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Being a resident of Toronto, I’m sorry to say that the Consul
Generals and High Commissioners appointed to Canada are just pathetic.
The outgoing Consul General in Toronto, for his period of four years
did not render at least one fifth of the required service for the
benefit of Sri Lanka.
To much astonishment, I just found out that there are two avid LTTE
supporters recruited by him in the mission too.
If this is what the Government of Sri Lanka is paying them for, it is
indeed a matter that needs serious concern. It is because of lazy
diplomats such as this that Sri Lanka is where it is today.
On the other hand, the former secretary to former President CBK, the
current High Commissioner in Ottawa is having a good time in his
retirement. Perhaps what the President said during the diplomatic
conference last October, is very ideal here.
These officials have come all the way from Sri Lanka to enjoy, take
their pay cheques and keep quiet.
When the LTTE backed up Tamils in Canada work hard to spread their
groundless propaganda, our diplomats instead of performing their duty of
enhancing Sri Lanka’s international image, are concerned about their
personal successes. They have thus paved the way for Sri Lanka’s
downfall.
I believe that as a country we need active, forcefully speaking and
writing diplomats who could carry the message to the world.
It is time that the Government pays some special attention to their
missions located abroad, to make sure that they produce the maximum
result that is expected of them.
J. DISSANAYAKE – Canada - via email
This is the most ridiculous statement made by an official (DN May
03). How in the world is he planning to increase the spending power of
tourists or as a matter of fact of anybody.
The only way you can increase someone’s spending power is to put more
money in his or her pocket. So please, tell the people how you are
planning to acheive this. The Tourist Board Chairman is planning to
increase the average daily spending by 54 per cent according to the
Daily News article on May 3.
RUMY HAMID - via email
The World Cricket Cup started and ended up with much controversy. The
latest is about Adam Gilchrist’s 149 of 104 balls in the finals. There
is much speculation about his performance and if it had been due to the
intake of drugs.
Apart from this, there is also a focus about the fact that he had a
‘Golfball’ in his palm while batting, which gave him extra strength. The
day after the match the Australian newspaper The Age had a photograph of
him with open hands displaying a ‘golfball’ in his palm.
The write up below the photo mentioned about him using the ‘Second
ball’ while batting. Obviously, the ‘golfball’ gave him extra strength
in the same way as drugs to enhance his performance.
We are not sure about the ICC stand with regard to the use of a
‘second ball’ in the palm while batting. But one thing we are certain is
that if this was done by a member of the Sri Lankan team, there would
have been a hue and cry for an immediate inquiry.
DR. P. A. SAMARAWEERA – Australia - via email
With reference to Ranjith Chandrasekara’s letter (DN May 04). Mr.
Chandrasekara is way out of line here with his arrogant comments. He
wants Malinga not to copy other cultures and dress like a gentleman.
From what I understand, the gentlemanly dress as we know it today
(pants, shirt, coat tie etc.) was given to us by the Europeans. Hence,
Mr. Chandrasekara’s comments do not make sense.
Does Mr. Chandrasekara go about in national dress most of the time to
appreciate our good cultural background? He also judges Malinga’s
character based on his outward appearance. To me, this shows a serious
lack of depth in Mr. Chandrasekara’s own character.
Bravo Malinga for your delightful character and the joy you have
given us with your free and lion-hearted spirit.
ROSHAN DODANWELA - via email
In fact watching the matches constantly my wife and I were of the
same opinion as Dr. Sarath Fernando (Reference DN May 04). In our minds
there were no doubt that he was on some energy drug and his behaviour
too very much reflected that.
How come the ICC has not noted such behaviours? Why couldn’t some of
the responsible team managers, including Sri Lankan Managers suspect and
ask for testing?
These are also necessary strategies to ensure fairness in play. The
Cricket Council should insist that every player is tested at every World
Cup match just like in the Olympics.
Why not? This is the highest level of play in the game of cricket and
all possible standards for fairness must be demanded from the
authorities. Losing and winning is a part of the game, but it should be
on fair grounds.
