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| Friday, 6 December 2002 |
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Life story of the author Devinuwarin Aganuwarata (The journey to the capital) Ananda Wijayaweera, the well-known writer, poet, critic, journalist, Buddhist activist and social worker has released his latest work titled "Devinuwarin Aganuwarata" (To Capital from Devinuwara). It is a success story of a Southerner, who as a lad of twelve years left his village to Colombo in search of a career. The author in the preface expresses that this book is not his full autobiography and vies the English name to it as "Journey to Colombo". Nevertheless the reader finds that this is a short and vivid account of the life-story of the author in the background of political and social changes in Sri Lanka for over six decades. At the outset, the author describes the serenity of his childhood days in the village. Then he narrates the difficulties in the city life, how he mastered English and managed to get employed, his passing of the B.A. (Hons-London) and how he ended up as an administrative officer. He assures that if you have the determination and courage, you could overcome anything and make a success of life. While narrating his own journey of life, he also analyses the historical developments of Sri Lanka from the World War II days to the present times. In the process he relates nostalgic memories of bombing of Colombo and aftermath, the general strike of 1947, constitutional changes and independence, 1956 transition, deaths of D.S. Senanayake and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and other interesting episodes in our country. Although Ananda Wijayaweera has not engaged in politics, he had associated with political leaders in connection with his social activities. Thus he reveals hitherto unknown and admirable qualities of J.R. Jayewardene, George E. de Silva, R. Premadasa, I.M.R.A. Irriyagolla, H. Sri Nissanaka and W.M.J. Lokubandara of our own time. He admires self-sacrifice of men like Philip Gunawardena - who had to undergo three months rigorous imprisonment and thereby forfeit his parliamentary seat and T.B. Illangaratna who lost his employment in pursuing the causes they espoused. He also discusses his association with famous novelists like Martin Wickremasinghe, W.A. de Silva and Hemapala Munidasa and what he gained out of them. He remembers the renowned journalists like Piyasena Nissanka, K.B. Sugathadasa, David Karunaratne, D.B. Dhanapala and Sri Chandraratne Manavasinghe with gratitude and acknowledges the guidance and help he received from them. Ananda Wijayaweera gives instructions to budding writers how they could become successful novelists and journalists. Although Ananda Wijayaweera had to struggle hard for success, he had dedicated a good part of his life for social work. He has begun his social service by setting up a Daham Pasala at Wellawatta. Thereafter he has assisted Arthur V. Dias in distributing jak seeds. He has organised literary societies and drama circles in government offices he served. Ananda Wijayaweera evinces the pleasure one could derive by doing social work for the betterment of humanity. The book gives a vivid account of his employment in various institutions like the General Hospital, Mental Hospital, Official Languages Department and the Attorney General's Department. He explains the helpless state of even the powerful and rich when they seriously fall sick. He describes the horrors of death from what he has seen in the mortuary. In the context of his experiences in the General Hospital and the Mental Hospital, he delves on the impermanency of life. He describes in detail, the strict procedure in admitting inmates to the Mental Hospital, and states that even then some normal people are found there as victims of circumstances. Ananda Wijayaweera considers it a privilege that he could work under remarkable Buddhist gentlemen like. L.J. de S. Seneviratne - Commissioner of Official Languages Department, L.B.T. Premaratne, Victor Tennakone, R. S. Wanasundera - all as former Attorney Generals, and G.P.S. de Silva - former Chief Justice. He extols their virtuous life and moral earnestness. Ananda Wijayaweera has been close to Maha Sangha in his entire life. It is on the advice of Devundera Saranatissa Thera that he had come to Colombo, learned English and attained success in life. As a youth he had been a follower of progressive Bhikkus like Dr. Walpola Rahula, Kotahene Prgnakitthi, Bamabarande Siri Seevali and Yakkaduwe Pragnarama, who organised themselves around Vidyalankara Privena in 1940 s to bring about a political and social awareness among people. When Heenatiyana Dhammaloka Thera was residing at Wellawatta, he had visited him and he had been inspired by the vision of the great Bhikhu. Ananda Wijayaweera laments that the former rapport between the Maha Sangha and the people is not seen today. He submits that the Maha Sangha should give the lead to bring about a spiritual and moral resurgence in the country to deliver the people from the present morass and predicament in society. The book is also full of interesting anecdotes. Ananda Wijayawera relates that when he was engaged to his wife, an astrologer had predicted that if they were to marry one would die within three months. He remarks that now the marriage has lasted over 40 years and they are blessed with three children as well. He also relates how he took the lead to prevent an outside Bhikhu, who was backed by a powerful person ousting the lawful heir to a Viharaya. He had to engage in litigation for 16 long years over this episode. Speaking of litigation, Ananda Wijayaweera discusses who people in Sri Lanka are being ruined by going to Courts. He explains that when a person gets involved in a case often he would fall into the trap of a tout. From then until the end of the case, his blood is being sucked by various parasites. He is happy that after his retirement he has been able to convince people to settle so many cases as a member of the Mediation Board. Looking back at 77, Ananda Wijayaweera is contended that he has been able to lead a fruitful life to himself and the society. He never regrets that he could not make large fortunes or attain power and glory. Once he had wanted to attend the Law College but he was denied permission by the department he worked. He looks at the failure with equanimity and feels that - had he become a lawyer he might not be at ease