Joe Roche - The Grand Old Man of C & F
Had the great pleasure of catching up with Joe Roche on Monday. He and Lucy are catching up with firends and relatives here in Melbourne and will return to Sydney next week.Lucy had gone visiting her numerous nieces and Joe was at his sister Margaret's place. She's the mother of Rienzie Machado who, for those who didn't know, was a Chemist @ P&GI and with whom I had some dealings during the time I worked at the Nitrocellulose Plant in Ratmalana. It was lovely to chat about old times and colleagues. Also about his recent visit to SL. He spoke very fondly of you, Mr Edwards, (as we all do), your readiness at all times to help everyone (including our family members) on all matters medical that we faced in SL. He had also visited Mr Wickremesinghe who, he said, had been deeply affected by his wife's recent death. He recalled a meeting with Bosco who had recognised him on the street one day and the early days when Bosco, Ranjith Ganemulla & Tilak Karunaratne joined as management trainees. It was also a time to reflect on the colleagues who have passed away, Boya, Joe Perera, XL de Mel, Theobold Alles, Norman Chandraratne etc., and my father who used to provide lifts to Joe & Eric for the weekly novenas at All Saints. We also went through the glory days of the CIC Tennis & Hockey teams of which he was an integral part and the many players like Kanagalingam, Lou Adihetty, Mr Arichandran and of course, Eric. Joe said Viswa is back in Mutwal and Francis is doing extremely well with his work in the choir. He would have liked to have met Sivalogam but like many of us, hadn't been successful in tracking him down. I've invited Joe & Lucy to come and spend a night with us at our home and I sincerely hope they can make it before they go back despite their other commitments.Would be great to subject them to the misery of my cooking! Kanthi, Mallika & Cyril, not sure how well you knew Joe but I can still recall how sad we all were when he had to leave SL with his family for India. Joe was heart-broken but I'm glad, as also those who worked with him, that he overcame the heartbreak and the disappointments to build a loving family with Lucy, the majority of whom are here in Oz, to provide them both the love and comfort they both richly deserve in their retirement. Am attaching some pix I took during the visit. The towels on the rails was my idea, thought they looked artistic (just joking!) Elmo June 2012
Lovely to see Joe Roche after nearly 35 years. He was my first boss at CIC. I spoke to him when I was in Sydney a few years ago but couldn't meet him. Happy to know you met up with Joe and wife and talked through the night of the good old days at C&F and CIC. Joe hasn't changed much. Paths
My apologies for not instantly 'springing into action' on reading the tributes emanating from some of you hailing Joe Roche as the "Grand Old Man" of the C&F Dept. at CIC in those yesteryears we continue to reminisce of. Elmo I was touched by your review of the chit chat you had with Joe & Lucy; it was so meaningful and in a sense brought us together at least 'in spirit' extolling the virtues of dearest Joe whom we often referred to as the "Pope'. I thought he deserved that appellation being the nephew of Rt.Rev.Bishop Tiburtius Roche SJ ,the first Bishop of the Latin Rite in South India and 2 Priests brothers of the Bishop.
On a wave of nostalgia I traverse to 1957 when I entered the portals of ICI in Fort with the burly Englishman RAO Mayne who sported the Cuban cigar with pride being the Manager. I was drafted into the accounts Dept. ably manned by JC Fernando (father of Melchi) JC's uncle Sanjeevi Gomez and Joe Roche-did you exclaim "an uncle /nephew party" !!
Joe proved his mettle on the Nominal ledger and made his way up with ease eventually being promoted to the chair of the C&F Dept succeeding Lambert Ratnayake another old ICI horse. If I remember right, Joe infused a new refreshing breeze into the working of the C&F Dept. with Austin ,Paths,Lalith ,Jauffer,Boya and others (sorry cannot recall others at this time) teaming up with him in perfect harmony.The rest is history as you rightly allude to Joe as the Grand Old Man of C&F.
It was at this stage that poor Joe had to leave the country of his birth taking with him Lucy and their 6 children literally in their infancy. It was the saddest day I think in his working /personal life to be thus 'penalised' though Mr.SKW made valiant attempts to stay the order to leave the country Joe loved so much. Thanks to Mr.SKW Joe was given a slot with ICI Madras and his journey in foreign climes was a tough one facing stormy seas in an effort to educate and care for his young family.
I remained close to Joe right throughout having been his Bestman in 1961 and was the recipient of copious letters from Joe updating me with his saga. On ceasing links with ICI Joe was Manager of Victoria Hotel and with his excellent PR made a multitude of friends. I vividly recall many of us travelling on our Vespa scooters in the form of a motorcade as Joe & family made their way to the airport-remember Ivor, Kangalingam, Boya, Elmo in our little display of respect and cordiality for Joe who was loved by all. On bidding farewell we stopped over at Boya's to drown our sorrows always having a peep at the clock to ensure we were back in Colombo before the commencement of the curfew.
Joe faced a dilemma of sorts when his siblings persuaded him & Lucy to join them in Oz; he was taken back at the thought of uprooting himself from Chennai which had been his refuge for well over 35 years. The couple did eventually fly into Sydney but the trauma of leaving his 2nd home was a tough challenge for Joe and this did have an effect on his lifestyle. I am happy to have gleaned from Elmo's meeting about his trip to SL and tributes paid to several including Mr.Chris Edwards who will always be remembered for his never failing presence at funerals of CIC'ers family members and visiting staff who were hospitalised and encouraging them with his advice. Joe remains very close to Mr.SKW, a veritable link that was initiated in the mid 50's at ICI. Eric
What a tribute from you Eric! My vivid recollection of Joe is, his walking down the stairs from the Wharf dept to the main office at CB Building. The stock section with Jayasuriya, Kanage (and then Viswa) and self were right at the bottom of the stairs and Joe walks down maybe10 times everyday with his big, big smile. I am not privy to why he had to leave Sri Lanka. He was still working when I left CIC in 1977. It's great to remember nice people with much adoration. Ana
Joe Roche was there during the short time I worked at CIC. I cetainly remember him. He was a very pleasant and friendly person and was in the Accounts dept with X L de Mel. please give him my fondest regards. May be he cannot remember me but if you tell him that Fari, Shirley and I worked in the same section that might help him a bit. Thanks for sharing the photos. Kanthi
Thanks for sharing your time with an old friend of ours,- Joe Roche. As Cyril attests we all agree Joe was a kind and supportive human being. I second your statement that Mr.Edwards was helpful in many ways as well. We should start referring to Mr. Edwards as Dr.Edwards. After one of the plays at Lionel Wendt I developed a skin rash. No not the kind any of you are thinking.It had me worried too. He explained it simply and it was gone in two days. Yes Kanthi was there when Joe was at CIC. These were the people who befriended me, when I started at CIC in '67(Chartered Bank). We were all sorry to see him go and as well joyous at his resurgance in India. Keeping tabs through his in laws, Joe Williams, and Francis. Sorry Joe, I know you do not want to be deluged with our e-mails, but as we are singing your praises I am copying you this one time. James
Thanks a lot for the mail and the photos. I very well remember a favour Joe did to me even after going to India.
In 1977, when I and Galagedara were given a training in ACCI India ICI sent our exchange direct to ACCI Office in Madras ( Mumbai). Those were the days when we were not able to take any additional exchange out of the country but when my BiL in New Zealand asked me to find someone in Madras to send some exchange Joe was very kind enough to agree to receive it and hand it over to me there. Joe, do you remember that? If not for you I would not have been able to bring at least one sari to my wife. I and my wife are grateful to you for that favour you did. Cyril
A Tribute to Joe Roche, the Remarkable Mentor
One of my responsibilities as an accountant when I joined CIC in October 1969 was to review petty cash expenses and approve replenishment of the petty cash float from time to time. After doing this for a couple of months, I realized that a fair amount of what we spent out of the petty cash was for “clearing charges” paid at the Colombo port customs unit when our C & F department staff went to clear shipments on behalf of CIC. As the saying goes, “New brooms sweep well,” I began questioning the wharf department staff more and more to establish the bona fides of the expenses before I approved replenishments.
As a new accountant, I was clueless about the workings of the customs unit at the Colombo port and obviously, Joe Roche and the other experienced, long time and loyal staff were getting annoyed with me for grilling them whenever they sought replenishment to the petty cash. I was also concerned about the frequency of the replenishment requests, every two weeks or so. I think the petty cash float was a thousand Rupees, which as you all know, was a lot of money those days. I am told that we would be lucky to get two bottles of Elephant House Cream Soda for that money these days.
I remember Joe Roche trying to explain to me very patiently and methodically several times the procedures for clearing of shipments and the peculiar workings at the customs department in Colombo. His hope was that I would begin to appreciate the enormous difficulties our C & F department staff had to face on a day to day basis when they went to clear the company’s shipments and for me to accept the need for the varied expenses that had to be incurred by our staff if our shipments were to be cleared and brought to our stores in a timely, orderly and efficient manner.
After a few months, I think Joe and other C & F department staff realized that I was continuing to be stubborn as a mule and they had to somehow find a way to “educate” me on the workings of the real world as opposed to the ideal world the new, young, inexperienced, office-bound and rules-oriented accountant was expecting.
