Thank You for Being “A FATHER AND A FRIEND”

I write this reflection for what would have been my father’s 100th birthday on November 16. My father was the nicest person that anyone could wish for. He passed away 41 years ago and I am still struggling to come to terms with it.

A product of St. John’s College, Panadura, he was a keen sportsman during his school days. His flair for journalism was evident even as a student as he showed a keen interest in writing articles to newspapers on a regular basis.

After completing his studies, he started his career as a clerk attached to the Department of Prisons and rose to be the Chief Clerk there. He soon bade good bye to the clerical service and joined the teaching profession.

His first assignment was at Polgahawela RC School where he rose to be its Headmaster. He did not stick to teaching for long either, because his call was for journalism which was running in his blood. He joined the Times of Ceylon as a journalist attached to the Daily Mirror and covered almost every field. Later as Parliamentary Reporter, he associated himself closely with leading politicians of the time including late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranayke, Dr. N.M. Perera, Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe, Peter Keuneman, Dudley Senanayake, J.R. Jayawardena, Ranasinghe Premadasa and later with Anura Bandaranaike.

The crowning point in his journalistic career was when he was appointed Editor in Chief of the Daily Mirror.

My father who penned the biography of Dr. N.M. Perera and was widely travelled, and represented the Times of Ceylon at several sessions of the International organisation of journalists.

Once my father had a nasty experience when he was travelling to Cuba with his friend late B.A. Siriwardana, Editor Aththa news paper. The plane, they were travelling was hijacked in Bermuda. However, the plane was released with the passengers after being held for several hours by the hijackers and my father and his friend Siriwardana were able to proceed to Cuba and met late President Fidel Castro and spoke to him personally.

My father was highly duty conscious and does whatever he could to help and be of service. He was sick for a few weeks. His illness was difficult and loss was greatly felt. I always pray, my father is by God’s side. He was very fond of his granddaughter Maya but he was not there to see his second granddaughter Gayathri.

I still remember your funeral. It was held at Moratuwa St. Sebastian’s Church Cemetery. Highly distinguish personalities of the calibre of Ranasinghe Premadasa, Anura Bandaranaike, some Ministers and many others were present at the funeral and paid their respect to my beloved father. Most of your friends are no more and your buddy Manik de Silva, now the Editor, Sunday Island is always remembering you and supporting us.

Thank you Dad for being a good father. I will treasure your legacy always and remember you with love, joy and gratitude.

I love you Dad. I thank God for giving me a dear father whom I badly miss Till I meet you again, Goodbye. May your Soul Rest in Peace.

Sadly missed by your eldest son, Lalin.