DR. UPALI SEDERE - via email
This response is to some highlights of Sydney Weerawardena’s letter (DN
18.12.2006).
(1) Land donations: There’s no record of any land/buildings
whatsoever donated by Weerawardena Allison and/or Andy Silva.
The latter was never associated with Tissa. The Government alone
effected constructions.
The school established on 5.11.1936 was not at 5th Cross Street.
Later, forty-six persons donated over 9 acres bordering this Street -
(regularized by Gazette 9659/ 6.12.1946). Mrs. W.A.De Silva donated 2
roods 32.4 perches and ‘one masonry tiled building’, made
habitable/usable by volunteers; Wijemannes/ Kotelawelas over 3 1/2 acres
- ‘one masonry latrine’; R. Perera: ‘two masonry tiled buildings’; De
Abrew 1 rood 4.6 perches (within over 1/2 acre, UC limits with
Hemachandra/E. Silva) for playgrounds/classes (open air).
(2) Accommodation: Pioneer teacher, Kusuma Abeywickrema stayed
nowhere but in De Abrew’s home, verifiable from her sons, Doctors
Jayantha/Hemantha Senanayake, Engineer Ravi, and nephew Rohan
Abeywickrema. De Abrew ensured unfaltering school development by
providing a home (part-remuneration) to quality teachers. Ruby
Kumarasiri, Nandawathie Cabraal, Louise Wirasekera, (after the
take-over) Felicia Rajapakse, Padmini Fernando - others innumerable,
were definitely accommodated before ‘boarding houses’ emerged. Salaries
were through Kalutara Bar collections. Until the fifties,
forenoon/afternoon tea to teachers was definitely provided.
(3) Contrary to ‘trying to change the history of Tissa’ intention
here is to establish facts. Kalutara North Buddhist Education Board
consisted of four lawyers - H.A. De Abrew, V.L. Wijemanna, W.K.
Wijemanna, A.R. Silva; three others - O.W. Perera, H.S. Fernando,
Allison Silva. But none named Andy. Agreed - Allison was a businessman
(Alice Mudalali), hiring boats to Beruwela fishermen, renting houses
etc. But as for founding Tissa, it was no flash of philanthropy. Two
powerful factors motivated De Abrew - Waskaduwe Sri Subhuti Thera’s
legacy of thought (primary education being at Subhuti Vidyalaya). Later
at St. Joseph’s he saw Buddhist children marginalized.
Law College (1874) bred lawyers leading the Buddhist revival. The
lawyers named above belonged to this tribe. Second factor: fortification
of concept through YMBA (29.9.1927), De Abrew being a pioneer. (Chapter
399, Revised Legislative Enactments, Act 11/1927/Act 20/1957).
Agreed - Allison was De Abrew’s landlord, also his client. To
facilitate practice, De Abrew left parental Dutch-vintage, drive-in
house, 97/2, Galle Road, for Allison’s rented house (59, not 118).
The Principal who placed this before the press should examine facts
and record the true history.
Many including earliest teachers confirm that the founder, De Abrew,
worked intimately with Proctor/Minister Kannangara, drafting Free
Education Act (1943). With great foresight De Abrew secured school’s
future by persuading Kannangara to take over Tissa. Entire negotiation
process (retaining name ‘Tissa’, chosen by Astrologer Kollagura,
included), was between them. De Abrew signed the transfer document
(30.6.1945) handing over keys to Director/Education. If indeed Allison
was the founder he would have been the one to do all this.
De Abrew’s vision, strategic leadership, ability to motivate others
to contribute land/energy/enthusiasm, provision of all-round educational
opportunities, close supervision of school development enabled Tissa to
be among the first 50 Central Schools. The school indeed became his
life. \
His contemporaries recognized his immense contribution as V.L.
Wijemanne, his closest associate, so eloquently expressed in his oration
at H.A. De Abrew’s funeral.
CHITRAL MENDIS
(The writer is a daughter of H. A. de Abrew)
All correspondence regarding above topic ‘Kalutara Tissa Central
College’ is closed. |