So, one day Joe came to me and suggested quietly that he would like to take me with him to the Colombo port authority and customs unit and show me first-hand how a typical shipment is cleared, the peculiar environment that existed at the customs, and the kind of customs officers and other personalities our staff had to deal with regularly if shipments were to be cleared successfully and brought to our stores. I was a little nervous first, but I agreed to go with him.
I really appreciated Joe’s initiative in taking me on a half-a-day guided “study” tour of the vast Colombo port authority premises one afternoon and showing me first hand exactly how large shipments were unloaded from the cargo vessels and brought into the customs warehouses or at times directly loaded onto the importer’s trucks and how documentation covering import shipments were processed through customs.
More importantly, I would be eternally thankful to Joe as he made me learn how the payment of customs duty and other dues were made, by cheques as well as in cash, and how the port authority and customs employees, ranging from the lowest peons to the highest customs inspectors had to be “compensated” in order to ensure that imported goods were received securely and efficiently and transported from the port to the CIC Godowns. Joe introduced me to some of the customs employees, including officers, who were very friendly and even explained to me their expectation to be compensated adequately by the importers partly because of the relatively low civil service pay and also due to the sub-par working conditions at the port authority premises.
After this eye-opening visit to the port authority, I realized the need for patience, flexibility and understanding while reviewing petty cash expenses and approving periodic replenishments. I do not recall ever thanking Joe for his effort in enlightening me on the workings of the Colombo port and Ceylon customs. But, if my memory serves be right, we got management’s approval for increasing the petty cash float to fifteen hundred Rupees to meet the C & F department needs better.
At that time I did not realize how useful this process of understanding and appreciating real world situations was going to be until I came abroad and began facing similar circumstances in several foreign countries in my job as a financial executive. I saw the expectation on the part of civil service employees, be it a clerk or officer in any government department, a policeman on duty on the road, or an immigration officer or customs officer at the airport. Often such expectation is based on “need” – i.e. public sector salaries are low and inadequate to meet their basic living needs; but it is also due to “greed” as in the case of highly paid officers who occupy positions of authority in many countries.
It is not easy to be effective in one’s job, particularly in the financial area, in countries where such situations exist; but it is critical for one to be knowledgeable of the existence of such expectation in order to show flexibility and pragmatism in the interest of the business. This attitude of “compromise” is necessary where the ability of the professional to stop or control such expectation is limited and the practice is widespread and systemic in the country.
Balancing one’s professional principles with accepted practices of the world around us, or being street smart, is like walking a tight rope. Thanks to Joe, I have survived as an effective financial professional over the years and in so many different countries and different type of organizations until my retirement. And thanks to the CIC Evergreens website, I can now thank Joe for that valuable lesson he imparted in me far back in 1969. Senga
The C & F Department
Prior to Joe, Lambert Ratnayake was the Wharf Manager with Joe Coggins and Lance Abeysekera as deputies. Austin was always a jovial type though travelling 50 miles each morning to work from Chilaw. I heard he moved to Kandana many years ago. Eric
Hi Evergreens and Eric! Yeah the Dept. head was Ratnayake and his deputy was Coggins, and both used to have a shot and come to office in the afternoons. And now I remember the one who goes fishing after work to the jetty was Pillai or Pullai, a ruffian looking kind of guy.
Jauffer, Upali, Boyagoda, Elmo, Paths and others joined the Wharf after the Ratnayake and company left. When Joe Roach took over the Wharf Dept and with Elmo, Jauffer and Boyagoda coming in as the others left, that was a great time too, good times of a different kind, with Elmo and Boyagoda interested in dancing and others joining in too. Ragu
Hi Ragu and the rest of our active Evergreens, The ruffian you refer to was Michael Pulle from Modera who always loved to sport a tie whilst at work-the reason!!Michael who worked with me in Accounts for a while wanted to impress his intended father-in-law, an executive in the Port Cargo Corp, as he was eyeing his only daughter. Believe me Michael succeeded in his plans ;however after a few years the marriage ran into problems after the truth re Michael's position at the Office also came out-he was only a clerk though posing off as an Executive. He was crazy re diving and fishing. Ragu, yes we did have a fine TT team with you, Raju, Joe Roche, Anto & Kathiravelu and 'yours truly'. To the good times! Eric
Paths you were great in recalling the famous quote of Austin Fernando. I too wish we can get him on our list. Remember Austin hanging on to the footboard on the last leg home after a sports club picnic and still trying to strum his guitar. I stood by him lest he fell off guitar and all!!Well those were the days! Eric
How can I forget the Wharf Dept. with all of you upstairs; all the tidbits starts and ends there ...making a visit to the wharf dept. was all the more necessary to listen to juicy news. And it was great to read what Paths, Ananda and Eric have been writing. Ragu
I also remember that when I went upstairs there was this other dark Tamil guy, with the beard, who goes fishing to the port area too, (I forget his name, he used to chew betel leaves too. He was working when the manager before Joe Roche was there, again I forget the name, Daniel or something). Elmo you might remember. This guy used to ask me to come fishing with him, to the jetty, "Va povom, nalla meen pudickalam" ....my foot, ....I was what .around 23 or 24 then I was scared to talk to the guy too, because he was always drunk, in the afternoons. I do not know what kind of fish he was interested in catching. So I never went. Ha! Ha!
I also remember De Bruin ....he will come down all the way from Wharf Dept and will ask me for 50 cents regularly, to have a shot. I would say to him what. you don't have 50 cts? He would say "no machan, my wife does not give me any money. At the time it was a very strange answer to me, because we earn to spend for the home right. Why is that? I would ask ...and he would say, my wife takes my whole salary, and gives me only the bus fare to come to office. He had a way of covering his mouth .. he would look at me, over and over again when he climbed the stairs to go back upstairs, and his red face will turn redder, laughing. Oh boy, I remember that very distinctly, He will always get his 50 cents, in the end, anyway. Ragu
Ragu, if I remember right De Bruin was never the master of his home but always a nice chap. He came on his way home with a box of eggs to witness an hockey match; alas when the game was over the eggs went missing and he was given the works by his burly wife!! Thanks Ragu-hope you are behaving yourself whilst the better half is away in UK. Eric
As for the mag it was purely a departmental creation and died a natural death after its first inaugaration. Please keep writing about the good days in CIC - It makes us feel younger!! Paths
Hi Paths, Many thanks for that brief journey to the days at the Wharf Dept. I could faintly recollect the Mag you refer to with Elmo & Jauffer a good combine for English presentation and diction. The definitions you quote (ad verbatim) were I guess in the spirit of the day and good fun too. Yes one cannot forget Lalith R being given a scooter but never rode it!! I travelled to Chilaw to sign as Guarantor for a Bank loan taken by Austin many moons ago. The loan was agreed and we returned to Austin's home for a drink and lunch; imagine an hour later the bank Manager who okayed the loan also joining us-that is the good part of life in SL!! Eric
Hi Eric It's great you remember all those details about Austin. I worked with Austin in the Wharf Dept. At the time he used to travel from Chilaw. For our first Departmental party we had to contribute something for our Mag. whose editors were Jauffer and Elmo. I remember writing this about Austin among others "Comes for work tired, goes home rather refreshed". By the way this is what Elmo and Jauffer wrote about us.TBP(T B Pathamanthan) - Trying Best for Permanent (I was on probation!) TS(T Satkunasingham) - Tilted Swaggerer. RSSI ( Ranjit Illanagakoon) - Rides Scooters Sold to Invalids ( Invalid in question was Lalith Ranasinghe!). I can't remember the rest!! Paths
God, what a memory, Paths...............I remember writing a set of limericks about the boys in the C & F including some unkind things about Joe Roche's strict adherence to the Catholic Church's dictum of no birth control but I can't remember a magazine, It's a pity Jauffer hasn't joined our group even though he promised (like many others in SL) to write something on my last visit there. I'm sure he would have remembered. I know I kept the limericks for a long time but it's gone to its just rewards now.
I'm sorry we were so cruel to some of you guys in making up acronyms but we could not forgive Lalith keeping a brand new Lambretta in his drawing room with the plastic covers still on the damn thing! It was a 150 cc and we knew Lalith had no way of controlling it as his feet wouldn't touch the ground even if he managed to get it going. But he did, in the end!
