encourage practising professionals to take up research, a new scheme has been launched. Now MEng or MSc can be completed in one year (full-time)-with an enhanced component of research. The laboratories will be further upgraded using foreign aid. Currently, there is no specific budget as such for research. From 1999, it is proposed to have an annual budget so that researchers can plan ahead. All research would go down the drain if not implemented by the industry. So we invite the engineering professionals in the industry to talk with us to create an understanding which would be helpful to the society as a whole. In the past, for research work, we expected money from the industry. Now we need people from the industry to work with us. * Then speaks the Chief Guest, Dr. R. O. B. Wijesekera. This is a summary of his speech. At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the world recognised two important things: limits of natural resources and decline of the environment as a result of industrial pollution. The participants were mainly concerned with three E's: Economy, Environment and Ethics. They realised that the common future of the earth would depend on efficiency of industry and minimisation of adverse effects on the environment. So they mapped out a common strategy for an eco-efficient industrial system. The concept of eco-efficient industry is however, not a new one. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, Henry Ford employed recycling and ensured that a minimum of natural resources was used for his automobile industry. Individual scientists cannot solve problems like air pollution, waterways pollution and disposability of wastes from factories. Specialists in various fields should get together and work as a team to achieve common goals beneficial to the society. Once a foul smell enveloped Giriulla area due to water being discharged from the coppra industry. Chemists, microbiologists and engineers got together and not only resolved the smelly problem but also prepared a way to convert such water into vinegar. Waste oil released from the garages in the hill country is a big problem because it would often run down the hills and mix with river water, resulting in pollution. Oil regeneration is done in Texas, USA but that may be too much for us - both expensive and difficult. But we can use waste oil for lubrication of small machines, which is of course a lower level of use but would prevent pollution. Australia's population is about the same as that of Sri Lanka: eighteen million people. They have 48,000 scientists; we have only 13,000. Worst still, most of our scientists are engaged in service related work, not in research. Moreover, among the researchers, not many engineers can be found. Our neighbour India considers money spent on research as long term investment. True, because research results are not immediate. That's why India has become a top scientific nation while we, a prescience culture, lag far behind. Science is an implant alien to Sri Lanka. The fate of global industrialisation (ie. technology against nature) resembles that of the so-called Unsinkable Titanic. Research for the sole purpose of making more money is harmful - especially to a small country like ours. It should provide some service to the society as a whole and be sensitive to nature. It's time we re-design our own Sri Lanka Industrialised society to be more harmonious with both nature and the common man. * Then presentation and discussion of research papers. 1. Pricing of electricity from renewable energy sources in Sri Lanka - Priyantha D. C. Wijayatunga. 2. Combined symbolic and numerical methods for solving equational systems - Visakha Nanayakkara and Gihan Dias. 3. Computer simulation of buildings with passive elements for energy efficiency - M. T. R. Jayasinghe, P. T. P. Jayatunga & R. A. Attalage. 4. Use of reinforced brickwork for crack-free load-bearing construction Ð M. T. R. Jayasinghe and D. P. K. Maharachchi. 5. A design method for prismatic prestressed concrete continuous box girder bridges - W. M. D. N. Ranasinghe and M. T. R. Jayasinghe. 6. An appropriate latex-bitumen emulsion blend for road surfacing K. Subramaniam and T. K. Sivarajan. 7. The use of saltern bitterns for manufacturing magnesia refractories - W. L. W. Fernando. 8. Modified clay as a filler in rubber compounding - P. Y. Gunapala and M. Sivasundaram. 9. Investigation of wave reflection from coastal structures - S. S. L. Hettiarachchi and P. D. Mirihagalla. 10. A surface source singularity model for time-averaged flow around cylindrical structures - A. G. T. Sugathapala. 