Sacerdotal Ordination Silver Jubilee of Rev. Fr. Jude Angelo
07 August 2023
Jubilee Celebration Photos!
25 September 2023
Tribute Fr. Jude!
Our Dear Fr Jude Angelo!
On the occasion of celebrating your silver jubilee of sacramental ordination anniversary, I take this opportunity to congratulate and compliment you on behalf of our East Street Community! Today our East Street community has become part of the global village society as our members of the community live in many countries around the world! According to the survey over three million inhabitants of Sri Lanka are living in fifty-two countries! According to my estimation, our community consists of about one hundred families who live at home and abroad! I am proud to state that all of our community is economically prosperous! You are in Norway but I do know many Tamils live in various parts of Norway whereas I don't know how many of our relations are settled in Norway!
You are the third person in our community to become a priest! The first priest was Fr Victor Rajanayagam who was ordained in Kandy! The second was Bishop Tom! He was my classmate and Fr Ponniah identified him as a suitable human being to be a priest! Whereas he never thought that Tom would become a bishop! He was a bishop in the turbulent political history of Sri Lanka! He boldly, cheerfully, daringly, cautiously and diplomatically shouldered all the responsibilities of that bishop! He was the bishop at the right time and at the right place! He was also a highly respected bishop!
Now you are the third person in our community to become a priest! When I first met you, you described yourself as an OMI priest and said that you were an Open Mouth Idiot! When you said that I considered you an Intellectual giant of literature, a unique practical philosopher also a holistic and spiritualistic priest! Socrates always described him as an ignorant human being and many intellectuals describe themselves as insignificant human beings! The first impression is the best impression! When I met you, you impressed me with your behaviour, character and manner as a unique preacher and teacher! It was over ten years ago I met you but I will always cherish you in my memory!
As a priest, you have become a wandering monk travelling all over the globe still attached with detachment in life! I am impressed with your monastic life! I do know many priests who have settled down in Western countries! Because you seek no luxury or comfort but are wedded to humility and simplicity without seeking name, fame, fortune or popularity! You are also a classical example of Dale Carnegie's philosophy of life! By reading your CV and the YouTube commentary on your life, I understand that you are familiar with the philosophy of the East and West also with the global literature! Further, I consider you the second most knowledgeable teacher of wisdom apart from my brother Jega! He was a lay person whereas you are a priest! He always respected the priesthood, but he was always critical of the priestcraft! I admire your qualifications and experiences as well as the missionary service you rendered to many parishes in Sri Lanka and abroad! I really praise you for the parish service you rendered in Pakistan! That proved to me your boldness, courage and confidence in life as a missionary!
Norway is one of the Scandinavian countries with liberal policies! As an ordinary sailor, I visited a place called Morana in Winter and I enjoyed the friendliness and hospitality of the inhabitants!
I do remember your parents!
Take care!
With affectionate blessings and prayers!
Linus Aloysius 22 September 2023
[email protected]
On the occasion of celebrating your silver jubilee of sacramental ordination anniversary, I take this opportunity to congratulate and compliment you on behalf of our East Street Community! Today our East Street community has become part of the global village society as our members of the community live in many countries around the world! According to the survey over three million inhabitants of Sri Lanka are living in fifty-two countries! According to my estimation, our community consists of about one hundred families who live at home and abroad! I am proud to state that all of our community is economically prosperous! You are in Norway but I do know many Tamils live in various parts of Norway whereas I don't know how many of our relations are settled in Norway!
You are the third person in our community to become a priest! The first priest was Fr Victor Rajanayagam who was ordained in Kandy! The second was Bishop Tom! He was my classmate and Fr Ponniah identified him as a suitable human being to be a priest! Whereas he never thought that Tom would become a bishop! He was a bishop in the turbulent political history of Sri Lanka! He boldly, cheerfully, daringly, cautiously and diplomatically shouldered all the responsibilities of that bishop! He was the bishop at the right time and at the right place! He was also a highly respected bishop!
Now you are the third person in our community to become a priest! When I first met you, you described yourself as an OMI priest and said that you were an Open Mouth Idiot! When you said that I considered you an Intellectual giant of literature, a unique practical philosopher also a holistic and spiritualistic priest! Socrates always described him as an ignorant human being and many intellectuals describe themselves as insignificant human beings! The first impression is the best impression! When I met you, you impressed me with your behaviour, character and manner as a unique preacher and teacher! It was over ten years ago I met you but I will always cherish you in my memory!
As a priest, you have become a wandering monk travelling all over the globe still attached with detachment in life! I am impressed with your monastic life! I do know many priests who have settled down in Western countries! Because you seek no luxury or comfort but are wedded to humility and simplicity without seeking name, fame, fortune or popularity! You are also a classical example of Dale Carnegie's philosophy of life! By reading your CV and the YouTube commentary on your life, I understand that you are familiar with the philosophy of the East and West also with the global literature! Further, I consider you the second most knowledgeable teacher of wisdom apart from my brother Jega! He was a lay person whereas you are a priest! He always respected the priesthood, but he was always critical of the priestcraft! I admire your qualifications and experiences as well as the missionary service you rendered to many parishes in Sri Lanka and abroad! I really praise you for the parish service you rendered in Pakistan! That proved to me your boldness, courage and confidence in life as a missionary!
Norway is one of the Scandinavian countries with liberal policies! As an ordinary sailor, I visited a place called Morana in Winter and I enjoyed the friendliness and hospitality of the inhabitants!
I do remember your parents!
Take care!
With affectionate blessings and prayers!
Linus Aloysius 22 September 2023
[email protected]
Tribute to Jega on his fourth anniversary!
The motto of Jega was "We must live for others!" He led a life governed by his belief and practiced his belief by examples and not by precepts! He inspired me to write about him! What I write about him was from my memory! When I arrived in London, I sent him an airmail and he replied that I landed in a country of opportunities! I was in correspondence with him from the time I left Sri Lanka! In 1982, he sent me an airmail in which he stated that our brother Richard's days were numbered whether I would care to visit him as he was anxious to meet me! When I read his email, I was in tears as it was written in an emotional vocabulary with feelings of love! So I booked a telephone call and talked to him! He was over the moon and told his friend that "My brother has a commanding voice!" I assured him that I would visit Colombo and it was after 22 years! My visit made Brother Richard joyous and all my brothers and relations! Earlier whenever he used to write me, he used to ask the question when I am going to visit Colombo? I used to write to him that I have no money! Once he wrote nurses are visiting from the UK and are you such poor because you are a professional! So I wrote to him that I was a shore-based sailor who has to maintain a flat! Whereas the nurses had their free accommodations! During his lifetime, when he was active, I visited him eleven times and we were able to share our experiences!
For the intellectuals with commonsense departure from our earth do not worry them! They are philosophers and thinkers! Because their courage, confidence, cheerfulness, laughter, jokes, and smiles make them ageless human beings! Jega was one of those rarest human beings who lived on our earth! His determination was to confront any barriers of life with simplicity and humility was par excellence! Worry never worried him! He considered worry as the weapon of the insecure and mindless people with egoism and greed who want to shine on borrowed feathers was his colloquial expression!
Once he said, "My purse may be empty at times but my brain will never be bankrupted of ideas!" A noble statement of wisdom! He realized that an empty mind is the devil's workshop! As a journalist and writer, he always used to say "Pen is mightier than a sword!" Another of his axiom was " Create news sense without becoming a nuisance!" I have been reading a magazine called "Bible Alive" for the last 12 years! It is a monthly magazine! Jega quite frequently used the proverb "Necessity is the mother of invention!" Once I quoted the above axiom in conversation with an academic and scholarly retired vicar! She said that she never heard the proverb! She Googled and found out the quote was near Plato's axiom! Today I read in the "Bible Alive!" the same quote! This shows without any shadow of a doubt that Jega's wisdom was ahead of his time as an intellectual thinker!
It was four years ago Brother Jega left our Planet Earth with a radiant smile in the presence of his family but in spirit, he will. always live with us as an inspiration to enlighten our life! He was a multi-talented human being with a gracious and noble heart and joyous humorous spirit with the rarest and radiant smile, hilarious humour and lively conversationalist and communicator! The darest human being with absolute honesty without any fear and humility and simplicity and also with the rarest sympathy with compassion understanding the idiosyncratic human nature! Hence, he described human beings as creatures of circumstance! The aforementioned sentence described his understanding of human nature! On another occasion, he said that all human beings are noble people but at times brainwashed by dogmas, rituals and superstitions by which human beings are conditioned without common sense!
How to describe him is impossible for me! He was an actor as a student at St. Anthony College and took part in a play called “Hitler can go to Hell” He was also a comedian with a high sense of unpredictable sense of hilarious humour! He had the ability to humiliate anyone with a sense of humour without hurting! and making the person think! He had a crystal sharp observation of the people’s body language! It was his gift of understanding human nature! Here I have to state, “To shall I compare you to thee” In the Shakespearean poetic vocabulary! He was a literary genius and giant of English literature and world literature also with universal philosophy! He had a profound knowledge of English literature and was familiar with innumerable writers, philosophers, and thinkers! Also, he read most novels by English writers which are too many for me to mention! Mostly remarkable authors were John Milton, William Shakespeare, Edmund Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Bernard Shaw, H. G Wells. Joseph Conrad, Charles Dickens, Somerset Maugham, T S Eliot, G K Chesterton!
After completing his college education at St. Anthony’s College, Kayts, he joined St Benedict College, Colombo! Where he completed his London Matriculation with first-class distinction! His ambition was to become an electrical engineer but due to the second world war, he was unable to go to India to study! At that time, my eldest brother Xavier joined the British Admiralty as a tug master and eventually became senior tug master! So we moved to Trincomalee! We by means all my four brothers, two of my brothers with their wives and mother including me! My second brother Richard joined as an apprentice engineer and brother Jega joined as an apprentice electrical engineer! Both of them were with the British Admiralty! It was wartime the food was rationed but three of my brothers were able to get weekly tinned food and biscuits as well as sweets as they were considered British Admiralty employees! We regularly had cream crackers biscuits and we used to call the biscuits Ship-roti!
The senior election was impressed by Jega's command of the English language and his workmanship! The election was a Cockney Englishman! He did not know Jega was educated in English and was a science student! He wanted to promote him to a higher position but he declined the offer and left his employment! His ambition was to become an electrical engineer! While he was working in Trinco, the Jaffna community who lived in Trinco bought a launch that was powered by three engines from the British Admiralty as the war was over! He worked with the engineers to start the engines as the launch was laid for few months! The launch was named Lankanayaki! On a Good Friday, the launch was taken for a trial powered by the three engines! On the returned trial, there was insufficient diesel hence the launch entered the harbour on one engine as they entered the harbour the other two engines were used! I did not know who the crew manned the launch! It was bought in partnership with Valvetiturai persons! Mostly used for smuggling goods from India! The business was successful but once chased by the Indian customs and the launch was run ground and that was the end of the life of the launch! Earlier it was anchored in the Kayts harbour for some time! Brother Alfred used to sleep on board at night! I boarded the launch many times!
Jega's life was fascinating as he had a multitude of interests in life which had given him the excellent experience to understand life! When the British Admiralty had a naval exercise, he was on board a vessel to write about the naval exercise as a journalist! He had a VIP treatment on board! Of course, all the crew was English! He was also surprised to find one Englishman wearing a sarong!
My eldest brother Xavier was worried about Jega's future! Somehow, he joined as an English teacher in Muthur! It is an island not far away from Trincomalee but there was a ferry service from Trincomalee! In Muthur he became very popular as an English teacher and he taught other subjects as well! Further, he became friendly with a shop owned a Sinhalese! By his luck and perseverance, he became an island correspondent for the Times of Ceylon! His report was regularly published without his name and he became popular with his reporting of the news! During that time he decided to become a Trained Teacher in English! The entrance examination was tough and highly competitive examination as one training college with a limited number of teacher trainees! My brother Xavier was worried but he was selected! So he spent one year in Maragama and qualified as a trained teacher! All his fellow mature students were struggling and burning the midnight oil to study whereas he borrowed their books and studied further he was also contributing articles to the Times of Ceylon under the name student teacher! He was successful at the examination!
He had the option of whether to join St Anthony's College or St Benedict’s College! Whereas he joined St Benedicts College as an English teacher although he taught other subjects as well! As a teacher, he edited the college magazine for a number of years and some students still treasure the magazine! When he left the training college and joined as a teacher at St Benedict's College his ambition was to become a journalist! Earlier he was a Times of Ceylon correspondent and later he wrote articles under the pen name "Student Teacher" Whereas his name was unknown to the newspapers and the readers! He wrote articles and sent them to the newspapers but they were returned with rejection slips and it was a frustration for him! He did realize the fact of life that frustrations and disappointments are the gateway to progress! He learned it from George Bernard Shaw! Eventually an article on "Cheetu" was accepted by the Daily Newspaper and that was the beginning of his journalistic career!
He wanted to be a full-time journalist and sought advice from veteran journalists, he was advised not to take up full-time journalism employment as the opportunities are limited! So he remained to be a teacher and free-lanced journalist! When his first article was published and thenceforth other newspapers also published his articles, he made a quantum leap in journalism! Later on, he used to visit villages on weekends to write about the villages and was successful and became popular with the newspaper readers and his name became a household name! What made him famous was his article on "Cheetu”? The editor was an Englishman and he inquired about him from his colleagues! He was told by his colleagues that he must be a retired person! The editor made an appointment to meet Jega and he was surprised that Jega was a young person! They became friends! I used to deliver his articles to the newspapers! Due to the communal riot in 1982, his house was burnt and all his articles were lost! After his retirement, he edited a magazine called "Tabrabane" Which was an excellent magazine and was highly praised by many readers from innumerable countries! But it ceased publication as the printers did not support it! After his retirement, he gave tuition in English and for the poor children he gave free tuition! I had seen a few poor mothers at the gate wanting to meet him for their children to learn English! With a radiant smile he would say send your children to me I will teach them!
The radiant and illuminating virtue of his life was that he led a contented life with satisfaction! Further, worry never worried him! I consider him the rarest human being I ever met in life! I am proud of him as he was my brother! He was never proud of his life but led a humble and simple life with his limited means! He was cautious and diplomatic in his conversation with everyone with hilarious humour and lively jokes with a radiant smile!
Here I tell the story of our uncle Thambapilliai! He was a maestro in Mridangam! When Jega was in the kindergarten class his teacher told our uncle that Jega was not clever! He was the dullest boy in the class! So our uncle kept Jega on his lap and taught him! After a few weeks the teacher told him that Jega was the brightest and most brilliant student among all the students in the class! Jega did not know, what raga and Thala were in music but Thambapillai taught him to play Mridangam in a melodious and musical way! I read most of the books he purchased but he never wrote his name on the last pages he used to write to comment about the books! Once I asked him why he did not write his name in the books! " He said " Fool's names are found everywhere!" with a radiant humorous smile! All in all, he led a humble and simple life without greed and with magnanimity! He quite frequently used to say, " Don't do Puja, when a person is gone but honour a person when that person is alive!"
I was delighted that in his active days, I visited him eleven times and sometimes he used to join me for the daily walk along the Galle Face Green! Once in conversation with him, he said that he had overstayed on earth as his children were all settled hence his mission was completed on earth! Life is of course hatch, match, and despatch! His life was governed by his high discipline and dynamic compassion with humility, humour, and simplicity also with contentment and satisfaction in life! He was the grandson of a landed gentry and son of a sailor! He was also interested in the sea and ships! He left our planet Earth with a radiant smile in the presence of his wife, children, and grandchildren! He had the opportunity to further his studies in the United States but he refused because he said that his commitment in life was taking care of the children and staying with the family! He never travelled abroad whereas his children and grandchildren had travelled far and wide! He travelled across the world through books like writers of the bygone eras!
I wrote this essay on Jega to honour him as my tribute to him! I may re-edit and expand it with more information about him in due course! A few years ago I read a poem called " Let me go but miss me!" We are born on earth to live and perish by rendering service to society! Once Mohandas Gandhi wrote! "Learn as you are going to live forever and live as you will leave the earth at any time!" Learning makes us ageless without any worry was the message of Gandhi! On his Remembrance Day, prayers will be offered to him in a few countries by priests and ordinary persons who were unknown to him! He was not a religious person but a spiritual human being! He believed in moderation in life! Once he said vice and virtues in moderation are essential for our joyous life without regrets! I think if he had a chance, he would have written his epitaph as! “I came, I saw and I conquered but I leave the planet Earth with joy as I came with nothing and I leave the Earth with nothing!” This epitaph is based on Napoleon Bonaparte and Alexander the Great! He was a great fan of Napoleon and Alexander! As an all-rounder, he was interested in history as well! Once he took me to attend a lecture delivered by the famous historian Arnold Toynbee! Rudyard Kipling and Edwin Arnold also admired them! His philosophy of life was!
“It is better to know about something about everything rather than everything about something!” His teachers were my teachers as well! They make me to learn by telling me! “You are not clever like your brother!” They gave me encouragement and enthusiasm for me to learn! Still I am nowhere near by brother in his wisdom! As a globetrotter, I consider him a distinguished and remarkable human being! Perhaps my egoism! But my apology to anyone who reads it!
May he enjoy his company with everyone in the eternal world!
Linus Aloysius, 13 July 2023
UK
The Quotes of Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham
1. Necessity is the mother of invention!
2. We are creatures of circumstance!
3. Fools rushing in where angels fear to tread!
4. We must live for others!
5. Honour a person as a human being when that person is alive!
6. Don't do Puja(Celebrate) when that person is no more!
7. Don't be a humbug and hypocrite but be a realist in life!
8. Never be a nuisance but make sense with news sense to make others joyous in life!
9. Serve with joy expecting betrayal, ingratitude and criticism!
10.The world is full of gullible people, but human beings are sensible beings!
11.Don't worry make the worry to worry for you!
12.Don't shine on borrowed feathers!
13.Prayer is to seek strength from God to render service to everyone!
14.Rituslism is for the weakest mind!
15.Superstition is for gullible people with insecure minds!
16.Listen to your heart to seek awareness and enlightenment!
17.We can become wise by listening to fools as well! That is wisdom.
18.Fools speak without thinking with egoism!
19.Wise thinks before they speak!
20.Wise thinks he is a fool, and a fool thinks he is wise!
21.Love is to serve!
22.Rationality is the asset of humanistic wisdom filtered and censored by common sense and experience!
These are some of his quotes!
More will be in due course!
Linus
For the intellectuals with commonsense departure from our earth do not worry them! They are philosophers and thinkers! Because their courage, confidence, cheerfulness, laughter, jokes, and smiles make them ageless human beings! Jega was one of those rarest human beings who lived on our earth! His determination was to confront any barriers of life with simplicity and humility was par excellence! Worry never worried him! He considered worry as the weapon of the insecure and mindless people with egoism and greed who want to shine on borrowed feathers was his colloquial expression!
Once he said, "My purse may be empty at times but my brain will never be bankrupted of ideas!" A noble statement of wisdom! He realized that an empty mind is the devil's workshop! As a journalist and writer, he always used to say "Pen is mightier than a sword!" Another of his axiom was " Create news sense without becoming a nuisance!" I have been reading a magazine called "Bible Alive" for the last 12 years! It is a monthly magazine! Jega quite frequently used the proverb "Necessity is the mother of invention!" Once I quoted the above axiom in conversation with an academic and scholarly retired vicar! She said that she never heard the proverb! She Googled and found out the quote was near Plato's axiom! Today I read in the "Bible Alive!" the same quote! This shows without any shadow of a doubt that Jega's wisdom was ahead of his time as an intellectual thinker!
It was four years ago Brother Jega left our Planet Earth with a radiant smile in the presence of his family but in spirit, he will. always live with us as an inspiration to enlighten our life! He was a multi-talented human being with a gracious and noble heart and joyous humorous spirit with the rarest and radiant smile, hilarious humour and lively conversationalist and communicator! The darest human being with absolute honesty without any fear and humility and simplicity and also with the rarest sympathy with compassion understanding the idiosyncratic human nature! Hence, he described human beings as creatures of circumstance! The aforementioned sentence described his understanding of human nature! On another occasion, he said that all human beings are noble people but at times brainwashed by dogmas, rituals and superstitions by which human beings are conditioned without common sense!
How to describe him is impossible for me! He was an actor as a student at St. Anthony College and took part in a play called “Hitler can go to Hell” He was also a comedian with a high sense of unpredictable sense of hilarious humour! He had the ability to humiliate anyone with a sense of humour without hurting! and making the person think! He had a crystal sharp observation of the people’s body language! It was his gift of understanding human nature! Here I have to state, “To shall I compare you to thee” In the Shakespearean poetic vocabulary! He was a literary genius and giant of English literature and world literature also with universal philosophy! He had a profound knowledge of English literature and was familiar with innumerable writers, philosophers, and thinkers! Also, he read most novels by English writers which are too many for me to mention! Mostly remarkable authors were John Milton, William Shakespeare, Edmund Chaucer, Samuel Johnson, Bernard Shaw, H. G Wells. Joseph Conrad, Charles Dickens, Somerset Maugham, T S Eliot, G K Chesterton!
After completing his college education at St. Anthony’s College, Kayts, he joined St Benedict College, Colombo! Where he completed his London Matriculation with first-class distinction! His ambition was to become an electrical engineer but due to the second world war, he was unable to go to India to study! At that time, my eldest brother Xavier joined the British Admiralty as a tug master and eventually became senior tug master! So we moved to Trincomalee! We by means all my four brothers, two of my brothers with their wives and mother including me! My second brother Richard joined as an apprentice engineer and brother Jega joined as an apprentice electrical engineer! Both of them were with the British Admiralty! It was wartime the food was rationed but three of my brothers were able to get weekly tinned food and biscuits as well as sweets as they were considered British Admiralty employees! We regularly had cream crackers biscuits and we used to call the biscuits Ship-roti!
The senior election was impressed by Jega's command of the English language and his workmanship! The election was a Cockney Englishman! He did not know Jega was educated in English and was a science student! He wanted to promote him to a higher position but he declined the offer and left his employment! His ambition was to become an electrical engineer! While he was working in Trinco, the Jaffna community who lived in Trinco bought a launch that was powered by three engines from the British Admiralty as the war was over! He worked with the engineers to start the engines as the launch was laid for few months! The launch was named Lankanayaki! On a Good Friday, the launch was taken for a trial powered by the three engines! On the returned trial, there was insufficient diesel hence the launch entered the harbour on one engine as they entered the harbour the other two engines were used! I did not know who the crew manned the launch! It was bought in partnership with Valvetiturai persons! Mostly used for smuggling goods from India! The business was successful but once chased by the Indian customs and the launch was run ground and that was the end of the life of the launch! Earlier it was anchored in the Kayts harbour for some time! Brother Alfred used to sleep on board at night! I boarded the launch many times!
Jega's life was fascinating as he had a multitude of interests in life which had given him the excellent experience to understand life! When the British Admiralty had a naval exercise, he was on board a vessel to write about the naval exercise as a journalist! He had a VIP treatment on board! Of course, all the crew was English! He was also surprised to find one Englishman wearing a sarong!
My eldest brother Xavier was worried about Jega's future! Somehow, he joined as an English teacher in Muthur! It is an island not far away from Trincomalee but there was a ferry service from Trincomalee! In Muthur he became very popular as an English teacher and he taught other subjects as well! Further, he became friendly with a shop owned a Sinhalese! By his luck and perseverance, he became an island correspondent for the Times of Ceylon! His report was regularly published without his name and he became popular with his reporting of the news! During that time he decided to become a Trained Teacher in English! The entrance examination was tough and highly competitive examination as one training college with a limited number of teacher trainees! My brother Xavier was worried but he was selected! So he spent one year in Maragama and qualified as a trained teacher! All his fellow mature students were struggling and burning the midnight oil to study whereas he borrowed their books and studied further he was also contributing articles to the Times of Ceylon under the name student teacher! He was successful at the examination!
He had the option of whether to join St Anthony's College or St Benedict’s College! Whereas he joined St Benedicts College as an English teacher although he taught other subjects as well! As a teacher, he edited the college magazine for a number of years and some students still treasure the magazine! When he left the training college and joined as a teacher at St Benedict's College his ambition was to become a journalist! Earlier he was a Times of Ceylon correspondent and later he wrote articles under the pen name "Student Teacher" Whereas his name was unknown to the newspapers and the readers! He wrote articles and sent them to the newspapers but they were returned with rejection slips and it was a frustration for him! He did realize the fact of life that frustrations and disappointments are the gateway to progress! He learned it from George Bernard Shaw! Eventually an article on "Cheetu" was accepted by the Daily Newspaper and that was the beginning of his journalistic career!
He wanted to be a full-time journalist and sought advice from veteran journalists, he was advised not to take up full-time journalism employment as the opportunities are limited! So he remained to be a teacher and free-lanced journalist! When his first article was published and thenceforth other newspapers also published his articles, he made a quantum leap in journalism! Later on, he used to visit villages on weekends to write about the villages and was successful and became popular with the newspaper readers and his name became a household name! What made him famous was his article on "Cheetu”? The editor was an Englishman and he inquired about him from his colleagues! He was told by his colleagues that he must be a retired person! The editor made an appointment to meet Jega and he was surprised that Jega was a young person! They became friends! I used to deliver his articles to the newspapers! Due to the communal riot in 1982, his house was burnt and all his articles were lost! After his retirement, he edited a magazine called "Tabrabane" Which was an excellent magazine and was highly praised by many readers from innumerable countries! But it ceased publication as the printers did not support it! After his retirement, he gave tuition in English and for the poor children he gave free tuition! I had seen a few poor mothers at the gate wanting to meet him for their children to learn English! With a radiant smile he would say send your children to me I will teach them!
The radiant and illuminating virtue of his life was that he led a contented life with satisfaction! Further, worry never worried him! I consider him the rarest human being I ever met in life! I am proud of him as he was my brother! He was never proud of his life but led a humble and simple life with his limited means! He was cautious and diplomatic in his conversation with everyone with hilarious humour and lively jokes with a radiant smile!
Here I tell the story of our uncle Thambapilliai! He was a maestro in Mridangam! When Jega was in the kindergarten class his teacher told our uncle that Jega was not clever! He was the dullest boy in the class! So our uncle kept Jega on his lap and taught him! After a few weeks the teacher told him that Jega was the brightest and most brilliant student among all the students in the class! Jega did not know, what raga and Thala were in music but Thambapillai taught him to play Mridangam in a melodious and musical way! I read most of the books he purchased but he never wrote his name on the last pages he used to write to comment about the books! Once I asked him why he did not write his name in the books! " He said " Fool's names are found everywhere!" with a radiant humorous smile! All in all, he led a humble and simple life without greed and with magnanimity! He quite frequently used to say, " Don't do Puja, when a person is gone but honour a person when that person is alive!"
I was delighted that in his active days, I visited him eleven times and sometimes he used to join me for the daily walk along the Galle Face Green! Once in conversation with him, he said that he had overstayed on earth as his children were all settled hence his mission was completed on earth! Life is of course hatch, match, and despatch! His life was governed by his high discipline and dynamic compassion with humility, humour, and simplicity also with contentment and satisfaction in life! He was the grandson of a landed gentry and son of a sailor! He was also interested in the sea and ships! He left our planet Earth with a radiant smile in the presence of his wife, children, and grandchildren! He had the opportunity to further his studies in the United States but he refused because he said that his commitment in life was taking care of the children and staying with the family! He never travelled abroad whereas his children and grandchildren had travelled far and wide! He travelled across the world through books like writers of the bygone eras!
I wrote this essay on Jega to honour him as my tribute to him! I may re-edit and expand it with more information about him in due course! A few years ago I read a poem called " Let me go but miss me!" We are born on earth to live and perish by rendering service to society! Once Mohandas Gandhi wrote! "Learn as you are going to live forever and live as you will leave the earth at any time!" Learning makes us ageless without any worry was the message of Gandhi! On his Remembrance Day, prayers will be offered to him in a few countries by priests and ordinary persons who were unknown to him! He was not a religious person but a spiritual human being! He believed in moderation in life! Once he said vice and virtues in moderation are essential for our joyous life without regrets! I think if he had a chance, he would have written his epitaph as! “I came, I saw and I conquered but I leave the planet Earth with joy as I came with nothing and I leave the Earth with nothing!” This epitaph is based on Napoleon Bonaparte and Alexander the Great! He was a great fan of Napoleon and Alexander! As an all-rounder, he was interested in history as well! Once he took me to attend a lecture delivered by the famous historian Arnold Toynbee! Rudyard Kipling and Edwin Arnold also admired them! His philosophy of life was!
“It is better to know about something about everything rather than everything about something!” His teachers were my teachers as well! They make me to learn by telling me! “You are not clever like your brother!” They gave me encouragement and enthusiasm for me to learn! Still I am nowhere near by brother in his wisdom! As a globetrotter, I consider him a distinguished and remarkable human being! Perhaps my egoism! But my apology to anyone who reads it!
May he enjoy his company with everyone in the eternal world!
Linus Aloysius, 13 July 2023
UK
The Quotes of Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham
1. Necessity is the mother of invention!
2. We are creatures of circumstance!
3. Fools rushing in where angels fear to tread!
4. We must live for others!
5. Honour a person as a human being when that person is alive!
6. Don't do Puja(Celebrate) when that person is no more!
7. Don't be a humbug and hypocrite but be a realist in life!
8. Never be a nuisance but make sense with news sense to make others joyous in life!
9. Serve with joy expecting betrayal, ingratitude and criticism!
10.The world is full of gullible people, but human beings are sensible beings!
11.Don't worry make the worry to worry for you!
12.Don't shine on borrowed feathers!
13.Prayer is to seek strength from God to render service to everyone!
14.Rituslism is for the weakest mind!
15.Superstition is for gullible people with insecure minds!
16.Listen to your heart to seek awareness and enlightenment!
17.We can become wise by listening to fools as well! That is wisdom.
18.Fools speak without thinking with egoism!
19.Wise thinks before they speak!
20.Wise thinks he is a fool, and a fool thinks he is wise!
21.Love is to serve!
22.Rationality is the asset of humanistic wisdom filtered and censored by common sense and experience!
These are some of his quotes!
More will be in due course!
Linus
My mother's 61st Anniversary!
03/03/62
Today I remember my beloved mother's 61 anniversary of her departure from our earth! Her name is Anna Muthammah!
Muthu means Pearl! Ammah means Mother! I left by ship as an ordinary sailor in 1960 unexpectedly to the West and I am still in the West! I joined a ship as an ordinary sailor in November 1958! Between 1958 and 1960, I was sailing in the Indian Ocean ports and Arabian ports! During that time, I visited Chennai in India where I visited an industrial exhibition! At the exhibition, I bought two sarees and that was the only gift I gave to my mother! When she passed away, I was in Ghent in Belgium on board a ship called "La Pampa" It was the year John F Kenndy became the President of the United States! When he was delivering the inaugural speech, our ship was sailing under the pilotage along the Ghent Canal, and I was standing on the forepart of the ship on standby to drop the anchor at any time with my transistor listening to the President's speech! I was of course very much inspired by his dynamic and lively speech! His famous sentence was "Ask the country what you can do for the country!" On the day of my mother's death, I was walking along a street full of undertakers and I was upset, and I felt that something has gone wrong in my life! Then the ship sailed for Glasgow and on arrival I received an air letter stating that our beloved mother passed away on the 3rd of March and that was the day I was walking the street with many Undertakers establishments! It was unbelievable telepathy to me! In Glasgow I left the ship to join the Nautical College! My mother was a unique human being to me as she was always compassionationate and charitable towards everyone with kindness, generosity, hospitality and magnanimity! She was of course foolish with money and wealth! She wanted to be a businesswoman and it was utter failure hence we lost all our properties, but it did not worry us as she lived in the way in which she wanted in life! When she was active and healthy, she used to provide food to more than 500 pilgrims in a church in our village! At her old age none of her relations wanted to take care of her hence she spent few years in Home for the Aged in She was well looked after by Swiss nuns with affection and friendliness! She was a well-read lady of virtue! But affluence and poverty did not bother her! She did not like me getting married to anyone, but she wanted me to become a priest to serve the community, but the priesthood did not appeal to me as I am opposed to the celibacy of the Catholic Church! Even I feel the Catholic the church abolished celibacy and women should be ordained as priests! My vision will one day take place in the Catholic Church! My mother taught me innumerable virtues and I still follow her guidance! She advised me to be generous and compassionate towards everyone! Not to hurt anyone especially tears of a crying woman can be an eternal curse! Not to become attached to wealth! Again, she wrote to me that a person who in a foreign country life like a crow and in his own country that person is a Swan! Local employment is better than working in a foreign country where the earning power is more without any the joy of living! She was buried with a saree I presented to her, and my photo was also put in the coffin! I do daily remember her, and her photo is on my table! Once a relation of mine told me! If Rs 1000.00 is given to my mother, the next day she will be penniless but if the same amount was given to her sister, she would double the money! When my relation complimented my mother, I rejoiced his compliments! Although she was a daughter of an affluent and influential as well as prominent landed gentry with five children in our community still, she gracefully and peacefully spent her last days of her life in a caring home with contentment and harmony looking after Swiss nuns but not by relations! Her life also made me understand the fact of life that is not to depend on anyone! I will write a lot about her greatness, triumph, success, vision and failures in her life in due course.
May she enjoy her life in the eternal and spiritual world!
Linus Aloysius
UK
Muthu means Pearl! Ammah means Mother! I left by ship as an ordinary sailor in 1960 unexpectedly to the West and I am still in the West! I joined a ship as an ordinary sailor in November 1958! Between 1958 and 1960, I was sailing in the Indian Ocean ports and Arabian ports! During that time, I visited Chennai in India where I visited an industrial exhibition! At the exhibition, I bought two sarees and that was the only gift I gave to my mother! When she passed away, I was in Ghent in Belgium on board a ship called "La Pampa" It was the year John F Kenndy became the President of the United States! When he was delivering the inaugural speech, our ship was sailing under the pilotage along the Ghent Canal, and I was standing on the forepart of the ship on standby to drop the anchor at any time with my transistor listening to the President's speech! I was of course very much inspired by his dynamic and lively speech! His famous sentence was "Ask the country what you can do for the country!" On the day of my mother's death, I was walking along a street full of undertakers and I was upset, and I felt that something has gone wrong in my life! Then the ship sailed for Glasgow and on arrival I received an air letter stating that our beloved mother passed away on the 3rd of March and that was the day I was walking the street with many Undertakers establishments! It was unbelievable telepathy to me! In Glasgow I left the ship to join the Nautical College! My mother was a unique human being to me as she was always compassionationate and charitable towards everyone with kindness, generosity, hospitality and magnanimity! She was of course foolish with money and wealth! She wanted to be a businesswoman and it was utter failure hence we lost all our properties, but it did not worry us as she lived in the way in which she wanted in life! When she was active and healthy, she used to provide food to more than 500 pilgrims in a church in our village! At her old age none of her relations wanted to take care of her hence she spent few years in Home for the Aged in She was well looked after by Swiss nuns with affection and friendliness! She was a well-read lady of virtue! But affluence and poverty did not bother her! She did not like me getting married to anyone, but she wanted me to become a priest to serve the community, but the priesthood did not appeal to me as I am opposed to the celibacy of the Catholic Church! Even I feel the Catholic the church abolished celibacy and women should be ordained as priests! My vision will one day take place in the Catholic Church! My mother taught me innumerable virtues and I still follow her guidance! She advised me to be generous and compassionate towards everyone! Not to hurt anyone especially tears of a crying woman can be an eternal curse! Not to become attached to wealth! Again, she wrote to me that a person who in a foreign country life like a crow and in his own country that person is a Swan! Local employment is better than working in a foreign country where the earning power is more without any the joy of living! She was buried with a saree I presented to her, and my photo was also put in the coffin! I do daily remember her, and her photo is on my table! Once a relation of mine told me! If Rs 1000.00 is given to my mother, the next day she will be penniless but if the same amount was given to her sister, she would double the money! When my relation complimented my mother, I rejoiced his compliments! Although she was a daughter of an affluent and influential as well as prominent landed gentry with five children in our community still, she gracefully and peacefully spent her last days of her life in a caring home with contentment and harmony looking after Swiss nuns but not by relations! Her life also made me understand the fact of life that is not to depend on anyone! I will write a lot about her greatness, triumph, success, vision and failures in her life in due course.
May she enjoy her life in the eternal and spiritual world!
Linus Aloysius
UK
Joseph Selvathurai Cathanthamby
17 February 2023
He was my distinguished and remarkable uncle! I am not blowing my family's trumpet, but I am rather informing you of the fact of his life! He was the son of Cathanthamby who a landed gentry and member of the judiciary board was! In his lifetime Cathanthanby must have been an affluent and popular gentleman in our community and in Kayts!
He was the son of Annakimuthu! He was the brother of Ponnamma and Muthammah! He was educated at St Patrick's College! He must have been the first in our community to be educated in St. Patrick's College In his time St Patrick's College was an affluent and elite society educational institution! He was of course a brilliant and intelligent student. After completing his education, he joined the Survey Department as a clerk! Because of his cleverness and intelligence, he attained few promotions! With his high promotions, he had to travel to many remote villages for survey activities! As a teetotaler, he found it difficult to carry on with his work with the mosquito bites! So, he retired at the age of 30 as the youngest pensioner in Sri Lanka, perhaps the youngest pensioner in the world!
After his retirement, he was attracted to alcohol and regretted his early retirement! If he had stayed long with his employment he would have retired as the head of the Survey Department! After his retirement he began to drink Arrack then he regretted his retirement! During his employment, if he had taken up to a bit of drinking alcohol, he would have stayed until his retirement! I met him when I was a child! He was a humorous and hilarious gentleman with jokes and laughter! He was also a daring gentleman of courage and confidence! He had an aristocratic appearance and upper-class attitude with humility and simplicity!
He settled down in Kalmunai! Where he taught English and Mathematics to students! He was a very devoted and strong practicing Catholic! When he was alive, he visited Kayts many times! He had one son and his name was Edward! Edwards's daughter was married to my brother Alfred! She is still alive and lives with her grandson and family! His great-grandson's name is Ranjan! He was the product of the colonial era! During that time talent was respected more than nationality!
Further communalism and racism were unknown in Sri Lanka! At that time Sri Lanka was called the Switzerland of the East! At that time perfect harmony existed among all the nationalities who lived in Sri Lanka! He was not familiar with the East Street Community! May he rest in peace!
Linus Aloysius
U.K.
He was the son of Annakimuthu! He was the brother of Ponnamma and Muthammah! He was educated at St Patrick's College! He must have been the first in our community to be educated in St. Patrick's College In his time St Patrick's College was an affluent and elite society educational institution! He was of course a brilliant and intelligent student. After completing his education, he joined the Survey Department as a clerk! Because of his cleverness and intelligence, he attained few promotions! With his high promotions, he had to travel to many remote villages for survey activities! As a teetotaler, he found it difficult to carry on with his work with the mosquito bites! So, he retired at the age of 30 as the youngest pensioner in Sri Lanka, perhaps the youngest pensioner in the world!
After his retirement, he was attracted to alcohol and regretted his early retirement! If he had stayed long with his employment he would have retired as the head of the Survey Department! After his retirement he began to drink Arrack then he regretted his retirement! During his employment, if he had taken up to a bit of drinking alcohol, he would have stayed until his retirement! I met him when I was a child! He was a humorous and hilarious gentleman with jokes and laughter! He was also a daring gentleman of courage and confidence! He had an aristocratic appearance and upper-class attitude with humility and simplicity!
He settled down in Kalmunai! Where he taught English and Mathematics to students! He was a very devoted and strong practicing Catholic! When he was alive, he visited Kayts many times! He had one son and his name was Edward! Edwards's daughter was married to my brother Alfred! She is still alive and lives with her grandson and family! His great-grandson's name is Ranjan! He was the product of the colonial era! During that time talent was respected more than nationality!
Further communalism and racism were unknown in Sri Lanka! At that time Sri Lanka was called the Switzerland of the East! At that time perfect harmony existed among all the nationalities who lived in Sri Lanka! He was not familiar with the East Street Community! May he rest in peace!
Linus Aloysius
U.K.
Appreciation for Joachim Anthonipillai and
Darley Anthonipillai on their anniversary!
Linus Aloysius
The above photo was published in the Catholic Messenger in Colombo!
I am delighted to know that his 25th departure from our planet would be honoured with a Requiem Holy Mass also remembering his wife Darley. In life honouring the departed souls, we are blessed. I write the commentary of his life from my memory. Distinguished human beings always live in spirit with us.
George Barnard Shaw wrote: Joyous hours spent with friends or relatives, nor strangers last an era without a sign.
I don't like the word "Death" In life death is considered a failure in life. Our life consists of our souls leaving the physical world to enter the spiritual eternal world. The physical disappearance of a human being is a tragedy of life, but it is also inevitable in life.
My cousin brother Antonipillai was the only son of my Aunt Ponnammah. He was educated at St Patrick's College, Jaffna and after his matriculation, he entered the Government Civil Service in Colombo in the Land Development Department as a clerk and retired as Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance & Planning. This was a highly distinguished post. He was highly admired, appreciated, and respected by his junior staff and the minister for his ability, efficiency and skill. Even after his retirement, he was requested by the minister to write the reports as he was hyper and super-efficient in the art of writing reports. He was a philosophical-orientated human being who brilliantly read English and world literature. He was also a compassionate human being.
He was married to Darley who was the daughter of Anthonipillai, the chief postmaster in Jaffna. He had four children. Three daughters and one son. The eldest daughter was married to Captain Fatimanagam Xavier. They have two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. They settled down in Singapore. The second daughter is settled down in Australia and has a daughter. The third daughter lives in Colombo with three children. Their son Rangit is retired and lives in Colombo.
As a grandfather, he has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Since I was his youngest cousin brother he was very helpful to me. He taught me English. He also taught me Catechism. As a child, he taught me to pronounce the word "Transubstantiation" When I was a child it was a difficult word for me to pronounce. My third brother Jega and I used his textbooks. I attended his 50th Wedding Anniversary in Colombo. The celebration took place in the Sugathadasa Stadium and was well attended by our friends, relatives, and well-wishers. In my brief speech to honour him, I highlighted his graceful and noble qualities.
Darley was also a highly talented lady who was an expert in dressmaking and designed various types of dresses. She was also an excellent cook. I would describe her as a super Chef.
Later he had a health crisis and had a brain tumour operation as a result of it he lost his memory power. I will always cherish him in my memory as a unique human being, not because he was my relation but because of his super-humanistic qualities. He was also highly respected by our community hence he was honoured with a title called Mopar. He was always humble and simple and also liberal-minded in action, also cautious as well as diplomatic in conversations hence he was popular with everyone. I never saw him angry or annoyed with anyone because of his philosophical and spiritual attitudes in life.
He was the second person in our community to be educated in St Patrick's College, Jaffna. The first person was my uncle Selvadurai. He worked in the Survey Department and retired at the age of 30 due to the mosquito bites. If he had stayed with his employment he would have retired as a high-ranking official in the survey department. Our grandfather was a landed gentry, and he was able to afford his son to be educated at St Patrick's College.
George Barnard Shaw wrote: Joyous hours spent with friends or relatives, nor strangers last an era without a sign.
I don't like the word "Death" In life death is considered a failure in life. Our life consists of our souls leaving the physical world to enter the spiritual eternal world. The physical disappearance of a human being is a tragedy of life, but it is also inevitable in life.
My cousin brother Antonipillai was the only son of my Aunt Ponnammah. He was educated at St Patrick's College, Jaffna and after his matriculation, he entered the Government Civil Service in Colombo in the Land Development Department as a clerk and retired as Assistant Director at the Ministry of Finance & Planning. This was a highly distinguished post. He was highly admired, appreciated, and respected by his junior staff and the minister for his ability, efficiency and skill. Even after his retirement, he was requested by the minister to write the reports as he was hyper and super-efficient in the art of writing reports. He was a philosophical-orientated human being who brilliantly read English and world literature. He was also a compassionate human being.
He was married to Darley who was the daughter of Anthonipillai, the chief postmaster in Jaffna. He had four children. Three daughters and one son. The eldest daughter was married to Captain Fatimanagam Xavier. They have two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. They settled down in Singapore. The second daughter is settled down in Australia and has a daughter. The third daughter lives in Colombo with three children. Their son Rangit is retired and lives in Colombo.
As a grandfather, he has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Since I was his youngest cousin brother he was very helpful to me. He taught me English. He also taught me Catechism. As a child, he taught me to pronounce the word "Transubstantiation" When I was a child it was a difficult word for me to pronounce. My third brother Jega and I used his textbooks. I attended his 50th Wedding Anniversary in Colombo. The celebration took place in the Sugathadasa Stadium and was well attended by our friends, relatives, and well-wishers. In my brief speech to honour him, I highlighted his graceful and noble qualities.
Darley was also a highly talented lady who was an expert in dressmaking and designed various types of dresses. She was also an excellent cook. I would describe her as a super Chef.
Later he had a health crisis and had a brain tumour operation as a result of it he lost his memory power. I will always cherish him in my memory as a unique human being, not because he was my relation but because of his super-humanistic qualities. He was also highly respected by our community hence he was honoured with a title called Mopar. He was always humble and simple and also liberal-minded in action, also cautious as well as diplomatic in conversations hence he was popular with everyone. I never saw him angry or annoyed with anyone because of his philosophical and spiritual attitudes in life.