Austin had a phrase he used almost every day, mostly to Ragu, and if I remember right it was about a "jigi, jigi" while stroking his crotch at the same time (sorry, girls). Perhaps Ragu can remember the whole saying. Elmo
I remember you too laughing away, with your face turning red when Austin Fernando shouts from Wharf Dept. upstairs and saying "Ragu, how the hole" when Farida was sitting right opposite myself. Austin Fernando then purposely looked under the table to see whether I am tickling Fareeda's kakula, and De Mel our accounts dept. boss starts peeping from his table to see whether it was true and whether I was up to tricks, with my kakula, under the table ... quite to my embarrassment. I know I sometimes remove my shoes. Anyway those were the days when we had some good fun. And after I went to CARE everything became "serious work" and I was missing all of you. I did not meet Austin when I was at CIC unfortunately. Ragu
Speaking of Bruin, do you remember his how he says the dreaded word "Hu...." when you tickle his ribs? And then there was his buddy Hindle. Once the wharf dept was invited to a Ramazan party at one of the transport contractors. And I still remember how we all got knocked out drinking Sabji. We had to carry Mannakkara home and all of us had to sleep at Faleel's boarding down Trelawney Place in Bamba behind Lion House. Ana
I remember De Mel always trying to stop me from going upstairs unless it is official, and would ask me, "Engada Porai, mela pohathe. He did not like Joe Roche and vice versa, and he did not like it either, when I had a good laugh with Joe or all the rest of the wharf dept. crowd. When I returned, DeMel would ask ."Enda sirikkirai or what did Joe Roche talk about"? De Mel was always a trouble maker. So I always carried the Wharf Dept. expense sheet or something like that when I went upstairs so that I had a ready made answer for him. Ragu
Hi Ragu, What a wonderful journey down memory lane-many thanks. I would state that era was about the best as we had a wonderful set of colleagues and some 'hard nuts' (like XL) too. I guess it was a mix we had to put up with for better or worse?? The strained feelings between XL and Joe were common knowledge but was very unfortunate. Eric
MEMORIES - Mr S Sengamalay - Accountant - Oct '69 to Sept. '72
Honestly, I wasn't even aware of the existence of the CIC website, which you had so creatively brought to life as Evergreens, until Ari (I still call him Mr. Ari, by the way!) introduced me to it a couple of months ago.
After I received your message, I did quickly browse through the different sections of the CIC website again, recognizing some of the faces from the Photo Gallery; but I was really saddened to see the names of so many of our former dear and fun-loving colleagues on the In Memoriam list. Whatever happened to them? I thought Life Expectancy in Sri Lanka was in the high seventies, close to eighty, along with so many other critical human development indicators - the best in that part of the world. So, it is surprising to see so many of our relatively well-endowed CIC friends leaving us and going to greener pastures in Heaven. May God bless them all.
Of course, after such a long time - more than four decades really, it seems hard to bring back memories from my CIC days. Let me try and jog my memory and share with you just two episodes that I vividly remember - one that happened soon after I joined CIC in October 1969 as the third accountant, and the other a few days before September 27th 1972 when I left CIC and Sri Lanka.
When Ari joined CIC as chief accountant and FD, because of his strict adherence to the rules in the expense approval process, he was apparently called "Mr. No" by everyone.Then when Yogaratnam (Yoga) joined as accountant, he too tended to follow the rules scrupulously, and was called "Mr. Can't." Then when young, enthusiastic and fun-loving Senga joined the company, everyone expected some relaxation in the rules and not too many questions asked before approving any expense; but to their dismay, Senga not only insisted on everyone following the rules, but even suggested stricter rules to the chairman who began sending new memos. So, Senga was duly crowned "Mr. Impossible" by the late Norman Chandraratne (may his soul rest in peace) and endorsed by everyone in the office unanimously.
The second episode I am sharing with you started off as great fun, but could have ended up as a grave tragedy. Luckily, we all survived it and I too have lived to tell the story. When I announced that I was leaving CIC and going to Zambia, our accounting staff and some of the others organized a great day of outing - lunch in a Negombo eating place followed by a boat ride in the lagoon.
We all gathered in Negombo on the last Sunday before my departure and the party began around ten or so with the ritual Lion Lager and Three Coins beers along with a generous dose of arrack accompanied by a lot of eating - crab and other delicacies.
When we all, about twenty of us I think, got on the boat by early afternoon and began our ride on the lagoon, it was very windy, hot and humid. The water in the lagoon was really choppy and as we got further and further away from land, the waves were rough and the boat was uncontrollable.
Given our state by then and drenched by the spraying waters, we found it a happy and cheerful occasion rather than a disaster waiting to happen. After being tossed around in the rocky boat several times from side to side and front to back and almost losing control of the boat, it dawned on a few relatively sober ones in the crowd - it was Donald Amerasinghe and Ranjith Ganemulla I think - that we were in real danger and that we should try and direct the boat back to shore.
I hadn't the foggiest idea where I was or what kind of dangerous situation we have got ourselves into. Finally, the sober souls brought us all back to shore and we all staggered on to the sand. I do not recall the journey back to Colombo; but I remember waking up the next morning in Ranjith's house (as it had been virtually my home during my stay at CIC, thanks to the generosity of Ranjith's parents, may God bless them in heaven!).
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Hi Mr Segamalay Welcome to the Club! I read your interesting story on Elmo’s web site about the farewell party in Negombo. I too was there. I still remember you held a bet while we were all in our swim trunks at the Negombo beach.The bet was this.The man who stays under water most will be declared the winner. It was only one man among us who dared to challenge you. And that was Ranjit Ponnamperuma.
We were the judges! Both you and Ranjit went in at the same time. There was no cheating here. As soon as you got under the water you came out and was chatting with us while Ranjit was struggling to hold his breath under water! Poor Ranjit could no longer hold his breath. As he was about to raise his head above the water, you went under water in style!!!! You stayed there for a couple of seconds and came out as the “Winner” with a triumphant smile on your face. Ranjit Ponnamperuma hardly knew why we were all laughing uncontrollably! Paths
Hello Paths: How wonderful hearing from you after all these years!! Thanks for reminding me of the great fun and frolic we had in Negombo before my departure in 1972 and also for adding to the memorable stories from our distant past. Of course, we were all "young and restless" then; I did not realize that I had carried my mischievous demeanor from high school days in Batticaloa into CIC. Dear Ranjit P: "I hope it is not too late to say sorry to you for cheating."
Reading, during the last couple of days, some of the varied and interesting postings from such a wonderful and participatory group of ex-CIC employees, I began to remember one by one several incidents from my own days at CIC, including the two that I passed on to Elmo recently and posted by him.
1. When I saw Joe Roche's picture right at the top of the Stories Section of the website, I was quickly reminded of one of the first and valuable real life learning experiences I received from him at CIC as a young accountant. These days, they call it "teachable or coachable moment." I will certainly share the story with everyone as soon as I find some time to put "fingers on keyboard."
2. Again, when I read the story posted by you (Paths) in the Peoples Section of the site about Satkunasingham's deep immersion in astrology and the confusion involving him and Satturukulasinghe with chairman SK, I was reminded of my own personal encounter with astrology, encouraged by none other than our illustrious director Oliver Koelmeyer. I will write about that too in the next installment.
3. Reading Tilak's Q & A interview with the journalist covering his short lived position as chairman of the Sri Lankan SEC, I felt doubly proud to have been associated with him at CIC, not only as a co-member of the management staff, but also as a good friend over the years. I fully appreciate the hurdles he encountered in implementing sensible policies and procedures, as I teach my accounting students here the status of the SEC of the US government and its problems. When you meet Tilak, you know and feel that success is written all over him, be it as a businessman, politician, leader, or a consummate public servant. May God bless him and his good lady Vinitha and the kids!
I see from the email distribution list many names I do not recognize. They probably joined after I had left CIC or left before I joined. Either way, greetings to them all. It is great to be with you all in the CIC Club - better late than never. My best wishes to you and your loved ones. Sincerely, Sengamalay (Senga).
I fully endorse the tribute to Elmo.However, let us not miss the knowledgeable commentaries by Eric Motha .Regards Arichandran
Mr.Arichandran, Your wise 'nod' re my commentaries is much appreciated and will certainly spur me on to keep writing though well past the Psalmist's span of three score and ten but with God's grace still at the batting crease!.
Referring to cricket parlance I still recall and reminisce your superb innings of 159 n.o. for Ford Rhodes versus ICI at St.Peter's College grounds-with GCB Wijesinghe you demolished us for a paltry 101; T. Kathiravelu at long on was virtually gasping for breath trying to save the hits to the ropes from you & GCB (son of the famous ECB Wijesinghe of Ralahamy & He comes from Jaffna fame).
I join everyone on the list to warmly congratulate Elmo for his vision and teaming up with the starting trio across the miles in having suuccessfully launched the EVERGREENS website.
Mr.Sengamalay(SS for short) welcome to the fold; am sure you still retain the humour and smile that was characteristic of you though immersed in figures at CIC. FYI-Joe Roche celebrated his Golden Wedding anniversary with his entire family of 7 siblings and 13 grand children in August 2011; though his Bestman I was sorry to have missed the milestone event. Cheers to all from Vancouver. Eric
Hi Eric, Elmo, Ana, Paths, The pioneering "Evergreens" pity we could not coin up a name with blue to match CIC colors. Great work from Kanthi/Mr.Edwards, and the rest of you, keeping the dialogue flowing. Especially Elmo - taking on the mantle of the website and gossip column. Great job, getting Messrs, Arichandran/Sengamalay into the fray. We look forward to more stories of the glory CIC days. And remember the Torontonians (Mano, Roy, Ragu, Melchi and I) are always there to welcome you whenever you drop in. We have so far had vists from Anto, Eric and Tyrone. Gives us a chance to catch up. Cheers, James
Eric's contributions are even more appreciated as he is in addition involved in the Old Bens, Kotehenites, and now in golf tournaments in Vancouver. Eric was always liberal with his time for the organisations he was involved with.Still going on "at the crease" Keep up the great work, Eric.Cheers Joe
Dear Eric: Greetings from Rockville, Maryland, USA (suburb of Washington, DC)!!
Thank you for your inspirational message and for welcoming me into the CIC (Evergreens) fold, once again. At the outset, let me too offer my hearty congratulations to you and others (trio or quartet?) for this remarkable creation which, despite the vast distances, has brought us all closer together again. Great job and I am delighted to be part of this exclusive Club!!
