PROF. SWARNA JAYAWEERA
She made immense contribution to education
Sri Lanka lost one of her “marvelous” daughters when the great professional, teacher, researcher, mentor passed away on the January 5, 2020 after a brief illness. It is difficult to list her achievements in a brief appreciation written as a tribute to my “second mother” of which I always reminded her. I would never have made myself what I am if not for her.
Born into an orthodox family of two children she broke all the barriers which were enforced on the women of the 20th century and pursued higher education. Despite all the obstacles she faced, she enrolled for the External Degree at the University of London and graduated with Honours in History.
A rare occurrence and an achievement for a student enrolled as an external candidate. Subsequently, choosing Education to specialize, she obtained a Master of Education and the Ph.D from the Institute of Education, University of London in U.K.
She was also awarded the Khan Gold Medal for the best student in the Post Graduate Diploma Examination of the then University of Ceylon. She was also honoured with D. Litt from two Universities in Sri Lanka—Open University of Sri Lanka and the University of Colombo.
Her career in the university began when she joined the Department of Education in the University of Ceylon as an Assistant Lecturer.
When the Departments of Education at all universities were shifted after the 1972 Education Reforms and amalgamated under one umbrella in the University of Colombo as the Faculty of Education she became the Professor of Education of the University of Colombo and the Head of Department of Social Science Education in 1974. However, more than all the work she did in the universities, her greatest achievement was the effort she put in for the establishment of CENWOR with a few others to lend a hand mostly for the empowerment of women especially to make the voice of the underdog heard.
She functioned as the joint coordinator of CENWOR since its inception in 1985 and guided its activities for over twenty five years.
Most of the novice researchers including post graduate students of universities would be grateful to her for providing them opportunities to make their voices heard through the several research forums held at CENWOR. Through the joint efforts with others but often taking the lead she was able to make CENWOR one of the independent research organisations held in high esteem both in Sri Lanka as well as in other Asian countries.
In addition to all the work she did at the universities as well as CENWOR she undertook many other professional activities through different categories of professional organisations. Her contribution to the national level policy formation in Sri Lanka was immense. The National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka, National Education Commission, National Institute of Education, National Science and Technology Council, Council of the Open University, University Grants Commission, Research and Evaluation Center, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Education are just a few of the agencies and organisations which benefited from her expertise knowledge. Apart from the above she provided consultancy services to both local and international organisations like SIDA, UNICEF NORAD, CIDA, ILO,GTZ, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat,
UNESCO Regional Office and many other world renowned organisations. It is difficult to count the number of research publications and reports authored by her.
However, despite all the recognition and the respect she got from all over the world to most of us she was the most simple, unassuming approachable teacher. We were all amazed at the way she delivered the comparative education lectures which covered the education systems of almost all the countries without a single piece of paper. We were mesmerized by her expertise knowledge and my love for that subject was due to the grounding laid down by her.
She loved to see her old students progressing in their careers and was always ready to provide advice, guidance and encouragement. I could never forget her beaming face on the day I delivered my speech to welcome the guests as the Head and Professor of Education during the inauguration ceremony of the new building of the Education Department of the University of Peradeniya. Later she told me that she was happy for two reasons. One was that the new building was dedicated to late Professor J. E. Jayasuriya who was my teacher as well as her Head of the Department of Education when she joined the University as a lecturer and the second was to see me in the capacity of the Head and Professor of Education in the same Department which was developed and nurtured by eminent scholars of the day like late Professors J.E.J, Rangith Ruberu, Premadasa Udagama, S. Muthulingam and Professor Ariyadasa De Silva and Elsie Kotalawala.
During the last few months when she could not get about much I used to visit her whenever I went to Colombo.
Whether it was at home or in the hospital room she was so happy to see her old students. When I phone her to say I was coming to see her she would not only have a feast ready but will wait my arrival seated in the front verandah section of her house. I am so glad that I could do that- to sit with her and chat and see her smiling face and to hear “ you do not forget me”.
As Professor Chandra Gunawardena told me she treated all other students similarly.