He was the second person in our community to be educated in St Patrick's College, Jaffna. The first person was my uncle Selvadurai. He worked in the Survey Department and retired at the age of 30 due to the mosquito bites. If he had stayed with his employment he would have retired as a high-ranking official in the survey department. Our grandfather was a landed gentry, and he was able to afford his son to be educated at St Patrick's College.
East Street Seafarers the employees of the Port of Colombo!
11 Match 2022
Because of the sailing ships, we had in Kayts, our members of the community were able to sail on the sailing ships to gain experience at sea! Those ships mainly sailed to Burma and Chittagong to bring rice to Sri Lanka and Kayts was a port! Few of our relations commanded the sailing ships and they were called commanders! In my time as a child, there were two sailing ships! One was Mahalakshmi and the other one was Annapurni! They were anchored closer to the Karinagar jetty! In fact, I boarded one of the ships! During the monsoon season, the crew members used to make ropes out of coconut choirs! It was a massive task still our members of the community tirelessly worked in making the ropes and our ladies provided them with snaks and tea or coffee! This operation took place along our East Street coast!
During that Port Commission of Colombo introduced a coastwise examination for the seafarers who had the experience of the sea! It was a golden opportunity for our seafarers to sit for the examination to qualify as masters and mates!
These qualifications also gave the opportunity to our members of the community to join the Port Commission tugs in various capacities from ordinary seamen to masters and mates! Apart from our East Street Community some from Kayts and Valvatuthurai also joined the Port Commission Tugs! During the Second World, many of our East Street Community joined the Admiralty of the UK in Trincomalee as it was the Naval Port occupied by the British Admiralty! All the members of the crew were given uniforms! The harbour had two or three tugs! My brother Xavier was the Senior Tug Master and he had Collins and Devasgayam from our community, Navaratnam from West Street and Thangavalu from Valvatuthuri as additional tug masters! Some of our relations who worked in the Colombo Port Commission might have been the crew members of the Admiralty which I don’t know! Some of the masters and crew members were used to wearing uniforms!
When the war was over the Port of Trincomalee was closed and all the masters and mates joined the Port of Colombo to work on tugs! In the photos, some of them used to wear uniforms! At the end of the war, my brother Xavier was offered employment as the navigating master of the dredger “Sir William Matthews” So he joined the ship as a Navigating Master and the dredging master was an Englishman! He trained my brother to be a dredging master and, on his retirement, my brother Xavier became a Dredging and Navigating Master! Prior to his retirement he assisted and trained one of our relations to take over from him! After his retirement, he spent a few years in London and later settled down in Chennai!
Captain Rajamuthu was the first Senior Master of the tugs! He had a Home Trade qualification from India! He used to boast about his higher qualification! He must have been the only tug master with an Indian qualification whereas others were qualified in Colombo as the competency certificates were issued by the Port of Colombo! His wife’s name was Gerould and he had a son called Kulandran and he was my classmate. He had a blue Ford Prefect. His son was a pawnbroker and I believe that he has settled in Australia! They lived in New Chetty Street and that street was a prestigious street in Kotahena as many wealthy families lived in that area!
Captain Mark Sevapragasam succeeded as Senior Tug Master after Rajamuthus’s retirement! He was a cheerful joyous human being and he also lived in New Chetty Street in a large house! His wife Esther was a graceful and generous lady who entertained many for lunches and dinners! He loved his social life with entertainment! He had two son and two daughters! His son Thanam followed his father’s footsteps and joined the Port Commission and because a Senior Master! More about him is here below!
Captain Lawrence was Also a tug master! He lived in Shoe Road! He was married to Thangapnnu! He might have had few children! He was a quiet human being.
Captain Anthonysamy was a clever and intelligent tug master! He had a unique admiration for me as I was the first in our community to gain a foreign-going sea qualification from the United Kingdom! He even suggested to my brother Jega that I should go for higher qualifications in the maritime world! Once I met him in London on his way to the United States! He settled down in the United States with his children! I do remember him with gratitude! He had an excellent command of English in writing! He was married to Hilda! His sister Selvamary is Centurion! He had two brothers one was Gidapongland and another brother Xavier. Their father carved many statues and organized quite a lot of passion shows in Kayts for Easter! His carved statues are still in many churches in Sri Lanka! He was a highly talented artist with sharp visions! To be an artist one needs super extra perception in observation and to carve on a piece of wood needs unique power of imagination as well! An artist is described as a creator of beautiful things! Creativity needs to be appreciated by ordinary folks and that is where the artist becomes famous with the admirers!
Captain Ariyanayam was married to Capt. Anthonysamy’s sister Selamary! She is the oldest member of our community! He worked on tugs as a master! After his retirement, he worked on foreign ships! He had a knowledge of stocks and shares!
Captain Thanam Sevaprgasam was the son of Capt. Mark Sevapragasam! I joined a ship as an ordinary sailor onboard MV Starline Enterprise in November 1958 then MV Starline Trader both ships belonged to the Eastern Star Lines! The shipping line was bankrupt hence I left the ship! Later I joined a German Vessel MV Alice-B! That ship was supposed to return to Colombo but the charter was cancelled the ship proceed to her home port, Hamburg! German Master advised me to go to London to join a ship rather than work on German ships because of the language! That was how I landed in the UK earlier than I expected to arrive in the UK! That was on the 15th of August 1960!
In 1964, I passed my examination as Second Mate Foreign Going and I was over the moon! In the meantime, Anton Benedict and Thanam Sevapragasam along with a few Sri Lankan members of the crew worked onboard MV Phoenix was undergoing repairs in Rotterdam! All the members of the crew were boarded in a sailor’s home called “Stella Maris” I was familiar with “Stella Maris” and I visited them to meet Anton and Thanam! I found all of them were enjoying the company of the Dutch and Thanam was most popular among them! Like Anton, he had the opportunity to study and work in the UK but he preferred to qualify in Colombo and work in the port of Colombo! As a Senior Tug Master, he helped a few of our boys to join the foreign ships! That was an excellent service he rendered to our community with the assistance of his brother Wellington who was a ship chandler! Twenty-five years ago he left us was a great loss to our seafaring community as he was a highly sociable, romantic and dynamic human being!
Dredging Master Singarayar was the father of Captain Ariyanayagam.
Captain Edmond Aloysius! I met him a few times in Colombo! I also taught him mathematics, especially Trigonometry! He was a calm and cool gentleman and I enjoyed his company while I was teaching! In those days Trigonometry was essential for Navigation! For coastwise navigation, Trigonometry is not important still I taught him! These days due to modern technology there is no need for mathematics at sea as the movements of the ships are constantly monitored and the computers do all the work! In my time at sea, mathematics was essential as we have to shoot the sun with the sextants to find the approximate position of the ship at sea! Modern navigation is more technological as well as electronically controlled and the instant position of the ship is automatically plotted on the charts! I left the sea life 35 years ago and I spent 20 years across the North Sea and the English Channel as a navigating officer!
Captain Nesamuthu! His name rings the bell but I don’t think that met him!
Captain Devasagayam! I knew him well as he worked in Trincomalee! He was a philosophically oriented human being! In Trincomalee few of the employees of the East Street Community bought a launch with the partnership of the Valvatuthurai partners! The launch was used between Valvatuthurai and some ports in India! She was manned by the Valvatuthuri crew! She had three engines and a high-powered launch! She ran aground and that was the end of the story! She was named Lankalexmi! He used to tell us interesting stories! Once he said making the poor and uneducated person rich or wealthy can bring that person a total disaster without knowing the background of that person! When he told us the story, I was a child and I always remember him for that story! This story was related to us when I was a child and it was over 75 years ago! Once I met his son in London in the nautical college! I understand that he gave up the sea life to become a businessman!
Captain Nicholas! He was a tug master! During his time of employment with the Port Commission, Ceylon Shipping Lines was formed under the directorship of a Norwegian! At that time Ceylon Shipping Line bought two ships! One was from Poland named MV. Attanagala! The crew was flown from Colombo to bring the ship to Colombo and Capt. Nicholas was the Third Officer! When the ship arrived in Colombo, I did board the ship and met him as well! There was another ship called MV Chilaw! I was offered employment as a steward and my brother did not allow me to join as a steward! Later years the Ceylon Shipping Lines went bankrupt! The reason was the company was overstaffed with two ships! His son Captain Thanganran Nicholas was a brave and bold master!
Captain Kingston Johnpillai! He was my college mate at St Anthony’s College. Kayts! He was a successful master and he sailed as master on board many foreign-owned ships! I consider him as a brave sailor to sail across many oceans!
Captain Ratnasamy! He was a Chief Petty Officer at the Sri Lanka Navy. After retirement he joined the port commission as the tug master.
Captain Thangran Nicholas! I affectionately call him “Captain Nicho!” I considered him as a brave, courageous, and daring master! He sailed in various capacities as navigating officer and captain! They were all foreign ships! His ship was captured with the entire crew by the Somali pirates and his ship was later released! It must have been a nerve-wreaking experience to be captured by pirates!
I left Colombo over 61 years ago and I described my experiences and our members of the East Street Community as I discovered from my memory! They were courageous and daring sailors who confronted the adverse weather conditions in rough seas, especially in the Bay of Bengal and southwest monsoon! They were my heroes! I did visit them on the tugboats and on the dredger! I had VIP treatment from the crew!
Another distinguished master was Captain Williams! He was a daring seadog and had a majestic personality with a mustache! He also discovered a rock outside the Colombo Harbour which was named William Rock! He was cheerful, cool, calm, and radiant in his conversations! With his graceful and majestic outlook, he commanded respect demanding any dignity of character from anyone for which I have a unique admiration and respect for him! His brother was Captain Benedict and he passed away at a younger age when I was an infant hence, I have no knowledge of him!
Our present-day seafarers!
Among the modern day’s seafarers, I consider Captain Pathi Xavier and Cassian Jegarajasingham as the most distinguished seafarers! Both of them sailed across many oceans as masters! Pathi held an excellent position at the shore with the Shell company even after retirement he is leading an active life! He lives in Singapore with his family! He is also a generous and hospitable human being with magnanimity to many institutions! I do admire him for his noble habits!
Cassian was a Marine Superintendent in Doha and he retired few months ago! He was a brave, courageous and highly diplomatic, and sociable human being who was affectionately respected by his colleagues and seafarers! He was also a charitable human being! Once I was told even the beggars in Rangoon knew him by his name! I consider being honoured by the beggars is a magnificent and unique tribute to his hospitality, generosity, and magnanimity! I consider him as a human being of actions, deeds and words!
I heard two of our members of our community have totally given up the sea life and they are shore-based in Colombo! Siluvaithas is another seafarer who gave up his sea life many years ago! He was also a shipowner in our community! In 1972, I visited the tanker “Mary Loo” in Liverpool in England! Which was a Greek Ship and the entire crew was from our community I had an enjoyable stay with them as I felt homely with them and Siluvaithas was in charge of the ship! Another person is Selvakumar he swallowed the anchor but he is well established in business in Canada!
My brother Richard was a marine engineer who served in Trincomalee and Colombo! My brother Alfred served as an ordinary sailor on tugboats! MY father was a Bosun on tugboats! Verapragasm the father of Bishop Tom was a barge master belonging to the Shell Company in Colombo! I shall be failing in my duty if I don’t mention three of our community members who help our boys to join the ships! They were Wellington, Thanam, and Siluvaithas!
At the moment 1.4 million seafarers are sailing across the seven seas onboard the mammoth container ships, passenger ships, tankers, and bulk carriers! But two or three of our members of the community are serving on them!
In the UK, apart from me, Anton Benedict served on British ships! Earlier he served on Ghanaian and Nigerian ships!
I have written the above comment from my observation and what I have heard from others! If I had misrepresented facts, my apology, and please do correct me!
Summing up!
When I was a child, I was fascinated by seeing the sailing ships and my idea of becoming a seafarer enrooted in my childhood! After completing my senior school certificate, it was a real struggle to find employment as a cadet to join a ship to get my sea experience! In my time there were four Sri Lankan ships but it was the survival of the fittest and the influences!
After me, a few of our members of the East Street Community joined as sailors on foreign ships mostly on Greek ships! I joined the sea life in November 1958, after a great struggle to find a ship! I worked in two ships belonging to the Eastern Starline Shipping Lines! One is MV Starline Enterprise and the MV Starline Trader! With Starline Enterprise I was able to sail to Basra, Korremshire, Kuwait, Karachi, Mumbai, Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai, Calcutta, Rangoon! The port of Rangoon was a dangerous harbour with a strong tide! In my time at sea, there were no berths but the vessels were moored to the buoys with anchor chains! To sail on the sailing ships must have been a terrifying experience! They say in those days wooden ships and iron men which was true! In Calcutta, the ship was arrested as the port charges were not paid for the previous voyage! So, the ship was in port for more than a month and I was able to discover Calcutta!
On the Starline Trader, I sailed to Chennai and Cochin! Then I joined a German Ship named MV Alice-B! That ship with the Sri Lankan crew never returned to Colombo! I left the ship in Hamburg and arrived in London! As I wished I qualified by serving on British ships! As I planned, I retired from sea life over 35 years ago! In another essay, I will write about my Sealife! I joined the sea life to become a pilot in the Colombo Harbour! But ended my life as the English Channel and North Sea Navigating Officer! I archived my ambition and I had a joyous life!
Linus Aloysius,
[email protected]
During that Port Commission of Colombo introduced a coastwise examination for the seafarers who had the experience of the sea! It was a golden opportunity for our seafarers to sit for the examination to qualify as masters and mates!
These qualifications also gave the opportunity to our members of the community to join the Port Commission tugs in various capacities from ordinary seamen to masters and mates! Apart from our East Street Community some from Kayts and Valvatuthurai also joined the Port Commission Tugs! During the Second World, many of our East Street Community joined the Admiralty of the UK in Trincomalee as it was the Naval Port occupied by the British Admiralty! All the members of the crew were given uniforms! The harbour had two or three tugs! My brother Xavier was the Senior Tug Master and he had Collins and Devasgayam from our community, Navaratnam from West Street and Thangavalu from Valvatuthuri as additional tug masters! Some of our relations who worked in the Colombo Port Commission might have been the crew members of the Admiralty which I don’t know! Some of the masters and crew members were used to wearing uniforms!
When the war was over the Port of Trincomalee was closed and all the masters and mates joined the Port of Colombo to work on tugs! In the photos, some of them used to wear uniforms! At the end of the war, my brother Xavier was offered employment as the navigating master of the dredger “Sir William Matthews” So he joined the ship as a Navigating Master and the dredging master was an Englishman! He trained my brother to be a dredging master and, on his retirement, my brother Xavier became a Dredging and Navigating Master! Prior to his retirement he assisted and trained one of our relations to take over from him! After his retirement, he spent a few years in London and later settled down in Chennai!
Captain Rajamuthu was the first Senior Master of the tugs! He had a Home Trade qualification from India! He used to boast about his higher qualification! He must have been the only tug master with an Indian qualification whereas others were qualified in Colombo as the competency certificates were issued by the Port of Colombo! His wife’s name was Gerould and he had a son called Kulandran and he was my classmate. He had a blue Ford Prefect. His son was a pawnbroker and I believe that he has settled in Australia! They lived in New Chetty Street and that street was a prestigious street in Kotahena as many wealthy families lived in that area!
Captain Mark Sevapragasam succeeded as Senior Tug Master after Rajamuthus’s retirement! He was a cheerful joyous human being and he also lived in New Chetty Street in a large house! His wife Esther was a graceful and generous lady who entertained many for lunches and dinners! He loved his social life with entertainment! He had two son and two daughters! His son Thanam followed his father’s footsteps and joined the Port Commission and because a Senior Master! More about him is here below!
Captain Lawrence was Also a tug master! He lived in Shoe Road! He was married to Thangapnnu! He might have had few children! He was a quiet human being.
Captain Anthonysamy was a clever and intelligent tug master! He had a unique admiration for me as I was the first in our community to gain a foreign-going sea qualification from the United Kingdom! He even suggested to my brother Jega that I should go for higher qualifications in the maritime world! Once I met him in London on his way to the United States! He settled down in the United States with his children! I do remember him with gratitude! He had an excellent command of English in writing! He was married to Hilda! His sister Selvamary is Centurion! He had two brothers one was Gidapongland and another brother Xavier. Their father carved many statues and organized quite a lot of passion shows in Kayts for Easter! His carved statues are still in many churches in Sri Lanka! He was a highly talented artist with sharp visions! To be an artist one needs super extra perception in observation and to carve on a piece of wood needs unique power of imagination as well! An artist is described as a creator of beautiful things! Creativity needs to be appreciated by ordinary folks and that is where the artist becomes famous with the admirers!
Captain Ariyanayam was married to Capt. Anthonysamy’s sister Selamary! She is the oldest member of our community! He worked on tugs as a master! After his retirement, he worked on foreign ships! He had a knowledge of stocks and shares!
Captain Thanam Sevaprgasam was the son of Capt. Mark Sevapragasam! I joined a ship as an ordinary sailor onboard MV Starline Enterprise in November 1958 then MV Starline Trader both ships belonged to the Eastern Star Lines! The shipping line was bankrupt hence I left the ship! Later I joined a German Vessel MV Alice-B! That ship was supposed to return to Colombo but the charter was cancelled the ship proceed to her home port, Hamburg! German Master advised me to go to London to join a ship rather than work on German ships because of the language! That was how I landed in the UK earlier than I expected to arrive in the UK! That was on the 15th of August 1960!
In 1964, I passed my examination as Second Mate Foreign Going and I was over the moon! In the meantime, Anton Benedict and Thanam Sevapragasam along with a few Sri Lankan members of the crew worked onboard MV Phoenix was undergoing repairs in Rotterdam! All the members of the crew were boarded in a sailor’s home called “Stella Maris” I was familiar with “Stella Maris” and I visited them to meet Anton and Thanam! I found all of them were enjoying the company of the Dutch and Thanam was most popular among them! Like Anton, he had the opportunity to study and work in the UK but he preferred to qualify in Colombo and work in the port of Colombo! As a Senior Tug Master, he helped a few of our boys to join the foreign ships! That was an excellent service he rendered to our community with the assistance of his brother Wellington who was a ship chandler! Twenty-five years ago he left us was a great loss to our seafaring community as he was a highly sociable, romantic and dynamic human being!
Dredging Master Singarayar was the father of Captain Ariyanayagam.
Captain Edmond Aloysius! I met him a few times in Colombo! I also taught him mathematics, especially Trigonometry! He was a calm and cool gentleman and I enjoyed his company while I was teaching! In those days Trigonometry was essential for Navigation! For coastwise navigation, Trigonometry is not important still I taught him! These days due to modern technology there is no need for mathematics at sea as the movements of the ships are constantly monitored and the computers do all the work! In my time at sea, mathematics was essential as we have to shoot the sun with the sextants to find the approximate position of the ship at sea! Modern navigation is more technological as well as electronically controlled and the instant position of the ship is automatically plotted on the charts! I left the sea life 35 years ago and I spent 20 years across the North Sea and the English Channel as a navigating officer!
Captain Nesamuthu! His name rings the bell but I don’t think that met him!
Captain Devasagayam! I knew him well as he worked in Trincomalee! He was a philosophically oriented human being! In Trincomalee few of the employees of the East Street Community bought a launch with the partnership of the Valvatuthurai partners! The launch was used between Valvatuthurai and some ports in India! She was manned by the Valvatuthuri crew! She had three engines and a high-powered launch! She ran aground and that was the end of the story! She was named Lankalexmi! He used to tell us interesting stories! Once he said making the poor and uneducated person rich or wealthy can bring that person a total disaster without knowing the background of that person! When he told us the story, I was a child and I always remember him for that story! This story was related to us when I was a child and it was over 75 years ago! Once I met his son in London in the nautical college! I understand that he gave up the sea life to become a businessman!
Captain Nicholas! He was a tug master! During his time of employment with the Port Commission, Ceylon Shipping Lines was formed under the directorship of a Norwegian! At that time Ceylon Shipping Line bought two ships! One was from Poland named MV. Attanagala! The crew was flown from Colombo to bring the ship to Colombo and Capt. Nicholas was the Third Officer! When the ship arrived in Colombo, I did board the ship and met him as well! There was another ship called MV Chilaw! I was offered employment as a steward and my brother did not allow me to join as a steward! Later years the Ceylon Shipping Lines went bankrupt! The reason was the company was overstaffed with two ships! His son Captain Thanganran Nicholas was a brave and bold master!
Captain Kingston Johnpillai! He was my college mate at St Anthony’s College. Kayts! He was a successful master and he sailed as master on board many foreign-owned ships! I consider him as a brave sailor to sail across many oceans!
Captain Ratnasamy! He was a Chief Petty Officer at the Sri Lanka Navy. After retirement he joined the port commission as the tug master.
Captain Thangran Nicholas! I affectionately call him “Captain Nicho!” I considered him as a brave, courageous, and daring master! He sailed in various capacities as navigating officer and captain! They were all foreign ships! His ship was captured with the entire crew by the Somali pirates and his ship was later released! It must have been a nerve-wreaking experience to be captured by pirates!
I left Colombo over 61 years ago and I described my experiences and our members of the East Street Community as I discovered from my memory! They were courageous and daring sailors who confronted the adverse weather conditions in rough seas, especially in the Bay of Bengal and southwest monsoon! They were my heroes! I did visit them on the tugboats and on the dredger! I had VIP treatment from the crew!
Another distinguished master was Captain Williams! He was a daring seadog and had a majestic personality with a mustache! He also discovered a rock outside the Colombo Harbour which was named William Rock! He was cheerful, cool, calm, and radiant in his conversations! With his graceful and majestic outlook, he commanded respect demanding any dignity of character from anyone for which I have a unique admiration and respect for him! His brother was Captain Benedict and he passed away at a younger age when I was an infant hence, I have no knowledge of him!
Our present-day seafarers!
Among the modern day’s seafarers, I consider Captain Pathi Xavier and Cassian Jegarajasingham as the most distinguished seafarers! Both of them sailed across many oceans as masters! Pathi held an excellent position at the shore with the Shell company even after retirement he is leading an active life! He lives in Singapore with his family! He is also a generous and hospitable human being with magnanimity to many institutions! I do admire him for his noble habits!
Cassian was a Marine Superintendent in Doha and he retired few months ago! He was a brave, courageous and highly diplomatic, and sociable human being who was affectionately respected by his colleagues and seafarers! He was also a charitable human being! Once I was told even the beggars in Rangoon knew him by his name! I consider being honoured by the beggars is a magnificent and unique tribute to his hospitality, generosity, and magnanimity! I consider him as a human being of actions, deeds and words!
I heard two of our members of our community have totally given up the sea life and they are shore-based in Colombo! Siluvaithas is another seafarer who gave up his sea life many years ago! He was also a shipowner in our community! In 1972, I visited the tanker “Mary Loo” in Liverpool in England! Which was a Greek Ship and the entire crew was from our community I had an enjoyable stay with them as I felt homely with them and Siluvaithas was in charge of the ship! Another person is Selvakumar he swallowed the anchor but he is well established in business in Canada!
My brother Richard was a marine engineer who served in Trincomalee and Colombo! My brother Alfred served as an ordinary sailor on tugboats! MY father was a Bosun on tugboats! Verapragasm the father of Bishop Tom was a barge master belonging to the Shell Company in Colombo! I shall be failing in my duty if I don’t mention three of our community members who help our boys to join the ships! They were Wellington, Thanam, and Siluvaithas!
At the moment 1.4 million seafarers are sailing across the seven seas onboard the mammoth container ships, passenger ships, tankers, and bulk carriers! But two or three of our members of the community are serving on them!
In the UK, apart from me, Anton Benedict served on British ships! Earlier he served on Ghanaian and Nigerian ships!
I have written the above comment from my observation and what I have heard from others! If I had misrepresented facts, my apology, and please do correct me!
Summing up!
When I was a child, I was fascinated by seeing the sailing ships and my idea of becoming a seafarer enrooted in my childhood! After completing my senior school certificate, it was a real struggle to find employment as a cadet to join a ship to get my sea experience! In my time there were four Sri Lankan ships but it was the survival of the fittest and the influences!
After me, a few of our members of the East Street Community joined as sailors on foreign ships mostly on Greek ships! I joined the sea life in November 1958, after a great struggle to find a ship! I worked in two ships belonging to the Eastern Starline Shipping Lines! One is MV Starline Enterprise and the MV Starline Trader! With Starline Enterprise I was able to sail to Basra, Korremshire, Kuwait, Karachi, Mumbai, Mangalore, Kochi, Chennai, Calcutta, Rangoon! The port of Rangoon was a dangerous harbour with a strong tide! In my time at sea, there were no berths but the vessels were moored to the buoys with anchor chains! To sail on the sailing ships must have been a terrifying experience! They say in those days wooden ships and iron men which was true! In Calcutta, the ship was arrested as the port charges were not paid for the previous voyage! So, the ship was in port for more than a month and I was able to discover Calcutta!
On the Starline Trader, I sailed to Chennai and Cochin! Then I joined a German Ship named MV Alice-B! That ship with the Sri Lankan crew never returned to Colombo! I left the ship in Hamburg and arrived in London! As I wished I qualified by serving on British ships! As I planned, I retired from sea life over 35 years ago! In another essay, I will write about my Sealife! I joined the sea life to become a pilot in the Colombo Harbour! But ended my life as the English Channel and North Sea Navigating Officer! I archived my ambition and I had a joyous life!
Linus Aloysius,
[email protected]
The article published in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of Fordham magazine
Captain Anthony Thangendran Nicholas!
I address Thangendran as Captain Nico!
In my opinion, he was a brave, bold and courageous mariner! In his life, he took quite a lot of risks as a Master of a ship!
Once he crossed the English Channel on a coaster in a storm! His ship was also captured by the Somali pirates and he survived with his crew! It was a triumphant achievement for him to save the crew and ship! He has been attached to my wife Chitra and me! Whenever he visited the UK he used to stay with us! He was always cheerful and humorous with kindness, generosity and magnanimity! I admire all his graceful and noble qualities! He was always simple with his humble attitude! He was hyperactive until three years ago! After the Somali piracy saga, he swallowed the anchor which means he gave up the sea life! Although the Somali piracy incident was the rarest episode in his sea life, it must have frightened him!
He has physically left our earth but his spirit of affection he bestowed upon many of his friends and relations will survive for many years and I will never forget him as I found him as a remarkable human being!
He peacefully passed away on 11 November 2021 in Colombo.
May he rest in peace!
Linus Aloysius
UK
In my opinion, he was a brave, bold and courageous mariner! In his life, he took quite a lot of risks as a Master of a ship!
Once he crossed the English Channel on a coaster in a storm! His ship was also captured by the Somali pirates and he survived with his crew! It was a triumphant achievement for him to save the crew and ship! He has been attached to my wife Chitra and me! Whenever he visited the UK he used to stay with us! He was always cheerful and humorous with kindness, generosity and magnanimity! I admire all his graceful and noble qualities! He was always simple with his humble attitude! He was hyperactive until three years ago! After the Somali piracy saga, he swallowed the anchor which means he gave up the sea life! Although the Somali piracy incident was the rarest episode in his sea life, it must have frightened him!
He has physically left our earth but his spirit of affection he bestowed upon many of his friends and relations will survive for many years and I will never forget him as I found him as a remarkable human being!
He peacefully passed away on 11 November 2021 in Colombo.
May he rest in peace!
Linus Aloysius
UK
TRIBUTE
Dr. Immac Juventinus Thampoe
Executive Director & Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property Portfolio Development, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY
Immac J. Thampoe (Casey), Ph.D., J.D., 62, passed away unexpectedly on June 18th. Thampoe is survived by his wife, Virginia (nee Alfred), two children, Michael and Emily, and several of his close family members.
Dr. Thampoe hailing from Sri Lanka was born in a deeply religious family from the town of Kayts, Northern Province. He is the eldest son of Mr. Bonjean Thampoe and Anna Lourdes and the nephew of Right Reverend Bishop Emeritus Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. He is the brother of Mrs. Vijitha Thambinayagam (Dudley), Dr. Basti Thampoe (Karen), Mrs. Indra Savundararaj (late Philip), and Mrs. Lalanthi Ratnavel (Peter). Thampoe began his education at St. Benedict’s College, a prestigious educational institution in the Kotahena neighborhood in Colombo, where his brilliance was noted by his teachers. He was awarded many accolades in the classroom and for his participation as a Boy Scout. Thampoe arrived in United States in 1975 just before his 16th birthday on a Jesuit Scholarship award to finish high school at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City. He continued his higher education career at Fordham University and received a BS in Biology. He also received both his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Biology from Fordham. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon.
After he completed his doctoral studies, Immac, or Casey as he was known among friends and colleagues, was a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in Tumor Immunology under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City from 1986 to 1990. Following his work at MSKCC, he began to work in the law sector in 1990 during the day while continuing his education at Fordham Law School in the evening, graduating in 1994. His first roles in this area included working in the New York Intellectual Property law firm of Fish & Neave (now part of Ropes & Gray) as a Patent Agent and an Associate in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group of Cummings & Lockwood. He then began working as an in-house patent attorney in multiple positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. Upon the merger of Schering-Plough with Merck & Company in 2009, he was appointed the Managing IP Counsel for Biologics & Vaccines at the combined company. He worked for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY from 2016 with his latest role being Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel-Intellectual Property Portfolio Development. He had over 28 years of patent law experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector. Thampoe was considered a thought leader in his field and a highly sought-after speaker who has chaired and spoken at numerous biotechnology patent law conferences in New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Munich. Thampoe is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and as the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000, has organized its annual Patent Litigation Seminar which features the top patent law practitioners from around the world. He is also a member of Biotechnology Innovation Organization and its Intellectual Property Counsel Committee.
Outside of his education and work, Thampoe played Varsity Squash for Fordham from 1976-1980 and was the manager of the Fordham Squash and Tennis teams during that time. Since 2011, he was a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
May his soul rest in peace!
S. Raymond Rajabalan 07 July 2021
Dr. Thampoe hailing from Sri Lanka was born in a deeply religious family from the town of Kayts, Northern Province. He is the eldest son of Mr. Bonjean Thampoe and Anna Lourdes and the nephew of Right Reverend Bishop Emeritus Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. He is the brother of Mrs. Vijitha Thambinayagam (Dudley), Dr. Basti Thampoe (Karen), Mrs. Indra Savundararaj (late Philip), and Mrs. Lalanthi Ratnavel (Peter). Thampoe began his education at St. Benedict’s College, a prestigious educational institution in the Kotahena neighborhood in Colombo, where his brilliance was noted by his teachers. He was awarded many accolades in the classroom and for his participation as a Boy Scout. Thampoe arrived in United States in 1975 just before his 16th birthday on a Jesuit Scholarship award to finish high school at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City. He continued his higher education career at Fordham University and received a BS in Biology. He also received both his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Biology from Fordham. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon.
After he completed his doctoral studies, Immac, or Casey as he was known among friends and colleagues, was a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in Tumor Immunology under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City from 1986 to 1990. Following his work at MSKCC, he began to work in the law sector in 1990 during the day while continuing his education at Fordham Law School in the evening, graduating in 1994. His first roles in this area included working in the New York Intellectual Property law firm of Fish & Neave (now part of Ropes & Gray) as a Patent Agent and an Associate in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group of Cummings & Lockwood. He then began working as an in-house patent attorney in multiple positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. Upon the merger of Schering-Plough with Merck & Company in 2009, he was appointed the Managing IP Counsel for Biologics & Vaccines at the combined company. He worked for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY from 2016 with his latest role being Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel-Intellectual Property Portfolio Development. He had over 28 years of patent law experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector. Thampoe was considered a thought leader in his field and a highly sought-after speaker who has chaired and spoken at numerous biotechnology patent law conferences in New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Munich. Thampoe is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and as the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000, has organized its annual Patent Litigation Seminar which features the top patent law practitioners from around the world. He is also a member of Biotechnology Innovation Organization and its Intellectual Property Counsel Committee.
Outside of his education and work, Thampoe played Varsity Squash for Fordham from 1976-1980 and was the manager of the Fordham Squash and Tennis teams during that time. Since 2011, he was a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
May his soul rest in peace!
S. Raymond Rajabalan 07 July 2021
தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் சிறப்பு துணுக்குகள்!
தனிநாயகம் அடிகளாரின் சிறப்பு துணுக்குகள்
திருவனந்தபுரம் மறைமாவட்டத்தில் பணியாற்றிய போது 1934 தொடக்கம் 1939 வரை உரோமை நகரில் வத்திக்கான் பல்கலைக்கழகம் சென்று The Carthaginian Clergy என்ற தலைப்பில் முனைவர் பட்டத்திற்கான ஆய்வுக்கட்டுரையினை எழுதி தெய்வ தத்துவத்தில் (Doctor of Divinity) பட்டம் பெற்றுக் கொண்டார்
1945ஆம் ஆண்டு 32ஆம் வயதில் அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் சேர்ந்து தமிழை திறம்பட பயின்றுள்ளார்.
'சங்ககால இலக்கியச் செய்யுளில் இயற்கை' என்ற அவர்துபி ஆய்வு கட்டுரை ஐரோப்பியத் திராவிடவியல் பேரறிஞராகிய முனைவர் கமில் சுவலபில் அவர்களால் மதிப்பீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.
தமிழ் மேல் கொண்ட பற்றால் 1949 மற்றும் 1950 ஆம் ஆண்டுகளில் உலகின் பல்வேறு நாடுகளு பயணம் மேற்கொண்டு தமிழ்த் தூது நிகழ்த்தியுள்ளார்.
ஜப்பான், அமெரிக்க ஐக்கிய நாடு, பிரேசில், எக்குவடோர், பெரு, மெக்சிக்கோ மற்றும் இத்தாலி என்பன அவர் உரை நிகழ்த்திய நாடுகளாகும்.
அமெரிக்க ஐக்கிய நாட்டில் மட்டும் தமிழின் சிறப்பைப் பற்றி ஒரே ஆண்டில் 200 விரிவுரைகள் ஆற்றியுள்ளார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
இந்தியாவிலும் இலங்கையிலும் மட்டும் பல்கலைக்கழகங்களில் தமிழாய்வு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையை மாற்றி உலக அரங்கில் பல நாடுகளில் தமிழாய்வு நடைபெற வழிவகுத்த பெருமை அடிகளாருக்கு உரியது.
தமிழ், ஆங்கிலம், இலத்தீன், இத்தாலியம், பிரெஞ்ச், ஜேர்மன், போர்த்துக்கேயம், ஸ்பானிஷ் என பல மொழிகளைக் கற்றுள்ளார் அடிகளார்.
ஆகவே அம்மொழிகளிலெல்லாம் தமிழ் மொழிபற்றி ஆய்வுரை நிகழ்த்தவும் ஆய்வுக் கட்டுரை வடிக்கவும் வல்லவராகத் திகழ்ந்துள்ளார்.
ஐரோப்பிய அறிஞர்கள் பலர் தங்களது பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தமிழ்பற்றிய ஆய்வுரை நிகழ்த்துமாறு அடிகளாரை அழைத்துள்ளனர்.
மலேசியப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் இந்தியத் துறைத் தலைவராக எட்டு ஆண்டுக்காலம் பணிபுரிந்த அடிகளார் பல புதிய பொருள்பற்றியும் துறைகள் பற்றியும் அப்பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தமிழாய்வு நடைபெற வழிகோலியுள்ளார்.
அந்த்தாம் தெ ப்ரோயென்சா அடிகள் இயற்றிய தமிழ் போர்த்துக்கேய அகராதியின் மறுபதிப்புக்குத் தனிநாயக அடிகளார் எழுதியுள்ள அரிய ஆய்வுரை அறிஞருலகத்தின் பாராட்டினைப் பெற்ற ஒன்றாகும்.
"Reference Guide to Tamil Studies" என்ற 122 பக்கங்களைக் கொண்ட உசாத்துணை நூலில் 1335 நூல்களைப் பற்றிய குறிப்புக்களைச் சேர்த்து நூலாக வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.
தமிழாய்வில் ஈடுபட விரும்பும் வெளிநாட்டவருக்கு ஒரு உசாத்துணை நூலாக விளங்கவே இதனை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.
இலங்கையிலிருந்து வெளியான சைமன் காசிச்செட்டி ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதிய தமிழ் புளூட்டார்க் என்ற நூலை பேராசிரியர் தெ.பொ.மீனாட்சிசுந்தரனாரைக் கொண்டு கூடுதல் செய்திகளைச் சேர்த்து பிழை களைந்து வெளியிட ஏற்பாடு செய்ததும் இவரே ஆகும்.
பேராசிரியப் பணி,ஆய்வுப் பணி, உலக அரங்கில் தமிழ்த் தூதுப்பணி, கள ஆய்வுப் பணி, ஆய்விதழ், ஆசிரியப் பணி என இவரது பணிகள் ஏராளம்.
The Carthaginian, Clergy Nature in the ancient poetry, Aspects of Tamil Humanism, தமிழர் பண்பாடு நேற்றும் இன்றும் நாளையும், தமிழ்த்தூது, ஒரே உலகம், திருவள்ளுவர், உலக ஒழுக்கவியலில் திருக்குறள் என்பன இவரது நூல்களாகும்.
தமிழுக்கு தொண்டாற்றிய தமிழ் தூதுவர் தனிநாயகம் அடிகளார் 1980 செப்டம்பர் முதலாம் திகதி மாலை 6.30 மணியளவில் இறையடி சேர்ந்துள்ளார்.
1981 இல் மதுரையில் நடைபெற்ற ஐந்தாவது உலகத் தமிழாராய்ச்சி மாநாட்டில் அடிகளாரின் மறைவுக்கு இரங்கல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டு அவரது சிலை ஒன்றும் தமிழகக் கல்வியமைச்சர் அரங்கநாயகம் அவர்களால் திறந்து வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இவரின் இறப்புக்குப் பின்னர் யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் இவருக்குக் கலாநிதிப் பட்டம் வழங்கிக் கௌரவித்துள்ளது.நெடுந்தீவு மக்கள் தமது மண்ணின் மைந்தனாகிய தனிநாயகம் அடிகளுக்கு ஆளுயர சிலை அமைத்துள்ளனர்.
சென்னையில் 2013 பெப்ரவரி 16 ஆம் திகதி தனிநாயக அடிகளாரின் நினைவை போற்றும் வகையில் நூற்றாண்டு தொடக்க விழா நடைபெற்றுள்ளது.
திருவனந்தபுரம் மறைமாவட்டத்தில் பணியாற்றிய போது 1934 தொடக்கம் 1939 வரை உரோமை நகரில் வத்திக்கான் பல்கலைக்கழகம் சென்று The Carthaginian Clergy என்ற தலைப்பில் முனைவர் பட்டத்திற்கான ஆய்வுக்கட்டுரையினை எழுதி தெய்வ தத்துவத்தில் (Doctor of Divinity) பட்டம் பெற்றுக் கொண்டார்
1945ஆம் ஆண்டு 32ஆம் வயதில் அண்ணாமலைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் சேர்ந்து தமிழை திறம்பட பயின்றுள்ளார்.
'சங்ககால இலக்கியச் செய்யுளில் இயற்கை' என்ற அவர்துபி ஆய்வு கட்டுரை ஐரோப்பியத் திராவிடவியல் பேரறிஞராகிய முனைவர் கமில் சுவலபில் அவர்களால் மதிப்பீடு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.
தமிழ் மேல் கொண்ட பற்றால் 1949 மற்றும் 1950 ஆம் ஆண்டுகளில் உலகின் பல்வேறு நாடுகளு பயணம் மேற்கொண்டு தமிழ்த் தூது நிகழ்த்தியுள்ளார்.
ஜப்பான், அமெரிக்க ஐக்கிய நாடு, பிரேசில், எக்குவடோர், பெரு, மெக்சிக்கோ மற்றும் இத்தாலி என்பன அவர் உரை நிகழ்த்திய நாடுகளாகும்.
அமெரிக்க ஐக்கிய நாட்டில் மட்டும் தமிழின் சிறப்பைப் பற்றி ஒரே ஆண்டில் 200 விரிவுரைகள் ஆற்றியுள்ளார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
இந்தியாவிலும் இலங்கையிலும் மட்டும் பல்கலைக்கழகங்களில் தமிழாய்வு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையை மாற்றி உலக அரங்கில் பல நாடுகளில் தமிழாய்வு நடைபெற வழிவகுத்த பெருமை அடிகளாருக்கு உரியது.
தமிழ், ஆங்கிலம், இலத்தீன், இத்தாலியம், பிரெஞ்ச், ஜேர்மன், போர்த்துக்கேயம், ஸ்பானிஷ் என பல மொழிகளைக் கற்றுள்ளார் அடிகளார்.
ஆகவே அம்மொழிகளிலெல்லாம் தமிழ் மொழிபற்றி ஆய்வுரை நிகழ்த்தவும் ஆய்வுக் கட்டுரை வடிக்கவும் வல்லவராகத் திகழ்ந்துள்ளார்.
ஐரோப்பிய அறிஞர்கள் பலர் தங்களது பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தமிழ்பற்றிய ஆய்வுரை நிகழ்த்துமாறு அடிகளாரை அழைத்துள்ளனர்.
மலேசியப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் இந்தியத் துறைத் தலைவராக எட்டு ஆண்டுக்காலம் பணிபுரிந்த அடிகளார் பல புதிய பொருள்பற்றியும் துறைகள் பற்றியும் அப்பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் தமிழாய்வு நடைபெற வழிகோலியுள்ளார்.
அந்த்தாம் தெ ப்ரோயென்சா அடிகள் இயற்றிய தமிழ் போர்த்துக்கேய அகராதியின் மறுபதிப்புக்குத் தனிநாயக அடிகளார் எழுதியுள்ள அரிய ஆய்வுரை அறிஞருலகத்தின் பாராட்டினைப் பெற்ற ஒன்றாகும்.
"Reference Guide to Tamil Studies" என்ற 122 பக்கங்களைக் கொண்ட உசாத்துணை நூலில் 1335 நூல்களைப் பற்றிய குறிப்புக்களைச் சேர்த்து நூலாக வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.
தமிழாய்வில் ஈடுபட விரும்பும் வெளிநாட்டவருக்கு ஒரு உசாத்துணை நூலாக விளங்கவே இதனை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.
இலங்கையிலிருந்து வெளியான சைமன் காசிச்செட்டி ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதிய தமிழ் புளூட்டார்க் என்ற நூலை பேராசிரியர் தெ.பொ.மீனாட்சிசுந்தரனாரைக் கொண்டு கூடுதல் செய்திகளைச் சேர்த்து பிழை களைந்து வெளியிட ஏற்பாடு செய்ததும் இவரே ஆகும்.
பேராசிரியப் பணி,ஆய்வுப் பணி, உலக அரங்கில் தமிழ்த் தூதுப்பணி, கள ஆய்வுப் பணி, ஆய்விதழ், ஆசிரியப் பணி என இவரது பணிகள் ஏராளம்.
The Carthaginian, Clergy Nature in the ancient poetry, Aspects of Tamil Humanism, தமிழர் பண்பாடு நேற்றும் இன்றும் நாளையும், தமிழ்த்தூது, ஒரே உலகம், திருவள்ளுவர், உலக ஒழுக்கவியலில் திருக்குறள் என்பன இவரது நூல்களாகும்.
தமிழுக்கு தொண்டாற்றிய தமிழ் தூதுவர் தனிநாயகம் அடிகளார் 1980 செப்டம்பர் முதலாம் திகதி மாலை 6.30 மணியளவில் இறையடி சேர்ந்துள்ளார்.
1981 இல் மதுரையில் நடைபெற்ற ஐந்தாவது உலகத் தமிழாராய்ச்சி மாநாட்டில் அடிகளாரின் மறைவுக்கு இரங்கல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டு அவரது சிலை ஒன்றும் தமிழகக் கல்வியமைச்சர் அரங்கநாயகம் அவர்களால் திறந்து வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இவரின் இறப்புக்குப் பின்னர் யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் இவருக்குக் கலாநிதிப் பட்டம் வழங்கிக் கௌரவித்துள்ளது.நெடுந்தீவு மக்கள் தமது மண்ணின் மைந்தனாகிய தனிநாயகம் அடிகளுக்கு ஆளுயர சிலை அமைத்துள்ளனர்.
சென்னையில் 2013 பெப்ரவரி 16 ஆம் திகதி தனிநாயக அடிகளாரின் நினைவை போற்றும் வகையில் நூற்றாண்டு தொடக்க விழா நடைபெற்றுள்ளது.
Mr. A. L. Thambiayah M.P
Alfred Leo Saverimuthu Thambiayah was a Ceylon Tamil businessman, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the first Sri Lankan to introduce motion pictures into the country. Together with Mr. Gardiner, he started the Ceylon Theatres Pvt. Ltd. Being the member of parliament for the electorate of Kayts from 1947 till 1956, he was a member of the first board of directors of the Ceylon Theatres Pvt. Ltd. for a longer period, Thambiah was an active member of that board. Thambiayah was born on 8 November 1903 in Karampon on the island of Velanaitivu in northern Ceylon. His father was a ship owner in Kayts. He was educated at St. Anthony's College, Kayts, St. Patrick's College, Jaffna, St. Benedict's College, Colombo and St. Joseph's College, Colombo.