I did not know that we have been neighbors (US and Canada) all these years. I did read a comment in the website though (I think it was by James in the People Section) saying that Sengamalay was seen in a picture in Vancouver with Eric sometime ago. That would have been lovely, but it cannot be right, unless it was my twin who has been eluding me forever. The only time I passed through Vancouver was in 2007 when my wife and I went on the Alaskan Cruise and we were driven right through Vancouver non-stop from the boat terminal to the airport for our return flight to Washington, DC. More recently, a few months back, we took the ferry from Seattle (where our second son lives) to Vancouver Island and spent a few days in beautiful Victoria; but did not come to Vancouver. Hopefully, we will try and make it one of these days as we do come to Seattle, WA every now and then.
Let me also take this opportunity, though belatedly, to offer my congratulations to Joe Roche on their golden wedding anniversary. Quoting from an old English poet, Leigh Hunt, let me say: Joe Roche, "May his tribe increase." I promised to write about a great learning experience I had with Joe when I joined CIC. I will do so soon.
Talking about humor and immersion in figures at CIC, I have been reminded over the years of the one of a kind, rickety old calculating machine we had at CIC, which I think after Mr. Ari and Yoga, was used only by me. Now, I am sorry if I sound crazy with the rest of this message. When I came to the US and visited the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC and saw many ancient contraptions displayed there, I thought of that machine we left behind at CIC. It was normally used only for multiplying and dividing as most of us added and subtracted manually in Sri Lanka those days anyway.
I am sure some of you will remember that calculator from the early days - it was a heavy piece of machine, weighing say bout twenty pounds or so, made of solid steel with a noisy key pad like an old typewriter, a lever with a handle on the side to rotate and operate it, a window on top to read the figures and a bell inside it that rang if one goes over the necessary number of rotations. Even by the standards of sixties and early seventies, it felt really funny the way we multiplied and divided using that machine.
A friend of mine who just retired from the Smithsonian had told me several times that they would love to have it, if we can only find it and get it here. I am sure it would have been thrown away by now - after so many years; but if anyone remembers, I would love to hear from you as to how we can find it, if that is possible at all. I am extremely sorry if I am sending anyone on a wild goose chase; but finding this veritable old treasure could be a worthwhile venture!!
Let me thank you again Eric, and wish you and your loved ones the very best. With warm regards! Sincerely, Sengamalay (Senga)
Hi Mr Sengemalay I happened to use one of those rickety old calculating machines in the CIC Cash Dept. with Mr. Sivalogam for three long years. I am quite saddened to now realise I have been working with a Museum piece for such a long time ! Do you think Mr.Sivalogam and I would have interested the Smithsonian Institute for advanced research!! Like Abou Ben Adhem I feel I have just woken from a deep dream of peace after your revelations. Cheers Paths
Hi Guys, Talking of calculators, let me take you back to June 1974 when I was interviewed by C S de S. He wanted to impress how advanced CIC was at that time and said that they have a photocopying machine (using treated paper that fades with time!) and a fax machine!!
The other incident I remember was when my friend (an Airlanka steward, returning from a trip to Singapore) brought a small electronic calculator to office to sell. LHGS promptly undertook to show it to Mr Srikanthan (Chief Accountant at that time) who bought it without any hesitation paying Rs 350/- the asking price! As our voice from Vancouver says, 'those were the days'. Cheers Neil
Dear Senga, Many thanks for your copious and very well scripted message on joining the Evergreens -perusing through the contents I am happy and convinced that in you we have someone who could make valuable contributions to our website which at times seems to 'run dry' much to the dismay of some of us who have kept it going.
May I have the pleasure of saying "WELCOME HOME SENGA"- a person of your intellectual stature, bonhomie and great sense of humour could well enrich our website as we move forward. It is sad to note that many take refuge in the quote from John Gilpin"They also serve who stand and wait"-I make this appeal to each one of them to be a part of the CIC saga even with a casual comment now and then.
We have been neighbours for long though unaware of our proximity to each other.Chairman & Mrs SK Wickremesinghe visited our home many years ago whilst holidaying on the West Coast.In later years John Aratchi was here with his wife Pat and we met at a family reunion/dinner since John A's in-laws live here.
The reference by James to a photograph of the two of us has prompted you to ponder if you had an elusive twin brother who had sought 'asylum' in beautiful British Columbia!!
Pleased to note you spent a brief but enjoyable holiday in Victoria referred to as 'Little England'. My family and I will be very delighted to welcome you in Vancouver, not too far from Seattle.
I read with interest your going back in time to the rugged machine that was in use at CIC during the 60's and 70's-where it ended up is anybody's guess. It is ironic that we yearn to lay our hands on this machine realising its intrinsic value in foreign climes-good luck to you in your quest.
I will convey your good wishes to Joe Roche,.my mentor at ICI. I am not certain if the couple would wish to increase their 'tribe' in their retirement mode as they have done justice to the Lord's command "increase and multiply"-all in good humour Senga.
You have joined the Evergreens with a pulsating introductory email which is gratefully acknowledged. We have no doubt that your coming on board will be a great asset and look forward to your contributions. Warm regards to you & family. Eric
Hi Joe, Thanks for your kind words of appreciation as I continue my involvements amongst the Old Bens,Sri Lankan Seniors,Grand Parenting duties et al. I do enjoy it all though sometimes overwhelmed by the pressure of work. It is of interest to mention that I had my initiation into community service in 1957 being elected to the sports committee of ICI no sooner I had joined during the tenure of RAO Mayne as the Manager. It has been no looking back since then and like Johnnie Walker keep going without losing my wicket and firm 'at the crease' as you rightly infer. Cheers! Eric
CIC DANCES
The CIC Dances were just great every year and the cabarets were scintillating. If you wish I could invite Bosco & Denzil for our suggested get together; they are still as good as they were in the 60's. Eric
I remember those CIC Dances in the 60s with cabarets by Farina Lye, Laila and Lamia and our very own Doreen Stewart. I still remember the song she sang; "Honey" Bosco too was a very good singer. I used to go watch him sing with Denzil at the Atlanta night club down Colpetty. Ana
And have you guys forgotten that I "supplied" the partners for many of you at CIC dances? I remember one at Taprobane when we had booked two tables & I had promised to bring along about 150 girls for you guys. On the night of the dance, at the last moment, my old man who had just retired from CIC, decided he'd come along too! He didn't say anything at all but watched in wonder as I kept stopping at various houses in Maharagama to pick up your girls. I crammed them into our Ford Consul & when we came into the hotel, he plunked down at the head of the table and we ended with all the boys on one table & the girls on the other. Later on, it got sorted out but boy, it was pretty tense for a while!
And speaking of Laila & Lamia, I remember once Jauffer slipping down the seat and under the table at one dance. As this was quite normal, we went back to our dancing and when the cabaret started, the boys sat on the floor and the girls on chairs. Suddenly, one of "my" girls, Tracey, gave a scream. And there was Jauffer, crawling out from under the table between her legs, his glasses all over the place!
And at another CIC dance at Taprobane, when it ended around 5.30 am, he came out of the hall before us & I found him near a flower pot in the hotel lobby, staring towards the harbour building. I said what are you looking at & he said shh;.he was pissing into the flower pot while all the revelers were passing him by!
Then Kingsley Anthonisz, at a CIC dance at Ceylinco, walking out to the lift with an ENTIRE silver coffee set inside his jacket, with the coffee still dripping away! Elmo
I very well remember the first CIC dance I attended. That was the one at Taprobane. Yes, you brought the girls for that, and I had the privilege to partner your beautiful sister (before she married of course). I still have the souvenir put out for the occasion. The cover had a big CIC emblem with a trumpet. Ana
CIC SOCIALS
On the subject of the Boy Scouts H'qrs I recall peon Premadasa carrying a huge stone (in his drunken stupor!!) aiming to smash poor Terrence Fdo. I think with that we decided to 'abandon' the Sports Club party.
My thoughts also take wing to the days when the CIC cricketers and supporters long after the match was over making it to Regal in Kotahena for the' one for the road'-there was Terrence using a Peter May bat to play down the ball (in this case an aerated water stopper) on the tarred road!! Eric
Ah, the Boy Scout days! How well I remember the Premadasa stunt that Eric spoke about. Premadasa later worked as my "right hand" at the Nitrocellulose Plant at Ratmalana. He looked a thug but he was such a baby, especially after a couple of Kas. Poor bugger was hit and killed by a car many years ago, weaving home after, what else, a booze up at the local den. Elmo
Elmo/Eric do you remember Kingsley Anthonisz who migrated to Australia as well. I remember him well because we both joined the CIC hockey team together. James
Yes, I met him at a dance in Melbourne many years ago and I eagerly started talking about "the good old days". But he seemed totally unenthusiastic. It was almost as if it was a part of his life he wanted to erase, which was quite sad, I thought. Elmo
JOHNNY BEEBEE & DE BRUIN
Can you remember both these good souls?. There are many interesting, humorous and heart warming tales around both of
them. So come out and tell. Manna
Hi Jayantha They were two absolutely colorful characters. Well one of the stories. De Bruin working in the wharf was one privileged guy who had a Vespa scooter. Since his direction of departure home was Galle road towards Ratmalana he always looked for any souls who were heading in that direction and generously offered rides. However there was a catch. Come Colpetty/Bambalapitya, the scooter always ran out of fuel and the poor soul behind had to lend Rs. 5 for petrol which at that time was a princely sum as our salaries were around 250-300.
