Though his lamp is out, its warmth remains
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy – Rabindranath Tagore
The above quotation aptly describes the footprints of Vasantha Kulatunga’s journey in life. The main characteristics of a selfless person is keeping oneself at the lowest level of priority and giving preference to others’ needs. His life embodied that. Some may achieve prominence and fame but there are many unsung heroes who silently and persistently work for the betterment of humanity. Vasantha Kulatunga was one such hero.
Three months have passed since the demise of this gentle soft-spoken personality. He was born on July 14, 1941 in Kandy to Mr. and Mrs. K. B. Kulatunga of Napana, Gunnepana. He had an elder sister. He received his primary education at Amunagama Maha Vidyalya, now known as Tennakoon Wimalananda Vidyalaya, before joining St. Anthony’s College.
It was the ’56-’57 era when nationalistic feelings were running high. A group of students had decided they would do something sensational. However when the day dawned he was the only one in national dress! The Rector of St. Anthony’s, Fr. Rosati, a great educationist took a dim view of the matter but did not take serious action. He requested his parents to come and advise Vasantha. In later years Vasantha reflected on how far thinking Fr. Rosati had been.
Then he came down to Ananda College where he was a hosteller. At Ananda too his rebellious nature came to light when he and a few other hostellers wore the national dress to school for the first time during Principal L.H. Mettananda’s period.
Vasantha entered the Peradeniya University in June 1960. University life at Peradeniya in the early sixties was enriched by the wide ranging experiences of undergraduates. Vasantha was involved in weight lifting and boxing and won the ‘Mr. Campus’ title. He was the very popular but ‘innocent muscle man’ and his presence always allayed the fears of newcomers as he was like a protective big brother!
He was also an energetic campaigner in all socialist activities. When the university authorities in June 1961 took a decision not to provide accommodation in the halls of residence to second year undergrads whose permanent residence was within 10 miles radius of the campus, it was thought to be discrimination. Action was needed and action was taken by Vasantha who led a very small band of those affected. They met the then Trade Minister T.B. Illangaratne and he took them to the Prime Minister, Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The V.C. Sir Nicholas Attygalle was requested to reverse the decision the next day.
Vasantha joined the Ceylon Communist Party and then moved to Mr. Shanmuganathan’s Communist Party (Peking wing). He attended a youth conference in China as a Sri Lankan delegate.
Another passion was mountaineering and he led his campus group on an expedition to Knuckles and hoisted the UOP flag at the top of the peak (described in the book “Hanthane Kandu Muduna Sisara” written by Percy Thenuwara his batchmate).
After leaving the University in 1963 he chose teaching as a vocation and his first station was off Bibila in a school situated in a ravine where only a footpath was available to climb up and down. Even when he was transferred to Colombo he selected a school in a slum area in Kolonnawa and spent a large part of his salary buying school materials for the needy students.
He retired at the age of 55 and came back to live in his village where he did a yeoman service to the youth, acting as a mentor and coach encouraging them to participate in sports activities -- football, athletics, volleyball, mountaineering and marathon running. He took the children to circuit meets spending his own money for transport and even on special food to increase their stamina for athletics. He was instrumental in establishing sports clubs such as the Dumbara sports club to enhance their skills.
He also established several libraries in the village, among them one affiliated to the Dhamma School at the village temple to inculcate the habit of reading. He edited and published a paper called ‘Purahanda’ to enhance their interest in poetry.
He was a serious reader and collector of books and articles. He had authored a novel called “Pinna Mal’ and a book of poetry called “Ambalame Kathwa”.
Another passion he indulged in the latter part of his life was running marathons for veterans in London and Europe.
Vasantha was my cousin. In February 2001 after learning about the demise of my father, he sent me a monumental letter of 21 half sheets written on both sides. It was a veritable book of personal anecdotes of my father, interactions he had with him, explanation of life based on true Buddhist doctrine plus Greek philosophy; about its founding fathers starting from Anaxagoras, Plato, Epicurus to Aristotle (a contemporary of the Buddha); ancient Hindu writings all to give a great insight into life as a whole.
Vasantha suddenly fell ill in August 2023 and during the short period of illness his loving wife did everything possible to keep him comfortable.
To even think that he is no more with us is heartbreaking. We will remember him – kind, generous, brilliant, and so full of love. He touched so many lives with his kind and compassionate ways and though his lamp is out, its warmth remains. Fond memories of times gone by will forever be etched in our hearts.