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CELEBRATIONS

FIFTY YEARS OF SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA)

INTERACTIONS

Edited by C.A. and I.H. vanden Driesen

Wesley College OBU was represented by Trevor Collette, Mahendra Dissanayake, Keith de Kretser and Nelson de Silva at The Celebrity Night to mark the promotion of the above publication.

The book was co-edited Dr Ian vanden Driesen and his wife Cynthia.

Dr Ian is an old boy of Wesley College, Colombo. He completed an Honours Degree in Economics at the University of Ceylon, later, a Ph.D. at the London School of Economics. In 1967 he took up a Senior Lectureship at the University of Ife, Nigeria and moved to a similar position at the University of Western Australia in 1970 retiring as Associate Professor in 1991.

His research interests cover Sri Lanka, the economics of the Indian Ocean islands, labour and the labour market in a number of countries. Dr Ian has published several books, articles and essays on these themes. He is currently Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Organizational and Labour studies at the University of Western Australia.

The book is informative and is a must for your bookshelf.

Poems by Nelson A. de Silva

Our Hony Treasurer appearing in this publication.

THE GIRL AT THE BUS STOP

She does not smile

She needing not

A stranger entertain

A friendly refrain

But yet my soul beguiles

My thoughts chase wild

She does not look

But glances shy

Oblivious to my fire

My inert desire

So crude, intense, sincere

Distill her fear

She does not speak

Mute she stays

While the pangs of desire

Fuel my fire

And innocent she remains

Still pure, unstained.

CONSCIENCE

In the solitary stillness of the night

On the door of my conscience

With moonbeams grinning in the windows

Then frightened doors creak open

Seeping in the ghosts of my misdoings

In cold feet that crawl over my night.

When the winds mourning with the willows

And owls hoot at the shadows

Drowned in a graveyard long silence

My rarer thoughts tramp stalking

Stretching the cords of my memories

Till memories recall no more.

THE COLLEGE CREST

How it evolved

In this note an attempt is made to trace the evolution of the College Crest, which has adorned every school boy’s exercise books, his blazer, and nearly every document originating from Wesley College. There appears to be two stages in the development of the crest.

The cross and the shells are derived from the Coat of Arms of none other, and indeed quite appropriately from that of John Wesley. On the other hand the origin of the shield of the crest is not known, as it is not featured even in any of the designs of the College of Heraldry.

The Motto, “Ora et Labora” which is an integral part of the crest was originated by Rev Arthur Shipham (1880-1883), and John Dalby, commenting in a later time said Worship & Prayer are the salt of life.

There is a generally accepted interpretation of the crest. The twelve (12) shells are symbolic of the journeying Pilgrim, seeking and searching ahead, with no complacency. One could compare them to the twelve wandering tribes of Israel. Within the Shield of Faith is placed the rugged Cross of Sacrifice. This was the first arrangement which composed Wesley’s crest, and included Shipham’s motto. It is not certain when this design of the crest was first introduced, but it is evident on stationery used by Rev Henry Highfield.. This same crest is incorporated into the art frame of the Farewell Scroll presented to Rev Henry Highfield by staff and students, on his departure from Wesley in 1925.

We have evidence of the continued use of this crest during Rev Albert Hutchinson’s time (1925-1928) when he commissioned the Head Baas – Cormelis – to construct the time hallowed stately chair, used by Wesley’s Principals, and on the back head is carved the College crest. This chair still adorns the stage of the hallowed College hall.

It then becomes clear that during the Head ship of Rev John Dalby (1929-1934) a further addition was made to the crest, when it was embellished with the scallops circularly fringed around the shield, giving the present form of the shield. Prize books and College exercise books of 1933 have this crest.

Thus we see how the crest, a means of readily identifying Wesley, has truly a rich inheritance, and Wesleyites of all generations will continue to be inspired by this remarkable crest and will proudly wear it as the occasion demands.

Shelton Peiris

60^th Wedding Anniversary

Stanley Vernon Nugara and Myrtle Elaine

Sansoni were married on 12^th December 1942

in the Kollupitiya Methodist Church

Colombo, Ceylon

WESLEY’S FIRSTS

The following is a list of Old Boys of Wesley College who have been the first Ceylonese/Sri Lankan to achieve or attain the position or honour stated.