as he is today. They say that the truth is interesting than fiction and the life story of Ananda Wijayaweera as disclosed in this book is fascinating as a novel. It is presented in simple language and in lucid style. The book is printed in good paper with a beautiful cover. When one begins to read this book he is tempted to continue till the end. The book "Devinuwarin Aganuwarata" as a whole reflects the fragrance of high moral values found in our rich cultural heritage disciplined by the Buddhist way of life. - W.T.A. Leslie Fernando ####### A guided pilgrimage through Dambadiva Dambadiva Charika Athpotha The first ever book of its kind, Dharmasiri Gamage's "Dambadiva Charika Athpotha" proves to be a handbook invaluable to pilgrims wishing to tour Buddhism's Holy places in India and Nepal. For us in Sri Lanka our motherland, our closest neighbour is Maha Bharatha and the links between the two countries be it social or cultural are very strong. The greatest gift India has bestowed on Sri Lanka is Buddhism. Besides, Hinduism and the advent of Aryans and Dravidians to the country were also from Maha Bharatha. Moreover the Maurya Culture which accompanied Buddhism to Sri Lanka helped nurture the Sri Lankan values and to date the Maha Bharatha or Jambudvipa (India) has wielded immense influence over the country's activities. It is the desire of Buddhist Sri Lankans to make a pilgrimage to places made hallowed by the Buddha. The Buddha in His Parinibbana Sutra has mentioned four places which every Buddhist should visit even once in his lifetime. These four places are the Lumbini - the place of His birth, Bodhgaya - where He attained Enlightenment Saranath where the Buddha preached His first sermon and Kusinara where the Buddha passed away. Pilgrimages to India in the olden days had been tedious as is mentioned in certain books authoured by such visitors. Yet today with the advancement of technology and communication, pilgrimages have become more convenient. Pilgrimages to Holy Lands of any religion are made possible by certain institutions handling such visits which look after the comforts of pilgrims from start to finish. It is at this point that Dharmasiri Gamage's Dambadiva Charika Athpotha becomes a handy companion to Buddhist pilgrims. The book details information about how the pilgrimage should be planned, whom to contact, what personal possessions the pilgrim should carry, air-flights, times, routes and package price information , train schedules and rates, taxi fare and distances to different destinations etc. Gamage includes through personal experiences information regarding what a pilgrim should do and whom to contact, accommodation, food and transportation etc. during the pilgrimage in India. The 352 page book is packed with historical background information, colourful pictures, maps etc. of each of the sacred places made hallowed by the Buddha. Besides pilgrims, the book is useful to any reader and student in view of the information contained therein regarding places of worship. In addition the book includes historical information about New Delhi, Agra, Ajantha, Ellora; earlier names of certain places and Hindu places of worship. Being a senior and a well-known journalist cum a widely travelled environmentalist Dharmasiri Gamage's colourful and picturesque presentation of information has a smooth flow which attracts the attention of the reader to such an extent that he would try to finish the book at one sitting. It is also evident that Gamage's study on research and history of Maha Bharatha and archaeology combined with his travels have contributed immensely to enrich the contents of the book. Finally I wish to add that being a non-Buddhist I was also able to personally experience the hallowedness of the Buddhist places of worship, which the author has tried to depict in this book through his usual skilful art of writing. - Florence Wickramage ####### True account of the darkest period DIE ENDLOSUNG The fascist regime of Adolf Hitler is considered the darkest age of modern human history. Hitler was all out to wipe out every Jew and non-Aryan from the earth. Those who were taken prisoner by Hitler's armies were herded in concentration camps and extermination camps that were put up all over Germany and in the neighbouring countries that Hitler captured. Prisoners were employed in hard labour until they succumbed to excessive fatigue, starvation sickness or extreme, unbearable cold or were killed by shooting or sending into gas chambers. Six million people out of the twelve million who were thus killed by Hitler were Jews. "8ED›# ID4?ø." (Die endlosung) by Priyanjan Suresh de Silva is a compilation culled from his findings - what he saw, what he read and what he heard from the persons of second or third generation Hitler's victims while in Germany on a scholarship on photo journalism. The writer has had a chance to visit many of these camps preserved as historical places and archives, libraries and museums where many documents and materials related to this dark age are kept. Hitler's master plan for annihilating the Jews was known as 'Die endlosung' - meaning final solution. The writer has chosen the term as the title of his work. Better known as a photo journalist and a graphic artist, he has contributed his talents to several journals and national newspapers with photographs, graphics and exclusive layouts. He worked in 'Desathiya' - the news journal of Information Department in the capacity of photo and graphic editor, and worked also in 'Ravaya' and in Silumina. A Journalism Diploma holder from the University of Colombo, Priyanjan has got his Diploma on Photo Journalism and Computer Graphics from Brandenbury International Journalism Training Institute in Germany. Reputed as a creative book jacket designer, he has co-authored the "Reflections of Faith' - compiled on the churches of Sri Lanka, which has some 800 photographs by him. At the launch of "8ED›# ID4?ø." on December 12th at Sri Lanka Library Services and Documentation Board, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Professor Sunanda Mahendra will speak on the topics related to the theme of the book. Vasudeva Nanayakkara's lecture will be on "The beginning, growth and the end of Fascism" and Professor Sunanda Mahendra will talk on "My experiences in exploring Nazi concentration camps." "Avasan Visanduma' is published by S. Godage and Brothers. - Malini Govinnage |
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