Remembering our beloved malli/aiya and proud Richmondite
It is with a heavy heart, fond memories and love that we put pen on paper in tribute to our dear brother Padmakumara Nanayakkara fondly called Hinni malli/aiya, who bid farewell to us on July 17 last.
He was an obedient, muchloved son of the late Francis and Irene Nanayakkara of Galle, adored brother to his nine siblings, Vasudeva, the late Yasapalitha, Swarna, Ranjini, Lanka, Dharma, Hemakumara, Asanga and Nilmin, loving and caring husband of Irangani and muchloved and wonderful father of Sanjaani and Manilka. A sincere friend, relative, remarkable employer and celebrated planter of the Southern Province.
This product of Richmond College, Galle was a die-hard Richmondite until his last. He was passionately involved initially in the Old Boys’ Association of Richmond College and then in the Over Sixty Club of the College. As a young member of the college swimming squad, he took part in many a swimming gala. We recall with nostalgia how he gleefully brought home, to share with the family, a lovely box of British chocolates, the prize he won for coming first at one such gala.
His penchant for scouting made him take it very seriously and he did not stop short of becoming a Queen’s Scout of Richmond College, attending a jamboree in Pakistan when he was 16, no mean feat for a youngster, back then. Many a close relative did not favour the idea but our parents stood by him. He kept in touch with amma constantly, via mail throughout his voyage back and forth.
His final participation in a Richmond College event was the annual Richmond Mahinda cricket encounter, nicknamed “Lovers Quarrel”, last March, barely four months prior to his demise.
Hinni malli/aiya true to his fun-loving personality, joined his younger brothers and friends on a special coach ride to Galle for the match. Apparently, he had a jolly good time as done annually.
Popularly known as Padma, he, after his school career showed interest in planting, perhaps having seen our father who was a proprietary planter. Father found him a place at the Tea Research Institute in Galle where he learnt the basics of tea planting. After his stint at the TRI, father secured a place for him as a creeper at Thalangaha Estate which belonged to Carsons Cumberbatch, at the time. There he was directly under the then Manager, Noel Samarasinghe. He learnt the nuts and bolts of tea and rubber planting under Mr. Samarasinghe whom he held in high esteem. Until Mr. Samarasinghe passed away last year, he kept in touch with him. Padma’s Christmas visit along with his wife Ira, to see Mr. and Mrs. Samarasinghe was a ritual.
Having successfully completed his creeping, he came under our father’s wing, working in the tea and rubber plantations at Devagiri, honing his planting skills and learning business and management skills.
Padma, the talented tea and rubber planter, quite comfortably walked into our father’s shoes in June 1975 following his death. From then on, he managed our family property/company, Devagiri Plantations taking it to the next level. Devagiri began to be referred to as a showpiece estate in the Galle District. He generously advised and helped those who sought his advice in running plantations and also in the manufacture of tea/rubber. His passion, commitment and hard work enabled him to declare good dividends to the shareholders, the family.
He held the position of President of Southern Planters Club, Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association, Ex Planters Association and the Galle Cricket Club. He was also an executive committee member of Ceylon Planters Association representing Sothern Province Rubber Plantations. He also served as a director of the Sri Lanka Tea Board under Clifford Ratwatte. The creepers who came under his stewardship became successful planters. His contribution to the tea industry is noteworthy.
Hinni malli/aiya celebrated his 80th birthday last February with close family and friends. He was blessed with four loving grandchildren. During his brief illness, his daughter Dr. Sanjaani Chandrasekera was there like his personal doctor greatly supported by his son-in-law Dr. Madhanga Chandrasekera. His wife Ira together with his son Manilka, ably assisted by his daughter-inlaw Mayanthi made sure he was comfortable and cheerful. His Man Friday Rasa deserves special mention for being there with him at his beck and call round the clock. During his short spell of illness, he so looked forward to having his siblings around and we were there for him constantly.
Despite the fact he was cremated within 24 hours as desired by him, the cross section of people affiliated to plantations, tea factory owners, tea and rubber brokers and tea exporters who were present at his funeral, bear testimony to the respect and admiration he earned in the tea industry. The old boys of Richmond College were present in full force to bid farewell to this devoted and staunch Richmondite.
May our dear Hinni malli’s/aiya’s journey in sansara be short and may he attain the deathless state of Nibbana in an early life.
His siblings