Golden memories and silver tears
In the last few lines of his autobiography, “Memoirs of a Dental Surgeon” that Thaththa wrote in 2008, he states: “As the twilight of one’s life approaches, it is pleasing to recall how the children have grown up from cradle to adulthood. Most of all, to see all of them are professionals and married to professionals. Lorraine and I are very happy to be grandparents of five wonderful, adoring and playful grandchildren…”
As that twilight begins to chill, we develop a compelling urge to plunge into bygone memories. Thaththa was born in 1924 and was blessed with the rare opportunity of celebrating a twin Golden Jubilee in 2008, when he completed 50 years of active dental practice in April 2008 and his golden wedding anniversary in October 2008. Born in Dangedara Galle, he was the youngest of a family of eleven children, “a complete cricket team”, as writes in his book. He initially attended a Sinhala school at Dangedara and joined Mahinda College Galle at the age of 10.
He left Sri Lanka in 1951 to study dentistry at the University of Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. Here too he played cricket for the Durham Medicals between 1952 and 1957 and Durham University from 1953-1957. He captained both these teams. He also captained the Newcastle Upon Tyne British Council Cricket team in 1955. He graduated as a dental surgeon (BDS) in 1957 and worked for a short while as a locum in the British National Health Service. He also played some cricket for the SSC for a short while after returning to Sri Lanka. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1958 and set up a private practice on the 4th of April 1958 and completed 50 years of general dental practice. He was the President of the Sri Lanka Dental Association from 1979 to1980 and again from 1981-1982. He was the President of the Paedodontic Dental Association, President of the College of General Dental Practitioners’ Association 199294 and delivered the Brito Muthunayagam Oration in 1996. He has also been a past president of the General Dental Practitioners Association. He was conferred Fellowship of the College of General Dental Practitioners (FCGDP) in 1994. He also enjoyed attending to the national cricket team professionally when he was the dental surgeon to the Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka. He was the founder president of the University-upon Tyne Alumni Association, Sri Lanka Branch in 2003.
On the personal side, Thaththa was a family man. He was a dutiful and loving husband to Amma. They meant the world to each other. Even on the last day, a few minutes before he passed away, they were holding hands and laughing at each other’s jokes.
Thaththa was a wonderful father who was always there for us whenever we wanted advice and guidance. He taught us to be positive in life and encouraged us in all our endeavors. He always assisted us to pursue any line of studies that we desired. He did everything possible to make sure we realised our dreams and aspirations.
Our house was alive with the “Sound of Music” from the time we were young. Thaththa was such a lover of music. First it was records, then a tape recorder, then cassettes, CDS and DVDS. However, the type of music did not change much. It was Jim Reeves, Tom Jones, Englebert, CT Fernando, Sunil Shantha Chitra Somapala, etc. In the later years, he used to listen to a lot of Isla Grant, Daniel O’ Donald and so on, but Jim Reeves was always his favourite. His all time favourite song was “Don’t cry for me Argentina”. He had recordings of many versions of the same song.thaththa was very proud of his five grand children. He was always keen to see they enjoyed their childhood and was very happy to see them doing well in school. Thaththa had the pleasure of spoiling his grandchildren like most grandparents do. They used to go to him to get something they desire and shared special secrets with him. Thaththa loved playing cricket with them.
Thaththa had a warm and genuine heart, a “heart of gold” one might say. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He had the unique ability to talk comfortably with the highest in society and to the ordinary man with equal warmth and sincerity.
May you be our father again as we travel through Sansara
And may you attain Nibbana!
As we woke to the world
Your love cradled us
As we took our first steps as children,
Your hands guided us
As we tested the waters of life
Your wisdom moulded us
As we encountered obstacles
Your strength pulled us through
As we ventured out into the world
You were our guiding light
And you excelled in your role
You are the greatest father ever
And this we tell the world!