I was living then at Bambalapitiya. De Bruin with his cherubic smile offered me a lift one evening. By this time there was a rumor that a ride with De Bruin was RollsRoicy. Nevertheless I accepted. he knew my destination was Milagiriya Avenue. Lo and behold his Ferrari ran out of fuel at Kollupitiya right near the petrol station. When he was pulling in I knew what was coming. As he stopped I jumped out and took off faster than his Ferrari to his screams of indecent language!! Next day in office he gave me few kunu looks Susantha
Hi Pinto, That was a very interesting story about CV De Bruin - a lift with a business idea. I think he was a great entrepreneur!!. He needed money not only for petrol but for fags as well.Joe Roche used to chase him out of the office once he came back from the Wharf - he usually ended up at the YMCA smoking borrowed fags from Upali or Joe Perera.
Johny Beebi was a different character altogether. At a CIC dance once he asked me to dance with one of the ladies. And so he took me to his table and there were his daughter and his wife.It was not his daughter he wanted me to dance with. It was his wife.
Pardon me for saying this, she looked quite massive compared to my size. Johhny then almost forced me to dance with this lady!! I felt I was dragged along the dance floor not knowing whether it was a Waltz, Jive or plain Gymnastics!!. Fortunately for me the Band had a break and I felt liberated!! Paths
Who can forget John & Thelma kicking off most of the CIC Socials at Boys Scout HQ in the good old days! I know Jauffer navigated the formidable Thelma on a couple of occasions and rushed back to the bar immediately afterwards! But knowing Jauff, that was always his destination anyway!
I spoke to John a couple of years ago in a bid to drum up new members in Oz and organise some kind of get-together here in Melbourne but he said he preferred to stay out of the limelight and let life roll by. Which is a pity because he would be such good company. I'm sure many of you remember his rollicking laugh when he was in the company of his usual gang (one E Motha, George Williams, WR, Sam Jacob, S D Michael and Ian Outschoorn among others).
I know this is scurrilous gossip but wasn't there a story going around at that time that John actually went courting Thelma's daughter but ended up with the mother and Ian got the girl??? Elmo PS De Bruin's scooter was a NSU, not a Vespa, if I remember right.
You are right Elmo. Ian got the daughter and John got the mother, so I too heard! Ana
There are many humorous tales on Johnny. Has anyone tasted that fabulous lunch provided by De Bruin's wife. Manna
Hi Elmo,Paths & Manna, it was interesting to read your comments of yesteryears re John G Beebee & CV De Bruin(C for Christopher I think). They were both of the shorter version (20/20) in stature and did contribute immensely to the fun and camaraderie of our glorious vintage days at CIC.
Elmo, its a pity that John prefers to be away from the madding crowd-maybe after Thelma died he is confined to a solitary life now. I phoned him when I was in Oz and he was in good spirits then (2001)-mentioned about Lou Adihetty meeting him and walking away with the photograph of the CIC cricket team for keeps.
If you can drum up some ex CIC'ers in Melbourne it will be great-good luck Elmo. One can never ever forget the tie clad duo (John Beebee & Norman Edirisinghe) both competent stenos in their own right. For the record Norman always took loans from Fr. Martin whenever he called at CIC to recover loans/interest-whether the loans were paid back is anybody's guess !!
Paths your recollections made me have a hearty laugh-you have described your helpless adventures with Thelma very aptly breathing a sigh of huge relief when finally you were released from bondage and headed for the Bar to steady your nerves. The reference to Johnny trying to win the heart of Thelma's daughter but in the melee ending up with the prized catch of waltzing Matilda brought back memories.
Remember visiting Ian Outschoorn at the Wellawatte Nursing Home days before he passed away-Ian was my senior as a Paints Rep.and was a nice chap and a fond reader of PG Wodehouse.
The reference to De Bruin's exploits with gullible office mates being offered a 'free' ride only to be stalled at the Kollupitiya Gas Stn and forced to pay for the petrol fill up was authentic stuff. Thanks for rekindling memories of yesteryears. Eric
JAYANTHA RANASINGHE'S SKODA
Jayantha Ranasinghe I cannot forget, driving around in his old Skoda, (If I remember right) which somehow or other managed to take him from point A to point B. Hope he is doing well. I shall write to him too. Ragu
Jayantha Ranasinghe seems to be heading the list for driving around so many of us to various places-he is truly a worthy Trinity Lion. Eric
How can I forget Jayantha's Skoda? I'm sure all of you guys were there when we had a CIC soft-ball tournament at Wesley College grounds at Borella. In our drunken fit, I think it was Jauffer & I who got on its roof and did a baila & the middle of the roof bent. "No problem" Jayantha said, went inside & thumped the roof from the inside & it came back into shape again! Elmo
Elmo, talking about Jayantha's Skoda, can you remember Jayantha taking us to Maharagama in the early hours of the morning after a Friday night dance. The car was packed with so many of us. He was one drunk driver, driving and weaving on the road all the way to Maharagama and telling us ... "Not to worry machan, I'll take you home. That day I thought that I was going to be a dead duck. The bugger passed off after he arrived in Maharagama, and did not even recollect as to how he arrived there. In replying to my question, the next day, I remember Jayantha telling me "Matchan, I drove straight, I can very well remember"...my foot. Ragu
Jayantha's Skoda can never be forgotten-there were 9 of us who travelled to Ratnapura for Noel Senananayke's home coming in that vehicle. On our return at 1AM during the time the curfew was on the car had to halt at the military check point. There were ladies 'sandwiched' between the men and getting out was not the best thing.Jayantha was great in taking us all to Colombo in safety in the wee hours. Eric
Talking of Skodas, can you remember Ian Outschoorn's Skoda, Eric? He told me once that the accepted wisdom was that a Skoda will overturn at 70 mph. So, on a sales tour to the North, Ian said he was ripping down the C'bo Puttalam road because he wanted to test this theory. Sure enough, he said, as he touched 70, the car went out of control & the next thing he knew he was lying upside down in a ditch! But, he said, nothing happened to the car. Elmo
Elmo, I well remember the era of the Skodas-it was the accepted norm for the Sales Reps to drive around in this type of hardy vehicle as amply demonstrated by my erstwhile colleague Ian Outschoorn. Later on when I joined the Reps team the Volkswagen was the norm-can one forget the Royalist Parakrama Wimalaratne and his exploits as a Paints Rep!! Our trip to Bombay for training at ICI in 1966 was unforgettable with Para being issued a stern warning by the Bombay Manager to behave himself or be packed off on the next Air Ceylon flight to Ratmalana. Eric
NECTAR CAFE
I thought Selvaranee Thomas was Sam Jacob's niece and used to work for Chartered. I recollect her, and a friend walking self consciously in front of Nectar cafe. I think it was you and I Elmo, we were staring them both down that they were so unconscious of the snake charmer in their path until they almost stepped on the snake that was slithering on the ground. They lost it all (their poise) and so did the snake charmer. Ragu
Can't remember the Nectar Cafe incident but I hope the snake was not too traumatized! Boya & I used to have a cup of tea there every morning before office, mainly because we wanted to chat up the girls. Elmo
NIMMI
And remember the CIC lunch time walks looking at "the view" down under whilst going around Cargill's, when even the girls joined us sometimes. There was this "cranky homo guy" hovering around Cargils, and one day somebody said, (I don't know whether it was Jauffer who said it) that Ananda was also a homo. I remember the cranky guy's face lighting up, jumping and briskly walking towards Ananda "for a good homo flirt", and Ananda just ran from there. Ragu
Nimmi must be still running around Galle Face or hanging around the Vihara Mahadevi Park for 'companionship'. Eric
THE GIRLS OF CIC/CHEMANEX
BTW does anyone have pictures of the CIC Girls? Ana
And talking of all the talent in CIC, how come you guys failed to mention Minoli Goonewardene & Carina de Lima, our stunning Receptionists? I wrote to Ana sometime ago about the kidney problems all of us had at Chartered Bank which necessitated frequent visits past them on our way to the toilets? Elmo
Elmo, you haven't said anything about Antoinette Karunaratna who was Edwards Secy. I thought she too is in Australia. From Chartered days I remember Kanthi, Shirley, Marie, Rukmani, Sheila (always happy Jayewardene), Fareeda, Antoinette Karunaratne and SK's secy the tall lady who was the first to emigrate down under. Was it Moira Casperz? Then @ Hemas we got Corrina, late Majella (whose hubby Bala,- Eric, Roy and I met recently), Sandra Adams ? Emigrated to Aussie land as well, late Anoma Ranasinghe (Duleep's sis- maybe the reason Mano A is avoiding us to avoid domestic problems). James
Dilruskshi Dedigama who was co-opted to the CIC Netball team (she worked at another office in Hemas Bldg) by one and only Ivor the Sports Club Sec. Ivor and I was there for all the Netball games at the Stadium-those were the days! Eric
Elmo if you are in contact with Savitri P she can join in. If she could handle Mano S @ Ratmalana she could handle Ragu's tirades. James
Well Fareeda & Kanthi were good sports and also played for the CIC Netball team along with Nalinee and shoot Rukmani. Our coach was none other than Malcom (aney! aney!) Andree; recall Ivor & I making our presence as officials from the Sports Club and enjoying the fun!