H.E. Oliver E. Goonetilleke

First Officer of State in the State Council, First Ceylonese Auditor General, First Civil Defence Commissioner, First Leader of the Senate, First High Commissioner to the Court of St James (United Kingdom), “First Ceylonese Governor General, First Ceylonese to be a Member of Lloyds of London.

Sir Don Baron Jayatilleke

First Ceylonese Leader of the State Council.

Sir Gerard Wijekoon

First president of the Senate, First to gain a distinction in drawing at the Cambridge Senior.

Professor E.F.C. Ludowyk

First Winner of the Latham Prize on three occasions at Cambridge University.

Sir Claude Corea

First High Commissioner to the United States of America.

M.W.H. de Silva

First High Commissioner to the Republic of India.

Sir Mohammed Marcan Markar

First Muslim Knight.

Hon H.S.Ismail

First Muslim Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Zubbay Gaffoor

First Ceylonese Air Pilot who obtained an Air Pilot’s Certificate issued by the Air Ministry in the UK.

M Sathasivam

First Person to Captain two countries at Cricket, Ceylon and Malaya.

Hon M.H. Mohammed

First Muslim Mayor of Colombo.

Elmer Mack

First in the World in the Cambridge Junior Examination.

M.A.M Sherriff

First Ceylonese to win the Athletics Blue at Oxford University.

Graham Dissanayake

First Sri Lankan to secure the Diploma in Development Administration (Manchester).

Dr Louis Adhihetty

First Sri Lankan to win the Hockey Blue at Cambridge University.

Captain Navin de Silva

Captain of the first Ceylon School’s Cricket Team to U.K. in 1981.

Neville S Weerasekera

First Sri Lankan Refinery Manager C.P.C. Oil Refinery, Kelaniya.

Compiled by ED

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VALE

Robin Errol Carnie

Robin was one of three brothers who were at the Wesley boarding in the fifties. He had a fine dry sense of humor and a rather lighthearted attitude to life and studies. He was well liked in the boarding taking an active part in sports. I still recall playing I-Spy on Sunday afternoons with him and his many friends. It was often the highlight of our weekends in the boarding. Robin was a fine cricketer and it surprised me not to see him in the lst XI team. I remember the many softball cricket matches at the small park where he often made his mark in the fiercely competitive house matches, at the boarding. His spin-bowling ruined the dreams of many softball cricketers. At these matches Robin’s umpiring was often hotly debated but he stood his ground despite strong arguments to the contrary. I recall once when he said he did not raise his finger but was just picking his nose - (I was the batsman and agreed with him on principle). I cannot believe he will not be there to play those elegant cover drives again at the small park which too has been taken away from us.

He was famous for his pranks. Although perceived as a hard man I have seen his kindness too. Robin and Hilary were good friends and were inseparable. They knew all the loop holes in the Hostel Rules and also where the ripening papaws were within the school boundary. Robin was the author of many of the hostellers’ nickname. Getting thosais from the Thambikadey without being seen was an art they had mastered to perfection. He had 1001 excuses not to attend Sunday School at the Maradana Methodist Church which was a chore no one liked. When he left the hostel he left a void that was never filled.

His father worked for CGR. After he left the boarding I saw him at the Dematagoda Railway Housing Estate where they lived. He left school soon after the SSC to join an Estate (Carolina Estate Watawala) as an upcountry Tea Planter where he worked for many years. Our lives took different paths and we never met again.

Our condolences go to his immediate family and to Hilary and John who shared the highs and lows of boarding life all those years ago.

GRANT HIM O LORD ETERNAL PEACE

DR N. D. AMERASEKERA

Edmund Dissanayake

A Tribute by Dr N D Amerasekera

A Guru is far more than a teacher in the ordinary sense of the word. A teacher gives knowledge, but a Guru gives himself.

