A giant of an athlete with a gentle heart

Nalin Wilmot Samarasinghe born on the 23rd of April 1936 was the son of Mr.& Mrs. Cecil Victor Samarasinghe of Pelaena, Weligama.

Wilmot was the eldest in his family with three brothers after him, Chandra, Wickramapala and Chandana.

His father was a well known Civil Lawyer practising in the Matara Courts and was well respected in the Bar.

My father Felix de Alwis and Wilmot’s father were very close friends from their bachelor days as my father was serving in Matara as an Excise Inspector. From there on our families were close and Wilmot’s father and my father used to play “bridge” together.

All the Samarasinghe boys were boarded at the Richmond College Hostel and the story goes that the father used to send them back to the boarding with loads of eatables which were mostly consumed by the others.

In fact our good friend Walter Fernando said that he was one of the hostellers who enjoyed the goodies brought by the father.

Wilmot was an outstanding sportsman of Richmond whilst his brothers Chandra, Wickramapala and Chandana too followed his good example.

His achievements in Athletics were many. Some of his achievements in Athletics were a) He lowered the under 16 records in 440 yards and High jump events in school in 1951. At public schools in 1951 he came first in the High jump and long jump, representing the school at the Junior AAA meet. He was placed first in the 440 yards whilst at the Public Schools he ran the 440 yards in a record time of 53.1 seconds. b) Wilmot won his Public Schools in

the year 1953. c) Wilmot played for the Schools cricket team, foot ball team and was one of those indispensable players in the team at the time. His two brothers Chandra and Wickramapala too played for the team. Most of the achievements were read by Mr. Elmore Perera [another distinguished old boy] when he delivered the eulogy at the cemetery on the 2nd of July]

He decided to take to planting and he had a long innings in his planting career serving most of the estates in the hill country. I recall him serving at Labukella estate and always his was an open house.

Wilmot was a man with a giant figure but a very gentle heart. He was a man of great character, solid and came through all life’s challengers bringing up the son Manoj and daughter Thanuja single handed doing his best in providing them the required education, guidance and comfort to the best of his ability. He made several sacrifices by remaining single till his death showing his love and care on the grand children too. His family and friends had great admiration for his patience and endurance.

Wilmot spent most of his time by visiting his Cinnamon Estate in the South, attending the Richmond 60 club events and regularly walking at Shalika Grounds with Nihal Rajapaksa, and a planter colleague Shirley Rodrigo. He was also an ardent Buddhist. Almost daily he used to visit the temple and did his part as a devout Buddhist. He always kept in touch with his siblings, his younger brother Wickramapala who is a doctor residing in the UK in respect of medical advice etc. But he was very sad that his younger brother Chandra predeceased him in Australia. His youngest brother Chandana also kept in touch.

Wilmot was a very sincere friend and many friends failed to reciprocate his kindness but he held no grudges or argued with them. He always used to say ‘I have done no harm to them it is best forgotten”.

To us Richmondites he was Wilmot and to the plantation sector he was ‘SAM” but a Gentleman in all respects, never had any ill feeling towards any one though he would sometimes express sadness that those who benefitted from his hospitality during his planting career never called to visit him except Gaya Pathikirikorale a very close friend of both of us and Wilmot’s long standing friend L.O.N. de Silva [Another Richmondite].

Wilmot was a man who believed in the following saying.

You are not alone when you have a friend,

You need not despair when a friend is near,

Worries depart when a friend holds your hand

Life is worthwhile, with a friend at your side

If everyone needs friends, everyone should be one Friendship is the bond of love. Wilmot displayed in life the following values: Value of time The success of perseverance The pleasure of working The dignity of simplicity The work of character The power of kindness The influence of example The obligation of duty The wise of economy The virtue of patience The improvement of talent The joy of originality Wilmot my friend though you left this world,

You are with us in spirit as shown with your love and concern,

We will never forget because you were a brother to us in all respect.

The love and concern you showed on your children Manoj & Tanuja

And their spouses and children not forgetting your siblings

What we will value always is your love and compassion. Your loving friend NIHAL DE ALWIS