[APPRECIATIONS - (20-01-2020)] | Daily News

[APPRECIATIONS - (20-01-2020)]

Poliyer Gunawardana

Exemplary trade unionist

Respected as a polymath in trade unionism and working class politics, M.A. Poliyer Gunawardana; or “Poliyer”, as he was fondly called among left-wing political circles; was an exemplary trade unionist in recent times. He was respected as a master theorist, strategist, and an organiser with a strong vision.

Gunawardana was born in 1945, at Thalahagama, Akuressa. He grew up in a family background filled with struggles against the feudal and aristocratic social system of the era. Having being nurtured in a leftist political background, he was naturally motivated in the socialist movement of the country.

Poliyer was a leading member of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) before leaving it over ideological/theoretical issues. Thereafter, joining hands with leading political figures such as Indika Gunawardana, Jayathilake de Silva, Prof. Navarathna Bandara, P. Bandara, he toiled to form the Socialist Peoples’ Movement. His contribution towards forming the new party was outstanding.

Gunawardana entered the teaching profession, securing qualifications in a competitive examination for the recruitment of teachers in 1969 while he was carrying out his higher studies. As he had been a member of the CPSL already by that time, he also joined the Sri Lanka National Teachers’ Union, which was politically led by the party.

He underwent teacher training at the Katukurunda Teacher Training College and played a leading role in founding the Training College Branch of the Sri Lanka National Teachers’ Union. He left the training college in 1971 as a trained teacher.

Following his teacher training, Poliyer got his first appointment at the Ampara Junior School, where he met eminent allies such as Richard Warnasooriya, Piayasena Kahandagamage, and Piyasoma. Under the able guidance of pioneers that included S.G. Punchihewa and Sena Jayakodi, Poliyer initiated a number of progressive political missions in Ampara, which earned him much reputation among the rank and file of the left-wing political movement.

Although he was chiefly a trade union leader, Poliyer was well-known for his role in the leftist politics of Sri Lanka. In recognition and appreciation of his dedication and hard work in the trade union activities, he later received the privilege to lead the Sri Lanka National Teacher Union as its General Secretary.

The true spirit of his undaunted devotion and dedication for left-wing trade unionism was manifested in the aftermath of the state-backed suppression of trade unions in 1977. The conventional trade union movement and leftist political crusades turned to be regrettably dispirited and indolent following government suppression.

Poliyer, who had a good understanding of knotty problems of the period, steered the Sri Lanka National Teachers’ Union in the right direction, challenging all such procedures initiated by the then government. The ‘July 1980 General Strike’ was launched in the right direction owing to the precise leadership of front-runners like Poliyer.

Poliyer Gunawardana was among the few leading trade unionists with prudence, who strove to form a National Centre for Trade Unions in Sri Lanka. He worked together with other leading trade unions such as the Bank Employees’ Union and the Government Clerical Service Union.

The establishment of the Teacher Service, the Teachers’ Manual, and the Principals’ Manual, are some of the victories that were ensured by the Sri Lanka National Teachers’ Union under the leadership of Poliyer Gunawardana.

In particular, the then Minister of Higher Education, late Dr. Richard Pathirana, commended his vision on the issues surrounding education at the time, as well as the firm strategies in resolving problems in trade. His contribution towards formulating the Sri Lanka Teacher Service Constitution, Teacher Service Charter, and the School Principals’ Charter, displayed his wide knowledge in the profession.

Poliyer hated communal politics. He always advocated and promoted non-chauvinistic democracy. He, at all times, stood against fanatical patriotism, upholding the tradition of internationalism.

He was indisputably a remarkable trade unionist, truthful humanist and, above all, a true communist with resolute vision. We earnestly salute him over his hard journey for the emancipation of the common folk from the clutches of capitalism coupled with imperialism.