I think James, Roy, Hector and others were working in the factory, together with Buultjens & Co. And Malcolm Andree, he was a big hit with all the girls, as he was accepted as kind of feminine, going in and out of their dressing rooms too. They felt quite safe with him, as I came to know only later that he was an Aney, Aney kind of guy as you say. Yeay I remember going to the netball matches, with Nalinee, Rukmanee, Kanthi, Fareeda and others playing too. And we had a good TT Team too. Well those times were just great. Ragu
Yes, Ana - Kukula (still), Mallika used to play Badminton and that's how you had the pleasure of seeing her. I will try to enroll her since Eric says she was interested.
We met in Colombo @ St Mary's. She complained to Dilky "He doesn't remember me"; she was in HFC and knew Dilky as well. Her daughter sings @ St Mary's. I can pass on my e-mail and get her on board. James
SCOOTERS
Remember Rohan, who lost his front teeth riding on a scooter. And Lalith Ranasinghe (Kalu Albert) who had is Vespa as an ornament in the living room? Ana
I'm quite definite it was a Lambretta 150 cc. and he even had a cover for it! Elmo
The name of Kalu Albert only now rings a bell. Lalith R was with me at Chemanex for about two years and he reverted back to CIC. Lalith looks the same as he was in 1980's, even with his "catarrh trouble", remember. He was always having a wet handkerchief. His secret for looking young is for everyone to have Catarrh I suppose. I looked him up in 2002, at CIC wharf dept. at YMBA. Ragu
James, do you remember the accident we had on Galle Road. I am sure you were in the pillion with me on my scooter going home from work from the Ratmalana Factory. A jeep came and hit us from behind. Ana
After the 10.30 pm shift at Ratmalana, Mano Setunge, myself & Tony Solomon (remember him, the CMU rep who was tragically killed along with his wife when his scooter crashed into another vehicle) used to ride our scooters home on the Moratuwa Kottawa Road. We had to come down this very steep hill at Katubedde, make a sharp turn left and go over a bridge where people used to jump off at regular intervals. It was never lit and we had only our puny little headlights. Mano used to be shit scared of this bridge, thinking of the ghosts of these suicides and he told me once that he used to open the throttle, close his eyes and rush across the bridge.
Which brings me to Boya's scooter. Whenever he was broke, both of us would ride it and at lonely spots, Boya would speed on the damn thing and then jump off, allowing the bike to topple and hit the nearest culvert. He'll do this several times until he was satisfied that he had done enough damage for a decent insurance claim! Elmo
The other member of our scooter club of course was Rufus Buultjens. Remember him. Went off to the Middle East and made tons of money. I believe his and his wife Patricia now runs a lucrative clothing business now. During the JVP uprising in 1971, Rufus would give us a running commentary on the violence every day when he came into work. Most of the stuff was just gossip and we used to hack him a lot. One day, when we really hacked him, he got so upset he blurted out "You buggers don't believe me but my father in law saw it with MY own eyes! Elmo
What news of Rufus Bultjens. I remember Mano S and Bertie always complaining that his poultry run had one legged birds. Everytime he undertook to make chicken fry for a drink session, if he promised to cook 4 birds, they only found four legs. James
Yes Ana I remember the accident on Galle Rd. somewhere in Ratmalana. Thank god we are still alive to remember it. In today's speeds on Galle Rd, one would hardly survive. James
SOFTBALL CRICKET
How can we forget Ivan Perera! We used to call him "Easy Perera". If Eric can remember, we were playing a cricket match (mercantile) on Darley Road and all our batsman were failing. You said to Ivan who was going into bat, play safe and hold your end. Ivan waved his hand and said, easy..easy and came back to pavilion first ball out. That is how we gave him that name. He was a good guy, once on a visit to SL he took me for drinks at the boat club opposite Lake House. Ana
Ana, I well remember Ivan being clean bowled with the first delivery he faced despite my advice!! Poor chap was a bit too hasty. Your memory is very vivid about the match which is great. I also recall poor Paul Fdo our goal-keeper in the hockey match played against Ananda at Campbell Place-he suffered in pain for 2 weeks after receiving a hard shot from Sonny Yatawara-remember how Sonny bowled Garfield Sobers with a beauty. Eric
On a lighter note, I wonder if Elmo, and Roy recollect the softball tournaments and the strong factory teams. We ended sending A & B teams. The then chairs either Tilak or Norman said we, the factory takes the game too seriously, and so all of us hid behind the terrace at SSC before we came on the field. Elmo and Leonard Ranasinghe provided their lady folks dresses and all of us dressed in drags and took to the field. Just to prove we don't take it that seriously (other than Arumai of course with his Chowdrey stroke play). Of course Eric, Ragu were then there playing for H.O. Ana may have left by then. James
James your forays into the cricket matches of yesteryears does evoke memories-the fun part of them all and the Factory teams being out in the filed to battle the HO chaps-for better or worse we booze!! Eric
I borrowed that mini-skirt & white stockings from my soon to be wife. And I remember her looking very strangely at me when I asked her for them! Elmo
CIC Sports
Hi Eric Sports was something actively encouraged by CIC. We not only enjoyed it but kept ourselves fit as well.Like you, I too enjoyed TT - Francis Almeida, James and Donald Amerasinghe on the other hand kept the Basketball side busy. And all of these culminated in the big do - the CIC Dinner cum Dance! What a Life! Paths
Hi Paths,You have echoed the sentiments of many of us (or should I say all ex CIC'ers) in a manner that evokes instant nostalgia despite the decades that have passed on the sands of Time. Sports was an integral part of our curriculum at CIC and I guess kept many 'out of trouble' though an occasional chilled Beer was most welcome specially when the waterholes were literally at our doorstep.
I remember Francis (a player & coach of repute to this day) James the Peterite star and Donald shining at Basketball. Lou Adihetty the Cambridge Blue was our 'star' cricketer and hockey custodian between the posts; It was sheer delight to watch him batting bringing back memories of his heydays at Wesley playing alongside with Abu & Ansar Fuard,M.Samsudeen and others. Rufus Buultjens was a very stylish batsman and always displayed class scoring heavily.Eric
PS: I will share some stories of our CIC hockey team later on in the hope that it will focus on some of our colleagues who are now in the land beyond and the rest who are still up and about.
Webmaster Elmo: I wonder if these brief anecdotes from some of us will be posted on our website.
Remember the days when TT was a popular recreation for many of us. CIC had many good players and we annexed the Mercantile C Division title in the 60's. We had Ragunathan, Rajkumar, Joe Roche, T.Kathiraveloe, Anto, yourself, amongst others.
It is good to recall the C Div. final-"the teams were level with 2 wins each; I had to 'abandon' my duties as the Tournament Secretary for a brief spell and take on the opponent in the decider which I won for CIC. The Observer carried this 'action' very aptly in their issue the following day.Memories are made of these !! Eric
Eric,I hope you have preserved the Observer article that appeared after your victory. It should be a one valuable piece of paper! Though I did not play TT, I played cricket and badminton for CIC, at least at practices! Ana.
Ana, I must try and retrieve the news clip by going back to the archives at Lake House thru my friend the Sports Editor Elmo Rodrigopulle- thanks for the reminder. I do remember you as a Badminton player and cricketer too and as one with a good handwriting .
Whilst on Cricket in our match vs.BCC we had a boundary when the ball skimmed the bald head of Joe Roche and went speeding to the fence-sadly though we lost the Final by a whisker,the game being played on a week-day at the Moors grounds. Eric
Ana,When the Old Bens'B' won the Colombo HA hockey double under my captaincy in the 60's, we had a photograph taken and I vividly remember having requested you to write out all the names of the players; it was a perfect job though the photograph has gone missing!!
Thanks Eric for your good memory about my handwriting. I think Arichandran hired me for the stock section because of that!.About cricket memories, how can we forget our "Easy" Perera. (Ivan P) Ana.
Eric Didn't know you captained the Old Bens Hockey Team! A Benedictine through and through! Did Arasu play some kind of game - I mean sports related?
Paths,You may recall the old saying"dyed-in-the -wool" I am a Benedictine in that mould through & through for better or worse !!I captained the B team since the A side was virtually a Ceylon team and at least I had the privilege of practising with them and playing in a friendly or two. Arasu? Are you referring to KT Arasu of CIC fame? Eric
PS: When we won the Bacon Cup (no meat inside!!) I had to treat the team comprising mainly College students to a 'feed' at a Hotel in Borella. It was a long trudge from the Oval at Wanathamulla and the young chaps developed a whopping appetite and literally emptied my purse. It was a great evening. Eric
I am growing old. Who was our Hockey goalie? James
James, re the hockey man between the posts it was S.Kanagalingam-what a great sport, a daring goalkeeper and ever ready to join the team for the customary drink after a hockey match.