Thambiayah married Rajeswari, daughter of Adigar Sellamuttu. They had two sons (Shivantha and Ravi) and two daughters (Subodhini and Indumathi Renuka) Thambiayah began his business career aged 21 by leasing the Olympia Cinema. He then went into business with Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner, establishing the successful Ceylon Theatres Ltd. Later on Ceylon Theatres bought Cargills & Millers and Thambiayah served as chairman/managing director of the latter. Thambiayah acquired Cargo Boat Dispatch Company, a shipping company, in 1936 from Harry and John Cosmas. The company grew to control the majority of the business out of the Port of Colombo.
Thambiayah stood as an independent candidate in Kayts at the 1947 parliamentary election. He won the election and entered Parliament. His opponent A. V. Kulasingham filed a legal petition stating that Thambiayah was disqualified from contesting the election as his Cargo Boat Dispatch Company had contracts with the state-owned Colombo Ports Authority. Judge Basanayake found in favour of Kulasingham and declared the Kayts election void. Electoral law didn't allow appeals against the judgement so the United National Party dominated government hurriedly passed the Election Petition Appeal Act No. 1 of 1948. Thambiayah appealed and judges Wijeyewardene, Canekeratne and Windham over ruled Basanayake's judgement and re-instated Thambiayah as the MP for Kayts.
Thambiayah was instrumental in the construction of road links to Velanaitivu from Jaffna peninsula and Pungudutivu. He also helped build schools, hospitals, roads, dispensaries and post offices on the island. Thambiayah was re-elected at the 1952 parliamentary election as an All Ceylon Tamil Congress candidate. The ACTC left the UNP government in 1953 but Thambiayah chose to remain with the UNP. Thambiayah, like many Tamil UNP politicians, left the UNP in 1956 over the its support of the Sinhala Only policy. Thambiayah stood for re-election in the constituency at the 1956 and March 1960 parliamentary elections but on each occasion was defeated by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party) candidate V. A. Kandiah.
Thambiayah's company suffered a set-back when the Port of Colombo was nationalized in 1958.Thambiayah started diversifying his business interests, turning his company into a shipping agency house, taking shareholdings in Hatton National Bank and establishing Hotel Renuka in Kollupitiya in 1970 after the government started offering tax incentives to the hospitality sector.
Today Thambiayah's company is known as Renuka Holdings PLC and is one of Sri Lanka's largest conglomerates. Thambiayah's daughter Indumathi Renuka Rajiyah is the company's chairperson and his grandson Shamindra Vatsalan Rajiyah is the executive director. He died prior to October 2009
Thambiayah married Rajeswari, daughter of Adigar Sellamuttu. They had two sons (Shivantha and Ravi) and two daughters (Subodhini and Indumathi Renuka) Thambiayah began his business career aged 21 by leasing the Olympia Cinema. He then went into business with Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner, establishing the successful Ceylon Theatres Ltd. Later on Ceylon Theatres bought Cargills & Millers and Thambiayah served as chairman/managing director of the latter. Thambiayah acquired Cargo Boat Dispatch Company, a shipping company, in 1936 from Harry and John Cosmas. The company grew to control the majority of the business out of the Port of Colombo.
Thambiayah stood as an independent candidate in Kayts at the 1947 parliamentary election. He won the election and entered Parliament. His opponent A. V. Kulasingham filed a legal petition stating that Thambiayah was disqualified from contesting the election as his Cargo Boat Dispatch Company had contracts with the state-owned Colombo Ports Authority. Judge Basanayake found in favour of Kulasingham and declared the Kayts election void. Electoral law didn't allow appeals against the judgement so the United National Party dominated government hurriedly passed the Election Petition Appeal Act No. 1 of 1948. Thambiayah appealed and judges Wijeyewardene, Canekeratne and Windham over ruled Basanayake's judgement and re-instated Thambiayah as the MP for Kayts.
Thambiayah was instrumental in the construction of road links to Velanaitivu from Jaffna peninsula and Pungudutivu. He also helped build schools, hospitals, roads, dispensaries and post offices on the island. Thambiayah was re-elected at the 1952 parliamentary election as an All Ceylon Tamil Congress candidate. The ACTC left the UNP government in 1953 but Thambiayah chose to remain with the UNP. Thambiayah, like many Tamil UNP politicians, left the UNP in 1956 over the its support of the Sinhala Only policy. Thambiayah stood for re-election in the constituency at the 1956 and March 1960 parliamentary elections but on each occasion was defeated by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party) candidate V. A. Kandiah.
Thambiayah's company suffered a set-back when the Port of Colombo was nationalized in 1958.Thambiayah started diversifying his business interests, turning his company into a shipping agency house, taking shareholdings in Hatton National Bank and establishing Hotel Renuka in Kollupitiya in 1970 after the government started offering tax incentives to the hospitality sector.
Today Thambiayah's company is known as Renuka Holdings PLC and is one of Sri Lanka's largest conglomerates. Thambiayah's daughter Indumathi Renuka Rajiyah is the company's chairperson and his grandson Shamindra Vatsalan Rajiyah is the executive director. He died prior to October 2009
Parish House Renovation Project!
18 December 2020.
A commodious and healthy Kayts St. Anthony’s Parish House with two rooms and a spacious hall was built during the Period of Rev. Fr. Owen William (1911– 1913). As it was located in healthy surroundings, the European priests who served at Kayts liked to stay here. It is worthy of mentioning that Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry Joulain (1852 -1919) and Rt. Rev. Dr. Andre Theophile Melizan (1844-1905) both former Bishops of Jaffna Diocese, once served as parish priests in Kayts and were residing in this parish house. Another priest, Fr. Brown an Englishman from St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna used to occupy this presbytery during his holidays.
Former Rectors of St. Anthony’s College, Rev. Fr. A. S. Joseph, Rev. Fr. William Jesuthasan, Rev. Fr. P. J. Jeevaratnam and Rev. Fr. B. Soosaipillai also used to live in this parish house. All of these Rectors preferred to live here even though there was a Rectors’ residence within the premises of the college. The Rectors used the room on the seaside, while the Parish Priests used the other room on the Southside attached to the church.
The parish priests used to occupy the parish house only during the festive seasons such as St. Anthony’s Feast, Grotto Feast and other regular feasts celebrated at St. Anthony’s church. In the earlier days, they used to move from church to church for the particular church’s feast. Later they stopped moving and began permanently staying at St. Mary’s church. So, Anthony’s parish house was not used by anyone for a very long time, not maintained and was also damaged by the aerial shelling and the shelling from the Naval Base during the ethnic war that prevailed in Sri Lana.
Since we did not have any place to treat the priests and nuns who come to St. Anthony’s Feast or Grotto feast, we are compelled to use a portion of the church for serving them breakfast after the feasts. Even though the priests and nuns did not like this arrangement we did not have any other choice for many years. The Colombo Committee tried to build a New Parish House on an estimate of 7 Million Rupees. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Savundaranayaam immediately after the Grotto Feast of 2015. Unfortunately the Local Government Authorities stopped the project as there was no permission to build new buildings within a certain distance from the sea according to the new law implemented after Tsunami Crisis. So the Colombo Committee gave up the plan.
Rev. Fr. P. F Rajasingham the previous parish priest of Kayts started to renovate the parish house with the permission of the Bishop of Jaffna, hoping the renovated presbytery could be used for various purposes of the parish as well as of the college. With the generous support of the parishioners and well-wishers, together with the assistance received from Gamperilia Scheme of the Government of Sri Lanka, the renovation project is in progress with the guidance and supervision of the present parish priest Rev. Fr. Mac Mayuran A. So far 1.5 million Sri Lankan Rupees has been already spent on this project and another 2 million Rupees needed to complete the project. We are glad to mention that after a very long-time arrangements were made to serve breakfast to the priests, nuns and the parishioners in the partially renovated presbytery, immediately after St. Anthony’s Feast of 2019, Grotto Feast of this year 2020 and The Church Consecration Service held on 16th August 2020.
This parish house is protected as a monument by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka. Let us hope the generous parishioners living all over the world will definitely support to complete the renovation project of this historical ancestral building.
Former Rectors of St. Anthony’s College, Rev. Fr. A. S. Joseph, Rev. Fr. William Jesuthasan, Rev. Fr. P. J. Jeevaratnam and Rev. Fr. B. Soosaipillai also used to live in this parish house. All of these Rectors preferred to live here even though there was a Rectors’ residence within the premises of the college. The Rectors used the room on the seaside, while the Parish Priests used the other room on the Southside attached to the church.
The parish priests used to occupy the parish house only during the festive seasons such as St. Anthony’s Feast, Grotto Feast and other regular feasts celebrated at St. Anthony’s church. In the earlier days, they used to move from church to church for the particular church’s feast. Later they stopped moving and began permanently staying at St. Mary’s church. So, Anthony’s parish house was not used by anyone for a very long time, not maintained and was also damaged by the aerial shelling and the shelling from the Naval Base during the ethnic war that prevailed in Sri Lana.
Since we did not have any place to treat the priests and nuns who come to St. Anthony’s Feast or Grotto feast, we are compelled to use a portion of the church for serving them breakfast after the feasts. Even though the priests and nuns did not like this arrangement we did not have any other choice for many years. The Colombo Committee tried to build a New Parish House on an estimate of 7 Million Rupees. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Bishop Rt. Rev. Thomas Savundaranayaam immediately after the Grotto Feast of 2015. Unfortunately the Local Government Authorities stopped the project as there was no permission to build new buildings within a certain distance from the sea according to the new law implemented after Tsunami Crisis. So the Colombo Committee gave up the plan.
Rev. Fr. P. F Rajasingham the previous parish priest of Kayts started to renovate the parish house with the permission of the Bishop of Jaffna, hoping the renovated presbytery could be used for various purposes of the parish as well as of the college. With the generous support of the parishioners and well-wishers, together with the assistance received from Gamperilia Scheme of the Government of Sri Lanka, the renovation project is in progress with the guidance and supervision of the present parish priest Rev. Fr. Mac Mayuran A. So far 1.5 million Sri Lankan Rupees has been already spent on this project and another 2 million Rupees needed to complete the project. We are glad to mention that after a very long-time arrangements were made to serve breakfast to the priests, nuns and the parishioners in the partially renovated presbytery, immediately after St. Anthony’s Feast of 2019, Grotto Feast of this year 2020 and The Church Consecration Service held on 16th August 2020.
This parish house is protected as a monument by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka. Let us hope the generous parishioners living all over the world will definitely support to complete the renovation project of this historical ancestral building.
St. Joseph’s Church, Kayts Centenary celebration souvenir
An in Depth Review BY S.Raymond Rajabalan
31.05.2021
31.05.2021
It was an experience of my life time when I recently received a copy of the special souvenir produced to celebrate the completion of 100 years of existence of a Catholic church dedicated to the great saint St. Joseph located in my very own place of birth . When I first saw the beautifully compiled souvenir I was astounded and greatly impressed by the professionally designed cover of this book. Meanwhile, I never had any inkling of the superb quality of the very valuable information packed within the covers of this painstakingly edited book.
There is a saying that “A book cannot be judged by its cover “. After going through the very valuable contents included in this book I was compelled to differ from that age old saying. Not only the cover of this souvenir was very beautifully designed, the contents of the book too have done great justice to the efforts of the dedicated team that had spent months to craft this valuable book especially during these tough times. Having undertaken to review this book, I soon realized that I had accepted a great task that I might not be able to handle with ease. After leisurely going through the meticulously arranged contents of this historic document I felt justifiably proud to be part of this united Catholic community. Anyone who is familiar with this church and its surrounding area will really be impressed by the great will power and resilience of the people of this tiny community who had the courage and confidence to embark on a tough task to build a huge place of worship depending solely on the dedication and unity of the devotees who were abruptly forced into a difficult situation of having to construct a church of their own. .After 100 years of existence this great church stands as a mute testimony to the united effort and devotion of the parishioners who were able to surmount many great obstacles and achieve their goal.
While sincerely appreciating the great team which had spent over two years contacting the parishioners dispersed throughout the globe during the early stages of planning the production of this great document. I must admit that I am dazzled by the inclusion of several novel features in this great souvenir. I was highly impressed when I saw the enlarged group photo taken in front of this church during the Golden anniversary in 1970. I really appreciate the great effort of the dedicated team. For painstakingly identifying most of those present during that memorable occasion. Though many of them have been already called to rest yet this group photo has brought several joyful memories of the past. I am also greatly pleased to look at the photo of the small shed that was established in 1920 prior to constructing a huge church later on. It is very difficult to list the names of everyone who spent several hours to ensure the successful completion of this noble project. Yet I like to deeply appreciate their dedication and sincerity to ensure the production of this book a great success. While going through the book I was greatly impressed by the talents of those who had contributed a variety of articles most of which included many pleasant memories of the past. This was a clear indication how all these writers residing in various parts of the world still remember their origin with deep gratitude .I am confident that we all will continue the same tradition and pass on the memories of the past to our future generations. This souvenir has already been appreciated by many including several scholars. We all can be happy that we had collectively produced a valuable historic document to honour this great saint especially in this year officially declared by Pope Francis as the year of St. Joseph.
The value of a wine increases over a period of many years .Likewise the greatness of this wonderful book is bound to be appreciated as a treasure trove during future tears and can be expected to serve as a great source of historical reference.
Let us all jointly pray to thank Saint Joseph who had guided all of us up to this day to protect and guide all of us throughout our life on this earth.
There is a saying that “A book cannot be judged by its cover “. After going through the very valuable contents included in this book I was compelled to differ from that age old saying. Not only the cover of this souvenir was very beautifully designed, the contents of the book too have done great justice to the efforts of the dedicated team that had spent months to craft this valuable book especially during these tough times. Having undertaken to review this book, I soon realized that I had accepted a great task that I might not be able to handle with ease. After leisurely going through the meticulously arranged contents of this historic document I felt justifiably proud to be part of this united Catholic community. Anyone who is familiar with this church and its surrounding area will really be impressed by the great will power and resilience of the people of this tiny community who had the courage and confidence to embark on a tough task to build a huge place of worship depending solely on the dedication and unity of the devotees who were abruptly forced into a difficult situation of having to construct a church of their own. .After 100 years of existence this great church stands as a mute testimony to the united effort and devotion of the parishioners who were able to surmount many great obstacles and achieve their goal.
While sincerely appreciating the great team which had spent over two years contacting the parishioners dispersed throughout the globe during the early stages of planning the production of this great document. I must admit that I am dazzled by the inclusion of several novel features in this great souvenir. I was highly impressed when I saw the enlarged group photo taken in front of this church during the Golden anniversary in 1970. I really appreciate the great effort of the dedicated team. For painstakingly identifying most of those present during that memorable occasion. Though many of them have been already called to rest yet this group photo has brought several joyful memories of the past. I am also greatly pleased to look at the photo of the small shed that was established in 1920 prior to constructing a huge church later on. It is very difficult to list the names of everyone who spent several hours to ensure the successful completion of this noble project. Yet I like to deeply appreciate their dedication and sincerity to ensure the production of this book a great success. While going through the book I was greatly impressed by the talents of those who had contributed a variety of articles most of which included many pleasant memories of the past. This was a clear indication how all these writers residing in various parts of the world still remember their origin with deep gratitude .I am confident that we all will continue the same tradition and pass on the memories of the past to our future generations. This souvenir has already been appreciated by many including several scholars. We all can be happy that we had collectively produced a valuable historic document to honour this great saint especially in this year officially declared by Pope Francis as the year of St. Joseph.
The value of a wine increases over a period of many years .Likewise the greatness of this wonderful book is bound to be appreciated as a treasure trove during future tears and can be expected to serve as a great source of historical reference.
Let us all jointly pray to thank Saint Joseph who had guided all of us up to this day to protect and guide all of us throughout our life on this earth.
TRIBUTE
Dr. Immac Juventinus Thampoe
Executive Director & Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property Portfolio Development, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY
Immac J. Thampoe (Casey), Ph.D., J.D., 62, passed away unexpectedly on June 18th. Thampoe is survived by his wife, Virginia (nee Alfred), two children, Michael and Emily, and several of his close family members.
Dr. Thampoe hailing from Sri Lanka was born in a deeply religious family from the town of Kayts, Northern Province. He is the eldest son of Mr. Bonjean Thampoe and Anna Lourdes and the nephew of Right Reverend Bishop Emeritus Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. He is the brother of Mrs. Vijitha Thambinayagam (Dudley), Dr. Basti Thampoe (Karen), Mrs. Indra Savundararaj (late Philip), and Mrs. Lalanthi Ratnavel (Peter). Thampoe began his education at St. Benedict’s College, a prestigious educational institution in the Kotahena neighborhood in Colombo, where his brilliance was noted by his teachers. He was awarded many accolades in the classroom and for his participation as a Boy Scout. Thampoe arrived in United States in 1975 just before his 16th birthday on a Jesuit Scholarship award to finish high school at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City. He continued his higher education career at Fordham University and received a BS in Biology. He also received both his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Biology from Fordham. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon.
After he completed his doctoral studies, Immac, or Casey as he was known among friends and colleagues, was a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in Tumor Immunology under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City from 1986 to 1990. Following his work at MSKCC, he began to work in the law sector in 1990 during the day while continuing his education at Fordham Law School in the evening, graduating in 1994. His first roles in this area included working in the New York Intellectual Property law firm of Fish & Neave (now part of Ropes & Gray) as a Patent Agent and an Associate in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group of Cummings & Lockwood. He then began working as an in-house patent attorney in multiple positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. Upon the merger of Schering-Plough with Merck & Company in 2009, he was appointed the Managing IP Counsel for Biologics & Vaccines at the combined company. He worked for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY from 2016 with his latest role being Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel-Intellectual Property Portfolio Development. He had over 28 years of patent law experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector. Thampoe was considered a thought leader in his field and a highly sought-after speaker who has chaired and spoken at numerous biotechnology patent law conferences in New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Munich. Thampoe is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and as the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000, has organized its annual Patent Litigation Seminar which features the top patent law practitioners from around the world. He is also a member of Biotechnology Innovation Organization and its Intellectual Property Counsel Committee.
Outside of his education and work, Thampoe played Varsity Squash for Fordham from 1976-1980 and was the manager of the Fordham Squash and Tennis teams during that time. Since 2011, he was a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
May his soul rest in peace!
S. Raymond Rajabalan 07 July 2021
Dr. Thampoe hailing from Sri Lanka was born in a deeply religious family from the town of Kayts, Northern Province. He is the eldest son of Mr. Bonjean Thampoe and Anna Lourdes and the nephew of Right Reverend Bishop Emeritus Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam. He is the brother of Mrs. Vijitha Thambinayagam (Dudley), Dr. Basti Thampoe (Karen), Mrs. Indra Savundararaj (late Philip), and Mrs. Lalanthi Ratnavel (Peter). Thampoe began his education at St. Benedict’s College, a prestigious educational institution in the Kotahena neighborhood in Colombo, where his brilliance was noted by his teachers. He was awarded many accolades in the classroom and for his participation as a Boy Scout. Thampoe arrived in United States in 1975 just before his 16th birthday on a Jesuit Scholarship award to finish high school at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City. He continued his higher education career at Fordham University and received a BS in Biology. He also received both his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Biology from Fordham. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon.
After he completed his doctoral studies, Immac, or Casey as he was known among friends and colleagues, was a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in Tumor Immunology under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City from 1986 to 1990. Following his work at MSKCC, he began to work in the law sector in 1990 during the day while continuing his education at Fordham Law School in the evening, graduating in 1994. His first roles in this area included working in the New York Intellectual Property law firm of Fish & Neave (now part of Ropes & Gray) as a Patent Agent and an Associate in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group of Cummings & Lockwood. He then began working as an in-house patent attorney in multiple positions at Schering-Plough Corporation. Upon the merger of Schering-Plough with Merck & Company in 2009, he was appointed the Managing IP Counsel for Biologics & Vaccines at the combined company. He worked for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY from 2016 with his latest role being Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel-Intellectual Property Portfolio Development. He had over 28 years of patent law experience in the Biopharmaceutical sector. Thampoe was considered a thought leader in his field and a highly sought-after speaker who has chaired and spoken at numerous biotechnology patent law conferences in New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Munich. Thampoe is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and as the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000, has organized its annual Patent Litigation Seminar which features the top patent law practitioners from around the world. He is also a member of Biotechnology Innovation Organization and its Intellectual Property Counsel Committee.
Outside of his education and work, Thampoe played Varsity Squash for Fordham from 1976-1980 and was the manager of the Fordham Squash and Tennis teams during that time. Since 2011, he was a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
May his soul rest in peace!
S. Raymond Rajabalan 07 July 2021
The message from Mr. Linus Aloysius
I watched the historical and memorial farewell service to Juventinus as it was well organized! Especially I admired the eulogy delivered by Bonjean as he related the story of his son from birth to departure! Further his children also honoured their father with music! More than one hundred friends and relations assembled at the church to respect Juventinus! He was a compassionate hero of the East Street Community and the world as he lived to serve everyone on earth! I consider him as superhuman being with humanistic values! Many of us will miss him! I never met him still I admire his graceful and noble qualities!! Let us remember him in our daily prayer!
Linus Aloysius (UK) 29.06.2021
Linus Aloysius (UK) 29.06.2021
Immac “Casey” Thampoe, Alumni Leader and Prominent Patent Attorney, Dies at 62
BY CHRIS GOSIER ON JUNE 24, 2021 ALUMNI NEWS, FORDHAM MAGAZINE
Immac “Casey” Thampoe, a scientist and patent attorney who earned multiple Fordham degrees, at all levels, and served for many years on a committee advising the dean of the University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, died unexpectedly on June 18. He was 62.
Those who knew him described a man who was as humble as he was accomplished, someone who was enthusiastic about science and who readily pitched in to advance the graduate school and help support the education of its students.
“He was so giving, so open to helping people,” said Jay Breyer, Ph.D., GSAS ’81, who served with Thampoe over the past two decades on the leadership committee, formerly known as the dean’s advisory board. “He was always the first person in the room I would go and talk to, because he was just a terrific person, very friendly, open, warm, generous.”
Thampoe was an immigrant from Sri Lanka who earned not only undergraduate and graduate degrees in science from Fordham but also a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School. He lived with his family in Mahwah, New Jersey, and worked at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown, New York, as executive director and assistant general counsel for intellectual property portfolio development.
Accomplished, Yet Humble
He served as president of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and chaired and spoke at many biotechnology patent law conferences in Boston, London, Munich, New York, and San Francisco, according to an obituary from his family. In 2018, he was a recipient of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award, bestowed by the Asian American Business Development Center.
A tennis enthusiast who had managed the squash and tennis teams as a Fordham undergraduate, he was a player captain of U.S. Tennis Association adult teams and led more than 10 teams to the national championships and won a Captain of the Year award in 2017.
And yet, he was quiet—even bashful—about all he had achieved, said his daughter, Emily Thampoe. She added that her father’s Catholic faith “was very important to him and an integral part of his life.”
“I think the fact that numerous people have asked to have him as their child’s godfather is a testament to the kind of person that he was,” she said.
An Immigrant Story
Thampoe came to America to attend Fordham Preparatory School on scholarship, and went on to earn three degrees in biology from Fordham with support from scholarships and assistantships: a bachelor’s degree from Fordham College at Rose Hill in 1980 and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) in 1982 and 1986, respectively. He was a postdoctoral research fellow and research associate in tumor immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering before returning to Fordham for his law degree, which he completed in 1994.
After working in a few law firms’ patent law and intellectual property areas, he served as in-house patent attorney at Schering-Plough and managing intellectual property counsel at Merck before making the move to Regeneron.
He made an impression as a member of the GSAS Dean’s Leadership Committee, a group of alumni leaders, parents, and friends of Fordham who serve as advisers to the dean and as the University’s ambassadors and advocates.
Leadership and Enthusiasm
“It was a real pleasure working with him,” said Tyler Stovall, Ph.D., who became dean of GSAS in July 2020. “He was always very enthusiastic and had lots of solid ideas. He was very interested in bringing more people of color into STEM, and he had a particular commitment to improving the mentoring of graduate students. This is a very sad loss for us; we will miss him greatly.”
Thampoe spoke often to to students in the Graduate School of Arts and Science, in Fordham Law School, and in the undergraduate and graduate programs in biological sciences, and was committed to helping students continue their education through graduate school so they could realize the possibilities for STEM careers, said Michelle Clarkin, director of development for Arts and Sciences.
In 2007, he created a scholarship named for Edward Benedict, GRE ’67, and Robert Hawthorn, FCRH ’53, both of whom were Fordham Prep faculty members, and the latter of whom was coach of squash and tennis at Fordham for more than 50 years. The scholarship benefits undergraduate and graduate students in biology who demonstrate academic merit and financial need.
Breyer recalled a Zoom meeting of the committee in March 2020, as the newly arrived pandemic and its impact on children were weighing on the members. Thampoe lifted their spirits, Breyer said, by describing work being done at Regeneron, which would later develop a breakthrough monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.
“He spoke up and said, ‘Well, let me tell you what my company is doing,’” Breyer said. “It was exhilarating to hear him speak about it, and he was really excited about it. And that excitement, I think, lifted the whole group.”
“He at least gave us hope that … there were scientists that were working on this, and there was light at the end of the tunnel,” Breyer said.
Thampoe was very much involved in the University’s biological sciences department, Breyer said; once, during a trip to the Louis Calder Center, Fordham’s biological field station in Armonk, New York, he could tell Thampoe was “in his element.”
“He loved it, looking at all the research that was going on,” Breyer said.
Thampoe was one of five children, and remained close to his family throughout his life, Emily Thampoe said.
One of his siblings, Dr. Basti Thampoe, described his brother as “the one always there to take care of any need that comes about.”
“[You] can’t ask for a better brother,” he said.
Fordham will be notifying its community about an event focused on memorializing Thampoe, to be held this fall, Michelle Clarkin said.
Thampoe is survived by his wife of 26 years, Virginia; his children, Michael and Emily; his parents, Anna and Joseph Thampoe; his uncle, Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundaranayagam; his siblings Vijitha, Basti, Indra, and Lalanthi; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home in Ramsey, New Jersey. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 28, at 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Mahwah, followed by a private interment.
Those who knew him described a man who was as humble as he was accomplished, someone who was enthusiastic about science and who readily pitched in to advance the graduate school and help support the education of its students.
“He was so giving, so open to helping people,” said Jay Breyer, Ph.D., GSAS ’81, who served with Thampoe over the past two decades on the leadership committee, formerly known as the dean’s advisory board. “He was always the first person in the room I would go and talk to, because he was just a terrific person, very friendly, open, warm, generous.”
Thampoe was an immigrant from Sri Lanka who earned not only undergraduate and graduate degrees in science from Fordham but also a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School. He lived with his family in Mahwah, New Jersey, and worked at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown, New York, as executive director and assistant general counsel for intellectual property portfolio development.
Accomplished, Yet Humble
He served as president of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and chaired and spoke at many biotechnology patent law conferences in Boston, London, Munich, New York, and San Francisco, according to an obituary from his family. In 2018, he was a recipient of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award, bestowed by the Asian American Business Development Center.
A tennis enthusiast who had managed the squash and tennis teams as a Fordham undergraduate, he was a player captain of U.S. Tennis Association adult teams and led more than 10 teams to the national championships and won a Captain of the Year award in 2017.
And yet, he was quiet—even bashful—about all he had achieved, said his daughter, Emily Thampoe. She added that her father’s Catholic faith “was very important to him and an integral part of his life.”
“I think the fact that numerous people have asked to have him as their child’s godfather is a testament to the kind of person that he was,” she said.
An Immigrant Story
Thampoe came to America to attend Fordham Preparatory School on scholarship, and went on to earn three degrees in biology from Fordham with support from scholarships and assistantships: a bachelor’s degree from Fordham College at Rose Hill in 1980 and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) in 1982 and 1986, respectively. He was a postdoctoral research fellow and research associate in tumor immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering before returning to Fordham for his law degree, which he completed in 1994.
After working in a few law firms’ patent law and intellectual property areas, he served as in-house patent attorney at Schering-Plough and managing intellectual property counsel at Merck before making the move to Regeneron.
He made an impression as a member of the GSAS Dean’s Leadership Committee, a group of alumni leaders, parents, and friends of Fordham who serve as advisers to the dean and as the University’s ambassadors and advocates.
Leadership and Enthusiasm
“It was a real pleasure working with him,” said Tyler Stovall, Ph.D., who became dean of GSAS in July 2020. “He was always very enthusiastic and had lots of solid ideas. He was very interested in bringing more people of color into STEM, and he had a particular commitment to improving the mentoring of graduate students. This is a very sad loss for us; we will miss him greatly.”
Thampoe spoke often to to students in the Graduate School of Arts and Science, in Fordham Law School, and in the undergraduate and graduate programs in biological sciences, and was committed to helping students continue their education through graduate school so they could realize the possibilities for STEM careers, said Michelle Clarkin, director of development for Arts and Sciences.
In 2007, he created a scholarship named for Edward Benedict, GRE ’67, and Robert Hawthorn, FCRH ’53, both of whom were Fordham Prep faculty members, and the latter of whom was coach of squash and tennis at Fordham for more than 50 years. The scholarship benefits undergraduate and graduate students in biology who demonstrate academic merit and financial need.
Breyer recalled a Zoom meeting of the committee in March 2020, as the newly arrived pandemic and its impact on children were weighing on the members. Thampoe lifted their spirits, Breyer said, by describing work being done at Regeneron, which would later develop a breakthrough monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.
“He spoke up and said, ‘Well, let me tell you what my company is doing,’” Breyer said. “It was exhilarating to hear him speak about it, and he was really excited about it. And that excitement, I think, lifted the whole group.”
“He at least gave us hope that … there were scientists that were working on this, and there was light at the end of the tunnel,” Breyer said.
Thampoe was very much involved in the University’s biological sciences department, Breyer said; once, during a trip to the Louis Calder Center, Fordham’s biological field station in Armonk, New York, he could tell Thampoe was “in his element.”
“He loved it, looking at all the research that was going on,” Breyer said.
Thampoe was one of five children, and remained close to his family throughout his life, Emily Thampoe said.
One of his siblings, Dr. Basti Thampoe, described his brother as “the one always there to take care of any need that comes about.”
“[You] can’t ask for a better brother,” he said.
Fordham will be notifying its community about an event focused on memorializing Thampoe, to be held this fall, Michelle Clarkin said.
Thampoe is survived by his wife of 26 years, Virginia; his children, Michael and Emily; his parents, Anna and Joseph Thampoe; his uncle, Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundaranayagam; his siblings Vijitha, Basti, Indra, and Lalanthi; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
Visitation will be held Sunday, June 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home in Ramsey, New Jersey. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 28, at 10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Mahwah, followed by a private interment.
Dr. Immac Juventinus Thampoe
Immac Juventinus Thampoe, Ph.D., J.D., or Casey as many knew him, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 18, 2021.
Immac is survived by his wife of 26 years, Virginia and children, Michael and Emily; his parents, Anna and Joseph Thampoe; his uncle Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundaranayagam; his siblings Vijitha (Dudley), Basti (Karen), Indra (late Philip), and Lalanthi (Peter); parents in-law the late John Alfred Singarayer and Rose Alfred; in-laws late Antony (Jeeva), Sylvester (Sharmila), Felician (Sujeeva), and Anne (Kannan); and his many nieces and nephews.
Despite all his accomplishments in the fields of biology, law, and on the tennis court, Immac was a very grounded and humble man who loved his family and friends dearly. Known for his hearty laugh, brilliant smile, and jovial nature, he lit up any room he was in. He enjoyed many things including classic rock music, cooking for his colleagues, family, friends, and teammates, enjoying the culinary offerings of different cultures, gardening, the outdoors, and reading.
Immac was born on February 2, 1959 in Kayts, Sri Lanka and spent most of his childhood and early adolescence in Colombo. He attended St. Benedict’s College in Colombo and spent time as an altar boy and as a Boy Scout. During his time at school, he earned top marks and received many accolades.
Just before his 16th birthday, he was awarded with a scholarship that allowed for him to move to the United States in 1975 to pursue studies in the Jesuit tradition at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City.
He would then go onto pursue Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in Biology on the Rose Hill Campus at Fordham University. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon. After finishing his Ph.D., he worked as a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in tumor immunology at the flagship location of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1986 to 1990. At MSKCC, he worked under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd.
Spending many years as a scientist, Immac began to work in the law field during the day while attending Fordham Law School in the evening, from where he graduated from in 1994. His first forays into the world of patent law include a role as an Associate Patent Agent in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group at Fish & Neave (now Ropes & Gray) and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group at Cummings & Lockwood.
He then spent time in various roles as an in-house Patent Attorney at Schering-Plough Corporation, time as Managing IP Counsel at Merck & Co. after the merger with Schering-Plough, and time at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., most recently as the Executive Director & Assistant General Counsel for IP Portfolio Development.
Immac is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000. He chaired and spoke at many biotechnology patent law conferences in Boston, London, Munich, New York, and San Francisco.
Outside of his illustrious education and work, he played Varsity Squash for Fordham and managed its Squash and Tennis teams. Since 2011, he has been a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
To our dad, who did so much in his life and for us and our mother- we are blessed to have made many wonderful memories with you. We will miss you dearly, may you rest in peace. We love you very much, till we meet again. -Michael and Emily Thampoe
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Immac Juventinus Thampoe, please visit our floral store.
Immac is survived by his wife of 26 years, Virginia and children, Michael and Emily; his parents, Anna and Joseph Thampoe; his uncle Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundaranayagam; his siblings Vijitha (Dudley), Basti (Karen), Indra (late Philip), and Lalanthi (Peter); parents in-law the late John Alfred Singarayer and Rose Alfred; in-laws late Antony (Jeeva), Sylvester (Sharmila), Felician (Sujeeva), and Anne (Kannan); and his many nieces and nephews.
Despite all his accomplishments in the fields of biology, law, and on the tennis court, Immac was a very grounded and humble man who loved his family and friends dearly. Known for his hearty laugh, brilliant smile, and jovial nature, he lit up any room he was in. He enjoyed many things including classic rock music, cooking for his colleagues, family, friends, and teammates, enjoying the culinary offerings of different cultures, gardening, the outdoors, and reading.
Immac was born on February 2, 1959 in Kayts, Sri Lanka and spent most of his childhood and early adolescence in Colombo. He attended St. Benedict’s College in Colombo and spent time as an altar boy and as a Boy Scout. During his time at school, he earned top marks and received many accolades.
Just before his 16th birthday, he was awarded with a scholarship that allowed for him to move to the United States in 1975 to pursue studies in the Jesuit tradition at Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, New York City.
He would then go onto pursue Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in Biology on the Rose Hill Campus at Fordham University. His doctoral research was done under the supervision of Dr. Sergio Abreu and focused on the area of biological characterization of fibroblast interferon. After finishing his Ph.D., he worked as a post-doctoral Research Fellow and Research Associate in tumor immunology at the flagship location of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1986 to 1990. At MSKCC, he worked under Dr. Kenneth Lloyd.
Spending many years as a scientist, Immac began to work in the law field during the day while attending Fordham Law School in the evening, from where he graduated from in 1994. His first forays into the world of patent law include a role as an Associate Patent Agent in the Biotechnology Patent Law Group at Fish & Neave (now Ropes & Gray) and as an Associate in the Intellectual Property Group at Cummings & Lockwood.
He then spent time in various roles as an in-house Patent Attorney at Schering-Plough Corporation, time as Managing IP Counsel at Merck & Co. after the merger with Schering-Plough, and time at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., most recently as the Executive Director & Assistant General Counsel for IP Portfolio Development.
Immac is a past President of the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association, and the chair of the group’s Patent Litigation Committee since 2000. He chaired and spoke at many biotechnology patent law conferences in Boston, London, Munich, New York, and San Francisco.
Outside of his illustrious education and work, he played Varsity Squash for Fordham and managed its Squash and Tennis teams. Since 2011, he has been a player captain of USTA Adult League teams and has led over 10 different teams to the USTA National Championships. He has received many accolades from the USTA including the 2017 Middle States New Jersey Captain of the Year award.
To our dad, who did so much in his life and for us and our mother- we are blessed to have made many wonderful memories with you. We will miss you dearly, may you rest in peace. We love you very much, till we meet again. -Michael and Emily Thampoe
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Immac Juventinus Thampoe, please visit our floral store.
Tribute to Rev. Fr. Maria Xavier!
Rev. Fr. Nicholapillai Maria Xavier - Director of Thiumarai Kalamanram!
This great priest once defined ARTS as stated below.
"Art is gentle, diversified, unified, genuine and is also divine."
Rev. Fr. Maria Xavier who dedicated his entire life for Arts and transformed it into divine service has been called to rest on April 01 after six decades of great service.
Birth and Development of Father Xavier’s personality:
Rev. Father Nicholopillai Maria Xavier was born on 03.12.1939 in Illavalai, Jaffna. He had his early education at St Henry’s College, Iilavalai after which he continued his secondary studies at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna. While at Patrick’s college he joined St. Martin’s Junior Seminary to begin his priestly studies. During his secondary studies he was awarded double promotion twice because of his superior level of intelligence. He then joined the National Seminary, Ampitiya where he completed his Theological studies. He then proceeded to Rome where he completed his higher Theological studies at the age of 22. Soon after that he got a special permission from Pope and was ordained as priest in Rome. Thus Father Xavier became one of the youngest Catholic priests in the world. On his return to Sri Lanka he joined his Alma Mater St. Patrick’s College where he served as a teacher for a brief period simultaneously functioning as the Head of the Department of religious studies. Meanwhile since he was deeply focused on developing Arts he successfully translated an Italian movie ‘“The Secret of Confession“ into Tamil.
Later he proceeded to Tamil Nadu for further studies in Theology where he became influenced by the rhyming speeches and be various plays staged by the members of Karunanithy- Led DMK party. As a result he soon developed himself as a great speaker and was able to contribute to greater understanding between the various communities in Sri Lanka
He soon began to serve in Mannar district where he staged various plays and dramas winning the hearts of the people irrespective of religious differences. Meanwhile making effective use of his popularity among the youth Fr. Xavier wrote the script for the scenes of Crucifixion in Tamil. He was the first ever to stage Passion play in Tamil and was welcomed by the general public from various communities.
He was appointed Parish priest of Urumpirai in 1966 and during that period he got a brain wave that the Art of Drama can be used to develop greater unification among the people of different religions and social levels. Within a short time, his efforts were greatly welcomed by the people of the area. The resourceful priest thus broke the traditional belief that catholic priests must not handle the staging of plays. He soon succeeded in staging a number of plays transforming the society to a great extent. Thus father Xavier soon realized that he was on the correct path to guide the people and began his journey of Arts which he continued successfully for six decades.
“Art is gentle, diversified, unified. genuine and is also divine“
Multi- linguistic Personality and deep - rooted passion for developing the art of Drama Travelling around the globe a number of times to promote Arts, later Father Xavier achieved fluency in various languages including German, Greek Latin, Sinhala, English and Hebrew. He was so empowered by Drama; one can easily conclude that there was no one else in Sri Lanka who developed such deep interest in the field of Drama. It was really the manifestation of his very deep interest that this great priest who had never followed any special course of studies about Drama could stage such high quality stage plays.
Inauguration of Thirumarai Kkalamanram:
A centre for performing Arts known in Tamil as Thirumarai kalamanram was founded by Father Xavier in Urumpirai in 1966 with the hope and long range vision of promoting the value of Dramas and stage plays. Within the past several decades branches of this organization has been established in a number of countries including Canada, Switzerland, Norway, London and Germany.
Nearly 90 books have been released by this organization under the guidance of this great priest. In addition nearly 70 issues of a quarterly Tamil Journal named Kalai Mugam has also been produced with Fr. Xavier as its editor. Apart from these activities this great priest has also has released many issues of an English magazine named Journal of Saiva Sidhtanda studies. Fr. Xavier had also established Kalaithoothu Aesthetic College and an Art institute named Kalaamutram. A number of talented artistes have been moulded by Fr. Xavier through these organizations and they have been able to exhibit their expertise around the globe. Further, the Jaffna – based Centre for performing Arts has been linked with a University in Tamil Nadu and has been able to provide Degree programs . The centre for Performing Arts has been able to stage nearly 20 dance Arangetrams as well as some Miruthanga Arangetrams. All these cultural events were possible only due to the tireless efforts of Fr. Xavier.
Laying the foundation for Fr.Xavier’s interest in Arts
In 1971 Fr. Xavier staged a Passion play titled Anbil Malarntha Kaviyam (An epic that flowered out of Love) within the premises of Jaffna Fort with a cast of more than 300. The following year he travelled to Trichy, South India with a cast of 22 and successfully staged a similar play. In 2003 he travelled to US to attend an International conference about Children and staged a wordless play titled in the Cradle of War that was warmly welcomed by the delegates. In Sri Lanka Apart from this he successfully handled the technique of inserting some symbolic scenes from Tamil literatures alternating them with contemporary events prevailing in the country. Also in 1971 for the very first time he staged a Dance based drama titled Grace and Darkness, amidst the very difficult challenges that prevailed in the country during that period. During 1960’s Father Xavier handled the practice of celebrating Thai Pongal festival. He is hailed as the visionary responsible for celebrating this festival without any religious differences.
His broad minded approach was due to his fluency in various languages and deep appreciation of the plays staged in those languages that was what led him to introduce novel stage techniques in the plays staged by him.
Holder of three Doctoral Degrees
This talented priest had obtained Doctorate of Theosophy thrice. He first obtained a Ph. D in History in London. He was then awarded another doctoral degree in Germany for his research in the field of Saiva sithanda. Later he was awarded an honorary Ph. D Degree by the University of Jaffna.
Awards and Recognition of his talent
In 2019 Jaffna- based Dan Television Group honoured him with a special award as a great Tamil Artist. Apart from those various religious and social organizations have also honoured him on various occasions for his great contribution to the development of ART. A few years ago he embarked on a bold venture making use Tamil as well as Sinhala artistes. His bold venture in promotion peace and reconciliation was warmly welcomed by peace lovers from all the communities. His sincere efforts were recognized by the Government of Sri Lanka which honoured him with the highest award for Peace and Reconciliation.
(This article is based on a speech by S.Lalisan, President of Jaffna Tamil Sangam in 2019 It has recently been revised by the author.)
S. Raymond Rajanalan
"Art is gentle, diversified, unified, genuine and is also divine."
Rev. Fr. Maria Xavier who dedicated his entire life for Arts and transformed it into divine service has been called to rest on April 01 after six decades of great service.
Birth and Development of Father Xavier’s personality:
Rev. Father Nicholopillai Maria Xavier was born on 03.12.1939 in Illavalai, Jaffna. He had his early education at St Henry’s College, Iilavalai after which he continued his secondary studies at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna. While at Patrick’s college he joined St. Martin’s Junior Seminary to begin his priestly studies. During his secondary studies he was awarded double promotion twice because of his superior level of intelligence. He then joined the National Seminary, Ampitiya where he completed his Theological studies. He then proceeded to Rome where he completed his higher Theological studies at the age of 22. Soon after that he got a special permission from Pope and was ordained as priest in Rome. Thus Father Xavier became one of the youngest Catholic priests in the world. On his return to Sri Lanka he joined his Alma Mater St. Patrick’s College where he served as a teacher for a brief period simultaneously functioning as the Head of the Department of religious studies. Meanwhile since he was deeply focused on developing Arts he successfully translated an Italian movie ‘“The Secret of Confession“ into Tamil.
Later he proceeded to Tamil Nadu for further studies in Theology where he became influenced by the rhyming speeches and be various plays staged by the members of Karunanithy- Led DMK party. As a result he soon developed himself as a great speaker and was able to contribute to greater understanding between the various communities in Sri Lanka
He soon began to serve in Mannar district where he staged various plays and dramas winning the hearts of the people irrespective of religious differences. Meanwhile making effective use of his popularity among the youth Fr. Xavier wrote the script for the scenes of Crucifixion in Tamil. He was the first ever to stage Passion play in Tamil and was welcomed by the general public from various communities.
He was appointed Parish priest of Urumpirai in 1966 and during that period he got a brain wave that the Art of Drama can be used to develop greater unification among the people of different religions and social levels. Within a short time, his efforts were greatly welcomed by the people of the area. The resourceful priest thus broke the traditional belief that catholic priests must not handle the staging of plays. He soon succeeded in staging a number of plays transforming the society to a great extent. Thus father Xavier soon realized that he was on the correct path to guide the people and began his journey of Arts which he continued successfully for six decades.
“Art is gentle, diversified, unified. genuine and is also divine“
Multi- linguistic Personality and deep - rooted passion for developing the art of Drama Travelling around the globe a number of times to promote Arts, later Father Xavier achieved fluency in various languages including German, Greek Latin, Sinhala, English and Hebrew. He was so empowered by Drama; one can easily conclude that there was no one else in Sri Lanka who developed such deep interest in the field of Drama. It was really the manifestation of his very deep interest that this great priest who had never followed any special course of studies about Drama could stage such high quality stage plays.
Inauguration of Thirumarai Kkalamanram:
A centre for performing Arts known in Tamil as Thirumarai kalamanram was founded by Father Xavier in Urumpirai in 1966 with the hope and long range vision of promoting the value of Dramas and stage plays. Within the past several decades branches of this organization has been established in a number of countries including Canada, Switzerland, Norway, London and Germany.