Mahinda P. Liyanage

****

Ramani de S. Wijeyeratne

Beloved sister-in-law

You are so fair, dear sister-in-law
A true gem among the grains of gold
Pink as the flamingos
Red as a beautiful rose
All the colours of the rainbow
Raising from above the skies
You became the raging thunder
You are a rose amoung the thorns
Lifted to a better place
Your laughter is no more
Your thoughts are still
The blue of the stars
From the sky above
Hush, my little angel
At last, in the abode of the Lord
Oh, Dinuk and Dinukshi’s beloved mother
And Turlough’s lost bride
As we go to a further destination
You will remain quite still
You were the stronghold of the family
And you protected them as your own
At last, you are in heaven
Our tears, for your a memory
So dear, Angle of the Lord
You are at peace now
In the raging seas and stormy weather
You, my dear, Malkanthi;
You, Ramani, our rose in heaven
At last among the twinkling stars
And so, dear Ramani, as we bid adieu
Rest among the stars,
In heavenly bliss;
Residing in the arms of Jesus!
Goodbye, my sweet princess

Shiranthie de S. Wijeyeratne

****

Vinodh Senadheera

Remembering a true friend

I helped Vinodh with his first bra, way back when he dressed for his performance as the Shrew in S. Thomas’ College entry of ‘Taming of the Shrew’, for the Shakespeare Drama competition. And he won the Best Actor/Actress Award in that competition!

“I don’t know how you wear these things,” he said back then, and I walloped him. Thereafter began a friendship that spilled over decades, into the next generation.We both qualified from different schools, in Trinity London exams, and started our teaching careers with Speech & Drama.

Vinodh and I read Literature in local universities that we were infinitely proud of, and then we worked together for a brief stint at the ‘British School’, when it was based in Rajagiriya. We later handed in our resignations on the same day and went back to our respective alma maters to teach.

To know Vinodh was to know S. Thomas’. He gave unstintingly to the College. The choir, the drama club, the London Section, Director, Teacher, Headmaster... The caps were many that he wore.

And then he met Ranoukh, my son! When Ranoukh started school, the 5th generation of his family to do so, Vinodh walked over to the Primary section and signed him up for the ‘Canto Perpetua’ Choir. The very first KG student...and under Vinodh, Ranoukh blossomed; just like everybody else did with his help... But this was different.

If we were friends before, now we became family. When Ranoukh’s Godfather refused the post, Vinodh stepped in. He encouraged, sustained, and supported us through the hardest years that were to come.

When I most needed a friend, Vinodh walked in straight from the airport and a gruelling flight, to hug, to hold, and just to sit. At my dad’s funeral, I never saw him... I heard him; he walked into the choir loft and with a gathering of other special friends, he played the organ. He played and left. At every Carol Service of S. Thomas’ (and I’ve only missed two in all the time he was choir master), there’d come a text, “...say a prayer, Shari.”

The protective love of a mentor shone through him at every chord! And then came the continuous run of a repertoire of performances that saw boys grow to men—that taught maturity, independence, and the value of family. If Ranoukh’s room is dotted with posters of Narnia, Nickelby, Gaudette; then my memory is forever coloured with my Shrew.

With time, it became ‘the thing’ that I’d buy the first tickets to all his productions, wherever they were. He was convinced it brought good luck; so the phone would buzz, sometimes just an SMS (play name, tickets, date). Of course I’d rush to buy them, how could I not?

There were arguments, histrionics, strong differences of opinion, and also sulks; but as Eric Segal once said, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry”...and I’m not!

Some people have an impact on a few, some on many, but on this many youth? This many friends? This many lives? This many beings inspired by him? My friend, you’d be horrified at this outpouring of love. I can hear you say, “Here, now enough!”

Vinodh could cook, and I loved his cooking; we happily supplied him with the entire selection of Nigella’s recipe books, latest implements...and sampled all the delights. He’d drop in after a day’s teaching and we’d share a bite and a chat. A friendship not in the public eye...a quiet sharing of thoughts.

Vinodh in public was a keg of dynamite; Vinodh in private, was strength. I could talk for ages about Vinodh; about the dramatist, about the producer, the newsreader, the actor, the critic, the teacher, the director, the choir master, the joker—even the mentor! But I find, I still can’t talk about my friend...perhaps because he’s not gone yet.

