A young life lost in defence of principles he stood by

I am writing this to commemorate the 34th death anniversary of Kanil Dissanayake, Manager of Talgaswella State Plantation in Galle District, old Thomian and member of the Ceylon Planters Society.

On that fateful night of September 12, 1989, when the knock came on the door, he removed the chain with the cross from around his neck, placed it under the pillow and walked out to face the assassin’s bullet, head held high.

He stood by his principles and sacrificed his young life in defence of those ideals. He took instructions only from his superiors in managing the large southern plantation which had been entrusted to his care and led his staff fearlessly from the front during the reign of terror. He refused to give in to the pressures of the rebels, who were on a rampage in the plantation districts, in order to cripple the economy. On the plantation he had recorded a net profit of approximately Rs. 5.6 million for 1989.

Had he heeded my father’s advice of spending the nights at our family home in Baddegama, just 10 km away from his plantation, he would have, by the grace of God, still been living among us. But his first and only priority was the dedication to his duties and not to run away.

As a result, his wife lost a devoted husband, my niece lost a loving father, my parents lost a caring and dutiful son and I lost my best friend – my brave brother Kanil and the country lost a disciplined planting professional who was tirelessly dedicated to his job.

Beautiful and bright he stood, As born to rule the storm, A man of heroic blood, Proud through child-like form.

He stood on the burning deck, When all but him had fled,

With shroud, mast and pennon fair, That well has borne his past,

But the noblest thing that perished there, Was that young and faithful heart. May his soul rest in peace. We all are proud of him.