Nearly 90 books have been released by this organization under the guidance of this great priest. In addition nearly 70 issues of a quarterly Tamil Journal named Kalai Mugam has also been produced with Fr. Xavier as its editor. Apart from these activities this great priest has also has released many issues of an English magazine named Journal of Saiva Sidhtanda studies. Fr. Xavier had also established Kalaithoothu Aesthetic College and an Art institute named Kalaamutram. A number of talented artistes have been moulded by Fr. Xavier through these organizations and they have been able to exhibit their expertise around the globe. Further, the Jaffna – based Centre for performing Arts has been linked with a University in Tamil Nadu and has been able to provide Degree programs . The centre for Performing Arts has been able to stage nearly 20 dance Arangetrams as well as some Miruthanga Arangetrams. All these cultural events were possible only due to the tireless efforts of Fr. Xavier.
Laying the foundation for Fr.Xavier’s interest in Arts
In 1971 Fr. Xavier staged a Passion play titled Anbil Malarntha Kaviyam (An epic that flowered out of Love) within the premises of Jaffna Fort with a cast of more than 300. The following year he travelled to Trichy, South India with a cast of 22 and successfully staged a similar play. In 2003 he travelled to US to attend an International conference about Children and staged a wordless play titled in the Cradle of War that was warmly welcomed by the delegates. In Sri Lanka Apart from this he successfully handled the technique of inserting some symbolic scenes from Tamil literatures alternating them with contemporary events prevailing in the country. Also in 1971 for the very first time he staged a Dance based drama titled Grace and Darkness, amidst the very difficult challenges that prevailed in the country during that period. During 1960’s Father Xavier handled the practice of celebrating Thai Pongal festival. He is hailed as the visionary responsible for celebrating this festival without any religious differences.
His broad minded approach was due to his fluency in various languages and deep appreciation of the plays staged in those languages that was what led him to introduce novel stage techniques in the plays staged by him.
Holder of three Doctoral Degrees
This talented priest had obtained Doctorate of Theosophy thrice. He first obtained a Ph. D in History in London. He was then awarded another doctoral degree in Germany for his research in the field of Saiva sithanda. Later he was awarded an honorary Ph. D Degree by the University of Jaffna.
Awards and Recognition of his talent
In 2019 Jaffna- based Dan Television Group honoured him with a special award as a great Tamil Artist. Apart from those various religious and social organizations have also honoured him on various occasions for his great contribution to the development of ART. A few years ago he embarked on a bold venture making use Tamil as well as Sinhala artistes. His bold venture in promotion peace and reconciliation was warmly welcomed by peace lovers from all the communities. His sincere efforts were recognized by the Government of Sri Lanka which honoured him with the highest award for Peace and Reconciliation.
(This article is based on a speech by S.Lalisan, President of Jaffna Tamil Sangam in 2019 It has recently been revised by the author.)
S. Raymond Rajanalan
Emeritus Bishop of Mannar Rev. Rayappu Joseph passes away!
The sudden demise of Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, retired Bishop of Mannar Diocese on April.01.2021 has caused great pain and grief among the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and around the globe.
Dr. Rayappu Joseph, the Beacon of Human Rights was born in the island of Delft on April 1940. He had his primary education at the Roman Catholic school in his place of birth followed by his studies at Murungan Maha Vidyalayam. He then joined Jaffna St. Patrick’s college where he continued his secondary education simultaneously beginning his religious studies at St. Martin’s seminary, Jaffna. He then proceeded to continue his priestly studies at St. Paul’s seminary, Trichy after which he returned to Sri Lanka to complete his studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He was ordained a priest by the then Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Jerome Emilianuspillai on Dec.13.1967 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Jaffna. After a few years of serving in various parishes in Jaffna diocese he proceeded to Rome where he completed his Doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Urban University for Pontifical studies. On his return to Sri Lanka he was appointed professor at St. Francis Xavier’s seminary, Jaffna.
A few years later he was consecrated Bishop of Mannar at the Holy shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in 1992 by his predecessor, the then Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam. Bishop Rayappu then continued to provide great service for the Tamil community until his sudden illness in 2015. He retired from active service in early 2016 after which Emeritus Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticola Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swampillai was appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator. A few months later, Rt. Rev Dr. Fidelis Lionel Fernando, who had been serving as Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo was appointed the next Bishop of Mannar in November 2017.
Rev. Bishop Dr. Rayappu Joseph will be long remembered for his dedicated service to the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils and the humanitarian services he carried out to aid the desperate people until his last breath. Instilling confidence in people left abandoned, he looked after several war-affected orphans and widows in dedicated homes. In the interest of rendering service to the community, he worked for the liberation of oppressed people, transcending the limitations that his religious position bound him to.
The late Bishop always advocated the right to self-determination and justice for the Tamils. He was a champion, a legend who pursued human rights, justice, dignity and freedom for his people, reflecting his remarkable nature. The late Bishop was very open on his views during the civil war in the country. He was mostly seen as being a critic of the military’s conduct during the war. Bishop Rayappu worked in close collaboration with the Vatican, international Caritas agencies and countries of the European Union to promote peace in Sri Lanka.
May his soul rest in peace!
Raymond Rajabalan
03 April 2021.
Dr. Rayappu Joseph, the Beacon of Human Rights was born in the island of Delft on April 1940. He had his primary education at the Roman Catholic school in his place of birth followed by his studies at Murungan Maha Vidyalayam. He then joined Jaffna St. Patrick’s college where he continued his secondary education simultaneously beginning his religious studies at St. Martin’s seminary, Jaffna. He then proceeded to continue his priestly studies at St. Paul’s seminary, Trichy after which he returned to Sri Lanka to complete his studies at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. He was ordained a priest by the then Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Jerome Emilianuspillai on Dec.13.1967 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Jaffna. After a few years of serving in various parishes in Jaffna diocese he proceeded to Rome where he completed his Doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Urban University for Pontifical studies. On his return to Sri Lanka he was appointed professor at St. Francis Xavier’s seminary, Jaffna.
A few years later he was consecrated Bishop of Mannar at the Holy shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in 1992 by his predecessor, the then Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam. Bishop Rayappu then continued to provide great service for the Tamil community until his sudden illness in 2015. He retired from active service in early 2016 after which Emeritus Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticola Rt. Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swampillai was appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator. A few months later, Rt. Rev Dr. Fidelis Lionel Fernando, who had been serving as Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo was appointed the next Bishop of Mannar in November 2017.
Rev. Bishop Dr. Rayappu Joseph will be long remembered for his dedicated service to the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils and the humanitarian services he carried out to aid the desperate people until his last breath. Instilling confidence in people left abandoned, he looked after several war-affected orphans and widows in dedicated homes. In the interest of rendering service to the community, he worked for the liberation of oppressed people, transcending the limitations that his religious position bound him to.
The late Bishop always advocated the right to self-determination and justice for the Tamils. He was a champion, a legend who pursued human rights, justice, dignity and freedom for his people, reflecting his remarkable nature. The late Bishop was very open on his views during the civil war in the country. He was mostly seen as being a critic of the military’s conduct during the war. Bishop Rayappu worked in close collaboration with the Vatican, international Caritas agencies and countries of the European Union to promote peace in Sri Lanka.
May his soul rest in peace!
Raymond Rajabalan
03 April 2021.
89th Birthday of Mr. Julius Benedict!
22 July 2021
I congratulate Julius on his birthday!
He was my college mate in St. Anthony's College in Kayts! During that time my college mates were Augustine, Vimalanathan, Selvanathan, Dominic, Vincent, Kingston, Julan, Bishop Tom, Thasan, Thambirajah, Melizon and few others I cannot remember! Almost all of us did well in our life!
Julius's class teacher was George Manuelpollai from Karmpon! He used to wear a white suit! He was a well-built and smart gentleman who was an excellent English teacher! He used to teach English using the textbook "Round the world in eighty days!" My class was just in front of his class and do hear the explanation of the textbook!
Later Julius worked in a petrol station in Kotahena and eventually he worked as a Village headman in Kayts and few places in the Jaffna peninsula! He is a humble and simple as calm and cool human being! I met him few times in Colombo as he is a devoted Christian who was also engaged in social activities in the religious fields! After his retirement, he visited London and Singapore a few times with his wife! He has two children and they are settled in life! Now he is leading a relaxed life with his wife!
I wish him healthy and joyous longevity with my blessings and prayer!
Linus Aloysius
UK
He was my college mate in St. Anthony's College in Kayts! During that time my college mates were Augustine, Vimalanathan, Selvanathan, Dominic, Vincent, Kingston, Julan, Bishop Tom, Thasan, Thambirajah, Melizon and few others I cannot remember! Almost all of us did well in our life!
Julius's class teacher was George Manuelpollai from Karmpon! He used to wear a white suit! He was a well-built and smart gentleman who was an excellent English teacher! He used to teach English using the textbook "Round the world in eighty days!" My class was just in front of his class and do hear the explanation of the textbook!
Later Julius worked in a petrol station in Kotahena and eventually he worked as a Village headman in Kayts and few places in the Jaffna peninsula! He is a humble and simple as calm and cool human being! I met him few times in Colombo as he is a devoted Christian who was also engaged in social activities in the religious fields! After his retirement, he visited London and Singapore a few times with his wife! He has two children and they are settled in life! Now he is leading a relaxed life with his wife!
I wish him healthy and joyous longevity with my blessings and prayer!
Linus Aloysius
UK
Forty-year ago a remarkable history was made as Fr Tom
was appointed as the Bishop of Mannar by the Vatican!
29 June 2021
Mr. Linus Aloysius and Mrs. Chitra Linus with the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundaranayagam
Forty-year ago a remarkable history was made as Fr Tom was appointed as the Bishop of Mannar by the Vatican! Bishop Tom never expected to be appointed as a Bishop by it was the blessings of God!
Today is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul! I visited the Vatican to meet Tom to accompany him to the Shrine of St. Anthony in Padua! Since it was the feast of Peter and Paul there was a dinner and I also joined the dinner party! It was an enjoyable evening and I was introduced to few friends including the director of the college!
I spent the night in the student’s quarters and Tom gave me his bed to sleep and he slept in the visitor’s room! Next day early in the morning, we travelled to Padua by train! He celebrated the Holy Mass in the main altar in Italian and peached in Italian also! Later we visited Venice and took a walk along Mark’s Square! It was supposed to be a romantic square but we never felt any romance! We had our dinner in Venice and returned to Padua as it was cheaper for us to find accommodation in Padua than in Venice!
In the morning we travelled by train to Milan where Tom had many friends and we had a VIP treatment and his friends were joyous that Tom was appointed as a bishop! After spending the night in Milan with his friends, I said Goodbye to Tom! Tom took the train to Rome and I took the train to London! This was my historical memory of Tom! Later he was concentrated as the Bishop of Mannar in Madhu and had an excellent reception accorded to him by the parishioners of Mannar! It was a remote area and he built the Bishop House in Mannar! Later he was translated to Jaffna as the Bishop! Where he served as a courageous and efficient bishop! He was popular with everyone and a highly respected bishop who was also really human in understanding human nature! Now he is retired and leading a peaceful life in Jaffna! He was my classmate and relation and I do admire his graceful and noble qualities with his impartially in understanding human nature!
Let us be proud of him and pray for his health and longevity!
Linus Aloysius (UK)
Today is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul! I visited the Vatican to meet Tom to accompany him to the Shrine of St. Anthony in Padua! Since it was the feast of Peter and Paul there was a dinner and I also joined the dinner party! It was an enjoyable evening and I was introduced to few friends including the director of the college!
I spent the night in the student’s quarters and Tom gave me his bed to sleep and he slept in the visitor’s room! Next day early in the morning, we travelled to Padua by train! He celebrated the Holy Mass in the main altar in Italian and peached in Italian also! Later we visited Venice and took a walk along Mark’s Square! It was supposed to be a romantic square but we never felt any romance! We had our dinner in Venice and returned to Padua as it was cheaper for us to find accommodation in Padua than in Venice!
In the morning we travelled by train to Milan where Tom had many friends and we had a VIP treatment and his friends were joyous that Tom was appointed as a bishop! After spending the night in Milan with his friends, I said Goodbye to Tom! Tom took the train to Rome and I took the train to London! This was my historical memory of Tom! Later he was concentrated as the Bishop of Mannar in Madhu and had an excellent reception accorded to him by the parishioners of Mannar! It was a remote area and he built the Bishop House in Mannar! Later he was translated to Jaffna as the Bishop! Where he served as a courageous and efficient bishop! He was popular with everyone and a highly respected bishop who was also really human in understanding human nature! Now he is retired and leading a peaceful life in Jaffna! He was my classmate and relation and I do admire his graceful and noble qualities with his impartially in understanding human nature!
Let us be proud of him and pray for his health and longevity!
Linus Aloysius (UK)
Birth Centenary Tribute For a War Veteran
Soosaimarian Bastiampillai (Alwyn)
1920 - 2020
Soosaimarian Bastiampillai popularly called Alwyn from the town of Kayts in North Sri Lanka was a gentleman with great qualities. He completed his primary education at Antony’s college. Alwyn moved to Colombo to join the British Army during the height of World War II.
When the Japanese bombers circled over the port of Colombo on Easter Sunday April 5th 1942. He had a miraculous escape. He moved to the lower deck of the ship while holding a jack knife between the teeth. After Alwyn moved to the North where he worked as an operator for Ceylon Transport Board (CTB). He was employed for nearly three decades earning the respect and admiration of his superiors as well as colleagues.
He is credited for his courageous effort in ending a bus strike in the North during late 50’s by mediating between the management of the Northern Province Transport Board and the Drivers union. With his pleasant smile he provided great service to the passengers and won their respect. He was a religious man and dedicated his time to the Parish and directed many festivals.
After retirement he was one the first to settle in the village of Chatty beside the church of Sinthathirai Matha. He and his wife Rose Packiam always had their doors open to welcome the pilgrims who came to visit the church and annual festivals. He was a well-loved gentle man who will be remembered for many years by his family members, hundreds of his relatives and colleagues who served with him in the Northern Province Transport Board.
May his soul Rest In Peace!
When the Japanese bombers circled over the port of Colombo on Easter Sunday April 5th 1942. He had a miraculous escape. He moved to the lower deck of the ship while holding a jack knife between the teeth. After Alwyn moved to the North where he worked as an operator for Ceylon Transport Board (CTB). He was employed for nearly three decades earning the respect and admiration of his superiors as well as colleagues.
He is credited for his courageous effort in ending a bus strike in the North during late 50’s by mediating between the management of the Northern Province Transport Board and the Drivers union. With his pleasant smile he provided great service to the passengers and won their respect. He was a religious man and dedicated his time to the Parish and directed many festivals.
After retirement he was one the first to settle in the village of Chatty beside the church of Sinthathirai Matha. He and his wife Rose Packiam always had their doors open to welcome the pilgrims who came to visit the church and annual festivals. He was a well-loved gentle man who will be remembered for many years by his family members, hundreds of his relatives and colleagues who served with him in the Northern Province Transport Board.
May his soul Rest In Peace!
Captain Emmanuel Anthonisamy!
Captain Emmanuel Anthonisamy was the eldest child of Mastriyar Marshal Emmanuel and Paakiyam Bastianapillai Emmanuel who were residents of East Street Kayts. He was born on August 31, 1912, at the Manipay Green Hospital. He studied at St.Anthony’s College Kayts. After leaving school he worked in the sailing ships that sailed from Kayts harbor to Indian ports and ports in Burma (Myanmar). One of the Burmese ports frequented by the sailing ships from Kayts those days is Akyab (now known as Sittwe). These voyages provided sailors from Kayts to gain experience in ocean sailing. With the experience gained in these sailing ships, he was able to obtain his Master certificate in May 1939 awarded by the Ceylon Government. This qualification enabled him to secure employment at the Colombo Port Commission, the predecessor to the Colombo Port Authority. Before his employment with Colombo Port Commission, he was employed by the Royal Navy during the start of the Second World War.
He married Mercia Hilda Benedict, daughter of Captain H.M. Benedict and Theresamma Benedict on October 19, 1949, in St. Anthony’s Church Kayts. After marriage, both of them lived in New Chetty Street, Kotahena for few months before purchasing the house in Charles Place, Kotahena, and moved there on May 1, 1950. He was a keen sportsman who played Cricket, Tennis, and Volleyball. He captained the Sunrise Sports Club, a cricket team representing East Street in Kayts cricket tournament held in the early 1950s.
During his employment with the Colombo Port Commission, he served as Tug Master on tugs Goliath, Sampson, Hercules, Sinhabahu, and Barana. He became Senior Tug Master at Colombo Port Commission on the retirement of Capt A.F.Lawrence in 1967. This position was held by few other East Street folks; before Capt. Lawrence, by Capt Rasamutthu, Capt M.A.F. Sebapragasam, and following Capt. Anthonisamy by Capt. S. M. Joseph Ariyanayagam and Capt A.T. Sivapragasam.
Captain Anthonisamy retired from Colombo Port Commission on August 31, 1972. A chance event enabled him to launch a second career with the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) for the next five years. In the early days of CSC, most of the officers and engineers were Pakistanis seconded from Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. Lanka Sagarika was to sail from Colombo Port in 2 days and the Pakistani Officer who was to join the ship was unable to join for family reasons.
Captain Anthonisamy was at the wedding reception of Sobany and George and an urgent message relayed by his former boss Master Attendant Capt George Henricus to contact him. Capt Henricus wanted Capt Anthonisamy to sign on and sail in 2 days. He had to apply for passport hurriedly and with the help CSC staff, it was issued the next day with an exit permit stating ‘Urgent Govt. Business”. He sailed in many of the CSC ships such as ‘Lanka Sagarika”, “Lanka Kalyani” and “Lanka Rani”. This enabled him to sail to ports in Japan (Osaka, Yokohama, Kobe), South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Dubai, Kuwait, Basra, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia.
A couple of years after signing off from CSC, he was able to secure employment with a Nigerian shipping company through Wellington’s shipping agency in 1979. He sailed to West African ports and as far north as the Canary Islands from Nigerian ports.
He and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1992 and went to live with their children in Minnesota and Long Island, New York. On their journey to the USA, they stopped for a few days in London and visited relatives living there. Sydney (Chandran) Xavier at that time requested Capt. Anthonisamy to write a narrative about the East Street Sailors. The narrative he wrote is available on the website.
They had an active life in Minnesota and New York. They visited Toronto, Canada many times met with many East Street folks living in Toronto and suburbs.
Captain Anthonisamy passed away on October 4, 2005, in Minnesota, USA. His wife Mercia Hilda Anthonisamy later passed away on December 11, 2016. Both of them are buried in Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in New Hope, Minnesota.
Herman Dharmarajah
U.S.A.
19 August 2020.
He married Mercia Hilda Benedict, daughter of Captain H.M. Benedict and Theresamma Benedict on October 19, 1949, in St. Anthony’s Church Kayts. After marriage, both of them lived in New Chetty Street, Kotahena for few months before purchasing the house in Charles Place, Kotahena, and moved there on May 1, 1950. He was a keen sportsman who played Cricket, Tennis, and Volleyball. He captained the Sunrise Sports Club, a cricket team representing East Street in Kayts cricket tournament held in the early 1950s.
During his employment with the Colombo Port Commission, he served as Tug Master on tugs Goliath, Sampson, Hercules, Sinhabahu, and Barana. He became Senior Tug Master at Colombo Port Commission on the retirement of Capt A.F.Lawrence in 1967. This position was held by few other East Street folks; before Capt. Lawrence, by Capt Rasamutthu, Capt M.A.F. Sebapragasam, and following Capt. Anthonisamy by Capt. S. M. Joseph Ariyanayagam and Capt A.T. Sivapragasam.
Captain Anthonisamy retired from Colombo Port Commission on August 31, 1972. A chance event enabled him to launch a second career with the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) for the next five years. In the early days of CSC, most of the officers and engineers were Pakistanis seconded from Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. Lanka Sagarika was to sail from Colombo Port in 2 days and the Pakistani Officer who was to join the ship was unable to join for family reasons.
Captain Anthonisamy was at the wedding reception of Sobany and George and an urgent message relayed by his former boss Master Attendant Capt George Henricus to contact him. Capt Henricus wanted Capt Anthonisamy to sign on and sail in 2 days. He had to apply for passport hurriedly and with the help CSC staff, it was issued the next day with an exit permit stating ‘Urgent Govt. Business”. He sailed in many of the CSC ships such as ‘Lanka Sagarika”, “Lanka Kalyani” and “Lanka Rani”. This enabled him to sail to ports in Japan (Osaka, Yokohama, Kobe), South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Dubai, Kuwait, Basra, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia.
A couple of years after signing off from CSC, he was able to secure employment with a Nigerian shipping company through Wellington’s shipping agency in 1979. He sailed to West African ports and as far north as the Canary Islands from Nigerian ports.
He and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1992 and went to live with their children in Minnesota and Long Island, New York. On their journey to the USA, they stopped for a few days in London and visited relatives living there. Sydney (Chandran) Xavier at that time requested Capt. Anthonisamy to write a narrative about the East Street Sailors. The narrative he wrote is available on the website.
They had an active life in Minnesota and New York. They visited Toronto, Canada many times met with many East Street folks living in Toronto and suburbs.
Captain Anthonisamy passed away on October 4, 2005, in Minnesota, USA. His wife Mercia Hilda Anthonisamy later passed away on December 11, 2016. Both of them are buried in Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in New Hope, Minnesota.
Herman Dharmarajah
U.S.A.
19 August 2020.
The history of the sailors from East Kayts as recounted by Late Captain Anthonysamy!
According to the history of the “Tindale” families,as I am awareof,the earliest Tindale family of our people were Dimingumuthus and Sinnamuthu.Dimingumuthus Children also were Tindales ( Tindale is a word coming from Malayalam “Tandal”,meaning native petty officer of a sailing ship) Dimingumuyhus children, Asaimuthu, Nadchetram and Saverimuthu(father of Veerasingam,husband ofRosaline and also father of Ambrose (‘bishop”)Sinnamuthu Tindakle had son called Udayar Rasam father of Mary Therese.Udayar Rasam was the Tindale of the sailing ship “VELPURAVI”. Mr Nadchetram was the Tindale of the famous sailing ship”Star of Calcutta”Rasamuthu was the Tindale of KASIANNAPOORANI” The last tindale of our people were Nadchetram and Rasamuthu After them there were no other Tindale among our people Of course Mr J.F.Xavier and Anthonysamy were connected to the sailing ships in order to put in the sea service required to sit for the crew Mate and Master competency examinations.
Mr.Asaimuthu’s last sailing ship was “Musooravijwgam” belonging to Karampon Kayts merchant P.M.T.Thambiaiyah. This sailing ship was anchored at Kayts and the Tindale had gone to Nagapatnam on business. A violent storm occurred and the ship was blown ashore and it became wreck and was lost. Our John Parunandu’s father was killed in this incident Apart from this above Tindales , Sellathampy and Bastiampillai Rasam also were navigators and Tindales. Sellathamby was the father of Karunaisekeram and Bastiampillai Rasam is the father of B.R.Xavier, husband of Agnes.
Besides Capt H.M.William who was a famous navigator from East street his brother H.M.Benedict and M.A.S. Fernando (Kapiyhar) father of Mark Sebapragasam, Capt Sebastiampillai,father of Sinnathurai were also very good Navigators and Captains among our people.
Velpurani Sailing Ship.
Tindale Udayar Rasam and “Samithrapuravi” The Tindale Black Wuilliam father of Thambirajah from Middle Street. Their sailing ships were smaller in size than that of “Star of Calcutta” and “Kasiannapoorani.” They normaly land Tobacco bales“Chipam” from
Kayts and travel to Malabar coast to discharge through Paampan Pass. From Malabar they land Mangaloor Roofing tiles for Colombo tile merchants and return to Colombo with the load of Mangalor Roofing tiles.
In the the olden days our Tindales were not familiar in deep sea navigation to travel to ports of Burma , Chitagon, Akiyal, Rangoon etc When they had to travel to these ports first they traveled to Nagapatnam to pick up experienced Navigators who were mostly Muslims and thereafter they sailed to the above ports of Burma etc.
According to West Street Tindale Manuelthamby,my grandfather Muthukuddy was instrumental in putting the stop to the use of Navigators from Nagapatnam. He taught the art of deep-sea navigation to the Kayts Tindales by introducing to the art of using Mariners Magnetc Compass. My grand father (Periyavidan )and my father Emmanuel were doing the re-magnetizing the Mariners Compass and drawing the Compass Cards at Kayts to indicate the course for the sailing ships. I remember well that in our home at Kayts there was a wooden box known as Compass Box in which all the materials needed to repair the mariners compass were kept. When the men were not available my own mother was able to help the sailors to re-magnetize the compass needles.
The following persons among our people are connected to the sailing ship industry
1. Mr Marcelline –Erominus… making of choir ropes of different sizes for ships
2. Mr Gnanam – Making barrals containers for ships loading etc
3. Senior Vidan – Making various brass items ;Blocks, pulleys to be used with sails
4. Mr B.Rasam – Contracting men for careening (repair,cleaning,painting etc)
The above work was considered important maintenance work for the ship and boys enjoyed going for this work early morning to earn 25 or 50 cents which helped for our pocket expenses . Some boys without coming for work, were present at the sea shore to receive the payment with others.
Apart from the the Tindale families of Kayts there was a gentleman by the name of Ananda, a public spirited man ,a brother-in-law of senior Vidan Dio Fernando and Mr David’s uncle who always promoted our interests. One of the earliest respected people was Henrick Mariampillai, father of Capt H.M.B William Natchetram Saverimuthu (Thodampiar ) was father of post-master Antonypillai Mr.S.F.Jega’s grand father was Caitham Thamby . Santhumuthu, father of Anthonysamy and Soosaipillai-boarding master,Annaviar Thambapillai were very well known among our people.
Muthukuddiyar seems to have been a jack of all trades and master of everything. He was a farmer, a railway station master, an experienced navigator, repairer of scientific articles, re-magnetizing mariners compass, drawing sailors compass cards (Maps) sextant adjustment and repairs. Most of our early men were very brave,daring and strong men. One in particular is Mr.Chelliah Serangu working in the Dredger “Sir John Words”. He owned the house he built in our lane. Mariachi’s Husband, Sinnakuddy’s father-in-law. Blind Thambar also master of coir rope which are normally used for well shardoof in Karampon etc. Senior Vidan Diogu Fernado and my father Emmanuelwere connected with the ‘ Pasu Statue Passion Play” They carved the faces of Christ, Mary etc and the full carving of the Sepuchral Statue of Christ” “Kalarai Surupam”. They also made angels of different sizes to be placed above the Christmas crib.
This was written by Mr Anthonysamy Capt. Master –Tug-boats etc.
Mr.Asaimuthu’s last sailing ship was “Musooravijwgam” belonging to Karampon Kayts merchant P.M.T.Thambiaiyah. This sailing ship was anchored at Kayts and the Tindale had gone to Nagapatnam on business. A violent storm occurred and the ship was blown ashore and it became wreck and was lost. Our John Parunandu’s father was killed in this incident Apart from this above Tindales , Sellathampy and Bastiampillai Rasam also were navigators and Tindales. Sellathamby was the father of Karunaisekeram and Bastiampillai Rasam is the father of B.R.Xavier, husband of Agnes.
Besides Capt H.M.William who was a famous navigator from East street his brother H.M.Benedict and M.A.S. Fernando (Kapiyhar) father of Mark Sebapragasam, Capt Sebastiampillai,father of Sinnathurai were also very good Navigators and Captains among our people.
Velpurani Sailing Ship.
Tindale Udayar Rasam and “Samithrapuravi” The Tindale Black Wuilliam father of Thambirajah from Middle Street. Their sailing ships were smaller in size than that of “Star of Calcutta” and “Kasiannapoorani.” They normaly land Tobacco bales“Chipam” from
Kayts and travel to Malabar coast to discharge through Paampan Pass. From Malabar they land Mangaloor Roofing tiles for Colombo tile merchants and return to Colombo with the load of Mangalor Roofing tiles.
In the the olden days our Tindales were not familiar in deep sea navigation to travel to ports of Burma , Chitagon, Akiyal, Rangoon etc When they had to travel to these ports first they traveled to Nagapatnam to pick up experienced Navigators who were mostly Muslims and thereafter they sailed to the above ports of Burma etc.
According to West Street Tindale Manuelthamby,my grandfather Muthukuddy was instrumental in putting the stop to the use of Navigators from Nagapatnam. He taught the art of deep-sea navigation to the Kayts Tindales by introducing to the art of using Mariners Magnetc Compass. My grand father (Periyavidan )and my father Emmanuel were doing the re-magnetizing the Mariners Compass and drawing the Compass Cards at Kayts to indicate the course for the sailing ships. I remember well that in our home at Kayts there was a wooden box known as Compass Box in which all the materials needed to repair the mariners compass were kept. When the men were not available my own mother was able to help the sailors to re-magnetize the compass needles.
The following persons among our people are connected to the sailing ship industry
1. Mr Marcelline –Erominus… making of choir ropes of different sizes for ships
2. Mr Gnanam – Making barrals containers for ships loading etc
3. Senior Vidan – Making various brass items ;Blocks, pulleys to be used with sails
4. Mr B.Rasam – Contracting men for careening (repair,cleaning,painting etc)
The above work was considered important maintenance work for the ship and boys enjoyed going for this work early morning to earn 25 or 50 cents which helped for our pocket expenses . Some boys without coming for work, were present at the sea shore to receive the payment with others.
Apart from the the Tindale families of Kayts there was a gentleman by the name of Ananda, a public spirited man ,a brother-in-law of senior Vidan Dio Fernando and Mr David’s uncle who always promoted our interests. One of the earliest respected people was Henrick Mariampillai, father of Capt H.M.B William Natchetram Saverimuthu (Thodampiar ) was father of post-master Antonypillai Mr.S.F.Jega’s grand father was Caitham Thamby . Santhumuthu, father of Anthonysamy and Soosaipillai-boarding master,Annaviar Thambapillai were very well known among our people.
Muthukuddiyar seems to have been a jack of all trades and master of everything. He was a farmer, a railway station master, an experienced navigator, repairer of scientific articles, re-magnetizing mariners compass, drawing sailors compass cards (Maps) sextant adjustment and repairs. Most of our early men were very brave,daring and strong men. One in particular is Mr.Chelliah Serangu working in the Dredger “Sir John Words”. He owned the house he built in our lane. Mariachi’s Husband, Sinnakuddy’s father-in-law. Blind Thambar also master of coir rope which are normally used for well shardoof in Karampon etc. Senior Vidan Diogu Fernado and my father Emmanuelwere connected with the ‘ Pasu Statue Passion Play” They carved the faces of Christ, Mary etc and the full carving of the Sepuchral Statue of Christ” “Kalarai Surupam”. They also made angels of different sizes to be placed above the Christmas crib.
This was written by Mr Anthonysamy Capt. Master –Tug-boats etc.
The Sculptors of Kayts East!
28 July 2020.
Nicholaspillai Marechalthamby alias Muthuthikudiyar and his son Marechalthamby Emmanuel alias Emmanuel Mesthriyaar hailing from Kayts East were experts in sculpturing statues of saints for the churches. Muthukudiyar was a famous sculptor known throughout Sri Lanka, especially in the Southern parts of the country. The statue effectively portraying Jesus Christ, after his death, carved by Muthukudiyar is still kept at St. James Church, Mutuwaal, Colombo-15 and St. Joseph’s Church, Alawai. These are the real testimony of his special talent. He was a great artist who achieved name for himself by creating special effect of our Lord on Cross capable of opening and closing of eyes move the head, hands and legs to be used during passion play.
Muthukkudiyar’s son Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar was also an expert in making statues. He made statues of Jesus Christ for the churches in various places including Ilavalai, Pukuduthivu and Mandaithivu. He also carved the statue of Jesus Christ installed at St. Joseph’s Church, Kayts. The statue of St. Anthony constructed with cement and placed on the facade of the left transept of St. Anthony’s Church, Kayts facing Hospital Road is yet another example of the sculpturing talent of Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar.
Most of the statues of Jesus Christ sculptured by these sculptors were used in passion plays to perform the scene of the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Emmanel Mesthiriyaar, his brother Theogu Fernando alias Periyavithanaiyaar and his son Anthonymuthu alias Vithanaiyaar were experts in performing passion play staged in puppet show style, which was very famous in those days. Puppet version passion plays were performed in many parts of Jaffna Peninsula during Lenten Season.
These sculptors were most remarkable members of our community and they were magnificently gifted with the rarest talent. They were genius in their era. Their unique ability to carve with mathematical accuracy was absolutely remarkable. They were sincerely committed and deeply dedicated to the art of creating something with their devotion to glorify God. Their statues were unique because they put their life into their creation. Let us be proud of them and honor them with joy.
May their soul rest in peace!
A list of statues carved by our sculptors is given below:
Nicholaspillai Marechalthamby (“Muthukuttiyar”)
1. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. James Church, Mutuwal, Colombo-15.
Muthukkudiyar’s son Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar was also an expert in making statues. He made statues of Jesus Christ for the churches in various places including Ilavalai, Pukuduthivu and Mandaithivu. He also carved the statue of Jesus Christ installed at St. Joseph’s Church, Kayts. The statue of St. Anthony constructed with cement and placed on the facade of the left transept of St. Anthony’s Church, Kayts facing Hospital Road is yet another example of the sculpturing talent of Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar.
Most of the statues of Jesus Christ sculptured by these sculptors were used in passion plays to perform the scene of the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Emmanel Mesthiriyaar, his brother Theogu Fernando alias Periyavithanaiyaar and his son Anthonymuthu alias Vithanaiyaar were experts in performing passion play staged in puppet show style, which was very famous in those days. Puppet version passion plays were performed in many parts of Jaffna Peninsula during Lenten Season.
These sculptors were most remarkable members of our community and they were magnificently gifted with the rarest talent. They were genius in their era. Their unique ability to carve with mathematical accuracy was absolutely remarkable. They were sincerely committed and deeply dedicated to the art of creating something with their devotion to glorify God. Their statues were unique because they put their life into their creation. Let us be proud of them and honor them with joy.
May their soul rest in peace!
A list of statues carved by our sculptors is given below:
Nicholaspillai Marechalthamby (“Muthukuttiyar”)
1. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. James Church, Mutuwal, Colombo-15.
2. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Joseph Church, Alawai.
3. Crucified statue Of Jesus Christ at No 6, Charles Place, Colombo-13.
3. Crucified statue Of Jesus Christ at No 6, Charles Place, Colombo-13.
Marechalthamby Emmanuel (Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar).
1. The statue of St. Anthony at St. Anthony's Church, Kayts
1. The statue of St. Anthony at St. Anthony's Church, Kayts
2. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Anne’s Church (Ilavalai, Jaffna)
3. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Xavier’s Church, Pungudutivu, Jaffna.
4. The statue of Risen Lord at St. Joseph’s Church, Kayts
5. The statue of St. Philip Neri at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, chatty, Velenai.
6. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Joseph's Church, Kayts.
3. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Xavier’s Church, Pungudutivu, Jaffna.
4. The statue of Risen Lord at St. Joseph’s Church, Kayts
5. The statue of St. Philip Neri at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, chatty, Velenai.
6. The statue of Jesus Christ at St. Joseph's Church, Kayts.
Tribute to Captain Williams!
Sir William Mathews operating ports Colombo (approx 1950s-1970s)/ Immage by Francis Xavier
Our Distinguished Master Mariner of the East Street Community!
He discovered a rock outside the Colombo harbor at sea and he will be remembered forever!
Many seaports in the world have to be dredged from time to time to maintain the same depth or increase the depth of the level of the seawater so that ships can be berthed safely! In the good old days, bucket dredgers were used and later suction dredgers are used! Early days the United Kingdom built two Bucket-Dredgers! One was used in Colombo and another one was used in Australia! Now, of course, these dredgers are the relics of the bygone era!
When the Dredger Sir William Matthew was used in Colombo! She had an English Dredging Master and a Captain! The dredging master was in charge of the dredging operation and Captain was in charge of navigating to the ship to dump the dredged muds into the sea! The first master who commanded the ship was Captain William! He was a remarkable and observant mariner who discovered a rock outside the Colombo Harbor! The rock is named after his name William Rock! His brother Captain Benedict was also supposed to be the master of the ship!
Captain William was first married to one of our relations but she passed away at childbirth and her name was Mary! The second marriage was a Sinhalese lady and her name was Rosaline Silva! It must have been a love marriage and she might have been a Christian as well. He was a cheerful gentleman with a beautiful moustache like a broomstick! He led a calm and cool life with contentment and satisfaction! He greeted and welcomed everyone with a radiant smile!
He had four children, two women and two sons! His eldest daughter was married to Collins who was a tug master in Trincomalee! His second daughter was married to a planter! He had two sons, one was Bernard and the other one was Anton! Both were qualified as Radio Officers trained by the British Admiralty in the UK! One of them worked as a radio officer in the Merchant Navy the other one studied business management in the UK! One married a Chinese and settled down in Singapore and the other one married to an English lady and settled down in the UK! We have no record of them!
His eldest daughter's name was Karunawathie, a typical Sinhalese name and married to Collins! They had one son and two daughters! One daughter passed away! The other daughter is married to Maurice Jegarajasinham! Their son Desmond is still working as a Consultant Surgeon in New Zealand! He is the first in our community to become a doctor! I don't know anything about his brother Captain Benedict! He had eight children but two of them are still alive! One is Julius and the other one is Philomena!
Later Captain J F Xavier took command of the ship! Earlier he was the Senior Tug Master in Trincomalee! The English dredging master before his retirement trained Captain Xavier to be a dredging master as well! Hence Captain Xavier became a dredging and navigating master! His twin position was a lot saving for the Port of Colombo! During his time a suction dredger was brought to Colombo and the Buckdredger became unseaworthy! For some time Captain Xavier commanded the suction dredger and retired!
Sir William Matthew was berthed in the Colombo Harbor and she eventually sank in the harbor! In the nautical expression, she joined the Davy Jones locker!
Our East street community consists of about fifty families but are living in many parts of the world! The farming community which became a seafaring community now has expanded to many professions! The East Street community is in the process of emerging with the global community, not by choice but by the circumstances! So-called community life is breaking up! Because of many nationalities living in innumerable countries around the world! They freely mix hence the identity is going to be the thing of the bygone era!
The future generation will historically speak about the past and their ancestors Some time ago I met a lady from South Africa and she claimed to be Tamil and her name was Suppiah! She could not speak Tamil nor pronounced her name properly! Even now we have many children in our community who can't speak the mother tongue! That is Tamil! Tamil is one of the riches classical languages still are spoken! The other one is Chinese! Our mother is wealthy in literature with excellent axioms and enlightening proverbs! We are a microscopic Tamil community of the East Street Kayts still we can promote our culture, tradition and language!
Linus Aloysius 17th July 2020.
UK.
He discovered a rock outside the Colombo harbor at sea and he will be remembered forever!
Many seaports in the world have to be dredged from time to time to maintain the same depth or increase the depth of the level of the seawater so that ships can be berthed safely! In the good old days, bucket dredgers were used and later suction dredgers are used! Early days the United Kingdom built two Bucket-Dredgers! One was used in Colombo and another one was used in Australia! Now, of course, these dredgers are the relics of the bygone era!
When the Dredger Sir William Matthew was used in Colombo! She had an English Dredging Master and a Captain! The dredging master was in charge of the dredging operation and Captain was in charge of navigating to the ship to dump the dredged muds into the sea! The first master who commanded the ship was Captain William! He was a remarkable and observant mariner who discovered a rock outside the Colombo Harbor! The rock is named after his name William Rock! His brother Captain Benedict was also supposed to be the master of the ship!
Captain William was first married to one of our relations but she passed away at childbirth and her name was Mary! The second marriage was a Sinhalese lady and her name was Rosaline Silva! It must have been a love marriage and she might have been a Christian as well. He was a cheerful gentleman with a beautiful moustache like a broomstick! He led a calm and cool life with contentment and satisfaction! He greeted and welcomed everyone with a radiant smile!
He had four children, two women and two sons! His eldest daughter was married to Collins who was a tug master in Trincomalee! His second daughter was married to a planter! He had two sons, one was Bernard and the other one was Anton! Both were qualified as Radio Officers trained by the British Admiralty in the UK! One of them worked as a radio officer in the Merchant Navy the other one studied business management in the UK! One married a Chinese and settled down in Singapore and the other one married to an English lady and settled down in the UK! We have no record of them!
His eldest daughter's name was Karunawathie, a typical Sinhalese name and married to Collins! They had one son and two daughters! One daughter passed away! The other daughter is married to Maurice Jegarajasinham! Their son Desmond is still working as a Consultant Surgeon in New Zealand! He is the first in our community to become a doctor! I don't know anything about his brother Captain Benedict! He had eight children but two of them are still alive! One is Julius and the other one is Philomena!
Later Captain J F Xavier took command of the ship! Earlier he was the Senior Tug Master in Trincomalee! The English dredging master before his retirement trained Captain Xavier to be a dredging master as well! Hence Captain Xavier became a dredging and navigating master! His twin position was a lot saving for the Port of Colombo! During his time a suction dredger was brought to Colombo and the Buckdredger became unseaworthy! For some time Captain Xavier commanded the suction dredger and retired!
Sir William Matthew was berthed in the Colombo Harbor and she eventually sank in the harbor! In the nautical expression, she joined the Davy Jones locker!
Our East street community consists of about fifty families but are living in many parts of the world! The farming community which became a seafaring community now has expanded to many professions! The East Street community is in the process of emerging with the global community, not by choice but by the circumstances! So-called community life is breaking up! Because of many nationalities living in innumerable countries around the world! They freely mix hence the identity is going to be the thing of the bygone era!
The future generation will historically speak about the past and their ancestors Some time ago I met a lady from South Africa and she claimed to be Tamil and her name was Suppiah! She could not speak Tamil nor pronounced her name properly! Even now we have many children in our community who can't speak the mother tongue! That is Tamil! Tamil is one of the riches classical languages still are spoken! The other one is Chinese! Our mother is wealthy in literature with excellent axioms and enlightening proverbs! We are a microscopic Tamil community of the East Street Kayts still we can promote our culture, tradition and language!
Linus Aloysius 17th July 2020.
UK.
Francis Pathmarajan Joseph!
20 June 2020.
Francis Pathmarajan Joseph was born in Colombo, on 15th August 1951 and had his education, at St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, Colombo. He is the only son of Late Captain Joseph Ariyanayagam and Mrs. Mary Therese Joseph and he has five sisters. It’s worthy to mention that Pathmarajan’s Great-great-grandfather Dimingumuthu, Great-grandfather Manuel Fernando (Asaimuthu), Grandfather Captain M. F. Singaryaer and Father Captain Joseph Ariyanayagam were also well-known seafarers of Kayts.
Career and Service details:
1. On 27th March 1971 he joined M/V Archigetif as a seaman and worked up to 25th May 1972. In his first experience as a seaman he reached the Port Adelaide in Australia.
2. He joined M/V Aliki I P in 27thMarch 1973 and was on board up to1st August 1976.and after long service he signed off from that ship.
3. Within two months he got a chance to join M/V Tarpon Sands which is a sister vessel of Aliki I P in Portside Egypt and was on board the ship up to February 1978.
4. After a long interval he joined M/V Boltive Freezer in Sharjah Port on 21st October 1979and worked on board signed off on 20th May 1981.
5. On 18th August 1981 he joined M/V Azma as Chief Officer at the Port of Sharjah which was plying between Dubai amd Karachchi and back to Sri Lanka on the 15th of October 1982.
6. Again in November 1982 he joined M/V Sea Gloss as Third Officer and worked up to 15th June 1984. On his returned to Sri Lanka he got married to Bernadette Premela daughter of Late Mr. Collins and Late Mrs. Emily Clottilda Williams.
7. Then he joined M/V Petro Star – 9, on the 15th of June 1985 as a second officer and left from Jeddah in June 1986 for enjoying his holidays with his family in Sri Lanka.
8. Within a short period he got a chance to fly to Germany on 10th November 1986 to join the vessel M/V Petria in the capacity of 3rd Officer and signed off on the 6th of February 1989 after a long service of nearly more than two years.
9. On 8th June 1989 within three months he got another chance to fly to New Oliance, USA to join the vessel M/V Nobel as Second Officer and returned to Sri Lanka on 2nd November 19190.
10. On the 3rd of April 1991 he joined the ship M/V Eqwador as Second Officer and worked up to 26. 11. 1992.
11. From 22.12.1993 to 17. 09. 1994 he worked as Second Officer on board the ship M/V Blue Print.
12. On 10th January 1997 he joined M/V Nearchos as Second Office and worked up to 4th October 1997. This is the last and final seafaring duty. After twenty five years of seafaring life, gaining sufficient experience in the Navigational field in various capacities he said good bye to his seaman life.
Presently he is in Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Retired Navigation Officer. He is blessed with three sons namely Keith Sandeep Joseph (UK), Oswin Viran Joseph and Nahshon Akilesh Joseph.
Career and Service details:
1. On 27th March 1971 he joined M/V Archigetif as a seaman and worked up to 25th May 1972. In his first experience as a seaman he reached the Port Adelaide in Australia.
2. He joined M/V Aliki I P in 27thMarch 1973 and was on board up to1st August 1976.and after long service he signed off from that ship.
3. Within two months he got a chance to join M/V Tarpon Sands which is a sister vessel of Aliki I P in Portside Egypt and was on board the ship up to February 1978.
4. After a long interval he joined M/V Boltive Freezer in Sharjah Port on 21st October 1979and worked on board signed off on 20th May 1981.
5. On 18th August 1981 he joined M/V Azma as Chief Officer at the Port of Sharjah which was plying between Dubai amd Karachchi and back to Sri Lanka on the 15th of October 1982.