Dear Madam, I will never forget you as you were my second mother! You treated me as your own daughter Hiranthie who took great care of you commuting between London and Colombo regularly. I hope I will meet you again and will be able to sit at your feet and learn as we roam this Sansara!
May you attain Nibbanal
- Asoka Jayasena
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Kenneth SAMARANAYAKE
Exceptional teacher respect by all
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we write this short biography of our beloved teacher Kenneth Samaranayake, in appreciation for the services rendered by him over a period of 32 years, from 1954 to 1986 to our Alma Mater, St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala. He passed away at the age of 89.
He was born on January 11, 1931. His father was a CAS Officer and lived at Kensington Gardens, Bambalapitiya. After his early education at St. Peter’s College, he proceeded to Madras and obtained a first-class honours B.Sc. Degree from the Madras University.
He later switched over to teaching Botany. Kenneth as a young graduate teacher was very handsome and always immaculately dressed.
During the golden era of Rev. Bro. Alban and Rev. Bro. Lawrence Justinian as Directors, St. Anne’s had a reputation of having the best science teachers in the whole of the North Western Province. Mr.Samaranayake was one of them. He was an exceptional teacher who earned the respect of all. He taught with passion; loved the students and used to provide academic and emotional support.
Dr. Jupiter Moonamale one of his students in school admits that he owes his success to Kenneth Samaranayake for advising and encouraging him to sit for the University Entrance exam the third time after two failed attempts, at which attempt he was selected to the Medical faculty.
In the late 60’s, after the college was taken over by the government and the medium of education was changed from English to Sinhala, St.Anne’s saw a large influx of students from rural schools with little knowledge of English. Kenneth took over the responsibility of improving the standard of English among these students. His untiring efforts were rewarded by the College producing three Medallists at All Island English Day finals.
He married Miss Maureen Peiris, the Music Teacher of the Primary School in 1959.
No Annual Prize giving was complete without Kenneth and Maureen jointly producing, mainly Shakespeare playlets to be staged at these events which were greatly acclaimed by the audiences.
Even after school hours, most often as late as 6 pm, Kenneth was seen in the school premises involved in training students in extracurricular activities which included Music and Drama.
He kept in touch with most of them even after leaving school. Our association with him as a teacher was memorable and he was a true professional who left a lasting imprint in our lives.
Kenneth and Maureen were blessed with three sons and two daughters. All are now married and doing well in their respective fields.
Kenneth and Maureen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the entire family and friends on December 28. During this celebration he was seen singing Baila and dancing. The same night he had the privilege of sitting together for dinner with his beloved children and grandchildren before his call to Eternal Rest the following morning.
May his soul Rest in Peace!
- Bandula Weerasekara and Bandula De Silva
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ALFRED SENEVIRATNE
An Officer and a Gentleman in its true sense
Alfi Seneviratne’s sudden death signifies once again the inscrutable nature of life. I remember Alfi delivering the farewell eulogy at D.I.G. Lalith Gunasekera's funeral recently.
How could one imagine that Alfi would soon follow suit.
It is sad to think that both Alfi and Lalith, my good friends are no more.
It reminds us of one of the Buddha’s sublime analogies that death is similar to a dew drop on the edge of a blade of grass- which could fall off at any moment.
Nostalgia is a strong emotion. It revives at times happy memories of the pastor otherwise. As I roll back a particularly captivating era of perhaps everyone, it is school life. Way back in either 1955 or 56 Alfi and I competed in the Under 19 Pole Vault finals at the inter- house athletics meet of St.John’s College, Nugegoda.
He then looked somewhat shy to the point of being demure. A teenager fair and good looking Alfi did well contrary to my first impressions of him to secure a place in the event. Standing close to the Vaulting pit as one of the two judges, was a youthful Cyril Herath who went on to become the second I.G.P. produced by St.John’s.
Both Alfi and I, were nurtured at St.John’s which despite its Christian origin was a secular institution that never discriminated against any religion, race or ethnicity.