Anagarika Govinda 1898 – 1985

All teachers are not the same. Some can teach but others, despite their degrees, diplomas and teacher training just can’t. In Edmund Dissanayake I found a great all round teacher. He put across his arguments in a logical way we all could understand and had the kindness and the patience to repeat it all for those who were slow to learn. I came to know him first in Form 1 when he taught us Maths. Though he never resorted to physical violence he had the attention of the class and also had its respect. He had a great sense of humour which helped to breakdown barriers and reach the students who needed his help most. Above all I remember his genuine smile and find it hard to recall a time it wasn’t there on his face. Although a Buddhist he was ever present at Christian worship in the Hall because he loved to sing those wonderful Hymns from the School Hymnal. No one I know has contributed so much to Wesley College, in the Post War period, than Edmund Dissanayake and feel we ought to acknowledge it now. As a teacher he was a dignified and forthright man who detested sham and chicanery. He was admired for this work ethic, thoroughness, and frankness. Edmund had an unswerving loyalty to school, family and friends. Plain spoken, sometimes blunt, he was nonetheless sympathetic and compassionate. Many respected and gravitated to him as a counselor and mentor. As a teacher he was successful many times over. He brought honour to himself, his family and his profession. He was a unique man in the finest sense of the word and now that he had moved away from its precincts he will be sorely missed at Wesley by those who had the good fortune to share his life and times.

Edmund’s contribution to Cricket at school is legendary. He captained the school in 1945-46 with great distinction and his magnificent performances and achievements during that period have been incorporated into the folklore of the school.. His 107 runs against Royal College and 6 for 14 against St Thomas’ College remain as his best achievements in those years as an all round cricketer. Edmund’s head injury during a school cricket match, even now, is a topic of conversation at College sports gatherings and has had a write-up in the centenary souvenir. Danesh, his only son, followed closely in his footsteps to become an exceptionally talented cricketer at Wesley and was unable to represent the country due to manoeuvres beyond his control. Edmund Dissanayake was the Senior Prefect in 1947-48 period when he made strong links between the students and teachers. For many years he had been an asset to generations of cricketers at Wesley. The unbeaten team captained by LCR Wijesinghe in 1962 was the climax of Edmund’s successful years. Edmund has written many erudite and comprehensive articles to the Daily papers about sports at Wesley.

I recall most vividly going on one of this school trips to the deep south. It is a trip that is etched in my memory as a great success. It brought this bus load of students closer together. He had a tremendous knowledge of the towns and hamlets beyond Matara, their history and their legends. Edmund hails from Hambantota. He took us to a spot where the sea water shot-up 80 feet into the sky, with every wave. We stayed a night at his parents’ house in Hambantota, a large sprawling mansion, not far from the sea. In front of the house was a marsh with a fringe of tall palm trees. I remember singing old favourites like The Ash grove and Brown Eyes, wonderful memories of schooldays made possible due to the teachers like Edmund who believed education extended well beyond the confines of the classroom. Living in the Wesley College flats Edmund was ever present at school. In my last visit to Wesley he took me on a conducted tour visiting the Hall, library, hostel, laboratories, famous tuck shop and the many classrooms. The nostalgia was too much to comprehend. He knew everything about the school that was worth knowing from its humble beginnings to its glory days, the personalities, Principals and Parsons who have made Wesley so special.

After retiring from the school after over 25 years as a teacher he qualified and pursued a career in Law at Hulftsdorf Courts. Despite his other duties he is always available for the school and remains a walking archive of the history of Wesley. Edmund has been a stalwart of the OBU in the later half of the century and with his calm clear thinking helped to steer the school through some torrid times. He has ridden above the petty politics of the OBU which has sometimes been its scourge. Edmund Dissanayake has been an excellent ambassador for the school in all those years as a student, teacher and in retirement. He now spends his retirement at Thalawatugoda with his family.

I remember Edmund Dissanayake as a teacher and a friend and have the greatest respect for him in all the years I have known him. He overcame the setbacks of his early life with courage and dignity. His close family is an immense source of support and encouragement to him. Lately ill health has prevented him from taking part actively in school affairs. I wish him and his wife many more years of good health and happiness as the likes of him are just one in a million and irreplaceable. His honesty, integrity and loyalty to the old school will remain a beacon for us all.

All round cricketer, raconteur, distinguished old boy and Guru we salute you for your invaluable services to the school.