6. Again in November 1982 he joined M/V Sea Gloss as Third Officer and worked up to 15th June 1984. On his returned to Sri Lanka he got married to Bernadette Premela daughter of Late Mr. Collins and Late Mrs. Emily Clottilda Williams.
7. Then he joined M/V Petro Star – 9, on the 15th of June 1985 as a second officer and left from Jeddah in June 1986 for enjoying his holidays with his family in Sri Lanka.
8. Within a short period he got a chance to fly to Germany on 10th November 1986 to join the vessel M/V Petria in the capacity of 3rd Officer and signed off on the 6th of February 1989 after a long service of nearly more than two years.
9. On 8th June 1989 within three months he got another chance to fly to New Oliance, USA to join the vessel M/V Nobel as Second Officer and returned to Sri Lanka on 2nd November 19190.
10. On the 3rd of April 1991 he joined the ship M/V Eqwador as Second Officer and worked up to 26. 11. 1992.
11. From 22.12.1993 to 17. 09. 1994 he worked as Second Officer on board the ship M/V Blue Print.
12. On 10th January 1997 he joined M/V Nearchos as Second Office and worked up to 4th October 1997. This is the last and final seafaring duty. After twenty five years of seafaring life, gaining sufficient experience in the Navigational field in various capacities he said good bye to his seaman life.
Presently he is in Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Retired Navigation Officer. He is blessed with three sons namely Keith Sandeep Joseph (UK), Oswin Viran Joseph and Nahshon Akilesh Joseph.
50th death anniversary remembrance of
Late Antony Joulain Thampoe!
05 June 2020.
Today we remember the tragic death of my younger brother Late Antony Joulain Thampoe, which happened 50 years ago. He was a B.Com. Graduate from St. Joseph’s University, Trichy, India. When he was working as an Accountant at Samuel & Sons, Jaffna, he detected a massive fraud. Before he could report to the main office in Colombo, he was murdered in Jaffna by unknown individuals.
On the 1st Friday of June 1970, he went for usual morning mass at St. Anthony’s church, Kayts, came back home and was getting ready to go to work, someone abducted him away in a car with his home clothes murdered him and dumped his body in a wooden box, at the unoccupied house of my Periyammah. This was a murder most foul that happened in our birth place Kayts. His untimely death was indeed a tragic loss felt by the entire people of Kayts Island.
My Late Father Mr. N. S. Thampoe, being a devoted Catholic named all his four sons after the Bishops who governed the Jaffna diocese, namely Bonjean, Melizan, Joulain and Brault. It is very unfortunate that all three of my younger brothers have predeceased me.
It is with marked sense of deep sadness, I remember the untimely death of my Late Loving Brother Joulain under unthinkable circumstances, his life was cut short. In Life we loved him dearly, in death, we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose him. He did not go alone for part of us went with him; his love continues to remain in our minds and hearts. Though 50 years have passed, you are always at our side dear brother Joulain.
May God grant you eternal peace and number you among his saints in heaven.
Lovingly remembered
Bonjean Thampoe wife and children.
On the 1st Friday of June 1970, he went for usual morning mass at St. Anthony’s church, Kayts, came back home and was getting ready to go to work, someone abducted him away in a car with his home clothes murdered him and dumped his body in a wooden box, at the unoccupied house of my Periyammah. This was a murder most foul that happened in our birth place Kayts. His untimely death was indeed a tragic loss felt by the entire people of Kayts Island.
My Late Father Mr. N. S. Thampoe, being a devoted Catholic named all his four sons after the Bishops who governed the Jaffna diocese, namely Bonjean, Melizan, Joulain and Brault. It is very unfortunate that all three of my younger brothers have predeceased me.
It is with marked sense of deep sadness, I remember the untimely death of my Late Loving Brother Joulain under unthinkable circumstances, his life was cut short. In Life we loved him dearly, in death, we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose him. He did not go alone for part of us went with him; his love continues to remain in our minds and hearts. Though 50 years have passed, you are always at our side dear brother Joulain.
May God grant you eternal peace and number you among his saints in heaven.
Lovingly remembered
Bonjean Thampoe wife and children.
Captain Joseph Ariyanayagam.
01 June 2020.
Captain Joseph Ariyanayagam was born at Kayts on 05th Oct.1920 and had his early education at St.Anthony's College, Kayts. He is the son of late Capt.M.F.Singarayar and Late Mrs. Soosan Singarayar. He got married on 14th September 1946 to Mary Therese (Sellamary) daughter of late Mr. Emmanuel Marechalthamby (Muthukuddiyar) & Late Mrs. Bastianapillai Pakiyam.
Both Mr. Nicholaspillai Marechalthamby (Muthukuddiyar) as well as his son Emmanuel were well known Master Craftsmen throughout Sri Lanka. Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar was an expert in making statues. The statue of Jesus Christ at St Joseph’s Church, Kayts and the statue of St. Anthony constructed with cement and kept on the façade of the left transept of Kayts
St. Anthony’s church facing Hospital Road are the real testimony of his sculpturing talent.
Before his marriage Captain Ariyanayagam joined Colombo Port Commision and worked as Tug Master in varous Tug boats namely ’Koliath, Herculis, Singhabahu Barana, Nadimitra and Suranimalai'. After the Colombo Port Commission was renamed as Port Authority he continued his services and in 1972 he was promoted as Senior Master of Tugs, a position he took over from his brother in law Late Captain E. Anthonysamy. On one occasion while he was taking a vessel named 'Kumuthini' from Colombo harbour to Kurikadduwan port in the North, he met with an accident due to rough sea and was thrown overboard into the sea at Pamunugama, Negombo. After a few months he once again captained the same vessel to Kurrikadduwan and reached the Port safely. It is noteworthy that Kumuthini is still in service and plying between Kurikadduwan and Delft Island.
He retired on 5th October 1975 and his position was taken over by late Capt. Dhanam Sebapragasam who is also from Kayts East. After the retirement he went to Dubai where he worked in Dubai Port as Captain of the ship called 'Santha Maria’. In 1976, he flew to France and brought a Ship to Dubai. In August 1981 he joined another ship called ‘ASMA’. Soon his son Joseph Pathmarajan too joined as Chief Officer in the same vessel.
After completing his assignment in Dubai Captain Arianayagam returned to Sri Lanka and proceeded to United Kingdom with his wife to spend some time with their daughter Soruba Jothinath. During his stay in London he got sick and passed away on 30.11.1994. His body was brought to No.6; Charles Place, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka accompanied by his wife, daughter and Son in law. His burial took place on the 5th of December 1994 at General Cemetery, Kanette. Captain Arinayagam led an exemplary life earning the appreciation of everyone around him including his employers and colleagues.
(This article was authored by Captain Ariyanayagam’s grandson Akilesh Joseph (Nashon) based on information collected from his grandmother
Mrs. Sellamary Ariyanayam, his father Mr. Joseph Pathmarajan and his uncle Mr. Rajakulendran. It is hoped that our youngsters will use this article as an example and come forward to write about the unique achievements of their forefathers.)
Both Mr. Nicholaspillai Marechalthamby (Muthukuddiyar) as well as his son Emmanuel were well known Master Craftsmen throughout Sri Lanka. Emmanuel Mesthiriyaar was an expert in making statues. The statue of Jesus Christ at St Joseph’s Church, Kayts and the statue of St. Anthony constructed with cement and kept on the façade of the left transept of Kayts
St. Anthony’s church facing Hospital Road are the real testimony of his sculpturing talent.
Before his marriage Captain Ariyanayagam joined Colombo Port Commision and worked as Tug Master in varous Tug boats namely ’Koliath, Herculis, Singhabahu Barana, Nadimitra and Suranimalai'. After the Colombo Port Commission was renamed as Port Authority he continued his services and in 1972 he was promoted as Senior Master of Tugs, a position he took over from his brother in law Late Captain E. Anthonysamy. On one occasion while he was taking a vessel named 'Kumuthini' from Colombo harbour to Kurikadduwan port in the North, he met with an accident due to rough sea and was thrown overboard into the sea at Pamunugama, Negombo. After a few months he once again captained the same vessel to Kurrikadduwan and reached the Port safely. It is noteworthy that Kumuthini is still in service and plying between Kurikadduwan and Delft Island.
He retired on 5th October 1975 and his position was taken over by late Capt. Dhanam Sebapragasam who is also from Kayts East. After the retirement he went to Dubai where he worked in Dubai Port as Captain of the ship called 'Santha Maria’. In 1976, he flew to France and brought a Ship to Dubai. In August 1981 he joined another ship called ‘ASMA’. Soon his son Joseph Pathmarajan too joined as Chief Officer in the same vessel.
After completing his assignment in Dubai Captain Arianayagam returned to Sri Lanka and proceeded to United Kingdom with his wife to spend some time with their daughter Soruba Jothinath. During his stay in London he got sick and passed away on 30.11.1994. His body was brought to No.6; Charles Place, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka accompanied by his wife, daughter and Son in law. His burial took place on the 5th of December 1994 at General Cemetery, Kanette. Captain Arinayagam led an exemplary life earning the appreciation of everyone around him including his employers and colleagues.
(This article was authored by Captain Ariyanayagam’s grandson Akilesh Joseph (Nashon) based on information collected from his grandmother
Mrs. Sellamary Ariyanayam, his father Mr. Joseph Pathmarajan and his uncle Mr. Rajakulendran. It is hoped that our youngsters will use this article as an example and come forward to write about the unique achievements of their forefathers.)
Fr. Dom Victor Rajanayagam
(From the booklet prepared by Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam)
First Holy Mass
It was Dec. 1942 the Church of St. Anthony and the whole of East Street was in a festive mood not only because of the Christmas Season, but it was also the occasion of the visit of the First Priest of East Street to his own Home Parish Church. The proud people of East street had gathered from all parts of the island for this grand and unique occasion when one of their own sons had been raised to the altar. It was a proud day for Mr. Anthonysamy and Sironmany. Their own son had been ordained a priest in Kandy for the Benedictine Congregation by the late Holy Bishop Bernard Regno on the 26th of Dec. and he was going to offer his First Holy Mass in his parental church St. Anthony’s Kayts. The façade of St. Anthony’s was tastefully decorated and uncle Anthonysamy had brought the Pandol made by the famous artist Mr. Manikathamby of Jaffna, for the occasion of National Eucharistic congress held at Colombogam and also for the visit of the then British Governor to the North. All kinds of colored flags were gaily flying in the air adorning the façade. The altar was decorated with freshly brought flowers from Colombo. The walls of the church were festooned with painting of Apostles and Saints. The newly ordained priest Dom Victor Rajanayagam OSB in black robe, along with his Superiors who were Italian missionaries from Kandy with accompanying priests were welcomed by the people at the Kayts Jetty. They were brought in procession to the church. All along the way the new priest and his superiors were showered with garlands of flowers and to the strains of “ Nadduvam” drums and the din of crackers they amidst much pomp and rejoicing . the new priest sang the First Mass in Latin perfectly to the astonishment , wonder and happiness of all. During the Holy Mass, Queeni the eldest daughter of Thambinayagam received her First Holy Communion from the hands of the new priest , her own uncle.
Reception After Holy Mass
After the Holy Mass a grand reception was accorded to the new priest at the especially erected Pandol ( Stage ) during which many speeches were made in praise of the newly ordained priest and the family of Anthonysamy and Sironmany who had proudly given their son to the service of the Church. Presentation of an Address, singing of specially composed Lyrics by Kavinger Sellarasa , giving of Gifts and Offerings were part of the agenda. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Potperior one of the sons of Anthonysamy and younger brother of Fr. Victor , who had just returned after his training in Bombay as Radio- Telegraphic Officer in the Royal Navy. Since he spoke in English the locals didn’t understand it but remarked that he really spoke like an Englishman This function was followed by a sumptuous meal at the spacious presbytery of St. Anthony, Prepared by special cook brought down from Colombo by Mr. Thambinayagm. The Menu included Ice Cream too as desert. Everyone rejoiced at the gift of a new priest for the Church and that from the sons of the soil. The people said that they had never taken part in such a grand celebration
Family of Fr. Victor Rajanayagam.
Victor Rajanyagam was born on 23 Dec. 1914 as the 2nd son of Mr. Santhomuthu Anthonysamy and Vitianal Sironmany , eldest daughter of Marisal Saverimuthu. Mr.Anthonysamy worked uner the Govemement as a Light House Keeper and had to serve in different places including Colombo also. When he retired from his Govt. work, he applied himself to many useful pas-time efforts. He learnt the new science of photography with the help of Mr. Manikathamby, who was a pioneer, in this field in the North. Having obtained the necessary equipment he spent time as a photographer in recording family events like, Marriages, First communion etc. He was a born artist and he cultivated this talent in order to embellish our churches during church feasts and on important occasions. He used to make beautiful long garlands or buntings with colored tissue papers which were in great demand for the decorations in the Churches. Besides this he also painted various scenes of palaces , courts , nature scenes in big wide Canvasses to be used as background drops for stage Dramas. He did painting wall hangings of the figures of Apostles, Martyrs and Saints which were used in the Churches for festive occasions. A versatile man who put his hands to many things, he was very stern with himself and also with others. He was a very regular the church- goer who took care of church till his last.
Early Education
His second son Victor was baptized at St. Anthony’s Church by Fr. Owen OMI on 30th Dec. 1914. He had his primary education at the Vernacular and later in the English School tutored by the SSJ Brothers who along with academic studies also brought him up in deep piety. Fr. William Owen was an Englisman and he sowed the seed of Vocation in young Victor’s mind. His parents sent him to St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna for higher studies where he successfully completed his Matriculation. Rev .Fr. Warmesley , an English Teacher took interest in him and tutored him at St. Patrick’s. He came under the influence of Fr. Charles Mathews, who found that he had the seed of vocation for Religious Life. Recommended by Fr. Charles Mathews and Bishop Alfred Guyomar Young Victor entered the Benedictine Religious order in 1935 and began his Novitiate Training in 1936.Having completed his Philosophical and Theological Training at the then famous papal seminary of Ampitiya , he was ordained a priest on 28th Dec. 1942, by Bishop Bernard Regno OSB at the Kandy Cathedral.
Priestly Ministry in the Diocese of Kandy
Soon after his Ordination he started his priestly ministry at the Wahacotte Shrine of St. Anthony. Fr. Victor was a zealous pastor who loved his people and who took the trouble to know them he was a stylish preacher and an able organizer and administrator. Soon he was appointed to be in charge of the parish of Katugastota where he in no time initiated the work of building a new parish church dedicated to the Sacred Heart. He was a very friendly type of person and he easily made friends with the high as well as the simple of his flock from Katugastota he moved on to the windy and hilly place called Ragal, Closer to Naunoya and N’ Eliya. The Church dedicated to the Holy Rosary was built on top of a hill with a small mission house attached to it. Being a good builder, wherever he went he put up buildings which even now stand proof to his vision and far- sightedness for the development of the church in that place. His loved for the estate workers who constituted the majority of his flock was unbounded. He visited all the estate lines and knew most of the workers by their names. And he was also very friendly with the planters and the officers too. With all these labors for his people his health was not good. From his seminary days he was suffering from bronchial trouble. He became a chronic Asthmatic patient and suffered very much due to it. The cold weather constantly troubled him. When it became acute he had to retire to his room. He had to carry along with him a cumbersome inhaler which he was forced to use even during the celebration of the Holy sacrifice of the mass. But he never stopped preaching in two languages, English and Tamil during Holy Mass. Since he was sickly, this caused lot of sympathy for him from the sick and weak of his flock. He took the trouble to learn some elementary knowledge of medicine and nursing all by himself he got his foreign benefactors to send him western medicine for common ailments and on every Sunday before Mass he was conducting an OPD clinic for the people who were affected by different illness. Many people from the estates came and waited in queues to receive medical attention and also to get his blessing. When he began the Mass it would be almost 10 am and the people patiently waited for him to attend Mass. It was in Latin and he would sing the Mass while the Knvilpillai recited the prayers in Tamil. He was a voracious reader and he used to gather knowledge about things useful for his ministry from his readings. He was a self made person.
Parish of Bogawantalawa.
From Ragala he moved on to Bohawantalawa where he is best remembered even today by the people of the place. He started visiting his flock trying to identify their needs. He visited all the estate- lines and soon became a familiar figure driving around in his similar car. There was always an aura of friendship and happiness around him. People always wanted to be in his company and all were happy to meet him.
His work for the progress of his Flock
He didn’t forget the material welfare of the estate workers who were often neglected and forgotten. He saw the need to provide solid education to the catholic children from the estates. He got down catholic Tamil Teachers from the North and gave them the facility to remain there and impart good education to the children. Children started to come to school, boys and girls in greater numbers. He enlisted the co-operation of the planters. The parents were very appreciative of what he was doing for the development of the children’s education. At Bogawantalawa a spacious Mission house and he threw his whole weight to get this work started. And with the local support as well as help from abroad he was able to complete the work to the happiness of his flock. The family of Mr. George, Tea Maker, was very supportive of him. Mrs. George was a teacher in the Tamil School and maintained strict discipline in the school.
Health Problem
In 1958 holy Bishop B. Regno retired from his Office and Bp Leo Nanayakara succeeded him. The health of Fr. Victor was deteriorating and he found the cold climate aggravating his suffering. Hence he approached the new Bishop for permission to change to a Diocese of milder climate. His attempt to join the Archdiocese of Colombo failed and he decided to leave for the USA to seek a Diocese there. In 1960 he said goodbye to his parishioners and he traveled in the company of his new Bishop for the USA. His first work was to find a suitable parish and he set to work on his failing health. He stayed in a parish in Clifton in the New Jersey Dioceses. His Asthma had become chronic and the periodic bouts left him drained of strength to continue. He took up to the practice of yoga seriously which brought him some relief. Miss I.K.Paranatale a medical nurse from Suttern, NY, Cared for him when he was too sick. Later he shifted to St. Ann’s in Bronx, NY, where he was staying for some time when he was in NY. With the help of some friends and benefactors from the states was able to sponsor a few Srilankans to advance their education and careers in the States. One of the most supportive individuals who helped Fr. Victor in this project was Mrs Anne Kohler of Yonkers NY.
St. Anthony‘s Church and his people
Though he was in the States he did not forget his parental Church in Kayts or his people. He found out that a Church while refurbishing their Sanctuary, were trying to dispose of their old marble altar and many other items along with it. He made a request for these items and was surprised that they were willing to donate all the items to him for a church in the Missions. He contacted some generous benefactors who would stand the cost of sending these items to Colombo. Cambello family, were of assistance to him the Marble altar was taken to parts, carefully numbered and packed for shipping
The Marble Altar for St. Anthony’s Kayts.
When the shipments arrived in Colombo St. Anthony’s people were overjoyed to have so many lovely things to adorn their Church. A marble altar, gunmetal Tabernacle, two life statues of Cherubim in adoration, Mass vestments, Chalices, Ciborium, Candle stands etc. Under the able guidance of Fr. Gnanapragasam the PP of that time, they were assembled patiently by craftsmen brought down from Colombo and in the end St. Anthony’s had a beautiful Altar, all due to the initiative of Fr. Victor.
Fr. Victor: A man of Dreams
One of his dreams was the Greater Kayts Harbor. He used to compare Kayts and Karathivi to Manhatton and New Jersey. He had consulted some engineers and his brother in law, Captain Xavier and had painstakingly drawn blue prints for its future development. He even had taken the trouble to meet some congressmen to lobby for funds with the US Govt. Since he didn’t have an accredited political credentials, nothing came of this meeting. But his action had also created some stirring in Sri Lanka.
Fr. Thomas Savnudaranayagam, his first cousin …
He was very proud that his only first cousin Thomas Savnudaranayagam, son of his maternal uncle Varaprgasam Emmanuel had entered the Kandy Major Seminary for the Diocese of Jaffna. But he could not be present when Bro. Thomas was ordained a priest in 1963. Though he could not be personally present on this occasion, he gifted a beautiful Chalice which was presented by his parents. He also sent a beautiful set of Mass Vestments, Communion Kit and even a Baby portable Olympia type writer to do correspondence.
Time of Purification
While in the States, his health problems as well as away from him own flock made him to be restless. He was searching to discover his mission. Though he was away in USA he returned to Colombo from time to time- On important occasions of his Kith and kin he was present. He could not bring his mind to joining a Diocese in the USA. His restlessness made him in 1967, to go to Australia for some years. He was serving in a parish (St. James Church, Gibe ) in Sydney, He also toyed with the idea of joining an Eastern Orthodox Rite but he never joined there clergy. His health problems persisted in Australia and he returned to Arizona in the Texas province where the climate was of some help. He relocated to Immaculate Conception Parish where he was an associate pastor. He was loved very much by the Native Americans, who considered him to be one of their own native sons. He was able to relate to them easily and work with them closely He led a pilgrimage to our lady of Guadalupe in Mexico with his parishioners and they were very grateful that he took this initiative to help them. Fr. Victor is remembered in Yuma as a Yoga Master (Guru ) he conducted once a week yoga classes at the parish Hall which was well attended . this became the talk of the town He was invited to several important functions in the town to demonstrate the Yoga exercises when officiating at a wedding mass he would wear a silk Talaipa (A Srilankan head- gear ) which was an unique addition to the ceremony. Using Yoga and the wearing of his native head dress
Fr. Victor was sharing his culture and philosophy of life with the native Americans of Yuma, Arizona.
His Visits to Colombo, when he was abroad.
While he was away in Australia , he came down to Colombo to be present at the wedding of Mr. Sydney Xavier and Veera Thambinayagam , Edward Benedict and Chitra Fernandopulle and Nathan to Indrani Xavier, which took place within the same week. He also once attended the Lenten Feast of St. Anthony celebrated in the little islands of Palaithivu in Jaffna. When he was in USA he also came down to conduct the marriage of Queeni Thambinayagam to Johnpulle in the year 1972 and this was last Visit .
The Epilogue
One day in August 1972 he was driving second hand ford Lincoln car, a youngster in his Truck, coming from the opposite direction , lost control and collided with Fr. Victor’s Car and it was a fatal accident. The car was smashed and Fr. Victor became unconscious. Fr. Victor was removed to the St. Joseph’s hospital in phoenix, Arizona and he remained in this unconscious state and after three months succumbed to death in Nov. 1972 at the prime age of 58. His nephew Mr. Milroy Thambinayagam was able to attend the funeral service since he was in the States. Misericordias Domini in aeterum Canatabo ‘’I will sing to your mercies Lord for even.’’
(This small booklet is published as a souvenir at the 60th anniversary of Fr. Victor’s priesthood Dec. 2002)
Sources:
1. Records from OSB Monastery Monefano, Ampitiya.
2. Oral Reports from Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham, Mrs. Helena Xavier and Mrs. Queeni Johnpulle, A.M
It was Dec. 1942 the Church of St. Anthony and the whole of East Street was in a festive mood not only because of the Christmas Season, but it was also the occasion of the visit of the First Priest of East Street to his own Home Parish Church. The proud people of East street had gathered from all parts of the island for this grand and unique occasion when one of their own sons had been raised to the altar. It was a proud day for Mr. Anthonysamy and Sironmany. Their own son had been ordained a priest in Kandy for the Benedictine Congregation by the late Holy Bishop Bernard Regno on the 26th of Dec. and he was going to offer his First Holy Mass in his parental church St. Anthony’s Kayts. The façade of St. Anthony’s was tastefully decorated and uncle Anthonysamy had brought the Pandol made by the famous artist Mr. Manikathamby of Jaffna, for the occasion of National Eucharistic congress held at Colombogam and also for the visit of the then British Governor to the North. All kinds of colored flags were gaily flying in the air adorning the façade. The altar was decorated with freshly brought flowers from Colombo. The walls of the church were festooned with painting of Apostles and Saints. The newly ordained priest Dom Victor Rajanayagam OSB in black robe, along with his Superiors who were Italian missionaries from Kandy with accompanying priests were welcomed by the people at the Kayts Jetty. They were brought in procession to the church. All along the way the new priest and his superiors were showered with garlands of flowers and to the strains of “ Nadduvam” drums and the din of crackers they amidst much pomp and rejoicing . the new priest sang the First Mass in Latin perfectly to the astonishment , wonder and happiness of all. During the Holy Mass, Queeni the eldest daughter of Thambinayagam received her First Holy Communion from the hands of the new priest , her own uncle.
Reception After Holy Mass
After the Holy Mass a grand reception was accorded to the new priest at the especially erected Pandol ( Stage ) during which many speeches were made in praise of the newly ordained priest and the family of Anthonysamy and Sironmany who had proudly given their son to the service of the Church. Presentation of an Address, singing of specially composed Lyrics by Kavinger Sellarasa , giving of Gifts and Offerings were part of the agenda. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Potperior one of the sons of Anthonysamy and younger brother of Fr. Victor , who had just returned after his training in Bombay as Radio- Telegraphic Officer in the Royal Navy. Since he spoke in English the locals didn’t understand it but remarked that he really spoke like an Englishman This function was followed by a sumptuous meal at the spacious presbytery of St. Anthony, Prepared by special cook brought down from Colombo by Mr. Thambinayagm. The Menu included Ice Cream too as desert. Everyone rejoiced at the gift of a new priest for the Church and that from the sons of the soil. The people said that they had never taken part in such a grand celebration
Family of Fr. Victor Rajanayagam.
Victor Rajanyagam was born on 23 Dec. 1914 as the 2nd son of Mr. Santhomuthu Anthonysamy and Vitianal Sironmany , eldest daughter of Marisal Saverimuthu. Mr.Anthonysamy worked uner the Govemement as a Light House Keeper and had to serve in different places including Colombo also. When he retired from his Govt. work, he applied himself to many useful pas-time efforts. He learnt the new science of photography with the help of Mr. Manikathamby, who was a pioneer, in this field in the North. Having obtained the necessary equipment he spent time as a photographer in recording family events like, Marriages, First communion etc. He was a born artist and he cultivated this talent in order to embellish our churches during church feasts and on important occasions. He used to make beautiful long garlands or buntings with colored tissue papers which were in great demand for the decorations in the Churches. Besides this he also painted various scenes of palaces , courts , nature scenes in big wide Canvasses to be used as background drops for stage Dramas. He did painting wall hangings of the figures of Apostles, Martyrs and Saints which were used in the Churches for festive occasions. A versatile man who put his hands to many things, he was very stern with himself and also with others. He was a very regular the church- goer who took care of church till his last.
Early Education
His second son Victor was baptized at St. Anthony’s Church by Fr. Owen OMI on 30th Dec. 1914. He had his primary education at the Vernacular and later in the English School tutored by the SSJ Brothers who along with academic studies also brought him up in deep piety. Fr. William Owen was an Englisman and he sowed the seed of Vocation in young Victor’s mind. His parents sent him to St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna for higher studies where he successfully completed his Matriculation. Rev .Fr. Warmesley , an English Teacher took interest in him and tutored him at St. Patrick’s. He came under the influence of Fr. Charles Mathews, who found that he had the seed of vocation for Religious Life. Recommended by Fr. Charles Mathews and Bishop Alfred Guyomar Young Victor entered the Benedictine Religious order in 1935 and began his Novitiate Training in 1936.Having completed his Philosophical and Theological Training at the then famous papal seminary of Ampitiya , he was ordained a priest on 28th Dec. 1942, by Bishop Bernard Regno OSB at the Kandy Cathedral.
Priestly Ministry in the Diocese of Kandy
Soon after his Ordination he started his priestly ministry at the Wahacotte Shrine of St. Anthony. Fr. Victor was a zealous pastor who loved his people and who took the trouble to know them he was a stylish preacher and an able organizer and administrator. Soon he was appointed to be in charge of the parish of Katugastota where he in no time initiated the work of building a new parish church dedicated to the Sacred Heart. He was a very friendly type of person and he easily made friends with the high as well as the simple of his flock from Katugastota he moved on to the windy and hilly place called Ragal, Closer to Naunoya and N’ Eliya. The Church dedicated to the Holy Rosary was built on top of a hill with a small mission house attached to it. Being a good builder, wherever he went he put up buildings which even now stand proof to his vision and far- sightedness for the development of the church in that place. His loved for the estate workers who constituted the majority of his flock was unbounded. He visited all the estate lines and knew most of the workers by their names. And he was also very friendly with the planters and the officers too. With all these labors for his people his health was not good. From his seminary days he was suffering from bronchial trouble. He became a chronic Asthmatic patient and suffered very much due to it. The cold weather constantly troubled him. When it became acute he had to retire to his room. He had to carry along with him a cumbersome inhaler which he was forced to use even during the celebration of the Holy sacrifice of the mass. But he never stopped preaching in two languages, English and Tamil during Holy Mass. Since he was sickly, this caused lot of sympathy for him from the sick and weak of his flock. He took the trouble to learn some elementary knowledge of medicine and nursing all by himself he got his foreign benefactors to send him western medicine for common ailments and on every Sunday before Mass he was conducting an OPD clinic for the people who were affected by different illness. Many people from the estates came and waited in queues to receive medical attention and also to get his blessing. When he began the Mass it would be almost 10 am and the people patiently waited for him to attend Mass. It was in Latin and he would sing the Mass while the Knvilpillai recited the prayers in Tamil. He was a voracious reader and he used to gather knowledge about things useful for his ministry from his readings. He was a self made person.
Parish of Bogawantalawa.
From Ragala he moved on to Bohawantalawa where he is best remembered even today by the people of the place. He started visiting his flock trying to identify their needs. He visited all the estate- lines and soon became a familiar figure driving around in his similar car. There was always an aura of friendship and happiness around him. People always wanted to be in his company and all were happy to meet him.
His work for the progress of his Flock
He didn’t forget the material welfare of the estate workers who were often neglected and forgotten. He saw the need to provide solid education to the catholic children from the estates. He got down catholic Tamil Teachers from the North and gave them the facility to remain there and impart good education to the children. Children started to come to school, boys and girls in greater numbers. He enlisted the co-operation of the planters. The parents were very appreciative of what he was doing for the development of the children’s education. At Bogawantalawa a spacious Mission house and he threw his whole weight to get this work started. And with the local support as well as help from abroad he was able to complete the work to the happiness of his flock. The family of Mr. George, Tea Maker, was very supportive of him. Mrs. George was a teacher in the Tamil School and maintained strict discipline in the school.
Health Problem
In 1958 holy Bishop B. Regno retired from his Office and Bp Leo Nanayakara succeeded him. The health of Fr. Victor was deteriorating and he found the cold climate aggravating his suffering. Hence he approached the new Bishop for permission to change to a Diocese of milder climate. His attempt to join the Archdiocese of Colombo failed and he decided to leave for the USA to seek a Diocese there. In 1960 he said goodbye to his parishioners and he traveled in the company of his new Bishop for the USA. His first work was to find a suitable parish and he set to work on his failing health. He stayed in a parish in Clifton in the New Jersey Dioceses. His Asthma had become chronic and the periodic bouts left him drained of strength to continue. He took up to the practice of yoga seriously which brought him some relief. Miss I.K.Paranatale a medical nurse from Suttern, NY, Cared for him when he was too sick. Later he shifted to St. Ann’s in Bronx, NY, where he was staying for some time when he was in NY. With the help of some friends and benefactors from the states was able to sponsor a few Srilankans to advance their education and careers in the States. One of the most supportive individuals who helped Fr. Victor in this project was Mrs Anne Kohler of Yonkers NY.
St. Anthony‘s Church and his people
Though he was in the States he did not forget his parental Church in Kayts or his people. He found out that a Church while refurbishing their Sanctuary, were trying to dispose of their old marble altar and many other items along with it. He made a request for these items and was surprised that they were willing to donate all the items to him for a church in the Missions. He contacted some generous benefactors who would stand the cost of sending these items to Colombo. Cambello family, were of assistance to him the Marble altar was taken to parts, carefully numbered and packed for shipping
The Marble Altar for St. Anthony’s Kayts.
When the shipments arrived in Colombo St. Anthony’s people were overjoyed to have so many lovely things to adorn their Church. A marble altar, gunmetal Tabernacle, two life statues of Cherubim in adoration, Mass vestments, Chalices, Ciborium, Candle stands etc. Under the able guidance of Fr. Gnanapragasam the PP of that time, they were assembled patiently by craftsmen brought down from Colombo and in the end St. Anthony’s had a beautiful Altar, all due to the initiative of Fr. Victor.
Fr. Victor: A man of Dreams
One of his dreams was the Greater Kayts Harbor. He used to compare Kayts and Karathivi to Manhatton and New Jersey. He had consulted some engineers and his brother in law, Captain Xavier and had painstakingly drawn blue prints for its future development. He even had taken the trouble to meet some congressmen to lobby for funds with the US Govt. Since he didn’t have an accredited political credentials, nothing came of this meeting. But his action had also created some stirring in Sri Lanka.
Fr. Thomas Savnudaranayagam, his first cousin …
He was very proud that his only first cousin Thomas Savnudaranayagam, son of his maternal uncle Varaprgasam Emmanuel had entered the Kandy Major Seminary for the Diocese of Jaffna. But he could not be present when Bro. Thomas was ordained a priest in 1963. Though he could not be personally present on this occasion, he gifted a beautiful Chalice which was presented by his parents. He also sent a beautiful set of Mass Vestments, Communion Kit and even a Baby portable Olympia type writer to do correspondence.
Time of Purification
While in the States, his health problems as well as away from him own flock made him to be restless. He was searching to discover his mission. Though he was away in USA he returned to Colombo from time to time- On important occasions of his Kith and kin he was present. He could not bring his mind to joining a Diocese in the USA. His restlessness made him in 1967, to go to Australia for some years. He was serving in a parish (St. James Church, Gibe ) in Sydney, He also toyed with the idea of joining an Eastern Orthodox Rite but he never joined there clergy. His health problems persisted in Australia and he returned to Arizona in the Texas province where the climate was of some help. He relocated to Immaculate Conception Parish where he was an associate pastor. He was loved very much by the Native Americans, who considered him to be one of their own native sons. He was able to relate to them easily and work with them closely He led a pilgrimage to our lady of Guadalupe in Mexico with his parishioners and they were very grateful that he took this initiative to help them. Fr. Victor is remembered in Yuma as a Yoga Master (Guru ) he conducted once a week yoga classes at the parish Hall which was well attended . this became the talk of the town He was invited to several important functions in the town to demonstrate the Yoga exercises when officiating at a wedding mass he would wear a silk Talaipa (A Srilankan head- gear ) which was an unique addition to the ceremony. Using Yoga and the wearing of his native head dress
Fr. Victor was sharing his culture and philosophy of life with the native Americans of Yuma, Arizona.
His Visits to Colombo, when he was abroad.
While he was away in Australia , he came down to Colombo to be present at the wedding of Mr. Sydney Xavier and Veera Thambinayagam , Edward Benedict and Chitra Fernandopulle and Nathan to Indrani Xavier, which took place within the same week. He also once attended the Lenten Feast of St. Anthony celebrated in the little islands of Palaithivu in Jaffna. When he was in USA he also came down to conduct the marriage of Queeni Thambinayagam to Johnpulle in the year 1972 and this was last Visit .
The Epilogue
One day in August 1972 he was driving second hand ford Lincoln car, a youngster in his Truck, coming from the opposite direction , lost control and collided with Fr. Victor’s Car and it was a fatal accident. The car was smashed and Fr. Victor became unconscious. Fr. Victor was removed to the St. Joseph’s hospital in phoenix, Arizona and he remained in this unconscious state and after three months succumbed to death in Nov. 1972 at the prime age of 58. His nephew Mr. Milroy Thambinayagam was able to attend the funeral service since he was in the States. Misericordias Domini in aeterum Canatabo ‘’I will sing to your mercies Lord for even.’’
(This small booklet is published as a souvenir at the 60th anniversary of Fr. Victor’s priesthood Dec. 2002)
Sources:
1. Records from OSB Monastery Monefano, Ampitiya.
2. Oral Reports from Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham, Mrs. Helena Xavier and Mrs. Queeni Johnpulle, A.M
Tribute to Late Sabaratnam Master!
Arumugam Sabaratnam
1928 - 2020
1928 - 2020
Teacher, Author and Hindu Scholar, this great gentleman passed away on May.01.2020 at the age of 91
Mr. Sabaratnam, was a very respected and dedicated teacher of Kayts St. Anthony's for nearly three decades. After many years of dedicated service at St. Antony's college he joined Karampon Shanmuganatha Vidyalayam to serve as Principal. In whatever position he served he always took great interest in his students and treated them with respect.
During the peak of his career he wrote history books for grade six to twelve, which were highly appreciated by teachers as well as students throughout the island. In 2003, University of Jaffna awarded him an honorary M.A Degree for his exceptional service in the field of Education. Following is the text of the introductory speech made by Prof. Gopalakrishnan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at that occasion. Today University of Jaffna has honoured Mr.Arumugam Sabaratnam by awarding an honorary Master’s degree in appreciation of his great knowledge of Hindu Philosophy and Comparative religion.
Sabaratnam was born in the village of Naranthanai in the island of Kayts on 30.10.1928 and had his early education at Naranthanai Ganesha Vidyalayam, Sanmarkka Pothana School and then at St.Anthony's College, where he completed his secondary education. He then joined Maharagama Teachers Training College and after graduation he continued to serve at St.Anthony's College. After many years of service at his Alma Mater, he gained admission to the University of Peradeniya in 1964 where he successfully completed his BA Degree with Tamil, Sanskrit and History. At the University he developed contact with scholars such as Pundit. C. Kanapathypillai and Prof. P. Kailasapathy and with their guidance, he was able to further broaden his knowledge of Hindu philosophy. Later on, he was able to travel frequently to India where he had the opportunity to associate with great scholars and gain much deeper knowledge in literature and religion.
At the peak of his career, Sabaratnam wrote a number of books that were very helpful for the younger generations. Between 1980 and 1993 he wrote many literary articles and was able to introduce western literature to the students in the country. During 1989-1990, the authorities in Sweden Uppsala University invited him as a visiting researcher and Sabartnam joined the scholars of that University where he did great service by compiling a list of Books about the religions in Jaffna. He also used this great opportunity to deliver several lectures in University of Stockholm and University of Lund in order to enlighten the western scholars the values of Hindu philosophy. He also submitted a research article about Hindu and Christian religions in Jaffna at a conference in Sweden organized by various religious groups.
While he was in charge of the Tamil section of the weekly newspaper "Saturday Review" he translated the Articles of Capri Marcel Later Sabaratnam joined with Jaffna University Prof. S. Suseenthraraja to compile a book titled "Thoughts of P.Kailasapathy". This book released in 1964 is being used for research in MA degree course in Hindu Civilization. Furthermore this book was the source for another book titled " Kailasabathy Smirithy towards Hindu Philosophy" authored by Dr. Pandithamany M. Kandiah. In 2002 an undergraduate following a Tamil Special Degree course at The University of Jaffna presented an article titled "Literary services by A. Sabaratnam "describing in detail his interest in literature “.
Mr Sabaratnam has served in a number of literary and social organizations and performing great service. Since 1980, he served as the President of Karampon literary Circle for many years He also served as the coordinator of Saraswathy Birinthavanam Trust Fund. In addition to his above responsibilities, he is also served as the secretary of P. Kailsapathy Centenary memorial group. Sabaratnam gained fame and respect for his great knowledge on Hindu Philosophy and Comparative Religious study. He was well respected both in this country and abroad for his vast knowledge of a wide variety of subjects.
After retiring from active service a few years ago he was occasionally engaged in various religious activities His wife pre deceased him and he is survived by his son Pragatheeswaran and daughter Maitreyi. He will be sadly missed by the hundreds of past students and members of the academic circles of University of Jaffna.
During the peak of his career he wrote history books for grade six to twelve, which were highly appreciated by teachers as well as students throughout the island. In 2003, University of Jaffna awarded him an honorary M.A Degree for his exceptional service in the field of Education. Following is the text of the introductory speech made by Prof. Gopalakrishnan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at that occasion. Today University of Jaffna has honoured Mr.Arumugam Sabaratnam by awarding an honorary Master’s degree in appreciation of his great knowledge of Hindu Philosophy and Comparative religion.
Sabaratnam was born in the village of Naranthanai in the island of Kayts on 30.10.1928 and had his early education at Naranthanai Ganesha Vidyalayam, Sanmarkka Pothana School and then at St.Anthony's College, where he completed his secondary education. He then joined Maharagama Teachers Training College and after graduation he continued to serve at St.Anthony's College. After many years of service at his Alma Mater, he gained admission to the University of Peradeniya in 1964 where he successfully completed his BA Degree with Tamil, Sanskrit and History. At the University he developed contact with scholars such as Pundit. C. Kanapathypillai and Prof. P. Kailasapathy and with their guidance, he was able to further broaden his knowledge of Hindu philosophy. Later on, he was able to travel frequently to India where he had the opportunity to associate with great scholars and gain much deeper knowledge in literature and religion.
At the peak of his career, Sabaratnam wrote a number of books that were very helpful for the younger generations. Between 1980 and 1993 he wrote many literary articles and was able to introduce western literature to the students in the country. During 1989-1990, the authorities in Sweden Uppsala University invited him as a visiting researcher and Sabartnam joined the scholars of that University where he did great service by compiling a list of Books about the religions in Jaffna. He also used this great opportunity to deliver several lectures in University of Stockholm and University of Lund in order to enlighten the western scholars the values of Hindu philosophy. He also submitted a research article about Hindu and Christian religions in Jaffna at a conference in Sweden organized by various religious groups.
While he was in charge of the Tamil section of the weekly newspaper "Saturday Review" he translated the Articles of Capri Marcel Later Sabaratnam joined with Jaffna University Prof. S. Suseenthraraja to compile a book titled "Thoughts of P.Kailasapathy". This book released in 1964 is being used for research in MA degree course in Hindu Civilization. Furthermore this book was the source for another book titled " Kailasabathy Smirithy towards Hindu Philosophy" authored by Dr. Pandithamany M. Kandiah. In 2002 an undergraduate following a Tamil Special Degree course at The University of Jaffna presented an article titled "Literary services by A. Sabaratnam "describing in detail his interest in literature “.
Mr Sabaratnam has served in a number of literary and social organizations and performing great service. Since 1980, he served as the President of Karampon literary Circle for many years He also served as the coordinator of Saraswathy Birinthavanam Trust Fund. In addition to his above responsibilities, he is also served as the secretary of P. Kailsapathy Centenary memorial group. Sabaratnam gained fame and respect for his great knowledge on Hindu Philosophy and Comparative Religious study. He was well respected both in this country and abroad for his vast knowledge of a wide variety of subjects.
After retiring from active service a few years ago he was occasionally engaged in various religious activities His wife pre deceased him and he is survived by his son Pragatheeswaran and daughter Maitreyi. He will be sadly missed by the hundreds of past students and members of the academic circles of University of Jaffna.
May his soul rest in peace!
Raymond Rajabalan.
Former student.
Raymond Rajabalan.
Former student.
மனிதம் மிளிரும்
மகத்தான ஆசான்
காவல் நகரோன்
தேடல் நிறைந்தோன்
சேவைக்கு நன்றி! நன்றி!
ஆன்ம சாந்தி! சாந்தி!
Cletus Thuraisingham.
மகத்தான ஆசான்
காவல் நகரோன்
தேடல் நிறைந்தோன்
சேவைக்கு நன்றி! நன்றி!
ஆன்ம சாந்தி! சாந்தி!
Cletus Thuraisingham.
My impression of parish priests and reminiscences in my times!
Linus Aloysius
01 May 2020.
01 May 2020.
1941 Jul 1947 Mar Fr. J. A. Rajanayagam
1947 Mar 1948 Sep Fr. William Jesuthasan
1948 Oct 1950 July Jul Fr. N. A. Benedict
1950 Jul 1953 Apr Fr. Philip Ponniah
1947 Mar 1948 Sep Fr. William Jesuthasan
1948 Oct 1950 July Jul Fr. N. A. Benedict
1950 Jul 1953 Apr Fr. Philip Ponniah
Fr. J. A. Rajanayagam!
When Fr J.A. Rajanayagam was the parish priest, I was a child. He was short and medium built priest. He was also a domineering priest and everyone was afraid of him. He looked like a dictator. I could remember one parishioner at St. Anthony’s church questioned him and he hammered him. It was something shocking for me to watch him hammering the poor fellow Catholic and it was a once upon a time incident. All in all, he was a good-hearted priest but everyone respected him by fear than love. Now the time has changed and our attitudes have been transformed as well for better or worse.
Fr. Victor Rajanayagam!
During his priesthood in Kayts, Fr. Victor Rajanayam was ordained in Kandy and there was a historical and magnificent celebration to honour him and he celebrated the First Holy Mass at the altar at the St. Anthony church. It was also the most memorable event in the history of the East Street Community. He was also the first priest of Kayts. Now, of course, we have priests and nuns among the Middle Street and West Street communities. In the good old days, the Kayts priests were from Karampon. I was a child but I can still remember the songs sung in praise of him. The Holy Mass, celebration and functions were well attended by many dignitaries from many parts of Sri Lanka.
Fr. William Jesudasan!
Fr. William Jesuthasan was a calm and cool priest and not at all exercised his dictatorship as a parish priest and was popular with all the parishioners of Kayts. During his time Fr.A.S. Joseph passed away and he was also the Rector of St. Anthony’s College until Fr. Nicholas Arulnesan was appointed as the rector. Fr. Joseph stayed in St. Anthony’s church refractory. The church had two bedrooms, one reception room and a dining room. He was a smartly dressed priest as he studied in London. He always used to sign his signature and writes his qualification as BA London’s. Anthony’s College had accommodation but occupied by the Society of Joseph Brothers who were in charge of the Tamil School. Fr Jesudasan used to wear Fr. Joseph’s cassocks! Most of us noticed it because Fr Joseph's size of cassocks was too big for him. Fr Jesudasan was least concerned or worried about the cassock.