St.John’s which has an unimpressive frontal façade has over its 105-year-old history, produced many outstanding citizens.
After the school era Alfi and I parted ways. I did however learn that he had joined the Police as a Sub- Inspector. His career entailed being stationed in various parts of the country and we had little or no contact for several years.
It is however common knowledge that for a long period of time this country faced two social uprisings marked by violence and blood shed.
That was followed by the 30 year civil war. In the course of all these traumatic periods, civilians did suffer. On the other hand it was the Armed Services and the Police who bore the brunt of these conflicts.
It is to the credit of especially Senior Police Officers like Alfred Seneviratne that they never backed out of situations which posed a danger to their lives.
I also remember that Alfi was the Deputy High Commissioer for Sri Lanka in India incharge of security which was certainly a difficulty and sensitive assignment at a time when Indo-Lanka relations were at a critical stage.
Alfi’s final posting as S.S.P. Colombo was inarguably a high point in his Police career.
It was during his last days of retirement that we resumed our friendship. Alfi however regularly attended old Johnians’ dinners and re-unions which invigorated our aging lives and revived memories of our youthful years.
Alfred Seneviratne was an Officer and a Gentleman in its true sense. He was humane, warm and loyal to his friends. Jayanthi joins me in extending our deepest sympathies to Shanthi, his children, his brothers and sisters especially to Eva and Rosie.
- Jagath Savanadasa
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DR. UPALI KARUNATILLEKE
A pioneering 'Barefoot Banker'
Dr. Upali Karunatilleke, Attorney-at-Law, fondly remembered by us his friends as Upali, is no more. His charming, cherubic personality, trilingual facility, oratorical (skills and socialist inclinations made him an ideal candidate for the populist electoral politics of the day but fate decreed otherwise for him to be a sort of an unorthodox Banker who helped change the course of Banking in Sri Lanka.
Having cut teeth in banking in the Co-operative Federal Bank which was eventually merged with the People's Bank when it was established in 1961, he was handpicked by it's first Chairman, the great late Vincent Subasinghe, to a team headed by the late legendary Ranjit de Livera to take banking to the underprivileged of this country, in a campaign called the "Barefoot Banker", some years before Prof. Muhammad Yunus started Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.
It was my humble privilege to have known Upali closely in the The People's Bank at that time and I cherish his memory as an inspiring leader, great story teller and one who was prepared to suffer discomfort and perhaps erren insult for the sake of others.
He would walk with us 3-4 miles through the thickets and tufts over the fields and mounds to reach a distant village to talk to peasants, collect their economic data and organise them into groups to be
granted loans under various rural credit schemes.
I dread to recall how we, while on a visit to a remote upcountry village, had to plead with the police to spare us when they mistook us for insurgents during the l971 insurgency.
It is almost forgotten now, that it was Upali who won many long-lasting Rights and Benefits for the People's Bank's employees such as the Staff Medical Aid Scheme through his discussion and goodwill with its management as the First President of the People's Bank Branch Union of the Ceylon Bank Employees' Union.
However, he was deeply hurt by the ruthless manner in which the three-month long Bank strike-1972 of the Ceylon Bank Employees Union over a matter of three increments of Rs.6/- each. This setback and frustration led Upali to sacrifice more of his time to his Law studies.
He passed his Ll.B. and Attorney-at-Law within a short time and left People's Bank to take up a position of Assistant General Manager in the Commercial Bank and Acting. Director-General - NARA, which of course, he gave up after a short stint of about six years only in order to obtain his Masters and Doctorate in Law in London, specializing in the "Law of the Sea".
He was an orator in Sinhala and English and mastered in French and German too. He passed away after a brief illness on August 15, 2019, at the age of 78, and dedicated a major part of his life for the good of ordinary people in this country.
Those who loved him truly would miss him dearly as one who faced life's vicissitudes with equanimity and a subtle sense of humour. The very large gathering at his interment truly confirmed his popularity.
May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
- G. S. Thantrige
(JP All Island)
Rtd. Snr. Banker
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