I wish we could meet up with Kanaks (for short) and K. Sivalogam (CMU stalwart) for old times sake. Eric PS: On the subject of hockey we were forced by XL De Mel to have 'one for the road' at his Gintupitiya hideout when we went over to drop him. It was dimly lit and all the players had to use the same damn glass to have a standing shot-still we survived!!?? Those were the days! JohnBeebee had informed Joe Roche that Lou Adihetty( Switzerland) when he visited Melbourne had removed the CIC Hockey team photograph for old times sake.
The CIC hockey stars will recall how we vanquished Pettah Pharmacy (sporting 3 National players) by a solitary goal scored just 3 minutes before the long whistle at the NCC grounds- Lou was our Goal keeper and we had a great all-round side which I was privileged to lead in 1966.Incidentally that reminds me of MD Leelasena our 'star' who is also now in the land beyond.Ana, The CIC hockey team was famous in its own way in the Mercantile sector with a fine all round side winning the C Division double and being promoted to the B div. thereafter. XL & Sam Jacob & Joe Roche were the full backs with Shirley Perera, S.Kanagalingam & Lou Adihetty manning the posts-those were the days!
PS: Recall XL being ordered off the field for questioning the umpires's decision-ha!ha!
Talking of the very successful hockey team, I still remember the XL de Mel cheering squad... He used to yell out "WORRY...WORRY...WORRY THEM!" Eric
I now recall Paths you too were a member of our TT team that annexed the C Div. Mercantile inter-firm tourney-sorry for my 'sin of omission'. And you were the crafty one too, up to mischief, ???..quietly, quietly ??.yarukkum sollathey matchan. ??? Marylyn, are you there!!!! Ha! Ha! Ragu
Thanks for the memories of the hockey team, which Kingsley and I later were inducted into and did not do too badly either.James
James I well remember you & Kinglsey playing for the hockey team. You did well playing on the right flank whilst Kingsley was not bad though he had a tendency to 'wander' around the field!!?? Eric
And Nalinee and the net ballers, we were there not cheer but to see them in their skirts! Ana
Nalini! It is great to hear from you. As Ananda says how can we forget the girls we knew over there at CIC and Chemanex .... and the Netball teams, Table Tennis and Cricket teams too. Life and times were wonderful then. After I joined CARE it was work and a lot of work with no play. And I was missing all of you. Anyway this is a great way of connecting with each other. Please keep in touch. Ragu
Good to hear from you Nalinee!! How can we forget our star Netball Player? Will try to meet you when I am there in August. Hope you remember me. Ana
The fivesome of Bosco (captain), Elmo, Ranjit, Ana, and yours truly also brought the Badminton Mercantile title to CIC. That too without the future services of Royal star who joined CIC (Chandy Jayetilleke). It was all the work of Bosco with his prowess from the Kotte Badminton Club. James
James,That was great news re the feat of the Badminton (5some) winning the Mercantile Title- it shows CIC had a formidable lot of sportsmen (and should I also say sportswomen) who kept the flag flying-well done. Remember Chandi Jayetileke, a fine organizer who I believe is domiciled in Oz. Eric
Our ladies did well too in the realm of Netball being coached by none other than 'aney' Malcolm Andree-we 'imported ' a few players to strengthen our team. Eric
If I am not mistaken, Chandi Jayathileka passed away a while back. He lived close to Ranjith Ganemullas'on Hospital Road, Kalubowila in the 70s. He worked at British Airways after leaving CIC. We used to practice badminton at Royal with his blessings. I remember seeing his obituary. Ana
Ana, That is very sad news to hear that Chandi J had passed away; he was an epitome of physical fitness and a cheerful young man and an able organizer in the field of Badminton. Eric
Hi Ana, I have met Chandi at British Airways many years ago - may be 1980. Didn't know he passed away. Paths
CHIT CHAT
Traversing down 'memory lane' evokes the pleasant and carefree days we spent in our motherland. Life was just great in every aspect and all of us lived in perfect amity devoid of any divisions. The scenario now is so very different-maybe if our country had more 'statesmen' than 'politicians' the ground situation would have been different. I am often reminded"what cannot be cured must be endured" Eric
The times at CIC can never be forgotten. We had such good times with so many nice people. It was really a family though we never realized it. The country was so peaceful then, I could walk home from Regal to Nugegoda without any fear. I am so happy being able to share the pictures I have, and amazed how I preserved them for so long.
Even I am surprised that I brought my old picture album here to the US. I think it had a lot of memories. Those were the days when we were not digital. I used a little box camera to capture those pics, and what a bonanza now! And color was so expensive, I could not afford with Rs.99 basic salary. Can you imagine 99 rupees for an accts clerk?
NOT SO GOOD NEWS
After talking to Hector and a concern he did point out was the plight of one of our strong CMU brethren - Mano Setunga. Ana you did point out we should find ways to help them. I used to bump into Mano when he moved on to work with Tilak and then Nandasena. He used to never look too good but the typical Mano he refused to even go for a drink. Hector says he has moved to Tissamaharama. I know Lal de Alwis is into housing for displaced people, I am sure we may all be able to chip in and get Mano involved in some project. He is the one person coming to mind, who could do with some help. Let's think about it. James
Just a note about Setunga, Ranjith told me that he lives close to his house in Nugegoda, and that he is not recognizeble if you see him now. Looking very old and thin, with teeth missing. Just a skeleton. So we should try to see him on our intended to re-union. Ana
Yes your concern for Mano S - we used to tag him 'gold top' on the cricket field - since his boots had a gilded top, is very understandable. I cannot imagine poor Mano in this plight. Eric
I met Mano about two three years ago at a booze-up Hector organised with a gang we used to hang out after work in Piliyandala. You're right, he had really come down in the world and was just skin and bones. I think it's a great idea Ana to search out our less fortunate brethren (and sisters) in SL and see how we can help. Getting Lal de Alwis involved is a great idea.
Mano was married to a very nice girl from Matara, Malini but she died a few years after their marriage. No children.
Thalitha also gave me Heather Galwey's e-mail. They worked together at the UN after she left CIC. As you may know, she's going through a pretty bad time herself, losing both her parents and being diagnosed with cancer. I went and saw her early this year & offered to put her up here if she ever decided to take a break. I think she's ok financially but it'll be good to make her laugh & feel among friends, I think.
Ragu, if you talk to Viswa, can you please ask him about Mr Lorence & his whereabouts? And also about Sivalogam. Hector should know about Satcunam, Ritchie Gnandurai, We've really got to find out what's happening with those guys & try to help if we can. Elmo
I still remember the good old days at the factory. I remember Mr. Lorence I guess life has to go on. I was not able to make out anybody from the pictures even you. I feel like Rip Van Winkle lost somewhere in the wilderness. When I read the all mails it takes me back to the old times. Roy
The last pic -was it at the Factory James? I identified a few - Mano, you, Berty, Melchi-the chap between you & Berty is familiar but cannot remember his name-well 1974 was a long time ago and my memory seems to have taken a back seat. Where was Elmo- a good question indeed. Eric
ABOUT HAIR (no, no not the Cricket Umpire or the musical!)
This is the first time I am seeing Ananda's pictures after he left CIC. He looks pretty young, and his hair is very very black. He will not look old as long as his hair is black. Ha! Ha!, just like mine. Your grand daughter, is a cute little one.
Remember Elmo I told you that whenever Sri Lankan's migrate to North America, even the white hair gradually turns black. Ha! Ha! Ragu
All right then, I'll finally own up that its the air over there which keeps all of you looking young and your hair black! Unless of course, all of you are loading up with botox every second week! It's not that the air here is bad but I think my hair turned white when I saw all the Aussie beauties in their skimpy bikinis sun-bathing! And however youthful you guys may look, come over here and you'll know what I mean. Elmo
May be you should think of continuing to look at the skimpy bikinis longer term and your white hair may turn partly black, I am sure, as happened to mine ha! Ha! If not Ananda should have the recipe. It should be better than mine because his is a natural black; that is in case you do not have the recipe in Australia. Ragu
Hi James, Thanks for providing us with Roy's e-mail; I guess we still do not have Mano Abraham 'on board' for now. Ranjit Ponnaperuma suffered a massive heart attack and made it to the Hospital in the nick of time. Ana informed us that Ranjit has since recovered and is getting about his usual business. Eric
Elmo, so at last we are in contact. I did hear you had been to Colombo ahead of me. Something like John b4 the Messiah. I did meet Hector & Jaye @ CIC, and Lal Alwis, Tennekoone and the big cheese (or did u say he cuts cheese) Vywil at Chemanex.
Basil works at some place near the Beira, or I don't remember if he said he works the Beira.
There is lot of money in that too I hear (age immaterial). He called me as I was getting ready to leave for the airport to return. Could not catch up with Bertie & Mano S. Hector did try to set up something, but it was Christmas and I guess most of them had their own plans. Will try again the next time.
I may go again in 2008. The time, not decided. I remember the last time we met in S.L. you gave Dilky and me a ride along Havelock Rd. I also happen to meet someone in Toronto who helps me to remember you. Actually he is now connected to me through my cousin marrying his nephew. S.B.Arumainayagam (remember) who negotiated a bull @ Wattala. James
Ragu, do you remember how we went to Vevil de Kauwe to learn dancing on top of the Creme House building in Colpetty? Ana
I now begin to remember Vevil de Kauwe. Kakula, Kakula ....it was great times while it lasted, Ananda. Ragu
Three people from management I have met here were SK, Lal de Mel and Thilak Karunaratne. In fact Thilakvisited us and we had dinner at my place. Ana
Ana, Roy and you will remember Savitri Piliwantalawa @ Ratmalana. She married a guy I knew and went to England. She was in SL a few days before I went there.
