A kind-hearted and generous soul
It is with a deep sense of gratitude, appreciation, and admiration that I write this tribute to my beloved brother-in-law Charles Edward Jayawardhana who passed away on December 6 at the age of 103, having known him for over 70 years.
During my school holidays, I used to visit my maternal grandparents in Panwila. Charlie Aiya was a planter at Mount Hunnasgiriya Estate in Madulkelle. Reggie Walker, his friend and neighbour was on Oonanagalle estate. Both being Catholics, they visited the church in Panwila for their spiritual needs. Rev. Ponnasamy was the parish priest. They visited the Gunasekera household whenever they could for a chitchat and some refreshments. I could hear Charlie Aiya’s Velocette motorcycle from a distance and I was very happy to be offered a joy ride.
Charlie Aiya had a very pleasing demeanor and soon became a “dear friend’ of the family. I remember him bringing decorative containers of sweetmeats and other edibles when he did visit our family. We soon found out that Charlie Aiya had a soft corner for my sister Ivy. During their courting years, I used to be their chaperone and accompanied them to the many places they visited including the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Charlie Aiya played a very influential role in our family. Growing up with Charlie Aiya, I was exposed to the lifestyle of a planter from a young age, and I too naturally wanted to become one. When I obtained my first appointment at Spring Valley Group Badulla in 1958, I received a congratulatory note along with valuable career advice from him. I have preserved the letter to this day and include some of the advice he wrote:
1. Your conduct and work in your first billet is the foundation on which to build your future.
2. Do nothing, neither attempt, in word or deed, to unsettle the labour force.
3. Do not introduce rigid discipline. Try sincerely to understand existing methods of work, customs and habits.
4. Give information to your superior regarding improvements to be carried out and obtain his approval before undertaking them. They should however be done at slow degrees.
5. If circumstances develop over which you have no control, bring it to your employer’s notice.
6. Go slow, understand others. Be your own critic.
His advice has stood me in good stead throughout my planting career.
Charlie Aiya was also a very generous man. During my school years, I received pocket money from my sister which I know was influenced by Charlie Aiya. When I took to planting, I started creeping under Reggie Walker and he was paid a monthly allowance for my upkeep. It was Charlie Aiya who covered this cost which I reimbursed soon after I found employment.
He graciously opened his spacious bungalow at Dumbara Estate, Ingiriya for my homecoming which was a memorable day for the whole family.
Charlie Aiya led an exemplary life, he was a man of few words, however if the topic was history, he would have a long conversation. He was well read and held in high esteem by all who knew him. Always kind-hearted, he will be fondly remembered by all his family.
Leonard Wickremasinghe