Perhaps because he lives in so many youths’ thespian talent:

In the vibrant drum sticks of the young drummer, he mentored from Form 1;

In the writings of the now-qualified youth;

In the skillful sets designed and created by one who grew under him,

In the choral voices raised in hymns,

In the prayers of a friend in clerical robes,

In the tears of a mother, who in spite of her fears, will never be alone, (because her very own guardian angel, now walks with her)

In the laughter of batch-mates who encouraged his talent,

In the smile of a lost photo, now found, of his own lecturer,

In the same smile of a brother,

In the very grass of the quadrangle, in the chapel, in the classroom;

And finally, in the pen of the young eulogist, who wrote:

“But in your name, sir, the man who made me,

I shall keep up my efforts and give up, never!

Because sir, like the last line you read to me,

‘For you a thousand times over’.”

(Ranoukh Wijesinha, January 16, 2019)

No, he’s not gone anywhere...

Vinodh, my friend, you are here; you are a part of us...the best part!

Sharika Jayewardene

****

Deivanayagam Eassuwaren

Dedicated social worker

January 6 marked the second death anniversary of Devanayagam Eassuwaren, a successful businessman and respected social worker who had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka in a number of ways. He was 75 years old at the time of his demise.

A product of the Kotahena St. Benedict’s College, Eassuwaren was the fist child of nine to the Deivanayagam family. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the Pachaiyappa College of the University of Madras in Chennai.

In Sri Lanka, with his Economics Degree, Eassuwaren joined his father V.T.V. Deivanayagam to share responsibility of their family business; import and wholesale distribution of commodities, in Pettah, relieving his father, who had shouldered the burden until then.

He ventured into new facets of international trade by establishing Eswaran Brothers Exports Pvt. Ltd. in 1964; and today, it is the third largest teabag manufacturer in Sri Lanka. Eassuwaran held the Chairmanship of Eswaran Brothers Exports, T-Print Ltd., and Mayfair Lanka Ltd.

He was a well-respected businessman, very generous and kind-hearted; he always made it a point to see that whoever worked for him was happy and comfortable. His workers vouch that he never confined his efforts to earn profits at the expense of his employee’s welfare.

The workers bear witnesses to what he had been to them in his lifetime, and how he motivated them to find happiness in their work and helped raise their living standards. He made them understand that they could find happiness in work by creating a pleasant atmosphere. It was wise and decent way to motivate his workers, instead of taking punitive measures to warn them.

In serving others, he was not looking for popularity, fame, or glory as he was driven with an unquenchable thirst and passion to serve. The presence of a large gathering at the crematorium was testimony to what Deiva had been to his society, business community, and to his second home, Sri Lanka.

Eassuwaren, the Chairman of one of the world-class tea exporting companies that exposed quality tea to the world, never saw the recipients’ caste, creed, or nationality as a barrier in helping his fellowmen and women, and those who really needed his help. His passing at a time his services were much-needed, is no doubt, a great loss.

Grateful countrymen still remember his services to indigenous medicine and treatment. While holding the post of President of the Chamber of Commerce, he took the initiative to conduct an event of historical value; the efforts to popularise and publicise the Sri Lankan Ayurveda medical system locally and internationally through the first-ever ‘Ayureda 2007 – Nature’s Gift for Better Health International Exhibition and Symposium’, his brainchild, held in Colombo and organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the then Indigenous Medicine Ministry.

The event proved to be a great success as many exhibitors from India, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan and Western countries took part in it. It was a mirror of the Sri Lankan expertise in the field of indigenous medicine that gave the opportunity to share and exchange knowledge with Sri Lankan counterparts.

His selfless dedicated service to his community and to the country through his chosen field is a model for others to follow. In recognition of his immeasurable service to the country, the Sri Lankan Government honoured him with the honourary “Deshabandu” title at a felicitation ceremony held Colombo, in 2017.

Eassuwaran, an initiator and a leader, saw to the establishment of several societies and trusts beneficial to various communities, both in Sri Lanka and India; including the opening of a school in the Village of Vallanadu, India, providing education to pre-university students. His humility and ‘smile from the heart’ was contagious. His patience and tolerance for human failure was unimaginably relaxing.

His children; Ganesh, Subramaniam Lalli, and Priya; have won the admiration of those with whom they associate with for the good quality they were adorned with from their childhood. May Eassuwaran’s memory live on forever.

Baladeva Kospattadeniya


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