11. Design and construction of a bending tester for textiles - Nirmali Perera. 12. Investigation of the use of water by the textile industry in Sri Lanka; Part 1 - N. G. H. de Silva. 13. Positive environmental management via waste minimization in a textile washing facility - Samudrika Wijayapala, N. G. H. de Silva and Ajith de Alwis. * Poster papers 1. Billest: Computer aided estimating software Ð A. A. D. A. J. Perera 2. Measurement of ocean wave height using a capacitance-based liquid level sensor - G. K. Watugala, W. A. Dilhara, N. G. D. I. Perera, K. K. K. C. Ariyathilake and S. C. R. Perera. 3. Earthquake-resistant detailing of reinforced concrete structures - D. F. U. Perera and M. T. R. Jayasinghe. 4. Electromagnetic effects on a human brain due to cellular phones - I. J. Dayawansa. 5. Future prospects for a new industry Ð Nirmali Perera. Appreciations As members of two families, for whom Kandy has been a home for two generations, we felt it incumbent on us to record our humble appreciation of the life and example of a towering personality of Kandy, whose life alone covered over two generations - namely Rev. C. Ratnayake. We lost him in October '98 at the ripe old age of 90. We are at once reminded of his oft repeated answer to a question - 'How old are you Reverend Sir?' - 'Ninety years YOUNG!' Rev. Ratnayake was, till the last, young at heart and young in spirit, always displaying that benign radiant smile of a child, vindicating, as it were, his claim to be ninety years young. Following his education at Trinity College, he moved for a while to St. Andrew's College, Nawalapitiya, where, among his pupils were Messrs. D. B. Wijetunge and S. Thondaman, who have both today long past the Biblical span. It is said that Rev. Ratnayake was discovered by the legendary Rev. John McLeod Campbell of Trinity College as a suitable novice for the Church of England and for Trinity College. Coming back to his Alma Mater, he was ordained a Deacon in 1940, then ordained a Priest and elevated later as Canon and Archdeacon. He is said to have turned down offers to be made a Bishop and chose to remain at his beloved Trinity College as its legendary Head Master. The Church's loss was Trinity's gain. It was through the hands (and the cane!) of this humble disciplinarian that many of Sri Lanka's distinguished citizens passed, including two dignitaries of the Church - the late Bishop Jabe Gnanapragasam and the late Rev. Canon John Isaac. To us both, he was a very close and intimate friend, philosopher and guide. He gave of his friendship and affection without reservation and above all with no eye on reciprocation of reward, thus epitomising the very essence of all religious teachings. He was a Prince of the Church but was more than liberal in his attitude and approach to all religions. Well versed in the tenets of all religious teachings and, in addition, a very accomplished public speaker, he often quoted the Buddhist Pali Texts with a flair and erudition, reminiscent of the late Metropolitan, His Grace the Rt. Rev. Lakdasa de Mel. Canon Ratnayake was not only a Servant of God but truly a 'Servant of Man'. This was well exemplified in his active support and service he accorded the Kandy Friend in Need Society, Rotary and the Cancer Society. The concept of a common meeting ground for concerned citizens in Kandy was the vision of Canon Ratnayake in recent years. He believed that a forum of unity in humanity, fellowship and service was a vital need for the community in general - a need that is even greater in the future, with the changing social ethnic and political trends. This concept became a reality when he inaugurated the 6 Ys of Kandy - namely YMBA, YMCA, YMHA, YMMA, YWBA and YWCA. He saw in them the ideal groups of responsible citizens who could join hands in unreserved fellowship and service, whilst still preserving their communal and religious identities. Father Ratnayake was truly God's Good Man for all
