I would only be the Captain’s son
The news item in the Sunday Times of April 19 about the passing away of Gamini de S.G. Punchihewa -- better known as Gamini Punchihewa would have saddened many who enjoyed his writings on places, people and events of bygone days of Sri Lanka. Like W.T. Keble, R.L. Spittel, R.L Brohier and D.T. Devendra, Gamini went in search of places little known to others. Apart from his eight books, his feature articles to the English newspapers written over a period of 45 years on subjects such as ancient civilizations, legends, folklore, songs, heritage, fauna and flora of the island were fascinating reading.
He was first employed in the Gal Oya Development Board and subsequently in the Mahaweli Authority - that gave him the opportunity to gather much of the information that he presented to his readers through his writings. Accordingly it was not surprising that his writings bore the stamp of authenticity.
Although his writings were in English his knowledge in classical Sinhala literature was visible in his writings. Very often he used to quote from Sandesa poems such as Mayura which dates back to the Gampola period and folk poems.
His last publication published in 2008 was Wanderlust – it contains 11 chapters including: Historic Tale of Matara; Galle - Citadel out of the past; Totagamuve Sri Rahula Rajamahaviharaya; Origins of Devol Deviyo; In quest of Ehelepola’s exploits; Veera Puran Appu; Saradiel; Makulutenne Raja Maha Viharaya etc which show the vast array of subjects he wrote on from pre-Buddhist times to the British period.
He was born in Kataluwa 83 years ago and had his early education at Mahinda College, Galle. His father was Mudliyar A. de S.G. Punchihewa who served the government in different positions and in 1940 retired from the post of Press Examiner Sinhala and English.
Mudliyar Punchihewa is remembered by the extended Gardiye Punchihewa family as the patriarch for taking the initiative to form the Gardiye Punchihewa Gnathi Samithiya way back in 1943. After nearly 73 years it is still active with about 450 members. Gamini himself was very much involved with the Society and the last position he held was that of Patron. While working in the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo during his leisure hours, the research he did in the National Archives resulted in tracing back the genealogy of the Gardiye Punchihewas to 1742.
In the introduction to “Wanderlust” Gamini says though domiciled in Embilipitiya and living in retirement he continues his freelance writing career by visiting places to collect the desired information. That means there is still material since 2008 which remains unpublished.
With eight books and many articles published, the service he rendered to unearth and document Sri Lanka’s past and recent history is unparalleled. It is pity that I cannot see anyone who can take his place in the immediate future.
It has been one year since you left us on May 12, 2014. As the world celebrates Lord Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana, we celebrate your life of 81 years and death.
Memories of you still linger and the loss, the void created by you will never fade.
We know how much you loved us, your deeds showed it. You were a principled man, who fought for justice and for the betterment of the people around you. Sacrifices you and Amma made to make our lives better were many and we are grateful for that. You taught us by example to be better citizens and instilled values that made us what we are today.
You had your feet deeply rooted to the ground and you lived a simple life throughout your 81 years. You were our hero, our advisor and we looked up to you. Apart from us, your own children, there were many other lives you have touched. Your kind deeds and generosity towards mankind was plenty and unsung.
You were wise and your words of wisdom were something we all looked upto. You touched so many lives and they are all grateful for same. So many whom we met at your funeral were testimony to your kind actions and words.
It is not what you have done for us but who you were and how you lived despite enormous hardships that you had to go through, that make us happy in celebrating your life.
We can never forget you, vivid memories of you and Amma are in our minds, but we take solace in knowing that you are now free of the worldly suffering. We will try to live your legacy and make the world a better place to live
Thank you for the memo- ries!
Dear Thaththa, enjoy the niramisa suwaya the enlightenment forever now! In our home town of Moratuwa People always called him Captain He flew Spitfires and Dakotas In the Golden Age of aviation. I certainly could never be the pilot that he was I probably would never be as good a human being either I would only be the Captain’s son I wish I could tell him this, but I can’t He is long gone That is what is so sad about it I am sure those of you who have lost loved ones With things unsaid, would know what I’m talking about.