A toast to those wonderful memories on his birthday
Although he had a long name given by his parents at birth, he was known as Percy among his family, relatives, friends, and colleagues. His father was Proctor Frederick Senarath-Dassanayake from Katuwallagama Walauwwa close to Katana and his mother, Caroline Jayatillake from Debaraliyadda Walauwwa in Pannala. They had six children and Percy was the fourth in line.
When I married his younger brother, Shelton, and joined the Senarath-Dassanayake family, he became Percy Aiya to me. Born next to each other, Percy and Shelton were not only brothers, but mates as well. Playing in the Katuwallagama surroundings with the kids in the neighbourhood, had been fun. Shelton told me the kinds of fun they had – some not so good to mention in print! They had a little nephew who always pestered them to teach him card tricks, matchbox tricks, etc. They would oblige him but one day, in exasperation, Percy had asked the little fellow to drop all the matchsticks on the ground and to pick them up one by one. After picking up all, the boy had asked “now what shall I do?” Percy had promptly said “Put them in the box and keep them in the drawer”. Percy Aiya may have been a bit of a teaser – but it was all in good fun!
Percy Aiya schooled at Maris Stella College, Negombo. His ambition had been to become a lawyer but instead he took to “creeping” with the hope of becoming a planter. He had a good personality as a leader. He knew he could run a plantation and work with the labourers. It was not an easy task because the estate workers belonged to a large trade union – the Ceylon Workers Congress. Strikes were common. He had to face them, and also tackle the situation amicably.
For many years, Percy worked for Carsons, a British company. He was the P.D. meaning Periya Dorai, the words introduced by the Tamil estate workers. Periya means big and Dorai means gentleman. Later, when the estates were taken over by the Bandaranaike government, he remained as a government employee.
Most of his life, he spent in the hill country. The planters’ bungalows originally built for the British planters were luxurious. When my husband, two kids and I went on holiday to his upcountry home, we were given star hotel comforts. At lunch and dinner, tables were laid with all kinds of tasty soups and dishes served by their Appu as if we were in a restaurant. The large rooms and the antique furniture were so beautiful. His wife, Swe, a charming, generous and lovely hostess, would go out of her way to make us comfortable. My kids loved going for walks, playing with their cousins, and at the end of the holiday, Percy would place a couple of notes into their hands as pocket money.
After his retirement, when he settled in Colombo, he did not give up his entertaining evenings. Relatives, friends, and family would pop in, even without notice. Percy and Swe kept open doors always. They were a trusted dayaka couple at the Nugegoda/High Level Road temple up to his death. Swe continues supporting the temple activities up to date.
We migrated to New Zealand to be with our children. Before my husband passed away, he was ill for some time. During the latter stages, he would call out only my name and Percy Aiya’s name, which showed how deep Percy’s memories were in his brother’s heart. I could not say my final goodbye to Percy Aiya because I was thousands of miles away. Thanks to modern technology, we are able to talk and see his family in Sri Lanka. Percy Aiya was a happy man. He had a good life and remembering him especially on his birthday on December 18, I am sure that his good and generous deeds have already taken him to Nibbana.