We may be Burgher by heritage, but first and foremost, we are 110% Sri Lankan
“Most of us do not dwell on the past as what’s happened, has happened”, said Mr. David Colin-thomé, President of The Dutch Burgher Union (DBU), speaking on the Burgher community’s identity in an island nation with a troubled history. “We’re 110 per cent Sri Lankan,” he added.
We spoke to David about the Burgher community’s perspectives leading up to Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day, at the iconic DBU premises, where the organisation’s Treasurer, Mr. Malory David was also present.
The pair explained how, after independence, in particular after the Sinhala Only Act of 1956, the Burgher community in Sri Lanka progressively decreased in numbers as they migrated (primarily) to Australia through the 1950s, 60s and 70s. “From being one of the four prominent ethnic groups along with the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, the Burgher community shrunk to a shadow of its former glory days during which time, leading positions in both the public and private sectors were held by illustrious Burghers,” David recounted.
Throughout all this, the headquarters of the Burgher community was the iconic colonial building of The Dutch Burgher Union at Thunmulla junction, Bambalapitiya. Constructed in 1912, the building reflected the prominence and contribution of the Burgher community during its heyday.
The three decades from the 1980s onwards saw the Burgher stocks reduced to almost a footnote, and even the Burghers themselves started to shy away from identifying themselves as such. The magnificent building at Thunmulla also reflected this slide with both memberships and structural preservation shrinking to a bare minimum.
However, since the mid-2000s, the DBU has enjoyed a renaissance paving the way for the community to regain its lustre. The building has been progressively restored as well as value added by way of an extension incorporating hotel guest rooms, and the creation of a viable commercial café and restaurant. Consequently, the DBU is now a hive of activity that is attracting all Sri Lankans and not just the Burgher community, David explained, stating that the presence of a historic and iconic building therefore plays a significant role in preserving one’s heritage and identity. David said that the recent restorations and enhancements have also been fully funded by donations not only from within the Burgher community, but from well-wishers as well, which was particularly heart-warming.
“One of the original objectives of the DBU was to support underprivileged sectors of the community which has been a key activity of the Union throughout its existence. Until recently, the funds for these have been generated almost entirely by the expat Burgher community in Australia who have never forgotten their roots,” David said. Their magnanimous support has been forthcoming for the past seventy years, but they are now an ageing population and most of them are in their retirement years, he added.
Although the Burghers have a reputation for being fun-loving, party goers, David believes that the tag is a miscarriage of justice to the many serious Burghers who have made telling and everlasting contributions to this country in every single profession and field, pre and post-independence. “The Burgher contribution to Ceylon and Sri Lanka belies the fact that even during their peak, when most of the government services were run by Burghers, they never ever exceeded even one percent of the population.”
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
David personally recalls how he feels extremely fortunate being brought up in a Western culture in an Eastern cultural background. “I do not profess to speak for all Burghers, but one thing, which I will boldly claim speaks for every single Burgher, is that we rejoice in having the best of both, the Eastern and Western worlds. We are not just steak and eggs people. We are equally in paradise, if not more so with a good rice and curry, or string hopper ‘feed’!”
Malory noted that food is a large part of the Burgher culture and that they were also known for their unique and distinctive words and phrases in their usage of the English language. He said that one of the reasons that the Burghers tend to be popular is because of their largely uncomplicated and friendly disposition, as interaction and socializing is second nature to most Burghers.
The importance of preserving one’s heritage and the importance of embracing diversity as a country is something that should be fostered and celebrated, the pair agreed. “This should not be confused with national identity. We may be Burgher by heritage, but first and foremost, we are always Sri Lankan. And it is as Sri Lankans that we ourselves celebrate Independence Day,” Malory said.
“While the country has regressed in some areas, it still does not take away from the fact that independence is one of the most significant historical events of the country, and one which of course was necessary,” he added.
As Sri Lanka moves to the next twenty-five years of independence, the country could do well to follow the motto of the DBU, David pointed. “It was originally written in Dutch, and it translates to “Unity Makes Strength”.