Fr. N. A. Benedict!
Fr. Jesudasan was succeeded by Fr. Benedict and he had a beard. I think he was the only bearded priest other than the famous Fr Ganapragasar who was an author in Jaffna among the priests. Fr. Benedict was a hilarious priest with humour and I was an altar boy with late Anton Benedict, Bishop Tom, Julan, Vincent, Kingston, Anniston Emmanuel and few others. When we serve for the Requiem Mass, we used to get money. At that time Bishop Emmalinus was the Bishop of Jaffna. Once he took Anton Benedict and me to the bishop house to meet the bishop to join the seminary to become priests. On the way to the Bishop House, we bought bread for our lunch because the Bishop House will give us curry and not food. To our luck, the Bishop was away and that was the end of our story to join the seminary. In the meantime, Hilary Soosaipilai, son of the Station Master who was in the seminary for three years, left the seminary. He also advised us not to join the priesthood. Everything happens for the best! Anton Benedict would have been an excellent priest and I would have been definitely excommunicated for my liberal thinking. Fr Benedict was called the Banker Shunmugampillai as he was a moneylender. He was friendly to me and I really enjoyed his cheerfulness and humour. Anton Benedict used to repeat his sermon word to word. I can recite in Tamil but I do not know how to write in Tamil. His theme of the homily was always the same! "You must control your passion and lust at all times." He was popular with everyone.
Fathers Rajanayagam, William Jesudasan and Benedict belonged to the old school of thought. They were locally educated and trained priests for the parishes. They did preach and served the community to their best of the ability, devotion and skill to the congregation. I do admire them. They were the priests for the time of the era in which they lived and promoted Christianity.
Fr. Phillip Ponniah
Eventually, he was succeeded by Fr. Philip Ponniah. He was an educated priest from a wealthy family. He was a relation of Stampalam Gardiner. He completed his PhD in Canon law in Rome and he was one of the brightest students who attained the highest marks. At that time there three PhD's in Canon Law in Sri Lanka. One Fr. Gurusamy and another one a Sinhalese priest. He was awarded " Summacum Laude." This honour is awarded for a candidate who achieved the highest level in studies. He used to tell us about his achievement in his studies. He was very clever in many activities as he was a dynamic human being. He built a yacht which was highly admirable and remarkable. He was a motorcycle mechanic too as he had a motorcycle. Once I had a ride on it and it was terrifying for me. During his time he appointed me as the head of the altar boys of the St. Anthony’s church. Bishop Tom, Anton Benedict, Julan Thampoe, Kinston, Vincent, Anniston Emmanuel and few others were with me but I was the person who selects the boys for the altar services.
Fr. Ponniah organised various trips and picnics for the altar boy also annual Christmas parties. I took part and participated in all his activities. One tour lasted few days. In that trip, we visited Anuradhapura, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. We climbed the mountain Pedrotalagala the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. The height was 8292 feet. We climbed halfway and returned to the ground level. At times we were covered with the cloud was an unusual experience for us. The scenery was magnificent for us far beyond our imagination driving from Kandy to Nuwarealeliya. The roads were narrow and dangerous but we were teenagers and were an adventure for us. In Kandy, we visited the park, lake and the Temple of the Buddha's Relics. Fr Ponniah did not visit the Temple. During his time, the Catholic Church was extremely dogmatic for the church, no religion existed other than Christianity. Once some of us visited a Hindu Temple, to listen singing, watch dancing and for food. His spies reported us to Fr Ponniah and we were called and warned not to go to any Hindu Temples. I do not think he had any knowledge of other religions. In his time most of the priests in Sri Lanka did not study about other religions. I am writing about the incidents which took place over seventy years ago but the world has changed still religious intolerance exist among the Christian faiths towards other faiths. Even among the Christian faiths difference exists. I was involved with the interfaith organisations in the UK and we had harmonious relationship and tolerance with each other. As a member, I enjoyed the company of many faiths and we always exercised the spirit of unity in diversity. Now I am retired due to my age and health as the involvement means travelling which I gave up.
All in all, we should be grateful to Fr. Ponniah for selecting Tom to become a priest. He not only became a loyal priest but at the end of the day, he became the Bishop of Jaffna to the surprise of many of the priests. He knew I was not a suitable candidate for the priesthood and so it was Anton Benedict or Julan Thampoe. He knew all the teenagers of Kayts. He found Hilary as an ideal boy for the priesthood. The interesting episode in Fr. Ponniah’s life the altar boy he selected to become a priest also became his boss to his pride and joy. That was Bishop Tom. Further, Tom sent Fr Ponniah to Rome for a refresher course in Canon law. Fr. Ponniah was a clever and incredibly talented priest but I don't know why he was not selected to become a Rector of any college but his priesthood life was confined to parishes. All in all, he was a remarkable priest. I will always cherish him in my memory. During his stay in Rome, he also travelled far and wide in Europe. He used to tell us about his stay in Europe on his sermons. I could remember once he mentioned about his stay in London and his travelling on the Underground Trains also about his pilgrimage to Lourdes. This information to the congregation was a surprise!
At that time I never thought that I would ever travel and stay in Europe or visit Lourdes and other places of pilgrimage in Europe but it happened to me as a miracle. I praise St. Anthony and Mother Mary. I visited the Shrine of Anthony in Padua in Italy a few times. Also, our Lady of Fatima shrines a few times. When I was a child Our Lady of Fatima statue was taken around the world including in Sri Lanka. The statue was also brought to Kayts! At that time, I thought will I ever visit the Shrine in Fatima. It so happened that my first as an officer of the ship was to Lisbon and from, I visited the church of our Fatima. I might have visited the church St. Anthony which is at the seafront without knowing that the church was dedicated to St. Anthony as he was born in Lisbon.
Two pearls of wisdom, I learnt from him. He said that we should never use the word busy in our conversation to anyone. It means I have no time for you. We must always courteously say to anyone and everyone that I am ready to listen to you if my guidance is necessary I will advise you. The second one was the words, acquaintance, know him and friend. He is my acquaintance means I met him few times. I know him means just I met him and I heard about him. The friend is a human being who knows all about you. So-called friends never exist but all our associations with the society, friends and relations are all acquaintances and knowing the persons at basic and ordinary level, even husbands and wives nor children don't know each other. In spite of openness, secrets do exist in human relationships. I will never forget his guidance. Since I left Kayts, I never met him but the inspiration he imparted on me I shall always retain within me.
Because Kayts four churches with one parish priest hence in my time parish priest shifted his residence every few months from one church to another. During my time St. Joseph church was incomplete in construction. Hence the parish stayed in St. Mary's, St. Anthony and St. James. These churches have accommodation for the priests to stay. Our church is a blessed shrine as many Western priests including bishops as priests stayed in our church is an honour to us. I can remember Fr Brown an Englishman stayed in our church during the holiday season from St. Patricks College. Fr Joseph and all other rectors stayed in our church.
In my time as a student in the Anthony's Tamil School, the SSJ brothers were Pedropillai, Bernard, Alex and two other brothers. All of them were from Batticaloa and Brother Alex lived up to an over a century. The other teachers were Gnapragam, Swam Pillaiand Rasiah Gnapragasm was the Kindergarten teacher, he taught me as well many of our relations from Thambinayam Senior onward. We used to address him as Chadpiar but later occasion he did not like the word as he wanted to be called Teacher. Rasiah was a well-built teacher. He was also an intelligent teacher. He had an excellent vision of converting the Kayts harbour into a lake. He submitted a letter to the Government that the water daily flows into the sea from Mahaveli Ganga could be diverted to the Kayts harbour by which Kayts harbour could become a lake. With our knowledge of technology, even now it is possible.
Until few years ago most of the priests' were from Ilavali or Karampon. Now the situation has changed with the changing times. Now seminarians are selected from many areas. Further many priests are serving many countries in the Western world the time has changed. During my time in Kayts, Fr Joseph was the Rector and he knew all the members of our community. In the evenings he used to pray walking closer to the seacoast outside our church. He was friendly with my Godmother and mother. I joined the college during his rectorship but after few months he passed away. He had an operation and it was not successful!
In my time the teachers were Nadarajah, Gerard, BM Manuelpillai, Philiplipillai, ARN Nicholas, TS Aruelandam, George Manuelpillai, Fr Karunakaran, Gonsaka and the teacher both were from Kerala, Arokanam, Bastiampillai, Anton Jesudasan.S.A.F.T. Fernando and A. R. N. Nicholas's son. Another teacher named Mariampillai from Naranthani. Apart from George Manuel Pillai, Gozsaka and, Nichols's son, all other teachers taught me. Anton Jesudasan and Nicholas's son were temporary teachers. I met Anton Jesudasan many years ago in London as he was an accountant later, he worked in Singapore. He must be over 88 in age as he was the classmate my bother Alfred.
When I was in Sri Lanka, the population was around 8 million but now the population is 23 million. Even St. Anthony College has expanded with the staff, students and construction of the building. When I was a student the Emmilianus Centre was a cafe.
This is what I have recollected from my memory but I will add more of my reminiscence in due course.
When Fr J.A. Rajanayagam was the parish priest, I was a child. He was short and medium built priest. He was also a domineering priest and everyone was afraid of him. He looked like a dictator. I could remember one parishioner at St. Anthony’s church questioned him and he hammered him. It was something shocking for me to watch him hammering the poor fellow Catholic and it was a once upon a time incident. All in all, he was a good-hearted priest but everyone respected him by fear than love. Now the time has changed and our attitudes have been transformed as well for better or worse.
Fr. Victor Rajanayagam!
During his priesthood in Kayts, Fr. Victor Rajanayam was ordained in Kandy and there was a historical and magnificent celebration to honour him and he celebrated the First Holy Mass at the altar at the St. Anthony church. It was also the most memorable event in the history of the East Street Community. He was also the first priest of Kayts. Now, of course, we have priests and nuns among the Middle Street and West Street communities. In the good old days, the Kayts priests were from Karampon. I was a child but I can still remember the songs sung in praise of him. The Holy Mass, celebration and functions were well attended by many dignitaries from many parts of Sri Lanka.
Fr. William Jesudasan!
Fr. William Jesuthasan was a calm and cool priest and not at all exercised his dictatorship as a parish priest and was popular with all the parishioners of Kayts. During his time Fr.A.S. Joseph passed away and he was also the Rector of St. Anthony’s College until Fr. Nicholas Arulnesan was appointed as the rector. Fr. Joseph stayed in St. Anthony’s church refractory. The church had two bedrooms, one reception room and a dining room. He was a smartly dressed priest as he studied in London. He always used to sign his signature and writes his qualification as BA London’s. Anthony’s College had accommodation but occupied by the Society of Joseph Brothers who were in charge of the Tamil School. Fr Jesudasan used to wear Fr. Joseph’s cassocks! Most of us noticed it because Fr Joseph's size of cassocks was too big for him. Fr Jesudasan was least concerned or worried about the cassock.
Fr. N. A. Benedict!
Fr. Jesudasan was succeeded by Fr. Benedict and he had a beard. I think he was the only bearded priest other than the famous Fr Ganapragasar who was an author in Jaffna among the priests. Fr. Benedict was a hilarious priest with humour and I was an altar boy with late Anton Benedict, Bishop Tom, Julan, Vincent, Kingston, Anniston Emmanuel and few others. When we serve for the Requiem Mass, we used to get money. At that time Bishop Emmalinus was the Bishop of Jaffna. Once he took Anton Benedict and me to the bishop house to meet the bishop to join the seminary to become priests. On the way to the Bishop House, we bought bread for our lunch because the Bishop House will give us curry and not food. To our luck, the Bishop was away and that was the end of our story to join the seminary. In the meantime, Hilary Soosaipilai, son of the Station Master who was in the seminary for three years, left the seminary. He also advised us not to join the priesthood. Everything happens for the best! Anton Benedict would have been an excellent priest and I would have been definitely excommunicated for my liberal thinking. Fr Benedict was called the Banker Shunmugampillai as he was a moneylender. He was friendly to me and I really enjoyed his cheerfulness and humour. Anton Benedict used to repeat his sermon word to word. I can recite in Tamil but I do not know how to write in Tamil. His theme of the homily was always the same! "You must control your passion and lust at all times." He was popular with everyone.
Fathers Rajanayagam, William Jesudasan and Benedict belonged to the old school of thought. They were locally educated and trained priests for the parishes. They did preach and served the community to their best of the ability, devotion and skill to the congregation. I do admire them. They were the priests for the time of the era in which they lived and promoted Christianity.
Fr. Phillip Ponniah
Eventually, he was succeeded by Fr. Philip Ponniah. He was an educated priest from a wealthy family. He was a relation of Stampalam Gardiner. He completed his PhD in Canon law in Rome and he was one of the brightest students who attained the highest marks. At that time there three PhD's in Canon Law in Sri Lanka. One Fr. Gurusamy and another one a Sinhalese priest. He was awarded " Summacum Laude." This honour is awarded for a candidate who achieved the highest level in studies. He used to tell us about his achievement in his studies. He was very clever in many activities as he was a dynamic human being. He built a yacht which was highly admirable and remarkable. He was a motorcycle mechanic too as he had a motorcycle. Once I had a ride on it and it was terrifying for me. During his time he appointed me as the head of the altar boys of the St. Anthony’s church. Bishop Tom, Anton Benedict, Julan Thampoe, Kinston, Vincent, Anniston Emmanuel and few others were with me but I was the person who selects the boys for the altar services.
Fr. Ponniah organised various trips and picnics for the altar boy also annual Christmas parties. I took part and participated in all his activities. One tour lasted few days. In that trip, we visited Anuradhapura, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. We climbed the mountain Pedrotalagala the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. The height was 8292 feet. We climbed halfway and returned to the ground level. At times we were covered with the cloud was an unusual experience for us. The scenery was magnificent for us far beyond our imagination driving from Kandy to Nuwarealeliya. The roads were narrow and dangerous but we were teenagers and were an adventure for us. In Kandy, we visited the park, lake and the Temple of the Buddha's Relics. Fr Ponniah did not visit the Temple. During his time, the Catholic Church was extremely dogmatic for the church, no religion existed other than Christianity. Once some of us visited a Hindu Temple, to listen singing, watch dancing and for food. His spies reported us to Fr Ponniah and we were called and warned not to go to any Hindu Temples. I do not think he had any knowledge of other religions. In his time most of the priests in Sri Lanka did not study about other religions. I am writing about the incidents which took place over seventy years ago but the world has changed still religious intolerance exist among the Christian faiths towards other faiths. Even among the Christian faiths difference exists. I was involved with the interfaith organisations in the UK and we had harmonious relationship and tolerance with each other. As a member, I enjoyed the company of many faiths and we always exercised the spirit of unity in diversity. Now I am retired due to my age and health as the involvement means travelling which I gave up.
All in all, we should be grateful to Fr. Ponniah for selecting Tom to become a priest. He not only became a loyal priest but at the end of the day, he became the Bishop of Jaffna to the surprise of many of the priests. He knew I was not a suitable candidate for the priesthood and so it was Anton Benedict or Julan Thampoe. He knew all the teenagers of Kayts. He found Hilary as an ideal boy for the priesthood. The interesting episode in Fr. Ponniah’s life the altar boy he selected to become a priest also became his boss to his pride and joy. That was Bishop Tom. Further, Tom sent Fr Ponniah to Rome for a refresher course in Canon law. Fr. Ponniah was a clever and incredibly talented priest but I don't know why he was not selected to become a Rector of any college but his priesthood life was confined to parishes. All in all, he was a remarkable priest. I will always cherish him in my memory. During his stay in Rome, he also travelled far and wide in Europe. He used to tell us about his stay in Europe on his sermons. I could remember once he mentioned about his stay in London and his travelling on the Underground Trains also about his pilgrimage to Lourdes. This information to the congregation was a surprise!
At that time I never thought that I would ever travel and stay in Europe or visit Lourdes and other places of pilgrimage in Europe but it happened to me as a miracle. I praise St. Anthony and Mother Mary. I visited the Shrine of Anthony in Padua in Italy a few times. Also, our Lady of Fatima shrines a few times. When I was a child Our Lady of Fatima statue was taken around the world including in Sri Lanka. The statue was also brought to Kayts! At that time, I thought will I ever visit the Shrine in Fatima. It so happened that my first as an officer of the ship was to Lisbon and from, I visited the church of our Fatima. I might have visited the church St. Anthony which is at the seafront without knowing that the church was dedicated to St. Anthony as he was born in Lisbon.
Two pearls of wisdom, I learnt from him. He said that we should never use the word busy in our conversation to anyone. It means I have no time for you. We must always courteously say to anyone and everyone that I am ready to listen to you if my guidance is necessary I will advise you. The second one was the words, acquaintance, know him and friend. He is my acquaintance means I met him few times. I know him means just I met him and I heard about him. The friend is a human being who knows all about you. So-called friends never exist but all our associations with the society, friends and relations are all acquaintances and knowing the persons at basic and ordinary level, even husbands and wives nor children don't know each other. In spite of openness, secrets do exist in human relationships. I will never forget his guidance. Since I left Kayts, I never met him but the inspiration he imparted on me I shall always retain within me.
Because Kayts four churches with one parish priest hence in my time parish priest shifted his residence every few months from one church to another. During my time St. Joseph church was incomplete in construction. Hence the parish stayed in St. Mary's, St. Anthony and St. James. These churches have accommodation for the priests to stay. Our church is a blessed shrine as many Western priests including bishops as priests stayed in our church is an honour to us. I can remember Fr Brown an Englishman stayed in our church during the holiday season from St. Patricks College. Fr Joseph and all other rectors stayed in our church.
In my time as a student in the Anthony's Tamil School, the SSJ brothers were Pedropillai, Bernard, Alex and two other brothers. All of them were from Batticaloa and Brother Alex lived up to an over a century. The other teachers were Gnapragam, Swam Pillaiand Rasiah Gnapragasm was the Kindergarten teacher, he taught me as well many of our relations from Thambinayam Senior onward. We used to address him as Chadpiar but later occasion he did not like the word as he wanted to be called Teacher. Rasiah was a well-built teacher. He was also an intelligent teacher. He had an excellent vision of converting the Kayts harbour into a lake. He submitted a letter to the Government that the water daily flows into the sea from Mahaveli Ganga could be diverted to the Kayts harbour by which Kayts harbour could become a lake. With our knowledge of technology, even now it is possible.
Until few years ago most of the priests' were from Ilavali or Karampon. Now the situation has changed with the changing times. Now seminarians are selected from many areas. Further many priests are serving many countries in the Western world the time has changed. During my time in Kayts, Fr Joseph was the Rector and he knew all the members of our community. In the evenings he used to pray walking closer to the seacoast outside our church. He was friendly with my Godmother and mother. I joined the college during his rectorship but after few months he passed away. He had an operation and it was not successful!
In my time the teachers were Nadarajah, Gerard, BM Manuelpillai, Philiplipillai, ARN Nicholas, TS Aruelandam, George Manuelpillai, Fr Karunakaran, Gonsaka and the teacher both were from Kerala, Arokanam, Bastiampillai, Anton Jesudasan.S.A.F.T. Fernando and A. R. N. Nicholas's son. Another teacher named Mariampillai from Naranthani. Apart from George Manuel Pillai, Gozsaka and, Nichols's son, all other teachers taught me. Anton Jesudasan and Nicholas's son were temporary teachers. I met Anton Jesudasan many years ago in London as he was an accountant later, he worked in Singapore. He must be over 88 in age as he was the classmate my bother Alfred.
When I was in Sri Lanka, the population was around 8 million but now the population is 23 million. Even St. Anthony College has expanded with the staff, students and construction of the building. When I was a student the Emmilianus Centre was a cafe.
This is what I have recollected from my memory but I will add more of my reminiscence in due course.
CEMETERIES WITHIN KAYTS TOWN AREA!
Raymond Rajabalan
15 March 2020.
Kayts Cemetery.
This review takes into consideration of the two cemeteries presently in use in Kayts town area and another one that has been abandoned since early 19th century. Based on the very little information about the events of the past in this and surrounding areas, this brief review has been prepared based on logical analysis supported by available recorded facts..
1. Kayts St. Antony’s cemetery – After its construction was completed, it was blessed on 9th Jan.1876
(Source of information - John H Martyn’s CHRONOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL notes on Jaffna Page.37)
2. Old cemetery within Kayts town
Previous to the construction of St. Antony’s cemetery there was another cemetery in existence and was located near the customs buildings very close to Kayts harbour area. The original date of its construction is not known. However there is a strong possibility to believe it was in use beginning from some point in time during Portuguese period (1505-1658) after the construction of sea fort in 1618. It was in use at least up to the end of 18th century during British rule. I further believe that this cemetery was in use for few more years, even while St. Antony’s cemetery was functioning.
Reason for simultaneous operation of Old cemetery and St. Antony’s cemetery
The reason for the need for two cemeteries to be in operation simultaneously in Kayts town area is that there were several instances of spread of infectious diseases such as Cholera, Small pox etc that seriously affected Kayts and surrounding areas several times during 18th century as well as in early 19th century and claimed the lives of several thousands. In 1846, the entire North Ceylon including the entire Kayts island was seriously affected . Further according to official records found in Martyn’s Notes on Jaffna nearly 10,000 people died in Northern Province between 1866-1867, due to another instance of spread of these diseases.
Abandoning the use of old cemetery
The old cemetery was possibly abandoned a few years after the construction of St. Antony’s cemetery in 1876. In early 19TH century there were excavations done near this cemetery to construct a water tank close to the Kayts market several stacks of skeletons were unearthed from the graves confirming heavy loss of lives during the spread of epidemics in Kayts and surrounding areas. As such it is possible that these skeletons were possibly from the mid 18th century period and even prior to that.
Spread of infectious diseases in Kayts
Even after the frequent spreading of infectious diseases in 18th century, there were spread of several epidemic diseases throughout the island of Kayts during the early part of 19th century during British rule. The exact period of the spread of these diseases is not known but there is evidence that there was a severe spread of infectious disease in Kayts around 1930’s.
Meanwhile late Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev. Alfred Guyomar observing the situation prevailing in Kayts made arrangements to bring a group of nuns of the order of Holy Cross from Kerala to serve the needs of the residents of Kayts island. They arrived in 1931 and began residing within the compound of Kayts civil hospital. There is also evidence that one of the Holy Cross nuns serving in the hospital was affected by a contagious disease and passed away and was buried in St. Antony’s cemetery. There might still be some remains of her tomb in that cemetery. If not, this information might be verified from the nuns at their head quarters located in Jaffna (Beach road, Koyathoddam). Further information might also be available at Jaffna Bishop’s House.
Names of some of those buried in St. Antony’s cemetery
You had requested the names of some people buried in this cemetery to be identified. It is impossible to provide definite information about those who passed away prior to 1960 Since most of us still surviving were born after 1940. Here are several hundreds of people including many of my close relatives, including my father and it is difficult to pinpoint the name of any one of them.
However, I am mentioning below the names of a few whom I knew
1. Mr. Anthonymuthu, former Village Headman of Kayts, from Kayts East. His old residence is one of the colonial buildings which picture was used for your thesis. One of his children is Rexi Anton who provided lots of information for your project.
2. There was a tragic Train accident in October 1964 when there was derailment at Mirigama. It claimed the lives of many including the mother and sister of Emeritus Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam. They were also buried within this cemetery.
Those who are still residing in Kayts could help you in identifying some of the others buried in this cemetery
Some Notes about a Tomb in the old cemetery of Kayts
(News Source: Tamil Net news website)
Tamil Christian epitaph of significance found in Kayts Old Cemetery
1. Kayts St. Antony’s cemetery – After its construction was completed, it was blessed on 9th Jan.1876
(Source of information - John H Martyn’s CHRONOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL notes on Jaffna Page.37)
2. Old cemetery within Kayts town
Previous to the construction of St. Antony’s cemetery there was another cemetery in existence and was located near the customs buildings very close to Kayts harbour area. The original date of its construction is not known. However there is a strong possibility to believe it was in use beginning from some point in time during Portuguese period (1505-1658) after the construction of sea fort in 1618. It was in use at least up to the end of 18th century during British rule. I further believe that this cemetery was in use for few more years, even while St. Antony’s cemetery was functioning.
Reason for simultaneous operation of Old cemetery and St. Antony’s cemetery
The reason for the need for two cemeteries to be in operation simultaneously in Kayts town area is that there were several instances of spread of infectious diseases such as Cholera, Small pox etc that seriously affected Kayts and surrounding areas several times during 18th century as well as in early 19th century and claimed the lives of several thousands. In 1846, the entire North Ceylon including the entire Kayts island was seriously affected . Further according to official records found in Martyn’s Notes on Jaffna nearly 10,000 people died in Northern Province between 1866-1867, due to another instance of spread of these diseases.
Abandoning the use of old cemetery
The old cemetery was possibly abandoned a few years after the construction of St. Antony’s cemetery in 1876. In early 19TH century there were excavations done near this cemetery to construct a water tank close to the Kayts market several stacks of skeletons were unearthed from the graves confirming heavy loss of lives during the spread of epidemics in Kayts and surrounding areas. As such it is possible that these skeletons were possibly from the mid 18th century period and even prior to that.
Spread of infectious diseases in Kayts
Even after the frequent spreading of infectious diseases in 18th century, there were spread of several epidemic diseases throughout the island of Kayts during the early part of 19th century during British rule. The exact period of the spread of these diseases is not known but there is evidence that there was a severe spread of infectious disease in Kayts around 1930’s.
Meanwhile late Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev. Alfred Guyomar observing the situation prevailing in Kayts made arrangements to bring a group of nuns of the order of Holy Cross from Kerala to serve the needs of the residents of Kayts island. They arrived in 1931 and began residing within the compound of Kayts civil hospital. There is also evidence that one of the Holy Cross nuns serving in the hospital was affected by a contagious disease and passed away and was buried in St. Antony’s cemetery. There might still be some remains of her tomb in that cemetery. If not, this information might be verified from the nuns at their head quarters located in Jaffna (Beach road, Koyathoddam). Further information might also be available at Jaffna Bishop’s House.
Names of some of those buried in St. Antony’s cemetery
You had requested the names of some people buried in this cemetery to be identified. It is impossible to provide definite information about those who passed away prior to 1960 Since most of us still surviving were born after 1940. Here are several hundreds of people including many of my close relatives, including my father and it is difficult to pinpoint the name of any one of them.
However, I am mentioning below the names of a few whom I knew
1. Mr. Anthonymuthu, former Village Headman of Kayts, from Kayts East. His old residence is one of the colonial buildings which picture was used for your thesis. One of his children is Rexi Anton who provided lots of information for your project.
2. There was a tragic Train accident in October 1964 when there was derailment at Mirigama. It claimed the lives of many including the mother and sister of Emeritus Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam. They were also buried within this cemetery.
Those who are still residing in Kayts could help you in identifying some of the others buried in this cemetery
Some Notes about a Tomb in the old cemetery of Kayts
(News Source: Tamil Net news website)
Tamil Christian epitaph of significance found in Kayts Old Cemetery
An interesting early 19th century Tamil epitaph found on a tomb in Kayts in 2009, evidences the usage of the word ‘Aariyar’ in Christian context, says Professor P. Pushparatnam, Head of the Department of History of the University of Jaffna, who brought the epitaph to notice and read it. According to local media reported, his finding, the tomb of one Ales Francis Cruz, died in 1827 was found behind the old customs building at the Kayts port. The text of the epitaph, which is in Tamil and read by Prof. Pushparatnam follows:
1827 Thai month 27th date (in Tamil numerals and symbols for month and date) Naakapad’nam Aariyar Ales Piraagnchis Kurus ”It was a tomb of a Christian, Ales Francis Cruz, from Naakappadinam in the Coromandal Coast of Tamil Nadu who died on the 27th date of the Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) of the year 1827. According to Tamil dictionaries made in the 19th century, one of the several shades of meaning for the word Aariyar (Arya in Sanskrit) is a foreigner or a person of a foreign faith. The epitaph comes out with the title ‘Aariyar’ for the deceased probably to indicate his Christian faith, priesthood or to indicate that he was a Christian of foreign (European) origin even though coming from Naakappaddinam. Cruz is a common title even today, especially among the Catholics of Mannaar. Following the old tradition of Tamil writing, as seen in inscriptions and palm leaf manuscripts, dots on consonants are avoided in the epitaph. The location of the tomb is believed to be a burial ground for war or epidemic victims of the by-gone centuries, as locals remember seeing large number of skeletons in collective burials when the place was cleared sometimes back, Dr. Pushparatnam said.
Note : Kayts or Ooraath-thurai was an important harbor in ancient and colonial times. The celebrated Saint, Francis Xavier, visited the harbour in mid 16th century and introduced the faith, according to Catholic traditions.
3. St. James cemetery – (Kayts West)
There are no official records available regarding the date of construction of this cemetery located at the end of Camp Road within Kays town. However it appears that this was primarily built for the use of the parishioners of Kayts St. James Church
However it was possible that it was also used to bury some of the members of the families of colonial rulers beginning from the time of Dutch. This is quite possible since the soldiers and civilians of the families of colonial rulers used to live in the two nearby forts(one located in the Sea and another on land, in a nearby area called Oorundi) and any deceased members of their families could have been buried in this cemetery. There were still some tombs with Dutch names beginning with Van (Van Dyke, VanRoyen etc) within this cemetery when I visited the cemetery about 55 years ago. It is quite possible there are some remnants of the old tombs of Portuguese as well as British still within this cemetery.
Some notes about the Forts in Kayts
Sea Fort or Water Fort
1827 Thai month 27th date (in Tamil numerals and symbols for month and date) Naakapad’nam Aariyar Ales Piraagnchis Kurus ”It was a tomb of a Christian, Ales Francis Cruz, from Naakappadinam in the Coromandal Coast of Tamil Nadu who died on the 27th date of the Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) of the year 1827. According to Tamil dictionaries made in the 19th century, one of the several shades of meaning for the word Aariyar (Arya in Sanskrit) is a foreigner or a person of a foreign faith. The epitaph comes out with the title ‘Aariyar’ for the deceased probably to indicate his Christian faith, priesthood or to indicate that he was a Christian of foreign (European) origin even though coming from Naakappaddinam. Cruz is a common title even today, especially among the Catholics of Mannaar. Following the old tradition of Tamil writing, as seen in inscriptions and palm leaf manuscripts, dots on consonants are avoided in the epitaph. The location of the tomb is believed to be a burial ground for war or epidemic victims of the by-gone centuries, as locals remember seeing large number of skeletons in collective burials when the place was cleared sometimes back, Dr. Pushparatnam said.
Note : Kayts or Ooraath-thurai was an important harbor in ancient and colonial times. The celebrated Saint, Francis Xavier, visited the harbour in mid 16th century and introduced the faith, according to Catholic traditions.
3. St. James cemetery – (Kayts West)
There are no official records available regarding the date of construction of this cemetery located at the end of Camp Road within Kays town. However it appears that this was primarily built for the use of the parishioners of Kayts St. James Church
However it was possible that it was also used to bury some of the members of the families of colonial rulers beginning from the time of Dutch. This is quite possible since the soldiers and civilians of the families of colonial rulers used to live in the two nearby forts(one located in the Sea and another on land, in a nearby area called Oorundi) and any deceased members of their families could have been buried in this cemetery. There were still some tombs with Dutch names beginning with Van (Van Dyke, VanRoyen etc) within this cemetery when I visited the cemetery about 55 years ago. It is quite possible there are some remnants of the old tombs of Portuguese as well as British still within this cemetery.
Some notes about the Forts in Kayts
Sea Fort or Water Fort
The Fort within the sea was constructed by Portuguese in 1618 on a small island between Kayts and Karaitivu and was named Fortaleza Real (Fort Royal) or Fortalaza do Cais (Fort of the River). It should be noted that Portuguese named the Kayts Island as Cais. The word Cais in Portuguese means Pier, Wharf or Harbour. This Fort was captured by Dutch in 1658. They named it Hammnheil and they rebuild it in 1680 with 30 soldiers guarding the Fort. It was later surrendered to British in 1794 who controlled it until Ceylon got independence in 1948.
Land Fort Or Fort Eyrie (Oorundi Fort)
Land Fort Or Fort Eyrie (Oorundi Fort)
Prior to the arrival of Portuguese, Kayts was said to be a deserted place and around that period, there was a famous harbor in Karampon West very near Kannaki Amman temple. This is proved by the presence of two forts in that area one on the land and another in the sea. The first fort was constructed in Karampon West on the land in a place named Oorundi. Though it is referred to as a Fort, actually it is said to be castle meant to be the residence for Lords. It was named Fort Eyrie and was referred to as Fort of the Ape because it was used as a place for torture of convicted criminals. There was place of worship in this fort and there are still remnants of a church of St. Mary.
Notes from a book titled Romantic Ceylon
Romantic Ceylon
The islands
(Excerpts from a book by R.H.Basett)
The Dutch followed the Portuguese (1505-1658) in the occupation of the Jaffna district and were struck by the resemblances of the Jaffna islands to their own home Archipelago. They therefore called them by their European names (given in brackets), following as nearly as they could the same geographical order.
Karaitivu (Amsterdam), Kayts (Leiden),Pungudutivu(Middleberg), Nainativu (Harlem ), Analaitivu (Rotterdam), Neduntivu(Delft), Iranativu(Hoen or Enkuseen)
Notes from a book titled Romantic Ceylon
Romantic Ceylon
The islands
(Excerpts from a book by R.H.Basett)
The Dutch followed the Portuguese (1505-1658) in the occupation of the Jaffna district and were struck by the resemblances of the Jaffna islands to their own home Archipelago. They therefore called them by their European names (given in brackets), following as nearly as they could the same geographical order.
Karaitivu (Amsterdam), Kayts (Leiden),Pungudutivu(Middleberg), Nainativu (Harlem ), Analaitivu (Rotterdam), Neduntivu(Delft), Iranativu(Hoen or Enkuseen)
Punnalai causeway leads from the mainland Karaitivu(Amsterdam).There is little doubt that all along the west coast of Karaitivu there has been from ancient times small ports and landing places. Kayts is said to be the old port of Kala described by historical writers and is yet larger port while quite near on Karaitivu is a place called Kalabhoomi. Near the present jetty at Karaitivu west is the site of the Elephant Quarry, a place where according to Rev. Baldeus, the Dutch Minister and historian "elephants are embarked by means of a bridge and transported to Coramandel (Newzealand)and Bengale. This is the original site of the port that shifted in Dutch times to the other side of the roadstead, called Kayts a modifications of the Portuguese Caes and Dutch Cayes. The actual position of the Elephants Quay is yet known by the exact Tamil equivalent Anai-Palam but it appears the whole strip of coast along the eastern side of Kayts was known a century ago by this name. In the sea about five hundred yards from the south west point of Karaitivu and in the mouth of the Jaffna lagoon, is a small isle, on which strategical position the Portuguese built a fort called by them either Fortaleza Real or Fortaleza do Rio (ie) Fort Royal or Fort of the River- and later named Hammnheil by the Dutch. In 1658, the Dutch captured this fort after a fortnight siege vividly described it in by Rev. Baldeus's contemporary description of Ceylon:
"The better to straighten the castle of Jaffnapatnam and take away from the Garrison all hopes of relief, it was thought to attack a certain Outwork or Redoubt built upon a small isle in the middle of the river not far from the entrance which it commands, this fort was built by Anthonio, Amiral de Menezes and my justly be called the key to Jaffnapatnam.
Accordingly, we dispatched a good body of men to Kayts in order to attack the said Fort, which, at that time was under the command of one Hieronimo de Paiva with a good Garison. The isle of Kats was lying at some distance from this water fort and we were forced to raise our Batteries against it upon the isle of Karaitivu. But finding that by reason of distance between us and them by strength of the Wall we could make no breach in, it was resolved to assault the place with Breastworks and Canon. But before we thought of fit to venture such a desperate, it was resolved to send the following summons to the Commander of the Fort.
Summons sent by Dutch Captain to Portuguese commander
"It having pleased Almighty God to bless our arms with success, there is no possibility left for you to resist us or to defend yourself against our attacks. It is therefore we thought it is fit to let you know (as is usual upon such occasions) that we are come to summon the Fort of Cays in the name of the State General of the United provinces, As by these Presents I Summon the said fort, not questioning that after showing sufficient Proof your courage you will now consider how you are unable to resist our Force. Don't therefore obstinately resist God's will and our Strength..... In case you will be obstinate ...we protest - that we are innocent of all the fatal consequences and Miseries that are likely to fall upon you. You have given Sufficient Proofs of your courage to admiration it is time therefore that you should act with prudence, and Consult your safety. We expect your positive answer within three hours through the bearer of this.....
Subscribing myself (as you think fit) your Friend or Enemy
Admiral and General of the Dutch Forces, both by Sea and Land
From the Camp, 10.April 1658
This letter being translated was sent into the Fort, the Commander whereof sent the following answer.
“That the Fort belonging to nobody but to the king of Portugal his master, he was obliged to maintain the same for his Majesty to the last drop of blood. That he could do no more than what pleased God to permit him, but neither he nor his men be terrified by threats."
' This bold answer made nothing for us to think nothing else but of Force , so that we preparing everything for an assault which would have cost us many a brave Fellow , had not the want of fresh water obliged them to come to Capitulation. They were glad to accept such Articles we were willing to give them, which ,however were honorable, the soldiers being allowed to march out with all the Marks of Honor and be transported to Europe.............The 28th of August I preached the thanksgiving Sermon for this Surrender, upon the text of Psalm.Ver.8 Having taken the Hammnheil, the Dutch demolished the old works and rebuilt them on their own model, the coral stone being passed from hand to hand by a chain of men, a yard apart from Chankanai, 8 miles distant with such speed that the walls were raised in six days. The name Hammnheil originated from the fact that the Dutch saw in the shape of Ceylon a strong resemblance to ham, at whose heel stood this fort. It is a work of fourteen angles occupying the whole area of the island with embrasure battlements and a fire-step for musketeers, while an unusually big gun has been mounted towards the center of the fort on a circular emplacement.
Some important events in the history of the island of Kayts
1794 - Fr.Leonard Rebeiro - A Priest from Goa was appointed first parish priest of St. Mary’s Church
1854- The case instituted by Fr. Laurent Re: Kayts cemetery was decided and declared closed
1872 - Fr. J. Boisseau - Director of Colombogam Orphanage was transferred to Kayts
1876- Blessing of the Catholic Cemetery at Kayts was done.
1877- Jan.10 Cholera breaks at Kayts, Paasaiyoor and Navaly
1908- Ferry service between Karainagar and Kayts began
1908 -.Jan.15 - Port of Kayts was closed due to outbreak of plague
1918- May-Old reredos (decoration behind the altar) of Kayts St. Mary's church caught fire and was destroyed.
1920- The new church of St. Joseph's church was blessed by Rev. Fr. Aseerwatham
1927 Nov.27 - Mahatma Ghandhi visited Kayts on his way to Victoria College, Chulipuram.
The Mahatma’s party consisted of Shri Mahadev Desai, Kaka Kalelkar, Shri Pyarelal, Shri Jamnadas Gandhi, Shri C. R.ajagopalachari, and Miss. Lakshmi Rajagopalachari
(This article is composed by Mr. Raymond Rajabalan at the request of Miss. Bruntha Kulasingham, who did a research on "Colonial Architecture in Kayts" for her dissertation of her BA (Hons) Degree in History at the University of Jaffna).
Accordingly, we dispatched a good body of men to Kayts in order to attack the said Fort, which, at that time was under the command of one Hieronimo de Paiva with a good Garison. The isle of Kats was lying at some distance from this water fort and we were forced to raise our Batteries against it upon the isle of Karaitivu. But finding that by reason of distance between us and them by strength of the Wall we could make no breach in, it was resolved to assault the place with Breastworks and Canon. But before we thought of fit to venture such a desperate, it was resolved to send the following summons to the Commander of the Fort.
Summons sent by Dutch Captain to Portuguese commander
"It having pleased Almighty God to bless our arms with success, there is no possibility left for you to resist us or to defend yourself against our attacks. It is therefore we thought it is fit to let you know (as is usual upon such occasions) that we are come to summon the Fort of Cays in the name of the State General of the United provinces, As by these Presents I Summon the said fort, not questioning that after showing sufficient Proof your courage you will now consider how you are unable to resist our Force. Don't therefore obstinately resist God's will and our Strength..... In case you will be obstinate ...we protest - that we are innocent of all the fatal consequences and Miseries that are likely to fall upon you. You have given Sufficient Proofs of your courage to admiration it is time therefore that you should act with prudence, and Consult your safety. We expect your positive answer within three hours through the bearer of this.....
Subscribing myself (as you think fit) your Friend or Enemy
Admiral and General of the Dutch Forces, both by Sea and Land
From the Camp, 10.April 1658
This letter being translated was sent into the Fort, the Commander whereof sent the following answer.
“That the Fort belonging to nobody but to the king of Portugal his master, he was obliged to maintain the same for his Majesty to the last drop of blood. That he could do no more than what pleased God to permit him, but neither he nor his men be terrified by threats."
' This bold answer made nothing for us to think nothing else but of Force , so that we preparing everything for an assault which would have cost us many a brave Fellow , had not the want of fresh water obliged them to come to Capitulation. They were glad to accept such Articles we were willing to give them, which ,however were honorable, the soldiers being allowed to march out with all the Marks of Honor and be transported to Europe.............The 28th of August I preached the thanksgiving Sermon for this Surrender, upon the text of Psalm.Ver.8 Having taken the Hammnheil, the Dutch demolished the old works and rebuilt them on their own model, the coral stone being passed from hand to hand by a chain of men, a yard apart from Chankanai, 8 miles distant with such speed that the walls were raised in six days. The name Hammnheil originated from the fact that the Dutch saw in the shape of Ceylon a strong resemblance to ham, at whose heel stood this fort. It is a work of fourteen angles occupying the whole area of the island with embrasure battlements and a fire-step for musketeers, while an unusually big gun has been mounted towards the center of the fort on a circular emplacement.
Some important events in the history of the island of Kayts
1794 - Fr.Leonard Rebeiro - A Priest from Goa was appointed first parish priest of St. Mary’s Church
1854- The case instituted by Fr. Laurent Re: Kayts cemetery was decided and declared closed
1872 - Fr. J. Boisseau - Director of Colombogam Orphanage was transferred to Kayts
1876- Blessing of the Catholic Cemetery at Kayts was done.
1877- Jan.10 Cholera breaks at Kayts, Paasaiyoor and Navaly
1908- Ferry service between Karainagar and Kayts began
1908 -.Jan.15 - Port of Kayts was closed due to outbreak of plague
1918- May-Old reredos (decoration behind the altar) of Kayts St. Mary's church caught fire and was destroyed.
1920- The new church of St. Joseph's church was blessed by Rev. Fr. Aseerwatham
1927 Nov.27 - Mahatma Ghandhi visited Kayts on his way to Victoria College, Chulipuram.
The Mahatma’s party consisted of Shri Mahadev Desai, Kaka Kalelkar, Shri Pyarelal, Shri Jamnadas Gandhi, Shri C. R.ajagopalachari, and Miss. Lakshmi Rajagopalachari
(This article is composed by Mr. Raymond Rajabalan at the request of Miss. Bruntha Kulasingham, who did a research on "Colonial Architecture in Kayts" for her dissertation of her BA (Hons) Degree in History at the University of Jaffna).
Let us honour teachers who taught us at Kayts, St. Anthony's on the month of Remembrance!
For the Catholics month of November is the month of the remembrance of the departed souls! Here I pay tribute to my teachers! I do think of most of them in my daily prayers and some of my favourite teachers flash across my mind, whenever I attend the church services! Because our teachers are our Gurus! Who is a Guru? A human being who enlighten us with wisdom and mould our future! Therefore we have to be eternally grateful and thankfulness with gratitude! According to the available information, early days both the school and college were under the management of the brothers of Society of Joseph! Later on, Bishop of Jaffna separated the school and the college! The school became a Tamil School and College became an English teaching college! The brothers in the Tamil school were Simon, Pedropillai, Bernard, Alex and few more bothers whom I cannot remember! Brother Alex lived up to a ripped age of 100. The society was established in Batticaloa. Now, of course, the society was dissolved.
I was a student at the Tamil School and I met all the brothers except Brother Simon! During my time the teachers were Gnanapragasam who was known as Chadampiar. Swampillai father of Bishop |Kingsley, Rasiah and few other teachers. All the teachers dressed in the traditional national dress. They were excellent teachers and all the students' used slates! In those days ballpoints and exercise books were non-existent. I also used slates and most of us sat on the floor as well because few benches were available and there was no electricity or fans! Sometimes classes were conducted under a mango tree and after the class students used to pick the mangoes. The brothers and lay teachers were excellent teachers! Bishop Kingsley was my class-mate and his father was our class teacher. They taught us arithmetics and Tamil literature. We had to memories the multiplication tables. Even now I still think in Tamil to calculate! This shows they were excellent teachers. I do remember my days in the Tamil school with joy! Tamil is our mother tongue and we cannot forget our mother-tongue. Charles Dickens described the mother tongue as the life-blood of a nation.