seasons and for all communities. The news of the death of Dr. Douglas Flamer-Caldera on Sunday Oct. 18th (a week before his 81st birthday) came as a rude shock. Friends, relations, colleagues and former nursing staff all over the world, let alone in Sri Lanka grieved for this irresistible and lovable personality who was more than an 'icon' and a model GP. Douglas inherited the commitment of his father Dr. Justin Flamer-Caldera, whose Mount Lavinia practice personified the care and concern of a doctor for every patient. It was to his mother the beautiful Lena Barber that Douglas owed his handsome personality and striking features. He was educated at St. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and was the fourth of six boys and a girl: Conrad, Shelton, Alan, Denis, Mark and an only sister Pearl. By a strange quirk of fate his brother Alan, a former Superintendent of Police, was to follow Douglas by his death at Concord Hospital in Sydney on Thursday Oct. 22nd, two days after his brother's obsequiec. At the Medical College Douglas belonged to the batch of 1945, his contemporaries being Dickie Daniel, Percy de Zilwa and Rex de Costa. These young students were taught by men eminent in their field: Dr. Nicholas Attygalle, Dr. W. R. Chanmugam and Dr. John Blaze. Douglas knew what he would specialise in, when Dr. Attygalle trained his charges to work miracles with inexperienced but expectant mothers. Douglas soon found his forte in midwifery, gynaecology. Douglas and the Durdans soon became a symbol. Eminent anaesthetist Dr. Laddie Fernando and Dr. Busby Mendis gave financial assistance to the new private hospital where Douglas was the resident Medical Officer and a younger colleague Dr. M. R. de Silva was invited to join him. The partnership was unbroken for 25 years, and the 'Doug-MR' combination saw first, second and a third generation of women coming to the Durdans to have their children. Douglas and M. R. de Silva trained their nursing staff and aimed at the highst standards. There was sister Alice Kumarasinghe, sisters Sheila Arnolda, Mystica Van Cuylenberg and Megan Chapman to mention a few. The Durdans Hospital saw many of Sri Lanka's specialists channeled for consultation; Dr. P. R. Anthonis, Noel Bartholomeusz, Rienzi Pieris, Francis Gunewardena, J. B. Wedande, Drogo Austin. These specialists were aware of Douglas and M.R.'s care and assistance both in surgical and medical cases. On October 1st 1949 after a two year courtship Douglas married the attractive Mystica Van Cuylenberg and the union had three children Tami, Dirk and Rosanna. The family took to Douglas favourite game of golf. Mysty and Douglas graced the social events by their presence. Douglas sense of humour and infectious laughter gave life to all who met him. In 1970 Douglas left Durdans where he had worked for nearly 30 years with his loyal colleague Dr. M. R. de Silva. Yet generations of women sought him to attend their confinements, and retirement was never easy. He felt that a doctor must always be on call and that age was no barrier. I am reminded of Joyce Grefell's words which can be his epitaph: 'If I should go before the rest of you Noel Crusz Mr. N. Sivan joined the Bank's Services on 8 November 1956 at the age of 18 years and retired on 12 January 1998 after having completed over 40 years of unblemished record of service. His school career is worthy of note since he completed the SSC (English) in 1955 with First Division and he was placed first in the whole of Sri Lanka for the Scholastics Year 1955, which he carried on after joining the Bank completing the Chartered Institute of Bankers (London) Part I. During his career in the Bank he had served in various Provinces and had the opportunity of encountering diversified populace to foster the image of our institution, and rose up to the bank to the Grade of Operations Manager (Northern Province). During his tenure as Area Manager, Wanni, he had the hazardous and enormous task co-ordinating the functions of the Branches in uncleared (war-torn) areas such as Kilinochchi, Mankulam, Mullaitivu and Mannar Branches. He was so devoted to the Bank that there were occasions where he had to visit such Branches in a Push Bicycle covering a distance of over 50 to 60 miles to ensure not only the smooth functioning of the Branches but also to attend to the welfare of the staff. An ample testimony of his achievements could be summarised by reproducing the contents of the Letter of Appreciation received from staff attached to the branches which we quote below on his farewell day. 'He joined as a Junior Clerk and upto the elevation of Operations Manager, acquired wide experience and knowledge, which has been an immense and immeasurable help, support and assistance to the entire staff of this institution, to enrich their knowledge in their career. During his tenure of service, he was recognised as a Master of Circular and Bank procedures and his ability and calibre have assisted the other bankers at various levels. Apart from his banking activities he has been identified as a great devoted to the religious activities.' We wish Mr. Sivan a blissful retired life on behalf of the Staff Members. Bank of Ceylon staff, Tall and stately |
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