Nostalgic memories of an amiable friend of over five decades
On Monday, September 4, 2023 exactly at 6.44 hours when we were having our breakfast, we received a WhatsApp message from Wasanthi Ranasinghe, former Principal, Samudradevi Balika Maha Vidyalaya, conveying the news of the passing away of our colleague, Clarence Jayasinghe, popularly known as Clarence. The message was so devastating that it made us stand up unintentionally and silence prevailed for a few moments bringing back nostalgic memories of this amiable friend of over five decades.
Our first encounter with Clarence was in 1970 when we all enrolled for the Economic Special Degree at the Vidyodaya University (now Sri Jayawardanapura University). He entered the university from Richmond College, Galle. In 1978, he joined the Income Tax Department and served in several branches of the Department until his retirement.
He married Susila Gunasekera in 1978. From the same university, Susila was on the staff of the Sangamitta Girls School, Galle until her retirement. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter who now hold responsible positions in the public and private sectors.
Clarence joined the volunteer force of the Sri Lanka Army as a Commissioned Officer in 1979 and was a decorated officer of the Gemunu Watch. He rendered an incalculable service to the motherland. His stint in the Army had been particularly commendable in that he served in the most difficult areas of Trincomalee, Jaffna, Pulmudai, and Mannar. He led his battalions in the Trincomalee Army Camp to capture Upparru Island after a fierce battle. He was instrumental in unearthing a mass grave with human skeletons. The subsequent search operations revealed that the Sinhala and Muslim inhabitants living in this island had been massacred and buried by the LTTE.
Clarence was vice-captain of the University wrestling team and an active member of the University Sports Council, winning university colours in 1973 and 1974.
Known for his simplicity and mild manners, Clarence had the rare ability to mingle with the student community of all the faculties. His warm and compassionate approach endeared him to many. Perhaps, this would have been the prime reason why he opted to contest the student council of the University representing a capitalist political party that was not popular in the 1970s, at a time when the T 56 culture was prevalent immediately after the 1971 insurrection.
During his university days, Clarence stood firmly aligned to a new student movement in order to guarantee democratic rights for every student, in particular, challenging the then existing order of the day in the university’s student environment. Known as the “United Samavadi Peramuna” affiliated to the Youth Front of the United National Party (UNP), it was largely responsible for changing the political map of the Student Council elections outcome at the Vidyodaya University in 1972/73.
Clarence was an avid reader and would have had several hundreds, if not thousands of books in his possession.
In the latter part of his life, his health saw a visible deterioration and he was virtually in and out of the hospital seeking treatment. According to his family, Clarence displayed remarkable resilience and a positive outlook, despite facing health challenges. His unwavering spirit coupled with the utmost care by his wife and children enabled him to face a couple of surgeries courageously. The WhasApp group of his University batchmates initiated by Prof. Gunatilaka Tantirigama would have brought solace to Clarence, who I am told, had read the messages from his colleagues to the end.
The loss of Clarence is deeply felt but the influence and the impact of his cordial relationships will endure among his university batchmates and the lives he touched during his life innings of 74 years.
Dear Clarence, you may no longer be at our side but you will always remain in our hearts. May your journey through Samsara be truly short and happy until you reach the gates of Nirvana.
Mathupali & Athula Ranasinghe