Later on, I was transferred to St.Anthony's College where the medium of instruction was English and during my time, the rector was Fr. A. S. Joseph and when he passed away Fr.Aruelnasan became the rector and later Fr. Karunakaran. The teachers were Nadarajah, Gerard, Philipillai, A. R. N. Nicholas, C. R. Joseph, Mariampillai, Aroganam, Bastiampillai, T. S. Aruelandandam, S. A. F.Thuraisingham, B. M. Manuelpillai, George Manuelpillai! and Anton Jesudasan. Now, of course, the college has expanded and the student population also has increased and the population of the country also has increased.
I was a student at the Tamil School and I met all the brothers except Brother Simon! During my time the teachers were Gnanapragasam who was known as Chadampiar. Swampillai father of Bishop |Kingsley, Rasiah and few other teachers. All the teachers dressed in the traditional national dress. They were excellent teachers and all the students' used slates! In those days ballpoints and exercise books were non-existent. I also used slates and most of us sat on the floor as well because few benches were available and there was no electricity or fans! Sometimes classes were conducted under a mango tree and after the class students used to pick the mangoes. The brothers and lay teachers were excellent teachers! Bishop Kingsley was my class-mate and his father was our class teacher. They taught us arithmetics and Tamil literature. We had to memories the multiplication tables. Even now I still think in Tamil to calculate! This shows they were excellent teachers. I do remember my days in the Tamil school with joy! Tamil is our mother tongue and we cannot forget our mother-tongue. Charles Dickens described the mother tongue as the life-blood of a nation.
Later on, I was transferred to St.Anthony's College where the medium of instruction was English and during my time, the rector was Fr. A. S. Joseph and when he passed away Fr.Aruelnasan became the rector and later Fr. Karunakaran. The teachers were Nadarajah, Gerard, Philipillai, A. R. N. Nicholas, C. R. Joseph, Mariampillai, Aroganam, Bastiampillai, T. S. Aruelandandam, S. A. F.Thuraisingham, B. M. Manuelpillai, George Manuelpillai! and Anton Jesudasan. Now, of course, the college has expanded and the student population also has increased and the population of the country also has increased.
Mr. T. S. Arulanantham
My favourite teacher was T.S.Aruleandam who was my class teacher who appointed me as the monitor and I was in charge of the classroom library books. He taught me English. He encouraged all the students to read and we had condensed book of the English Classics as "Bright Story Readers". These books gave the glimpse of the classics for the students to read the original version of the books. I consider him as a remarkable teacher. My brother Jega was also one of his favourite students. When Jega's articles published in the Sri Lankan newspapers he read them with joy and began to address him as Journalist Jega! He was proud that his student became a journalist. He was a calm and cool human being who was philosophical and spiritual in attitude. He respected all religions and remained to be a Roman Catholic. He was observant about the students' behaviour outside of the class. He was opposed to students eating in the cafes. Once he saw few of us in a cafe, the next day he called us in the classroom and asked us whether we don't get, enough food in our homes. He taught all his students with total commitment and dedication. I am proud to be his student. I do honour him with joy. In 1982, when I visited Kayts, I met him after 35 years or so. First question he asked me was whether I could speak Tamil! So I spoke to him in Tamil and he was joyous. He said many who go abroad forget their mother tongue. I said not me! Sir!
During my visit, I also met B.M.Manuelpillai who lived in Naranthani. That is near Chatty. He taught me history. His famous words were "Every human being needs food, clothing and shelter". All in all, these are our basic needs. Another person whom I admire is Gnanapragasm who was also called Chatampiar. He was a Kindergarten teacher who taught basic Tamil! Swampillai master was another good teacher he was the father of Bishop Kinglsey.
Apart from Kayts, I also studied at Trincomalee. I can only remember the Head Master whose name was Patrick. It was also an excellent school and my class teacher taught me about character, manner and obedience. I still remember what he imparted on me. After leaving St.Antony's College, I joined St.Benedict's College, where my brother Jega was a teacher. My teachers were Brother Conrad, D.V Chapman, Ganapragasm, B.M.Joseph, Vethnayagam, Felix Fernando, Mahalingam, K.S. Perera, Gamalthge, E.J Perera, Hector Perera,, Atkinson and Puvimanasinghe. This article is about Kayts but in due course, I will write about my teachers at St.Benedict's College!
Linus Aloysius
U.K. 28 November 2019.
During my visit, I also met B.M.Manuelpillai who lived in Naranthani. That is near Chatty. He taught me history. His famous words were "Every human being needs food, clothing and shelter". All in all, these are our basic needs. Another person whom I admire is Gnanapragasm who was also called Chatampiar. He was a Kindergarten teacher who taught basic Tamil! Swampillai master was another good teacher he was the father of Bishop Kinglsey.
Apart from Kayts, I also studied at Trincomalee. I can only remember the Head Master whose name was Patrick. It was also an excellent school and my class teacher taught me about character, manner and obedience. I still remember what he imparted on me. After leaving St.Antony's College, I joined St.Benedict's College, where my brother Jega was a teacher. My teachers were Brother Conrad, D.V Chapman, Ganapragasm, B.M.Joseph, Vethnayagam, Felix Fernando, Mahalingam, K.S. Perera, Gamalthge, E.J Perera, Hector Perera,, Atkinson and Puvimanasinghe. This article is about Kayts but in due course, I will write about my teachers at St.Benedict's College!
Linus Aloysius
U.K. 28 November 2019.
We should remember our departed friends, gurus, mentors, relations and strangers
who enlightened us as gratitude!
who enlightened us as gratitude!
As Departed souls of the East Street Community! Some Christian faiths devote the month of November for the departed souls! Whereas I consider every moment of our life should be devoted to the departed souls as commemoration, celebrations and remembrances! Our departed souls are spiritually with us! We cannot see them but they can see us in spirit! Best way to offer our gratitude and thankfulness is to pray for them, offering Holy mass for the repose of their souls, doing charity, rendering help to others! We must not forget the fact they enlightened our life and especially our parents made an innumerable sacrifice for us!
Today I offered a Holy Mass for the repose of the souls of our members of our community! The Holy Mass was celebrated by a Goanse Student priest! In the church, I prayed for all our departed members of the community! I do remember my members of the family and offer them the Holy Mass for their repose of the souls! Brother Jega was the last person to leave our Planet Earth! I offered a Holy Mass on the day of his departure by an Irish priest who is my friend! Another Holy Mass on the day of his burial! Also another Holy Mass in our parish church! The Anglican church also offered a prayer for him and now his name is mentioned on the weekly prayers!
Originally our East Street community was a farming community! Later most of us became sailors on sailing ships!
Finally, our relatives worked Port of Colombo tugboats Eventually, our younger generation joined the ocean-going ship to be qualified as master mariners! Now our members of the community live in various parts of the world engaged in many distinguished professions! All in all our community has made tremendous progress in life! It is because of our departed souls! Let us always honour them with our deeds to glorify them! Quite a few of our departed souls were very helpful to me! I do always think about their guidance to me! May they enjoy their life in the Cosmic World! Let us honour them to seek their blessings!
Linus Aloysius
London. 21 November 2019.
Today I offered a Holy Mass for the repose of the souls of our members of our community! The Holy Mass was celebrated by a Goanse Student priest! In the church, I prayed for all our departed members of the community! I do remember my members of the family and offer them the Holy Mass for their repose of the souls! Brother Jega was the last person to leave our Planet Earth! I offered a Holy Mass on the day of his departure by an Irish priest who is my friend! Another Holy Mass on the day of his burial! Also another Holy Mass in our parish church! The Anglican church also offered a prayer for him and now his name is mentioned on the weekly prayers!
Originally our East Street community was a farming community! Later most of us became sailors on sailing ships!
Finally, our relatives worked Port of Colombo tugboats Eventually, our younger generation joined the ocean-going ship to be qualified as master mariners! Now our members of the community live in various parts of the world engaged in many distinguished professions! All in all our community has made tremendous progress in life! It is because of our departed souls! Let us always honour them with our deeds to glorify them! Quite a few of our departed souls were very helpful to me! I do always think about their guidance to me! May they enjoy their life in the Cosmic World! Let us honour them to seek their blessings!
Linus Aloysius
London. 21 November 2019.
Remembering the All Souls Day in Kayts and some of our relations!
On the eve of the All Souls Day in my childhood and teenage days, we the students organised a procession to visit the cemetery in the night as well as visiting all the four churches! After the procession, few of us get together to remove the gates and few other items in the kitchen, as well as few other things in the houses, keep them in various places saying that souls had removed the items! It was an ancient customs which existed for many years! Now, of course, Kayts is a deserted village and this habit and customs had totally disappeared! I know nothing about the customs!
On this day I pay tribute to our ancestors who lived with us! There are innumerable names to mention! Here I mention few names I remember who I had the opportunity to meet in my younger days in Kayts!
Village headman Anthonimuthu! Post-Master Anthonipillai! Station-Master Soosaipillai! Poet Selvarajah! Captain Williams! The other prominent captains were Anthonysamy, Xavier, Ariyanaygagam, Edmund Aloysius, Collins, Mark Sevapragasm, Thanam Sevapragasam and few others I can't remember their names! Another seafarer was Richard! He was an engineer! All of them worked for the Port Commission in Colombo and few of them worked in Trincomalee as well for the British admiralty!
In the financial filed we had Savrimuthu! He had an auditing firm! His brothers Selvanagam and Rajanayagam were also accountants! We also had light-house keepers! They were Anthonysamy and his son Aloysius! Another person was Senegal Our businessmen Thambinagam and Rajanayagam both were brothers! Fr.Dom Victor Rajanayagam who was their brother as well! he was the first in our community to become a priest! Thampoe and his brother Ratnasingham! Their sisters Maragathan and Ponu! Thampoe was a historically a religious human being as he attended over 17 Holy Masses on a Xmas Day! Another person Ambrose he was also a Chairman of the Town Council in Kayts!
Ruby Soosaipillai she was the first in our community to be a teacher! Mother of Linus Rajakumar! My cousin brother Anthinipllai! Who retired as a Senior Civil Servant in Sri Lanka!
Recent departures!
Hilda and Anton Benedict both were brother and sister! Merle William, Jegarajasingham, Iris Amirthnayagam, Rita Godfrey, Shelton, Kulasingham, Thavamani, Varathan, Arasanayagam, Melizan, Navam, Sobani, Robinson, George Francis, Anne Malar, Concey, John Alfred, Freeda Francis, Milroy, Santhanasamy Xavier, Thaninayagam, Eugene Mariampillai, Anthoniapillai Singarayer, Arokiyanathar, Mary Josephine Regi, Clifford, Louvisammah, James Xavier Quentin and Rajamanogari! Linus Soosaipilai!
In the UK!
Riter Savrimuthu who was a MedicaL Doctor! Sathian Singarayer who was a Barrister!
On the 13th of July my brother Joe Jega! His Full name is Joseph Jegarajasingham! The Anglican church still pray for him every Sunday! Also my brother Alfred! Our departed friends and relations live within us as inspiration in our hearts! They never depart from us! We should consider them as our mentors!
I always remember my mother! In one of her letters she wrote! A person who lives in a foreign country lives like a crow but in the homeland that person is Swan! Brother Jega! We must live for others was his motto! He lived the way in which he wanted to live! That was the majestic glory of his life! Many a time in my visit to Colombo, I had seen mothers with their children knocking at the gate and say! "We want to meet the teacher who gives free tuition!" He led a contented life with satisfaction! he left our planet earth also with joy!
My apology I remembered few of my relations from our community! I do think of them at all times! Although I left our motherland over 60 years ago still I do not forget my past and where I came from! Here I quote my friend! Nalin Swaris!
" If you don't know where you came from you will never know where you will be heading for!"
I am connected with the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church and Baptist Church! It is the Catholics and Anglicans celebrate the All Saints Day and remember the All Souls Day! Other Christian denominations do not celebrate or remember these tow days!
According to the Hindu concept when we leave our planet earth we become emerged with the Cosmos as part of the Spirit! They can see us but we cannot see them! We also become formless!
Let us honour them daily forever with our daily prayers and think of our beloved ones! Because when they leave our earth they do become the Saints! I consider All Saints Day as our departed Souls become Saints!
I am not a Theologian but a man in the street! Here I expressed my opinion and view! To lead a good life we don't need philosophy or theology but we need compassion and kindness that is commonsense which is also spirituality! Brother Jega's axiom was correct and right with his wisdom!
With best wishes!
Linus Aloysius 02 November 2019
On this day I pay tribute to our ancestors who lived with us! There are innumerable names to mention! Here I mention few names I remember who I had the opportunity to meet in my younger days in Kayts!
Village headman Anthonimuthu! Post-Master Anthonipillai! Station-Master Soosaipillai! Poet Selvarajah! Captain Williams! The other prominent captains were Anthonysamy, Xavier, Ariyanaygagam, Edmund Aloysius, Collins, Mark Sevapragasm, Thanam Sevapragasam and few others I can't remember their names! Another seafarer was Richard! He was an engineer! All of them worked for the Port Commission in Colombo and few of them worked in Trincomalee as well for the British admiralty!
In the financial filed we had Savrimuthu! He had an auditing firm! His brothers Selvanagam and Rajanayagam were also accountants! We also had light-house keepers! They were Anthonysamy and his son Aloysius! Another person was Senegal Our businessmen Thambinagam and Rajanayagam both were brothers! Fr.Dom Victor Rajanayagam who was their brother as well! he was the first in our community to become a priest! Thampoe and his brother Ratnasingham! Their sisters Maragathan and Ponu! Thampoe was a historically a religious human being as he attended over 17 Holy Masses on a Xmas Day! Another person Ambrose he was also a Chairman of the Town Council in Kayts!
Ruby Soosaipillai she was the first in our community to be a teacher! Mother of Linus Rajakumar! My cousin brother Anthinipllai! Who retired as a Senior Civil Servant in Sri Lanka!
Recent departures!
Hilda and Anton Benedict both were brother and sister! Merle William, Jegarajasingham, Iris Amirthnayagam, Rita Godfrey, Shelton, Kulasingham, Thavamani, Varathan, Arasanayagam, Melizan, Navam, Sobani, Robinson, George Francis, Anne Malar, Concey, John Alfred, Freeda Francis, Milroy, Santhanasamy Xavier, Thaninayagam, Eugene Mariampillai, Anthoniapillai Singarayer, Arokiyanathar, Mary Josephine Regi, Clifford, Louvisammah, James Xavier Quentin and Rajamanogari! Linus Soosaipilai!
In the UK!
Riter Savrimuthu who was a MedicaL Doctor! Sathian Singarayer who was a Barrister!
On the 13th of July my brother Joe Jega! His Full name is Joseph Jegarajasingham! The Anglican church still pray for him every Sunday! Also my brother Alfred! Our departed friends and relations live within us as inspiration in our hearts! They never depart from us! We should consider them as our mentors!
I always remember my mother! In one of her letters she wrote! A person who lives in a foreign country lives like a crow but in the homeland that person is Swan! Brother Jega! We must live for others was his motto! He lived the way in which he wanted to live! That was the majestic glory of his life! Many a time in my visit to Colombo, I had seen mothers with their children knocking at the gate and say! "We want to meet the teacher who gives free tuition!" He led a contented life with satisfaction! he left our planet earth also with joy!
My apology I remembered few of my relations from our community! I do think of them at all times! Although I left our motherland over 60 years ago still I do not forget my past and where I came from! Here I quote my friend! Nalin Swaris!
" If you don't know where you came from you will never know where you will be heading for!"
I am connected with the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church and Baptist Church! It is the Catholics and Anglicans celebrate the All Saints Day and remember the All Souls Day! Other Christian denominations do not celebrate or remember these tow days!
According to the Hindu concept when we leave our planet earth we become emerged with the Cosmos as part of the Spirit! They can see us but we cannot see them! We also become formless!
Let us honour them daily forever with our daily prayers and think of our beloved ones! Because when they leave our earth they do become the Saints! I consider All Saints Day as our departed Souls become Saints!
I am not a Theologian but a man in the street! Here I expressed my opinion and view! To lead a good life we don't need philosophy or theology but we need compassion and kindness that is commonsense which is also spirituality! Brother Jega's axiom was correct and right with his wisdom!
With best wishes!
Linus Aloysius 02 November 2019
All Saints Day!
Roman Catholic church and Anglican church do celebrate the Holy Mass to remember the holistic human beings who lived on our planet earth from the time immemorial! Most of the Saints were from affluent and wealthy families but they did renounce their luxurious comfort to serve the poor! Many of them led an ascetic life, few of them lived as hermits, fewer of them travelled around the world to preach the Gospel of the Jesus of Nazareth as missionaries! I do admire their commitments and devotions to enlighten the people of the remote areas of the world! I did meet few of them! I do admire their courage and convictions! They are my learning curve! Most of the missionaries are the Western priests!
My favourite Saint is St. Anthony as he is our community Saint! He is also the most popular Saint in the Christendom! Where ever you visit a Catholic Church, his statute would be at the entrance to greet us!
According to the teaching of the Jesus of Nazareth, we are created in the image of God hence we have a spark of divinity within all of us! We are also blessed with the Godliness within us! The Godliness is the compassion within us! When we manifest our compassion to anyone without any expectations, we become Saints! There are many unknown human beings among us who are Saints! They are unknown and unsung heroes and heroines! I describe them as silenced martyrs!
Catholic church honours the holistic human beings as Saints! They were not bothered nor interested in Sainthood! Their lives can enrich and enlighten our life to lead a joyous life on earth by caring and sharing our intellectual and material wealth with each other! If the majority of the human population can adopt the holistic life, the poverty of the world can be annihilated like the dew in the sunshine! We do have substantial wealth for our human needs but not for our greed!
Today some Christian churches will celebrate the All Saints Day! I don't think many of the congregation will ever think about the significant life these Saints led when they lived on our planet earth!
I request the readers to read the story of the holistic men and women who lived on our planet earth to adopt their virtues of life! If we can practise some of their virtues our world would be a paradise without wants and needs, without egoism and greed nor jealousy and hatred, without an inferiority complex, ignorance and pride! Let us learn to be proud of ourselves as human beings by caring and sharing to honour our Saints! Let us try to be saints in action! Praying without action is useless!
All Saints were philosophers and thinkers with spirituality in their mind! Their spirituality was to lead us to live a joyous life on earth! The Saints are in every religion! Let us try to become secret Saints by our actions! I consider everyone who advised me, assisted me and helped me as Saints! They are my eternal Mentors! When we honour and respect, anyone to enlighten us to lead a spiritualistic life is a Saint!
What is Spirituality?
It is the affectionate respect we render to anyone who is sincere to us and his or her wisdom to others! Also leading a respectable life with dignity and honour as an example to others! In nutshell spiritualistic life is also holistic life with appreciation, compassion and understanding of the human nature!
A saintly human being is also a sacrificial lamb who sacrifices his or her wants for the good of others! That human being lives for the welfare of others! A human being attains Sainthood by his or her action!
I am an ignorant person but I learn from listening, hearing from others with my observation, tolerance and patience! I am not judgmental about anyone! I have and had many friends and relations who guided me to lead a daredevil life! Too many names to mention but my greatest and unique devotion to my mother who used to impart education on Sociability! My brother Jega always used to say that we should live for others and my wife Chitra who guided me to be sincere to everyone! My brother Jega's axiom was thinking high and leading a life simple!
The Vatican has honoured many holistic human beings with Sainthood! One of them was Henry Newman! He was an intellectual giant! Another one was Mother Teresa of Calcutta! Both of them devoted their lives to uplift society! Let us honour all of us to become noble citizens of the Global Village! There are millions of unknown Saints among us as well! They are secret missionaries!
Let us pray for us!
Linus Aloysius. 01 November 2019
My favourite Saint is St. Anthony as he is our community Saint! He is also the most popular Saint in the Christendom! Where ever you visit a Catholic Church, his statute would be at the entrance to greet us!
According to the teaching of the Jesus of Nazareth, we are created in the image of God hence we have a spark of divinity within all of us! We are also blessed with the Godliness within us! The Godliness is the compassion within us! When we manifest our compassion to anyone without any expectations, we become Saints! There are many unknown human beings among us who are Saints! They are unknown and unsung heroes and heroines! I describe them as silenced martyrs!
Catholic church honours the holistic human beings as Saints! They were not bothered nor interested in Sainthood! Their lives can enrich and enlighten our life to lead a joyous life on earth by caring and sharing our intellectual and material wealth with each other! If the majority of the human population can adopt the holistic life, the poverty of the world can be annihilated like the dew in the sunshine! We do have substantial wealth for our human needs but not for our greed!
Today some Christian churches will celebrate the All Saints Day! I don't think many of the congregation will ever think about the significant life these Saints led when they lived on our planet earth!
I request the readers to read the story of the holistic men and women who lived on our planet earth to adopt their virtues of life! If we can practise some of their virtues our world would be a paradise without wants and needs, without egoism and greed nor jealousy and hatred, without an inferiority complex, ignorance and pride! Let us learn to be proud of ourselves as human beings by caring and sharing to honour our Saints! Let us try to be saints in action! Praying without action is useless!
All Saints were philosophers and thinkers with spirituality in their mind! Their spirituality was to lead us to live a joyous life on earth! The Saints are in every religion! Let us try to become secret Saints by our actions! I consider everyone who advised me, assisted me and helped me as Saints! They are my eternal Mentors! When we honour and respect, anyone to enlighten us to lead a spiritualistic life is a Saint!
What is Spirituality?
It is the affectionate respect we render to anyone who is sincere to us and his or her wisdom to others! Also leading a respectable life with dignity and honour as an example to others! In nutshell spiritualistic life is also holistic life with appreciation, compassion and understanding of the human nature!
A saintly human being is also a sacrificial lamb who sacrifices his or her wants for the good of others! That human being lives for the welfare of others! A human being attains Sainthood by his or her action!
I am an ignorant person but I learn from listening, hearing from others with my observation, tolerance and patience! I am not judgmental about anyone! I have and had many friends and relations who guided me to lead a daredevil life! Too many names to mention but my greatest and unique devotion to my mother who used to impart education on Sociability! My brother Jega always used to say that we should live for others and my wife Chitra who guided me to be sincere to everyone! My brother Jega's axiom was thinking high and leading a life simple!
The Vatican has honoured many holistic human beings with Sainthood! One of them was Henry Newman! He was an intellectual giant! Another one was Mother Teresa of Calcutta! Both of them devoted their lives to uplift society! Let us honour all of us to become noble citizens of the Global Village! There are millions of unknown Saints among us as well! They are secret missionaries!
Let us pray for us!
Linus Aloysius. 01 November 2019
Late Mr. S. Anthonysamy! A lighthouse keeper and painter!
He gave Jack Fruit on Pentecost Day!
East Street community had many of her inhabitants belong to various professions! They did remarkably brilliant in their professions! In those days they were confined to local areas but now our community has spread all over the world! In nutshell, our community has become global villagers! Still, we must not forget our motherland and we must always remember where we came from! How to remember our past heritage is by remember our forefathers and their achievement in life!
On Pentecost Day, I thought about Santhumuthu Anthonysamy! He worked as Lightkeeper and at that he took the painting as a hobby and became a painter! It was the rarest achievement in his life!
I remember him because he used to give us Jack fruit on Pentecost Day! On Pentecost Day, he used to distribute Jack fruits to our relations! His association with the celebration of Pentecost and Jack fruit made me write about him! He had many children and his wife Vaithiyanal Shronmany was an excellent cook as she used to cook for the celebrations and functions!
His eldest son was Thambinayagam and he was the first businessman in our community! His second was Potpherior, Radio Officer Trained in the UK then he became a businessman! His Third son was Fr. Victor Rajanayam and he was a Catholic priest who was ordained in Kandy and lived in the United States! Another son followed his footstep and became a lighthouse keeper! He had had three daughters! One daughter is still alive and all the others had left our planet earth!
After his retirement, he was one of the three who were in charge of our community church welfare! One was Nadchastram who was a mariner on board the sailing ships and he had the profound knowledge of the sea and weather! He must have been a brave and courageous seafarer! The other one was Audra! I can't remember his name!
During the festive season in our church, he used to provide gas lamps and at that time there was no electricity in our village! His hobby was also fishing at night with the gas lamp and I used to accompany him! Those days night fishing was very common along our coasts! After the novenas he used to display fireworks produced by himself.
He led a humble and simple life spending his time on painting! On Pentecost Day I thought him hence I wrote this article to express my gratitude to him! He had many good qualities and talents. Many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are living abroad and leading a prosperous life! I have recorded the incidents which took place over 65 years ago from my memory!
May he rest in peace!
Linus Aloysius.
June 09.2019.
My beloved Mother Muthamma!
She left our planet on the 3rd March 1962! I honour today!
Lost my father when I was a child! I have a faint memory of him! I had a photo of him and I lost it! My father was a bosun on the Port Commission Tugs in Colombo! He passed away in 1942! My mother passed away in 1962! My second brother passed away in 1982! My eldest brother passed away in 1991! My fourth brother passed away in 2017
My mother became a single mother with three children were Jegarajasingham who was 14, Alfred was 10 and I was 6! Since two of my elder brothers, Xavier and Richard were the adult and working they took care of us and my other had a pension for a few years!
My mother was a religious lady and I joined with her in pilgrimages to Chadi, Sinnamadh, Moolai, Palathiuv and another church in Jaffna! On our pilgrimages, we used to sleep in the churches! As a child, I enjoyed the pilgrimages! As an adult, I was on a pilgrimage to many shrines in the European Union including Lourdes and Fatima! About 11 years ago I gave up
all my pilgrimages due to my age and health!
My mother was a lady of super courage and dynamic confidence! She wanted to become a businesswoman but it was an utter failure for her still she accepted her defeat with grace as the experience of life! The failure in her business activities was due to her kindness, compassion and generosity! Still, I adore and admire her for her noble and compassionate
habits! She may be the only woman in our community who took up business and not successful!
Because of her business, she fell into heavy debt! Hence we had to sell our assets! They were our house and two small lands! The house was mortgaged to a relation and the accrued interest more than the worth of the house, therefore, we had to sell the house! Again the house was mostly occupied by our relations! Losing the house did not affect us!
She bought an American car for hiring and that was a failure with a loss! She started a business to sell firewood and straw that was also another failure! My brother Jega wrote a humorous advertisement which posted near my aunt Ponamma's house! The content of the advertisement was " Forest firewood and a country straw!" In that business also she was not successful! Again she stated a Cheetu was also another failure!
All in all, she tried but not successful! Hence she was my heroine because of her daring attitudes!
She was a devoted mother and an excellent cook!
In her old age, she did not have any of our relations to take care of her! Therefore she spent her old age in a home for the aged in Jaffna! She was well cared for by Belgian and Swiss nuns! She was very joyous as well! I used to correspond with the Swiss nun as well! She was delighted to look after my mother! Her compassion and love towards my mother gave me inexpressible joy! At that time I thought, who was my relation!
Her life was a classic example of God's mercy to her! The miracle of her life as she was well looked by the European nuns!
My belief is trust in God and He will never let you down!
No one wanted to look after my mother but the nuns joyfully took care of her! My mother also enjoyed the company of the nuns!
Later years the nuns were requested to leave the country! I met a few nuns from Belgium in Zeebrugge! They were joyous when they lived in Sri Lanka and they left the country with regrets! They said "We love the country and her friendly inhabitant as they treated and respected with love!
My mother had excellent principles and she lived by them! She left our planet without regrets with joy!
For many years she fed the pilgrims in Sinnamadhu on the festival day! She used to spend a few days in Sinnamadhu to prepare the food for the pilgrims! In those days there was no bus service the transport was a private car or bull driven
a carriage or walking! The distance was about 3 miles! I used to walk and slept in the church! I was a child and teenager and it was good fun for me to walk! Halfway we had refreshment as well!
Her golden advice to me was! Help everyone to your means! Never hurt a woman as the tears of a woman can ruin one's life! In one's country that person is a swan and in a foreign country, that person is a crow! Earn a pound in one's country is better than earning a large sum of money abroad!
Her advice was given to me over half a century ago! Since then the world has changed in many ways!
I write this essay to hour her! Because a mother's love towards her children are the dynamic and unbreakable bond, the
divine and sacred love!
When she passed away I was an ordinary sailor and at that our ship in Ghent, Belgium! The day she passed away I was walking a street full of funeral undertakers! I felt something had radicle happened in my life! When I reached Glasgow I receive a letter from my eldest brother concerning her departure from our earth! She will always in the spirit in my heart! That is love!
Somehow I don't use the word "Death" In my writing! Death is described as failures in life! When a person leaves us! That person becomes a divine being in spirit! Thenceforth they can see us but we can't see them!
The best way to honour departed soul is to pray for them and glorify them with our gratitude and thankfulness!
My Mother Rest in Peace!
Linus 3rd March 2019
My mother became a single mother with three children were Jegarajasingham who was 14, Alfred was 10 and I was 6! Since two of my elder brothers, Xavier and Richard were the adult and working they took care of us and my other had a pension for a few years!
My mother was a religious lady and I joined with her in pilgrimages to Chadi, Sinnamadh, Moolai, Palathiuv and another church in Jaffna! On our pilgrimages, we used to sleep in the churches! As a child, I enjoyed the pilgrimages! As an adult, I was on a pilgrimage to many shrines in the European Union including Lourdes and Fatima! About 11 years ago I gave up
all my pilgrimages due to my age and health!
My mother was a lady of super courage and dynamic confidence! She wanted to become a businesswoman but it was an utter failure for her still she accepted her defeat with grace as the experience of life! The failure in her business activities was due to her kindness, compassion and generosity! Still, I adore and admire her for her noble and compassionate
habits! She may be the only woman in our community who took up business and not successful!
Because of her business, she fell into heavy debt! Hence we had to sell our assets! They were our house and two small lands! The house was mortgaged to a relation and the accrued interest more than the worth of the house, therefore, we had to sell the house! Again the house was mostly occupied by our relations! Losing the house did not affect us!
She bought an American car for hiring and that was a failure with a loss! She started a business to sell firewood and straw that was also another failure! My brother Jega wrote a humorous advertisement which posted near my aunt Ponamma's house! The content of the advertisement was " Forest firewood and a country straw!" In that business also she was not successful! Again she stated a Cheetu was also another failure!
All in all, she tried but not successful! Hence she was my heroine because of her daring attitudes!
She was a devoted mother and an excellent cook!
In her old age, she did not have any of our relations to take care of her! Therefore she spent her old age in a home for the aged in Jaffna! She was well cared for by Belgian and Swiss nuns! She was very joyous as well! I used to correspond with the Swiss nun as well! She was delighted to look after my mother! Her compassion and love towards my mother gave me inexpressible joy! At that time I thought, who was my relation!
Her life was a classic example of God's mercy to her! The miracle of her life as she was well looked by the European nuns!
My belief is trust in God and He will never let you down!
No one wanted to look after my mother but the nuns joyfully took care of her! My mother also enjoyed the company of the nuns!
Later years the nuns were requested to leave the country! I met a few nuns from Belgium in Zeebrugge! They were joyous when they lived in Sri Lanka and they left the country with regrets! They said "We love the country and her friendly inhabitant as they treated and respected with love!
My mother had excellent principles and she lived by them! She left our planet without regrets with joy!
For many years she fed the pilgrims in Sinnamadhu on the festival day! She used to spend a few days in Sinnamadhu to prepare the food for the pilgrims! In those days there was no bus service the transport was a private car or bull driven
a carriage or walking! The distance was about 3 miles! I used to walk and slept in the church! I was a child and teenager and it was good fun for me to walk! Halfway we had refreshment as well!
Her golden advice to me was! Help everyone to your means! Never hurt a woman as the tears of a woman can ruin one's life! In one's country that person is a swan and in a foreign country, that person is a crow! Earn a pound in one's country is better than earning a large sum of money abroad!
Her advice was given to me over half a century ago! Since then the world has changed in many ways!
I write this essay to hour her! Because a mother's love towards her children are the dynamic and unbreakable bond, the
divine and sacred love!
When she passed away I was an ordinary sailor and at that our ship in Ghent, Belgium! The day she passed away I was walking a street full of funeral undertakers! I felt something had radicle happened in my life! When I reached Glasgow I receive a letter from my eldest brother concerning her departure from our earth! She will always in the spirit in my heart! That is love!
Somehow I don't use the word "Death" In my writing! Death is described as failures in life! When a person leaves us! That person becomes a divine being in spirit! Thenceforth they can see us but we can't see them!
The best way to honour departed soul is to pray for them and glorify them with our gratitude and thankfulness!
My Mother Rest in Peace!
Linus 3rd March 2019
Writer and Journalist J. F. Jegarajasingham!
J F Jegarajasingham, affectionately known as Jega, is a multitalented human being with many unique virtues. He had his early education at St Anthony’s College, Kayts (previously known as Kayts St. Anthony’s Tamil School during the time of the Brothers of the Society of
St. Joseph). After finishing his middle school education, his parents enrolled him at St. Benedict’s College, Colombo. The move to Colombo provided him with greater exposure and helped make a quantum leap in his learning. After completing his London Matriculation, his desire was to become an electrical engineer. However, his plans to enter the Ceylon Technical College did not come to fruition due to organisational changes that took place at that institution. During that time, he moved to Trincomalee where his brother Capt. J F Xavier was a Senior Tug Master with the Royal Navy. Because of his interest in electrical engineering, Jega too joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice. Jega was admired by his superiors because he spoke flawless English with an excellent vocabulary.
Later on, Jega became an English teacher in a small school in Mutur near Trincomalee. At about the same time, he became a correspondent for the prestigious Times of Ceylon newspaper and his news reports were published regularly. Although he received many rejection slips at the beginning he was determined to succeed and within a short while he became a successful free-lance journalist. The first article published in the Daily News of Ceylon was on “Cheettu”, the chit system widely practised locally. The financial editor of the newspaper Alan Chalkley was very impressed with his article. After the publication of this article, Chalkley enquired about Jega from his fellow journalists. They had the impression that Jega was a retired civil servant, but he was actually in his thirties at that time. Eventually, Chalkley met Jega and he was pleasantly surprised by his journalistic talent at such a young age.
Over the years, his articles were published in several newspapers in Ceylon. He was very keen on becoming a full-time journalist, but was advised against it as it had a limited scope. He therefore sat for the entrance examination of the Teacher Training College at Maharagama and was selected for the program. At the end of the training course he came out with flying colors. While all other students burnt the midnight oil to study at weekends, Jega used to spend his spare time writing articles for newspapers under the pen name “Student Teacher.” He never bought any textbooks but continued his studies by borrowing textbooks from his fellow students. He had a photographic memory and had the asset of quickly absorbing the lectures to understand their essence.
After leaving the Training College, he joined St. Benedict College, Colombo as an English teacher where he also taught mathematics, science and arts subjects. Within a short period of time, he became a competent and greatly sought after teacher He had the rare gift of simplifying the language to make students learn it with ease. This coupled with his generous sense of humour made him very popular with students.
Jega did not value the common luxuries of that era such as wrist watches and other ornamental trinkets - his early material acquisitions of significance were his precious ‘Minolta’ camera and ‘Hermes Baby’ typewriter, both of which he put to good use to further his journalistic endeavours.
During most his long 33 year stint as a teacher at St. Benedict’s College, Jega was the ‘official’ photographer and chronicler of activities of St. Benedict’s College. With his journalistic skills and love of photography, he revived the well illustrated College Magazines and was instrumental in producing the epic ‘Centenary Souvenir’ on the occasion of St. Benedict’s Centenary in 1965. In the 1960s while teaching at St Benedict’s College, he undertook and completed an assignment for the ‘Daily Mirror – the ‘Our Town’ series of investigative articles on 50 towns in Ceylon as Sri Lanka was then known. The project was completed over a two year period and was executed under the pen name ‘Investigator’, After retirement he became the editor of a monthly magazine named Tapbrobane. It was a very popular magazine, but it went out of publication due to the lack of interest on the part of the publishers.
Jega was a prominent member of societies associated with his early life. When Kayts St. Anthony’s College Past Pupils Association was revived in 1999 at a General Meeting held at St. Benedict's College Jega was elected as the Secretary of the Society and did a great service to his alma mater. He was also the Editor of Kayts Anthonian newsletter for many years. Apart from this, being a devoted parishioner of Kayts St. Antony's church he served as the President of Kayts St. Anthony's Church Community Welfare Society, Colombo Branch for quite a long .
He is a well-read human being of the English and world literature. In a nutshell, he has a profound knowledge of literature and philosophy. As a scholar, he has a liberal attitude to life. His motto is “We should live for others”. In English literature, he became familiar with the writings of leading authors and novelists like William Shakespeare, John Milton, George Bernard Shaw, H.G Wells, George Orwell, William Blake, Oliver Goldsmith and many other authors and poets. He also familiarized himself with the work of Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and many other philosophers and thinkers of the East and West. Another favourite motto of his was ‘Plain living and high thinking’.
He demonstrates the art of talking with diplomacy, tactfulness without hurting anyone, whether they are academics, commoners or scholars. He commands respect without demanding it. He is blessed with the innumerable human values in understanding the human follies and idiosyncrasy. His belief in the dignity, honour and respect of all human beings is easily apparent.
At 87 years of age, though partially disabled following a stroke, he has not lost his wit – anyone visiting him rarely goes away without being treated to one or more of his jokes.
Linus Aloysius
U. K.
(The above article is appeared in "A Historical Record of Kayts Island" published in 2017).
St. Joseph). After finishing his middle school education, his parents enrolled him at St. Benedict’s College, Colombo. The move to Colombo provided him with greater exposure and helped make a quantum leap in his learning. After completing his London Matriculation, his desire was to become an electrical engineer. However, his plans to enter the Ceylon Technical College did not come to fruition due to organisational changes that took place at that institution. During that time, he moved to Trincomalee where his brother Capt. J F Xavier was a Senior Tug Master with the Royal Navy. Because of his interest in electrical engineering, Jega too joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice. Jega was admired by his superiors because he spoke flawless English with an excellent vocabulary.
Later on, Jega became an English teacher in a small school in Mutur near Trincomalee. At about the same time, he became a correspondent for the prestigious Times of Ceylon newspaper and his news reports were published regularly. Although he received many rejection slips at the beginning he was determined to succeed and within a short while he became a successful free-lance journalist. The first article published in the Daily News of Ceylon was on “Cheettu”, the chit system widely practised locally. The financial editor of the newspaper Alan Chalkley was very impressed with his article. After the publication of this article, Chalkley enquired about Jega from his fellow journalists. They had the impression that Jega was a retired civil servant, but he was actually in his thirties at that time. Eventually, Chalkley met Jega and he was pleasantly surprised by his journalistic talent at such a young age.
Over the years, his articles were published in several newspapers in Ceylon. He was very keen on becoming a full-time journalist, but was advised against it as it had a limited scope. He therefore sat for the entrance examination of the Teacher Training College at Maharagama and was selected for the program. At the end of the training course he came out with flying colors. While all other students burnt the midnight oil to study at weekends, Jega used to spend his spare time writing articles for newspapers under the pen name “Student Teacher.” He never bought any textbooks but continued his studies by borrowing textbooks from his fellow students. He had a photographic memory and had the asset of quickly absorbing the lectures to understand their essence.
After leaving the Training College, he joined St. Benedict College, Colombo as an English teacher where he also taught mathematics, science and arts subjects. Within a short period of time, he became a competent and greatly sought after teacher He had the rare gift of simplifying the language to make students learn it with ease. This coupled with his generous sense of humour made him very popular with students.
Jega did not value the common luxuries of that era such as wrist watches and other ornamental trinkets - his early material acquisitions of significance were his precious ‘Minolta’ camera and ‘Hermes Baby’ typewriter, both of which he put to good use to further his journalistic endeavours.
During most his long 33 year stint as a teacher at St. Benedict’s College, Jega was the ‘official’ photographer and chronicler of activities of St. Benedict’s College. With his journalistic skills and love of photography, he revived the well illustrated College Magazines and was instrumental in producing the epic ‘Centenary Souvenir’ on the occasion of St. Benedict’s Centenary in 1965. In the 1960s while teaching at St Benedict’s College, he undertook and completed an assignment for the ‘Daily Mirror – the ‘Our Town’ series of investigative articles on 50 towns in Ceylon as Sri Lanka was then known. The project was completed over a two year period and was executed under the pen name ‘Investigator’, After retirement he became the editor of a monthly magazine named Tapbrobane. It was a very popular magazine, but it went out of publication due to the lack of interest on the part of the publishers.
Jega was a prominent member of societies associated with his early life. When Kayts St. Anthony’s College Past Pupils Association was revived in 1999 at a General Meeting held at St. Benedict's College Jega was elected as the Secretary of the Society and did a great service to his alma mater. He was also the Editor of Kayts Anthonian newsletter for many years. Apart from this, being a devoted parishioner of Kayts St. Antony's church he served as the President of Kayts St. Anthony's Church Community Welfare Society, Colombo Branch for quite a long .
He is a well-read human being of the English and world literature. In a nutshell, he has a profound knowledge of literature and philosophy. As a scholar, he has a liberal attitude to life. His motto is “We should live for others”. In English literature, he became familiar with the writings of leading authors and novelists like William Shakespeare, John Milton, George Bernard Shaw, H.G Wells, George Orwell, William Blake, Oliver Goldsmith and many other authors and poets. He also familiarized himself with the work of Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and many other philosophers and thinkers of the East and West. Another favourite motto of his was ‘Plain living and high thinking’.
He demonstrates the art of talking with diplomacy, tactfulness without hurting anyone, whether they are academics, commoners or scholars. He commands respect without demanding it. He is blessed with the innumerable human values in understanding the human follies and idiosyncrasy. His belief in the dignity, honour and respect of all human beings is easily apparent.
At 87 years of age, though partially disabled following a stroke, he has not lost his wit – anyone visiting him rarely goes away without being treated to one or more of his jokes.
Linus Aloysius
U. K.
(The above article is appeared in "A Historical Record of Kayts Island" published in 2017).
The Artists of Kayts Island
During the past, the Island of Kayts has produced many talented artists and artistes who were well - known for their outstanding abilities in various fields such as singing of folk songs, acting, music, directing passion plays, moulding, craftsmanship, boat building etc. The present generation is unaware of the fact that most our artists were nationally honoured for their talents and capabilities. Until a few decades ago, people from nearby islands as well as various parts of Jaffna peninsula used to visit Kayts to watch Naadukkoothu (A famous folk dance form of storytelling), Passion Plays etc.
Very often the neighbouring villagers used to invite our artistes to perform Passion Plays, Naadukoothu etc in their own places. Artist Muthukuddiyar of Kayts East and his sons Periya Vithanaiyar Thiogu Fernando and Emmanuel Mastiriyaar were some of the artists who were invited to perform in the nearby towns. Both Muthukkudiyar and Emmanuel were experts in sculpturing statues of saints for churches. Muthukutiiyar was a famous sculptor known throughout Sri Lanka, especially in the southern parts of the country. The life-like statues portraying Jesus Christ after his death carved by Muthukkudiyar are still kept at St. James’ Church, Mutuwal, Colombo and St. Joseph Church, Alawai. These are the real proof of his special talent. He is the great artist who achieved great fame by creating an image of our Lord on Cross capable of opening and closing of eyes to be used during passion plays.
Very often the neighbouring villagers used to invite our artistes to perform Passion Plays, Naadukoothu etc in their own places. Artist Muthukuddiyar of Kayts East and his sons Periya Vithanaiyar Thiogu Fernando and Emmanuel Mastiriyaar were some of the artists who were invited to perform in the nearby towns. Both Muthukkudiyar and Emmanuel were experts in sculpturing statues of saints for churches. Muthukutiiyar was a famous sculptor known throughout Sri Lanka, especially in the southern parts of the country. The life-like statues portraying Jesus Christ after his death carved by Muthukkudiyar are still kept at St. James’ Church, Mutuwal, Colombo and St. Joseph Church, Alawai. These are the real proof of his special talent. He is the great artist who achieved great fame by creating an image of our Lord on Cross capable of opening and closing of eyes to be used during passion plays.
Muthukkuddiyar’s son Emmanuel was also an expert in making statues. He made statutes of Jesus Chris for the churches in various parts of North Srilanka including Ilavalai, Punkudutivu and Mandaithivu. He also carved the statue of Jesus Christ at St. Joseph’s church,Kayts. The statute of St. Antony constructed with cement and placed on the facade of the left transept of St. Antony's church facing Velanai road, is yet another example of the sculpturing excellence of Emmanuel Mesthiriyar.
In addition, there were many classical musicians in Kayts who excelled in handling various musical instruments. One of them was Miruthanka Viththuvaan S. P. Thampapillai of Kayts East who was a well - known player of the percussion instrument called Miruthangam. People used to call him Kodaiyidi Thampapillai because of the special effects he produced during his stage performances. It is worth mentioning that many Miruthanga artistes including Miruthanga viththuvaan Innuvil Mylan and Miruthanga viththuvan Karainagar Murugan were both the students of Kodaiyidi Thampapillai. Mr. Thampapillai was an actor and drama director too and he was very popular in many parts of the country including Trincomlee, Mullaithivu and Mannar. He performed a great literary service by collecting poems written by the local poets from Karampon, Naranthanai and Kayts in order to encourage the authors. He was very popular in singing several catholic songs in cinema style and was well respected by late historian priest Rev. Fr. Gnanapragasar of Nallur.
Yet another great artiste Sellathurai alias Udaiyar of Middle Street Kayts was a well known harmonium player. Both Kodaiyiddi Thampapillai and Harmoniya Viduvan Sellathurai were very popular in those days. Udaiyar Sellathurai was also an expert in metal works. Udaiyar Sellathurai's father Mariampillai alias Pakka Marian was also a reputed artist. Pakka was a nick name given for his perfection. Pakka Marian was an expert boat builder and also had the ability to salvage any ship that got wrecked during rough weather. In addition, he was also good at moulding church bells.
Bastiampillai Saverimuthu alias Kirakam of St. Mary’s church parish was also a good director of Passion Plays staged during Lent Season. He organized many such shows in Kayts and Karampon. The costumes used in passion plays, made by Kirakam were stored at St. Mary’s church for a very long period until 1980. Marianthamby Masthiriyar of Kayts West and Sebastiampillai of Ampulapulam also directed Passion Plays in Kayts and they staged these shows until 1990. The people of Kayts Island still vividly remember the scenes of carrying of the cross enacted by the devoted parishioners during lent season.
In addition, there were many classical musicians in Kayts who excelled in handling various musical instruments. One of them was Miruthanka Viththuvaan S. P. Thampapillai of Kayts East who was a well - known player of the percussion instrument called Miruthangam. People used to call him Kodaiyidi Thampapillai because of the special effects he produced during his stage performances. It is worth mentioning that many Miruthanga artistes including Miruthanga viththuvaan Innuvil Mylan and Miruthanga viththuvan Karainagar Murugan were both the students of Kodaiyidi Thampapillai. Mr. Thampapillai was an actor and drama director too and he was very popular in many parts of the country including Trincomlee, Mullaithivu and Mannar. He performed a great literary service by collecting poems written by the local poets from Karampon, Naranthanai and Kayts in order to encourage the authors. He was very popular in singing several catholic songs in cinema style and was well respected by late historian priest Rev. Fr. Gnanapragasar of Nallur.
Yet another great artiste Sellathurai alias Udaiyar of Middle Street Kayts was a well known harmonium player. Both Kodaiyiddi Thampapillai and Harmoniya Viduvan Sellathurai were very popular in those days. Udaiyar Sellathurai was also an expert in metal works. Udaiyar Sellathurai's father Mariampillai alias Pakka Marian was also a reputed artist. Pakka was a nick name given for his perfection. Pakka Marian was an expert boat builder and also had the ability to salvage any ship that got wrecked during rough weather. In addition, he was also good at moulding church bells.
Bastiampillai Saverimuthu alias Kirakam of St. Mary’s church parish was also a good director of Passion Plays staged during Lent Season. He organized many such shows in Kayts and Karampon. The costumes used in passion plays, made by Kirakam were stored at St. Mary’s church for a very long period until 1980. Marianthamby Masthiriyar of Kayts West and Sebastiampillai of Ampulapulam also directed Passion Plays in Kayts and they staged these shows until 1990. The people of Kayts Island still vividly remember the scenes of carrying of the cross enacted by the devoted parishioners during lent season.
Kayts is also the birthplace of a poet who did a great service for nearly a half a century. G.M.Selvarajah of Kayts was a poet who wrote many books, dramas, poems etc., Gnanasavundari, Pandara Vanniyan, Annai Velankanni, St. Anthony, St. James, St. Sebastian were some of Naddukoothu dramas written and staged by poet Selvarajah during the period between 1960 and 1985. Out of these dramas Gnanasavundari was the best and it was staged in various parts of Sri Lanka. Poet Selvarjah has been honoured by many popular personalities of his time including Late Mr. S. J. V. Selvanayagam (Thanthai Selva) and Late Professor S. Vithiyananthan (Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna). Arulappu Annaviyaar of Naranthanai was the Director of the Gnanasavundari Naaddukkoothu as well as Pandaravanniyan Naaddukkoothu. Arulappu Annaviyaar was a good actor and a folk song singer too. Late Mr. A. L. Thambiaiyah, Ex M. P of Kayts honoured him and gave him the title “Amirthakaana Arulappu Annaviyaar”. Yet another all round musician Maasilaamany Mariampillai alias “Suthy Mariyaan” of Naranthanai played harmonium and Thamparty Kathiravelu played miruthankam for Gnanasavundari Naaddukkoothu.
Former Principal of St. Anthonys’s College, Late Mr. S. A. E. Ratnarajah played an important role as St. Sebastian in “Sebasiyaar Nadakam” written by Kavaloor Kavingnar and staged in Karampon. Only a very few are aware of the fact that coincidentally his appointment as the principal was announced on the following day. Bastiampillai, father of Late Bishop of Jaffna, Very Rev. Dr. Deogupillai was another well known actor from Karampon. He was popularly nick named “Esthaki” because of his splendid character-act as Esthaki in a popular play “Esthaki Nadakam”. In his memory Esthaki Bastiampillai his grand children have established a film company “Esthaki Films” in U.K.
A former Head Master of Kayts R. C. Boys school, Juvakeempillai Master from Karampon affectionately referred to as Karampon Juvan was a well-known poet who has written a number of Viruthams, poems etc. The poem “Punniya Ponoor” about Karampon village, published in the book titled “A Genealogy of Catholic Families of Karampon" and www.kayts-east.weebly.com website is a good example to prove his excellent knowledge of Tamil Literature.
Parithyadddaipu is a village situated along camp road on the west end of Kayts. Though the people of this village are predominantly Hindus, they have been maintaining a mutual relationship with the neighbouring Catholics. As some of them were seafaring merchants, they got the opportunity to develop close relationship with south Indians and were able to learn the Indian cultures. Paruthiyaddaippu had produced a number of musicians, vocalists who have performed programmes in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for many decades.
The above is only a brief account based on the very little recorded information available. It is obvious that there would have many great artists and artistes during the past centuries and these unsung heroes would definitely have done great service and brought fame to the historical island of Kayts.
(This article was written by our journalist Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham , translated and published in "A Histocial Record of Kayts Island").
A former Head Master of Kayts R. C. Boys school, Juvakeempillai Master from Karampon affectionately referred to as Karampon Juvan was a well-known poet who has written a number of Viruthams, poems etc. The poem “Punniya Ponoor” about Karampon village, published in the book titled “A Genealogy of Catholic Families of Karampon" and www.kayts-east.weebly.com website is a good example to prove his excellent knowledge of Tamil Literature.
Parithyadddaipu is a village situated along camp road on the west end of Kayts. Though the people of this village are predominantly Hindus, they have been maintaining a mutual relationship with the neighbouring Catholics. As some of them were seafaring merchants, they got the opportunity to develop close relationship with south Indians and were able to learn the Indian cultures. Paruthiyaddaippu had produced a number of musicians, vocalists who have performed programmes in Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for many decades.
The above is only a brief account based on the very little recorded information available. It is obvious that there would have many great artists and artistes during the past centuries and these unsung heroes would definitely have done great service and brought fame to the historical island of Kayts.
(This article was written by our journalist Mr. J. F. Jegarajasingham , translated and published in "A Histocial Record of Kayts Island").
Late Mr. Joseph Thambinayagam
Thirty (30) years have gone by and we usher into remembrance the demise of late A. Joseph Thambinayagam and this is a tribute to a man of life upright, guiltless of heart of spartan simplicity, devoid of pride or prejudice. He was in the true sense of the word, a gentleman to his finger tips. He was an epitome of kindness and quintessence of decorum. His pleasing amiable ways and exuberant character endeared him to a large coterie of friends, relatives and also in his many business circles.
An essential ingredient for success in any human being is solid foundation. He started his career at G. C. Roche & Co. Ltd and thereafter joined Late Mr. K. Gunaratnam in establishing Cinemas Ltd before starting his own Company, 'Heladiva Traders’ Ltd., who were well known importers of Morjan Brand Canned Fish, Fresh Fruits and Commodity items.
Late A. Joseph Thambinayagam was a philanthropist, an ardent Church worker; an unassuming man lovingly called as "Thamby" and was the Vice Patron of his old Alma Mater, St. Anthony’s College, Kayts. He was very generous with his money, helped colleges, various churches, Home for the Elders and other charitable institutions. Every year during the annual feast of May and Corpus Christi processions he took the sole responsibility to illuminate and decorate Mayfield Road, Kotahena where he lived. Great was his heart that he earned respect, love and affection from all he knew. He was a great Angler and active member of Ceylon Anglers Club and took part in competitions and won many awards at the Break Water in Colombo and in Trincomalee and went deep sea fishing in Jaffna Peninsula too.
His wife, Late Rosemary was a tower of strength to him in building up a strong Closely knit family. Their children Milroy, Doreen, Annette and Peter are well settled in USA and UK while Queenie, Dudley and Ravi have established themselves in Sri Lanka. Late Joseph and Rosemary celebrated their Silver Jubilee of their wedding in a modest way at the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu with close family members and I remember well this family get-together. Their home was a open home for friends, relatives and clergy. He was a social worker arranging marriages, helping at all functions and especially weddings and funerals.
I still remember traveling with him in his car on many occasions with my cousins late J. E. Benedict and late Edward Benedict to Jaffna and Madhu which trips we enjoyed. On the way it used to be hunting trip and for long lunch break with his very dear friend Rev. Fr. T. A. J. Mathuranayagam who was a Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura. Fr. Mathuranayagam lives at Kilinochchi in retirement aged 89 still active. I always recall the many functions he used to organize. One was for his brother the late Rev. Fr. Victor Rajanayagam of Kandy Diocease the reception held in Kayts and the other for Present Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam when he was ordained a Priest in Kayts too. Even at my wedding which took place in Kayts in 1958, he was the master of ceremonies a great organizer he was.
Remembering someone special in a personal way can be healing for everyone concerned. When their loved ones leave for greener pastures, those left behind carry on as usual, but with an abiding sorrow inside. What else can one do? Absence also makes the heart grow fonder. Absence also makes the heart to grow. Jesus said:- "In my Father’s House there are many rooms..."Our Christian Faith affirms that one of the rooms are reserved for You and Me. Surely our loving Good Lord would have assigned a room for him long ago for his devoted and faithful servant in the celestial Kingdom and he must be in His loving presence for all eternity and praying for us all down below.
He was one in a million, always there through thick and thin.
Bonjean Thampoe
U.S.A. May 15.2005
An essential ingredient for success in any human being is solid foundation. He started his career at G. C. Roche & Co. Ltd and thereafter joined Late Mr. K. Gunaratnam in establishing Cinemas Ltd before starting his own Company, 'Heladiva Traders’ Ltd., who were well known importers of Morjan Brand Canned Fish, Fresh Fruits and Commodity items.
Late A. Joseph Thambinayagam was a philanthropist, an ardent Church worker; an unassuming man lovingly called as "Thamby" and was the Vice Patron of his old Alma Mater, St. Anthony’s College, Kayts. He was very generous with his money, helped colleges, various churches, Home for the Elders and other charitable institutions. Every year during the annual feast of May and Corpus Christi processions he took the sole responsibility to illuminate and decorate Mayfield Road, Kotahena where he lived. Great was his heart that he earned respect, love and affection from all he knew. He was a great Angler and active member of Ceylon Anglers Club and took part in competitions and won many awards at the Break Water in Colombo and in Trincomalee and went deep sea fishing in Jaffna Peninsula too.
His wife, Late Rosemary was a tower of strength to him in building up a strong Closely knit family. Their children Milroy, Doreen, Annette and Peter are well settled in USA and UK while Queenie, Dudley and Ravi have established themselves in Sri Lanka. Late Joseph and Rosemary celebrated their Silver Jubilee of their wedding in a modest way at the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu with close family members and I remember well this family get-together. Their home was a open home for friends, relatives and clergy. He was a social worker arranging marriages, helping at all functions and especially weddings and funerals.
I still remember traveling with him in his car on many occasions with my cousins late J. E. Benedict and late Edward Benedict to Jaffna and Madhu which trips we enjoyed. On the way it used to be hunting trip and for long lunch break with his very dear friend Rev. Fr. T. A. J. Mathuranayagam who was a Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Anuradhapura. Fr. Mathuranayagam lives at Kilinochchi in retirement aged 89 still active. I always recall the many functions he used to organize. One was for his brother the late Rev. Fr. Victor Rajanayagam of Kandy Diocease the reception held in Kayts and the other for Present Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam when he was ordained a Priest in Kayts too. Even at my wedding which took place in Kayts in 1958, he was the master of ceremonies a great organizer he was.
Remembering someone special in a personal way can be healing for everyone concerned. When their loved ones leave for greener pastures, those left behind carry on as usual, but with an abiding sorrow inside. What else can one do? Absence also makes the heart grow fonder. Absence also makes the heart to grow. Jesus said:- "In my Father’s House there are many rooms..."Our Christian Faith affirms that one of the rooms are reserved for You and Me. Surely our loving Good Lord would have assigned a room for him long ago for his devoted and faithful servant in the celestial Kingdom and he must be in His loving presence for all eternity and praying for us all down below.
He was one in a million, always there through thick and thin.
Bonjean Thampoe
U.S.A. May 15.2005
56 Years in Priesthood!
21. 12. 2019.
55th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination of
Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundranayagam
21st December 1963
Bishop Emeritus Thomas Savundranayagam
21st December 1963
Bonjean Thampoe
Priesthood is a rare gift, offered to a few, who are selected by God, Himself and my BIL Father Thomas is one of them. A man of authentic humility, simplicity, dedicated, prayerful and a true Shepherd of his flock. "I am the good Shepherd, I know my own and my own know me.... and I lay down my life for my sheep." John 1. 14 - 15.
Let me first fill in a few details, from the day he was ordained a Priest on 21st December 1963, by late Bishop Jerome Emilianuspillai, at St. Mary's Cathedral, Jaffna. His first appointment was an Assistant to the Cathedral Parish, and then served as Parish Priest Periya Vilan, Nananttan, and Vankalai. Then he was Diocesan Director of Catechetical Center and proceeded to Bangalore and did his Diploma in Catechetic and Social Communication Media.
Rev. Fr. Thomas Savundranayagam with his parents on his ordination day
In the year 1973, late his Bishop Deogupillai, sent him to the Urban Pontifical University of St. Paul, Rome for a Doctorate in Sacred Biblical Theology studies. While being a student in Rome, his adherence to the discipline of the Community, his serious dedication to his Biblical studies, his constant visit to the Blessed sacrament Chappal, his kindness and readiness to lend a helping hand, where the community needed, touched Fr. Pellegrino, Rector of the Pontifical College.
After the first mass at Kayts, St. Anthony's Church, on 23rd December 1963.
Seated from left to right: Fr. Bennet, Fr. Deogupillai, Fr. Alwainus, Fr. Benedict, Fr. Kimroot, Fr.Thomas Savundranayagam, Fr. Mariampillai, Fr. Mathuranayagam, Fr. Ponniah, Fr. James, Fr. Jeevaratnam. Standing from left to right: Br. Ernest, Br.Pathinathar, Fr. Mary Joseph, Br. Rasiah, Fr. Tax Thevathas, Fr. Pius, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Mahendran, Fr. Jebanesan, Fr. Kingsley,
Fr. P.M. Emmanuel.
Seated from left to right: Fr. Bennet, Fr. Deogupillai, Fr. Alwainus, Fr. Benedict, Fr. Kimroot, Fr.Thomas Savundranayagam, Fr. Mariampillai, Fr. Mathuranayagam, Fr. Ponniah, Fr. James, Fr. Jeevaratnam. Standing from left to right: Br. Ernest, Br.Pathinathar, Fr. Mary Joseph, Br. Rasiah, Fr. Tax Thevathas, Fr. Pius, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Mahendran, Fr. Jebanesan, Fr. Kingsley,
Fr. P.M. Emmanuel.
One day on 24th January, 1981, got an Official letter from Pope John Paul II now a Saint and the Rector proudly read the message to the Community made up of 200 Priests from all parts of the World, Fr. Thomas appointment of the newly carved out Diocese from Jaffna, As the First Bishop of Mannar, Sri Lanka. The surprise announcement was received with acclamation with joy and clapping of hands. Fr. Tom Savundranayagam was not at all ambitious to accept the appointment. When Cardinal Lourdeswamy, Secretary to the Congregation for the Evangelization invited him and gave a week's time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and Fr. Tom accepted the great responsibility to serve in humility. He completed his Doctorate and returned to Sri Lanka. He is one of a rare Priest, went to Rome as student and came back as the First Bishop of Mannar.
He was installed on 30th July,1981, at Our Lady of Madhu, as the 1st Bishop of Mannar Diocese. He took over the Diocese the following day and served the new Diocese very well, established the minor Seminary, built a beautiful up stair block for the Bishop House and Priests, Covent, School, sowed the seeds for future Religious Vocations in Mannar and sent some of his Priests to India and Rome for higher studies.
After serving eleven fruitful years.Rome reckoned his ability and appointed him as the 7th Bishop for the Diocese of Jaffna, on the retirement of Bishop Deogupillai. In the midst of war and turbulence times and the risk of his life, he travelled by a boat, crossed Kilali lagoon and took possession of the Jaffna Diocese on 5th of November, 1992. It was the time ethnic war was at the highest. In 1995 there was an exodus of tens of thousands of people left the Jaffna Peninsula. Bishop endured constant hardships with surprise aerial bombings, shelling and shootings, several people lost their lives, a few Priests were killed and his Episcopal Ministry was wounded.
A true Shepherd of his flock and he has suffered their sufferings and sorrows, in the midst of war destruction as well as the natural destruction of Tsunami. He was there to help, console and heal them. and tender his assistance and help always. throughout his 34 years of Episcopal Ministry for the 2 Dioceses.
He served fruitful as a tireless faithful Leader irrespective of their Religion. He is ' People's Bishop ' Truly chosen by God, the man of such wisdom and piety, served the people with all he had.
May God bless him, guard, guide and sustain him with good health on his well earned retirement, with God's abundant Graces.
"Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself, take up the Cross and follow Me, says the Lord." Matthew 16:24.
21st December 2018
He served fruitful as a tireless faithful Leader irrespective of their Religion. He is ' People's Bishop ' Truly chosen by God, the man of such wisdom and piety, served the people with all he had.
May God bless him, guard, guide and sustain him with good health on his well earned retirement, with God's abundant Graces.
"Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself, take up the Cross and follow Me, says the Lord." Matthew 16:24.
21st December 2018
Sister Naomi Rajanayagam celebrated her Golden Anniversary as a nun!
The motto of her congregation is:- Proclaim that God is Love and spread the compassionate love to the poor through the service!
The name of the organization is "Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary" Sister Naomi joined the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary at the age of nineteen and became a nun at the age of twenty-two! She was sent to Pune to study theology for a few years! On returning to Sri Lanka she worked in Madhu for five years! Rest of the years she worked in the hill countries serving the tea plantation labor force! Later she devoted all her time in the estate areas to help the estate workers! Even now she is working in the estate areas helping the poor workers! She does quite a lot of pastoral work as well! She had her Golden Anniversary at her convent with her sisters and relations along with the retired bishop of Jaffna Bishop Thomas who graced the celebration with his presence! |
She was the first woman in our community to become a nun! We all should be proud of her service she rendering to the estate workers! She was the daughter of Grace and Nicholas Rajanayagam! She has two sisters and one brother!
One sister lives in the Netherlands with two of her children! The other sister and brother live in Sri Lanka! A few years ago she visited Germany, the Netherlands and France! During that time she visited her sister and family also travelled on a pilgrimage to Lourdes! Last month she was in Kerala for a retreat and visited few places on a pilgrimage as well! I have been known to her from her childhood! An interesting episode took place over twenty years ago! I was at the wedding of my nephew and she also attended the church service! I was waiting outside the church and she came to me to ask, whether I know, Linus! With a radiant smile, I said:- I am Linus! Since then our friendship was reunited and met her many times! We are always in touch with each other over the phone! I visited her headquarter in Colombo! It is situated in an expensive area! Whenever I visited her headquarter I had a VIP treatment with lunches and afternoon refreshments! Her colleagues were extremely cheerful, friendly and polite! All in all, the congregation is rendering an excellent service to the Sri Lankan community irrespective of their nationalities and creed! Some of the nuns are teachers as well! Her congregation is an international organisation! Even in Sri Lanka, they do have a few centres! I admire their service to humanity! Her organisation was established in Belgium and the headquarter is in Brussels! It has many branches in many parts of the world in Africa, Asia, South America and North America! In Sri Lanka, there are 140 or more nuns! Some of them are teachers, few of them take care of the elderly persons and mentally handicapped persons! All of them are rendering excellent service to the humanity in Sri Lanka! In the past, I visited Zeebrugge in Belgium! I visited their convent many times as they served in hospitals in Sri Lanka! They were full of praise for the inhabitants of Sri Lanka! We should be proud of the fact that member of the religious congregation is also part of the our community! I don't think that she wants to retire because she is a committed dedicated nun who wants to serve the estate workers who need her assistance, advice and guidance! The East Street Community should be proud of her! May God bless her and keep her in good health to serve the estate community! Linus 11 October 2018 |
Rev. Fr. Charles Williams Collins – Profile
Hailing from Kayts in Northern Province of Sri Lanka, Charles Collins had his early education at Kayts St. Antony’s College. He then joined St, Martin’s seminary and simultaneously continued his secondary education at Jaffna St. Patrick’s College.
After being ordained as a priest he served in several parishes within the Jaffna Archdiocese .He then served as the Director of Youth Council and then became the Director of St,Martin’s seminary .Most recently he served as the Director of catholic press, After serving in Jaffna diocese for more than 25 years last year Fr,Charles was assigned by the Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev,Rev.Justin Gnanapragasam to undertake a very responsible position as the parish priest for Tamil Catholics of Toronto Canada. After serving for a brief period as an assistant parish priest in an English parish in Toronto Fr. Collins officially took over the position of parish priest of Our Lady of Good Health (OLGH )parish on June.27th 2018 replacing Fr.Peter Gitendran who recently retired after serving in the parish for the past 5 years, OLGH parish office operates at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary located at 131 Birchmount Road (Birchmount and Danforth) Scarborough. This parish which has been functioning for the past 25 years covers a very wide area and serves the religious needs of Catholics residing in Greater Toronto Area as well as several cities in Ontario including Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, Aurora, Oakville, Brampton, Mississauga, Milton .Markham, new market and Richmond Hill. Anyone wishing to contact the parish office can call 416-264-6544 |
New priest installed for Toronto Tamil Catholic Parish
Special community report
Raymond Rajabalan
Special community report
Raymond Rajabalan
“As we are called to be the salt of the earth and light of the world, we must do our part to build a gracious society and to bring joy of the Gospel to those we meet “ – Fr, Charles Collins.
It was a day of great joy for the Tamil catholic community of Toronto when a new priest was ceremoniously installed for Our Lady of Good Health Tamil Parish on September 16th by Most Rev.Vincent Nguyen, The Bishop of Toronto ( Eastern Region ). The ceremony for the evening commenced at the Parish church located at 131- Birchmount Road, Scarborough in the presence of several nuns and priests together with hundreds of parishioner’s .The Introduction and Welcome of the Bishop was done by Quintus Thuraisingham and few other parishioners. It was followed by the traditional Aaraathi at the entrance of the Church after which the Bishop, the new parish priest Fr.Charles Williams Collins , the former parish priest Fr. Peter Gitendran together with the Parish Priest for English Parishioners: Fr.Peter Tammearu were garlanded. The religious services then began with the concelebrated mass said by the new parish priest , the retired parish priest and the Bishop.Rt.Rev. Nguyen .In his brief homily the Bishop talked about the importance of unity and faith. He also mentioned that the new parish priest will need all the support and assistance from the parishioners and invited all the parishioners to join hands and continue to enrich the parish. Then the installation ceremony of Fr.Charles began with the reading of the Decree and the renewal of promises. Fr.Charles then recited the Profession of Faith which was followed by the Oath of Fidelity that includes a promise to God that he will carry out his duties with great discipline, obedience and according to the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church. Then the Bishop congratulated the new Parish Priest and wished him success in all his ventures The entire congregation and parishioners then stood up to express their support and congratulation to the new priest with a huge round of applause warmly welcoming him to the Parish. At the end of the Mass, the new Parish Priest addressed the congregation .During his speech he repeatedly thanked all those who contributed to the growth and success of this parish that had recently begun its sliver jubilee celebration. While reminding the congregation that we are blessed to live in a very supportive diocese that is not only visionary but determined and compassionate , Fr.Charles also stressed the fact that we should never forget we are part of a humanity at large, the true members of the Family of God. As we are called to be the salt of the earth and light of the world, we must do our part to build a gracious society and to bring joy of the Gospel to those we meet. Once the mass ended a social gathering took place at the Parish Hall where the Bishop and all the priests met and greeted the parishioners. Further to the installation of Fr.Charles as the new parish priest by the Toronto Bishop, the Bishop of Jaffna Rt.Rev.Dr.Justin Gnanapragasam will be celebrating a Mass in Toronto with the Parishioners and have a gathering with all of them on Sunday, October 07, 2018 at 4:30 pm. |
Jega! the nonagenarian! He is no longer an Octogenarian but still humorous and witty!
Joseph Jegarajasingham
Teacher, Journalist, Writer, Philosopher, Orator and Thinker!
Becomes a Nonagenarian Today!
Joyous Birthday to you with love from: https://kayts-east.weebly.com
His motto:, " We should live for others"
Teacher, Journalist, Writer, Philosopher, Orator and Thinker!
Becomes a Nonagenarian Today!
Joyous Birthday to you with love from: https://kayts-east.weebly.com
His motto:, " We should live for others"
Once he said! "My purse may be empty at times but my mind never be bankrupt of ideas!"
What is important in life is bravery, cheerfulness, courage, confidence, humour, laughter, jovial, smiling face with compassion, forgiveness and understanding the idiosyncrasies of the human beings! He is a daredevil! Even though he is partially disabled still full of joy like the spring with his jokes! I admire him and pay my tribute to him with my affection! He is my hero! He is neither a coward nor a villain! But a calm and cool being who saw the world through the books and understood what he read and applied what he learnt into actions! This is the uniqueness of his greatness! He always reminds of the poem! " The boy stood on the burning deck!" I consider Brother Jega as an intellectual giant of the East Street Community! His humility and simplicity are matchless beyond any description in words! Some time ago I wrote an article about Brother Jega and it was published in " A Historical Record of Kayts" by Raymond Rajabalan! It is an excellent informative book on Kayts! Jega had his early education in St.Anthony's Tamil School which was under the administration of Brothers of St. Joseph! Later he joined the St.Anthony's College when Fr.A.S. Joseph was the rector! Finally, he joined the St. Benedict's College during the time of Brother Luke, he was the director! After completing his Matriculation, he joined as an Electrical Apprentice in the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee with the intention of becoming an electrical engineer! He was to go to India to study but it did not happen because of the Second World War! Somehow he joined as an English Teacher in Muthur near Trincomalee! During that time he became a Times of Ceylon correspondence for Trincomalee area! Afterwards, he joined the Teachers Training College in Maharagama later he joined the St.Benedict's College also his journalistic life began! He was a teacher at St. Benedict's college until his retirement! When he was a teacher, he edited the college magazine for many years! It was a popular magazine! I spoke to the Bishop of Mannar! He was Jega's student and he was full of praise for Jega's ability, skill and intelligence! As a teacher, he was popular with everyone! After his retirement, he was an Editor of a magazine called "Tabrobane" It was an excellent magazine but its publication ceased due to the lack of support from the printers! As a journalist, he visited many villages in Sri Lanka and he wrote many articles about the villages he visited! His articles were published in one or two magazines in the UK and one of them was the Nautical Magazine, to the best of my knowledge that magazine is published! When he was in the Kindergarten, he was not clever! So his teacher Gnanapargasm told our uncle who was a maestro in Midrngam that he was poor in learning! His name was Thampapillai! He was annoyed with the teacher! He kept Jega as a child on his lap taught him to read and write better! After a few weeks, the teacher told Thampapillai! That Jega had become the brightest and brilliant student in the class! It was an extraordinary joy for Thampapillai! Jega does not know anything about Tamil music! But Thampapillai taught Jega to play the Mridangam for any type of singing! I think Jega learnt his simplicity in appreciation, interpretation, teaching and understanding from the Vidvan Thampapillai! He was his first mentor! He was a bright student at St.Anthony's College! He was admired by all his teachers who were A.R.N. Nicholas, B.M. Manuelpillai and T.S. Aruelandam! They were my teachers as well! Of all the teachers T.S.Aruelandnadm was the best teacher! A.R.N. Nicholas was a typical village schoolmaster who mostly taught English! It was from him I came to know about the greatness of Tagore! Tagore considered the world as his school and nature as his books! Because of A.R.N. Nicholas, I developed a unique admiration for Tagore! T.S. Aruelanandam was an excellent teacher and he gave all his students the glimpse of the English literature by encouraging the students to read the book called "Bright Story Readers" This book contained the summary of the English Classics in simple language for the students to read and understand the beauty of the English literature! Aruelanandam used to address Jega as Journalist! In St.Benedict's College, his teachers were Gnanapragasm, B.M. Joseph and E.J.Perera! They were all excellent teachers! Especially Gnanapragasm had a profound knowledge of English Literature and he knew the art of making poetry interesting and enriching to the students! B.M. Joseph was another excellent teacher who taught English and Tamil! He taught the students the Tamil through English! He also gave the students the glimpse of the Tamil literature. Jega was taught by a few more other teachers and I have no knowledge of them! Perhaps he must have been the only student at St.Benedict's College who became a teacher after his training in the training college! He not only taught English but he taught other subjects as well because he was a science student! He is an intellectual giant of our community! The hallmark of his life is humility, simplicity, honesty, kindness, hospitality, generosity, compassion, understanding, appreciation, forgiveness and helpfulness to everyone according to his ability and means! As a well-read person, he has become a real human being without any greed for material wealth that is his uniqueness of life! Once he said that is was foolish on the persons to offer Puja when that person is no more but we should offer him the Pujas when that person is alive to glorify him by which the longevity could be extended What he meant by offering Pujas means to honour and respect that person with love and affection! I quite agree with his concept of life! Another joke of him was! When a person copies from a book, he becomes a copycat but when he quotes from many books that a person becomes a scholar! He was talking about the PhD research scholars who do extensive reading and quote from various authors without understanding the contents or substance of the subject by which they live in their imaginative and dogmatic world! Once he talked about News-Sense and nonsense! It is possible to develop News-Sense through observations and communicating with the intellectuals, scholars and wise human beings! He referred to the famous essayist Francis Bacon! Francis Bacon famous words were: "Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man." I have a strong feeling that he must have read the essays of Bacon! That essays might have influenced him to become an excellent reader, an excellent communicator and an excellent writer! The conference is communication with each other! As any other journalists, in the beginning, his articles were rejected with the apology slip from the editors! But he had the determination to succeed as a journalist and he triumphantly became victorious in the journalistic world! His first article to be published in the "Daily News" on Chettu! It has advantages and disadvantages still very common in Sri Lanka! The economic editor Alan Chokly was pleased with the article and it was the first time article to be published and when it was published, he was over the moon! Because of the content of the article, Alan Chokly tried to find out who Jega was! His fellow journalists told him that he might be a retired civil servant! Eventually, Alan met Jega and he was shocked and surprised, he expected to meet an elderly gentleman whereas Jega was in his early thirties! They were good friends for many years! I do consider Jega as an intellectual giant because of his experience, maturity and rationality! His philosophy of life is confronting any calamity with ever-growing confidence with a radiant smile! His attitude is cowards die many times but the villain dies but once! He never collected any qualifications or abbreviations behind his name to example his academic qualifications! or scholar! Of course, he is an academic without the university education and a scholar in his own way! Whereas he was never concerned or worried about the qualifications because of his daring confidence and dynamic courage in life! He is a visionary with inspiration! He is a self-made human being with his own principles! He had the capacity to challenge anyone with a smile but he could shock anyone with his rationality that is his wisdom! In nutshell, he is a daredevil as he is wedded to compassion, forgiveness and reason! His knowledge, wisdom and common sense are far above any of the academics and scholars! He always says that his mind will never be empty! He led a simple and wealth did not worry him! He is a born optimist and I am proud of him! He is well looked after by his wife, children, grandchildren and daughters-in-law! This is my brief tribute to him! A few days ago I talked to him and said that I hope to write about him on our Website! With a radiant smile, he said: " What sort of lies you are going to write about me!" He helped me to join a ship! He taught me English and Maths! Because of his persuasion in 1982, I visited Colombo as our brother Richard was a terminal case! Since then I visited Colombo a few times! At times he joined me for the morning walk in the Galle Face Green! I am quite confident that few of our relations and friends will great him by visiting on his birthday! Due to my health, I am not in a position to visit him but in spirit, I will always be with him! This is my mini-tribute to him but in the near future, I hope to write a lengthy biography of his life! Let us pray for his longevity! Here is the copy of the email I sent to my Internet Buddies to honour him in 2013! He is undoubtedly a noble human being with grace and the gift of compassion! He is a humanistic Christian and not a dogmatic Christian! All in all, I am, proud of him! Today my third brother's birthday 2013 "My purse may be empty but my mind will never be bankrupt of ideas!" Brother Jega I wish you a Happy Onam Day! Today also happened to be my Third Brother's 85Th Birthday! I thought I better pay my tribute to him! This morning, I greeted him and he sang Happy Birthday to him over the phone! I thought I must pay tribute to him, so here I am! Like him, I never prepare my speech nor emails! I just sit in front of the laptop and the ideas flow through my mind in the form of brain waves and my fingers translate them into words! Forgetfulness and absent-mindedness are very common! In my teenage days, my class teacher used to say without forgetting one could not learn and that was also true! In this day and age, we talk about Alzheimer and Dementia! As far as I am concerned these disease is caused by loneliness and worry! My brother has an excellent memory for his age! Because he has no worry and conservative in his thinking! Moreover, he amuses everyone with his jokes with laughter and wit! He was the most compassionate and devoted father I have come across in my life! He is also my mentor and I shine on his ideas as they enlightened and enriched my life! His vision in life is "One should live for others!" and one should also develop news-sense without becoming a nuisance to anyone is also his motto! He was offered an opportunity to study in the United States but he rejected that opportunity because he felt that being with the growing up family is far more important than seeking fame and fortune abroad with loneliness, greed and popularity! He was right as his children are doing well at home and abroad without anyone financial assistance is the greatest achievement of his life! He was a teacher and journalist! At one time his name was the household for the readers of the Sri Lankan Newspapers! He is an English scholar and he never set foot on the soil of Shakespeare and Milton still his command of English is par excellence in oratory and writing! He is a well-read person! A fan of Bernard Shaw and H.G.Wells. He had the habit of reading the books and on the last page, he made it a habit to write his comment about the book! After reading his comments I used to read the books! He used to attend lectures and sometimes I used to accompany him as well! He was an excellent teacher to teach English and his students are proud of his teaching methodology and admire him for his skill, ability and humour! His technic of teaching was simple! He made the subject interesting and make the students learn with joy! His ambition was to become an electrical engineer but he did not succeed due to the second war! In order to prepare for his career, he worked as a trainee electrician under a Cockney Englishman! He was impressed with my brother's posh English! My brother did not tell him that he passed the London Matriculation! He was prepared to promote my brother to a senior post but he resigned and became a village schoolmaster in a village near Trincomalee! In the village, he became a correspondent for the Times newspaper and that was his beginning as a journalist! He wanted to become a full-time journalist, so he seek-ed the advice of a senior journalist! He was advised that to become a journalist and earn a decent living was limited! So he joined the training college! In the training college, he earned money by writing the article as a student teacher! Most of his fellow students bought expensive books in the training college whereas he never bought any books as he felt that buying books to become a teacher was useless and wastage of money still he borrowed books his fellow students' at times and he obtained his qualification as a teacher! He had a photographic memory! As a teacher, he edited the St.Benedict College magazine regularly and after his retirement he edited a monthly magazine! After his retirement, he was in heavy demand for English tuition! His charge was moderate and affordable to everyone! He also taught few poor students free of charge! He never asked for money from the students still they paid him! Once his old student who worked for the United Nations sent his son to my brother to learn English! He taught him and his old student sent a fee through his son to my brother but he returned half the fee! He was not at all greedy over wealth! His children are married and doing well in life! One in Brunei, another one in Katar and the last one in the UK! The eldest son was a banker and retired at fifty like me! Eight years ago, when I had a conversation with him he told me! "My two daughters are married and settled down in life and my two children are doing well in life! Hence I can leave the world with a radiant smile! He is always cheerful with the high sense of humour and lively oratory! He never prepares as he is an extempore speaker! Once in my presence, he made a mini-speech at an engagement function! He said "Mother-in-law always wants a handsome and wealth son-in-law but the father-in-law always wants an educated son-in-law! He is afraid of flying and he does not like to fly! I sincerely admire his compassion, simplicity, humility and contentment" He also has a profound knowledge of philosophy and religions but he never talks about religions and his belief to anyone! I only know about his views but I will not reveal his views to anyone! As a retired person, he is a gentleman of leisure and he reasonably healthy for his age but he is under curfew by his wife! Hence his freedom is restricted! He does not like it still he has to obey his command of his wife! I state, age is a cage and it is also an Ivory Tower! First time in my life I spent a week in the hospital! A fellow patient told me! "A man is once a man and twice a child!" He is blessed and fortunate to have his wife and children and their families to take care of him! All in all, he is leading a jolly good life but he led an active life! I am fortunate to have him as my brother and I am proud of him! I am equally proud of his children as they are compassionate, kind and generous human beings! I wish him a joyous birthday! I share my message with few of you, the Internet Buddies! Adversity causes some men to break, others to break records. Linus 29 August 2018 |
Following article was written for the 140th anniversary souvenir of St. Anthony's College Kayts published in 2012
Following article was received from Mr. Tony Rajanayagam
THE HEADMEN SYSTEM AT KAYTS
Under the old MANIAGARAR system each Division was sub-divided and placed under officers called Village Headman (VIDANS). The first village headman of Kayts was the late Mr. Deogu Fernando, a landed proprietor of Kayts, whose lands extended from Naranthanai to Charty and from Karampon to Suruvil. Kayts Division covered the present Kayts East, Kayts West, Middle Street, Camp Road and Paruthiadaippu. After his retirement his son the late Mr. T.F.Anthonymuthu was appointed to the post in spite of several others having applied for it. This was in accordance with the hereditary system then in vogue.
After that late Mr. T. F. Anthonymuthu's retirement I was appointed for the post. Not long after words the Grama Niladhari (G, S) system was introduced to replace the old Village Headman System, selection to which was by means of a competitive exam. The new appointees were also on a transferable basis which prohibition from serving in their own home stations. I was thus appointed to the Jaffna Town D.R.O. Division in various areas. My final station was Kondavil and while serving there I opted to retire from service.
Julius Benedict.
Under the old MANIAGARAR system each Division was sub-divided and placed under officers called Village Headman (VIDANS). The first village headman of Kayts was the late Mr. Deogu Fernando, a landed proprietor of Kayts, whose lands extended from Naranthanai to Charty and from Karampon to Suruvil. Kayts Division covered the present Kayts East, Kayts West, Middle Street, Camp Road and Paruthiadaippu. After his retirement his son the late Mr. T.F.Anthonymuthu was appointed to the post in spite of several others having applied for it. This was in accordance with the hereditary system then in vogue.
After that late Mr. T. F. Anthonymuthu's retirement I was appointed for the post. Not long after words the Grama Niladhari (G, S) system was introduced to replace the old Village Headman System, selection to which was by means of a competitive exam. The new appointees were also on a transferable basis which prohibition from serving in their own home stations. I was thus appointed to the Jaffna Town D.R.O. Division in various areas. My final station was Kondavil and while serving there I opted to retire from service.
Julius Benedict.
Congratulations to our Website Designer Priyanth Pathmarajah, who graduated Double Masters of Science Degree: MSc in Finance and MSc in Accountancy (Chartered Financial Analyst track) at Tilburg University, Netherlands.
Following article was taken from the draft copy of "History of the People of East Street Kayts"
received from Mr. Sydney Xavier
FIRST SRI LANKAN RECTOR OF
ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
1940 to 1961
Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter A Pillai OMI
Apostle of Social Justice
by Stanley E. Abeynayake
Peter Alcantara Pillai was born on 19th October, 1904 at Wennappuwa. His parents Jacob and Anna Pillai, school teachers hailed from Kayts, Jaffna. His schooling began in his mother tongue Tamil in the school where his parents were teachers. Later he joined St. Benedict's College, Kotahena, Colombo at the age of nine years. In 1918 he passed the Cambridge Junior with eight distinctions. He was then only 14 years. He passed the Cambridge Senior at the age of 16 years in 1920 also with eight distinctions becoming the first in the whole of the British Empire. Subsequently he became an undergraduate of the then University College of Colombo and obtained the BSc degree with a first class in 1923. In the next year, 1924, he also got through the BSc Hons Mathematics in the first division.
Peter Pillai was most deservingly fortunate to win the annual government scholarship in science awarded to the best student and proceeded to the University of Cambridge where he obtained his BA and MA (Cantab). Thereafter he passed the MSc (London) quite easily. He would have entered the much lucrative CCS (Ceylon Civil Service) - the plum of government service got an academic part in the University. However, he opted to become a Catholic priest to serve his God and man. His elder brother Fr. Cadjetan Pillai, a teacher at St. Joseph's died of plague whilst administering to the sick.
His two other brothers too had already joined the clergy. Armed with PhD and DD (Doctorate in Divinity) - Rome he was ordained in 1934. On his return to the motherland, he was appointed to the staff of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya and warden of Aquinas Hall, the University Student's Catholic Hall. No other Sri Lankan educationist had such high qualifications. To fight against the twin evils of the day - 1930s - namely, injustice and exploitation, he created two journals, 'Social Justice' (English) and 'Samaja Samaya' (Sinhala). His campaigns and untiring efforts resulted in the enacting of the Shop and Office Workers' Ordinance, Wages Boards Ordinance, Employees Provident Fund Act, Industrial Disputes Act etc. all in the field of Labour or Industrial Law. He also advocated and expounded the theories of worker participation in management, profit-sharing, better housing and living conditions for the working class.
In 1940 Rev. Fr. Dr. Pillai was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Rector of St. Joseph's College, Colombo, the premier, Catholic Collegiate school in the island which post he held with great acceptance and distinction for 21 years till 1961. Highly concerned with moulding the character of youth besides serving in some government commissions, he was the president of the Headmasters' Union, member of the University of Ceylon Senate, founder of the Catholic Students' Federation, the Graduate Federation, the Catechetical Institute, the Xaverian Movement - and the Aquinas College of Higher Studies. Further, as a result of his championing social reforms, it resulted in bringing to statute books such welfare legislation as the National Housing Act, Debt Conciliation Board Ordinance and Land Redemption Act. An extrovert, a great trait of his character was that he was not at all a racist or communal minded - in that he treated Sinhala, Tamil, Moor, Malay, Burgher students alike. He was not only a tower of strength to Catholic students, especially Josephians but also equally to Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic (Muslim) students aspiring for higher studies. When he passed away untimely on September 27th 1964, he was only 60 years of age, 10 years short of the psalmists span of life - three score and ten, which means 70 years. He lived exactly like three score years - 60 years due to ceaseless, unfatigable exertion of his strength in the service of humanity.
His excellent services to the country are immemorial.
Peter Pillai was most deservingly fortunate to win the annual government scholarship in science awarded to the best student and proceeded to the University of Cambridge where he obtained his BA and MA (Cantab). Thereafter he passed the MSc (London) quite easily. He would have entered the much lucrative CCS (Ceylon Civil Service) - the plum of government service got an academic part in the University. However, he opted to become a Catholic priest to serve his God and man. His elder brother Fr. Cadjetan Pillai, a teacher at St. Joseph's died of plague whilst administering to the sick.
His two other brothers too had already joined the clergy. Armed with PhD and DD (Doctorate in Divinity) - Rome he was ordained in 1934. On his return to the motherland, he was appointed to the staff of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya and warden of Aquinas Hall, the University Student's Catholic Hall. No other Sri Lankan educationist had such high qualifications. To fight against the twin evils of the day - 1930s - namely, injustice and exploitation, he created two journals, 'Social Justice' (English) and 'Samaja Samaya' (Sinhala). His campaigns and untiring efforts resulted in the enacting of the Shop and Office Workers' Ordinance, Wages Boards Ordinance, Employees Provident Fund Act, Industrial Disputes Act etc. all in the field of Labour or Industrial Law. He also advocated and expounded the theories of worker participation in management, profit-sharing, better housing and living conditions for the working class.
In 1940 Rev. Fr. Dr. Pillai was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Rector of St. Joseph's College, Colombo, the premier, Catholic Collegiate school in the island which post he held with great acceptance and distinction for 21 years till 1961. Highly concerned with moulding the character of youth besides serving in some government commissions, he was the president of the Headmasters' Union, member of the University of Ceylon Senate, founder of the Catholic Students' Federation, the Graduate Federation, the Catechetical Institute, the Xaverian Movement - and the Aquinas College of Higher Studies. Further, as a result of his championing social reforms, it resulted in bringing to statute books such welfare legislation as the National Housing Act, Debt Conciliation Board Ordinance and Land Redemption Act. An extrovert, a great trait of his character was that he was not at all a racist or communal minded - in that he treated Sinhala, Tamil, Moor, Malay, Burgher students alike. He was not only a tower of strength to Catholic students, especially Josephians but also equally to Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic (Muslim) students aspiring for higher studies. When he passed away untimely on September 27th 1964, he was only 60 years of age, 10 years short of the psalmists span of life - three score and ten, which means 70 years. He lived exactly like three score years - 60 years due to ceaseless, unfatigable exertion of his strength in the service of humanity.
His excellent services to the country are immemorial.