Re Sengamalay, I did telephone him and K Arichandran some years ago-they are both in Washington DC. I recall Ari asking me about Roshan Sukhla.
Its great conversing with all of you. Seems like old times. The pictures, the names, the memories. Elmo do you recollect the late shifts we spent and thought of vodoo and how to apply it to poor ol papa Saram. Maybe thats what done him in. Discussing memoriam, Hope Ana finds more pictures.
Love the pictures James. Thanks for sharing. I am happy to hear of the wedding of Nimal Weeraratne's daughter. In fact I sent him an email last week, and is yet to get a reply. Now I know why. He is a partner in a law firm now, and the offices are at the prestigious Twin Towers. He is very active in politics and was Treasurer of UNP till recently. Last time I was in SL, Faleel hosted a dinner for us, Nimal, Ranjith, Anto and Satcunasinham. All the wives were there except of course Anta and Satcuna.
I heard Pinto is also doing well after he broke up with Eraj Wijesinghe of Bartleets. Chandra Jayaratna is one of the leading pharma importers in Sri Lanka now.
I spoke to Savithri Perera (Pilimatalawa)& she's going to get back to me after she checks out the site. Her hubby is apprently not too well. They've got one daughter. I also traced John Beebee. Lives with his daughter Sheryl - Ian's widow - & says he's a virtual recluse now. Doesn't have many contacts with ex-CICers but said he visited George Williams in Perth 4-5 years ago. John's 75 & doesn't have internet either.
Haven't contacted Moira Caspersz nor Kingsley Anothonisz. Here are the addresses of some of them if you want to drop them a card or something for X'mas. I'll definitely make an effort to go & see John & Kathleen during the holidays. They live on the posher side of Melbourne while I'm with the proletariat in the western suburbs. I can thank Bala Thampoe for that!
!1. Kathleen Scharenguivel - 37 Denver Crescent, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170 - Ph: (03) 9546 56542. John Beebee - 17 The Rise, Glen Waverley Victoria 3150 - Ph: (03) 9886 78503. Savi Perera - 11 Moresby Street, Oakleigh South, Victoria 3167 - Ph: (03) 9551 5263.
John had rung Thalitha over the weekend & provided George William's address, going back 4-5 year - & also said Chris Edwards is now the MD at his old stamping ground JL Morrison's. He's got an e-mail & I'll write to him there as well as to Heather Gallwey who still works with the UN in Cbo. I also rang Isitha & she said "But I don't know any of them no, aney! I came long after you guys!" But she said she paid a hurried visit to Mallika & Ayoma Jayawardene when she went to SL a few months ago. Mallika apparently underwent major brain surgery recently & Isitha thinks she may be recovering still. But I haven't heard from any of the other guys I wrote to. Why am I not surprised?
Ana, glad to note you turned 63-wishing you many happy returns of October 27. Akase Kade and the air conditioned Bar on the ground floor (Spotted Deer) were great places for our enjoyment. The ICC Final turned out to be a lack lustre event. I telephoned Anto who did not like his previous job for valid reasons and is now more settled in working for a friend. Eric
Hi Guys, I managed to get hold of our one time cashier turned accountant, Nawaz Faleel. He will be part of the Evergreens from now on. So Faleel, welcome aboard. Anta and Raju are in touch but they don't have computers yet. Please respond to this email copying everybody so we know you got this email. Ana
Welcome Nawaz to our mailing group, it'll be good to hear from you, especially about the happenings in SL & the "ex-cicers" & "chemanexes". James, Vywil popped up & then popped out it seems. I wonder what we need to do to get them to contribute, perhaps a Big Brother segment on the website (?) But with Mallika writing regularly now, hopefully she can get the others in SL involved.
Why don't you also try to contact Kathleen, Moira and Jill. I think Rita might have Kathleen's contact details. I shall get it from her and pass it on to you. What about Anthony? Doesn't he like to join the band? There are other names that I remembered after I sent you the email like Ardney Pelpola (Maha Indra) who was working at Chemanex and is in the USA. Kottegoda (I cannot remember his first name) (Nath) the quiet guy in specks, (Raj) Karunairatnam, who is in Canada or the UK, Sriyani Ranasinghe who was from Seeduwa, don't know where she is now.
I shall write to Mandy Ratnatunga and Marini Chellappah both in Australia as ask them whether they like to join the Evergreens. Sometime back I was told that Melchi is 'dead' and was really surprised to see his name among the Evergreens. Anyway he seems to be asleep now cause there doesn't seem to be any response from him at all. Good luck to everyone and hope we will be successful in getting all these ex-cic/chemanex staff to join us.
Hi Elmo,I accidentally clicked on the send button before I could finish my comments to be added to the page. Srikanthan's secretary Ganjalee Dias (I cannot remember her married name) to is in Australia. Why don't you get her to join the evergreens? Also Mano Abraham's wife's sister-in-law Rajini Sandrasagara, Majella's Cousin Sharmini Machado and Sorabarani Somasundaram (who was in the Ledger dept) are in Canada. Get James to contact them to join the evergreens. Mallika
Elmo, I just read through the history page. The name of the 'tall' lady is Kathleen Scharanguivel, who was SK's secretary. First to migrate to Aussie was Mandy Ratnatunga, Edward's secretary. Kathleen and Moira Casperz migrated later.What has become of the Fernando foursome - Austin, George, Francis and Peter (Marie's ex-hubby)? You have also forgotten the Telephone Operators/Receptionists - Jill Candappa (Livera) and Pamela de Silva (Rohan de Alwis' widow). Jill is in supposed to be in Australia. Ana
Hi everybody. This is to give the contacts of a few more Ever-Greens. That is if you remember Ruwan Lokuge, if I am not mistaken he was a rep in the paints division. He is having his own business and is dealing with industrial chemicals and machinery and is doing well. Also Jayantha Jayasundera who is working for BASF Finlays Chemicals.
I meet them in office, most of the time, because they have dealings with Astron, formerly Pfizer. Also Winston Thangarajah who is now in Myannmar he was also trying to do some business with us sometime back and is to visit our office. The other one is Chandra Jayaratna who is doing extremely well now and having is own pharmaceutical company. Bye love to all - Nalinee
Hi Mallika How come you came to the conclusion that I am "dead" when my name did not appear in the obituary column (you may have seen it under "wanted" column....!!!!) Melchi
Hi Melchi, About three years back when we were having the get-together for CICers I asked someone to find out whether you are in Sri Lanka, if so to invite you and I was informed that you had expired. That's why I mentioned it in my email. Anyway my email has woken you up from your slumber. Mallika
And I want to say hi! to Faleel, Jayasuriya, Rukmani, Nalinee and Sandra too, who we know read our Evergreen e-mails and sometimes are amused at what we are writing, but are choosing to stay quiet so far. So open up, lets hear from you too. Ragu
Has anyone heard from Desiree Paiva I know she is in Canada, she used to write to me but I have not heard from her for ages. I keep in touch with Edwards.I was in SriLanka in December.I also get a Christmas card from Luxman Fernando, how are Siritunge, Bopearachy and Lal and Bosco are they still at CIC. Where is Srikanthan and also SK now. What about Shirley? The names are all coming back. Keep in touch this is cool. Jill
That was a welcome breeze from Queensland! One more entrant to our CIC club and thanks for joining in. I do well remember your late husband Tyrone who was a stalwart at Chartered Bank.I may add that George Fernando from Negombo is also in the land beyond. Are you referring to Lalith Ranasinghe and not Fernando? Any trace of Austin Fernando who moved from Chilaw to Kandana long years ago. Is Fareeda on email-if so can enrol her too. Regards to all. Eric
Hi Jill, Yes the memories keep rolling back on the sands of Time! Well Desiree Paiva is my cousin who lives in Toronto and I met her last August when the idea of the CIC evergreens surfaced-she has 2 children who are in the University and the family is doing all right. I will contact her soon and pass on your message. Eric
Hi Ana, Desiree is married to Edmund Paiva, and Edmund is part of the Paiva clan which Majela was too. Eric will know Desiree's maiden name as I have only known her her from the time she was married. Madjela was married to Bala who we all met in Toronto when Eric visited. I remember Sandra too, who used to gamefully compete in the Badminton tournaments. Glad to know ol friends are keeping in touch.
Ana, I guess I have answered your query re Majella who lived at Macleod Road and married Balasingham whom I met at our CIC reunion in Toronto. Isitha its time for you to 'wake up' otherwise you too may be deemed to be 'missing' from our list like poor Melchi. Eric
Hi James, Ana & the rest. James you state rightly Desiree was married to Edmund Paiva-her maiden name was Gomez and she worked for Chris De Saram ere emigrating. I am not certain if Desiree is related to Majella Paiva who certainly was one of the most pleasant Receptionists at the CIC Office.
Eric thanks for clarifying Desiree’s maiden name. I think Jill and Desiree are by now in touch. All of us can recollect names.W.R.Perera, Francis Fernando, Arulanandam, Jeyaratnam etc.
Hi Elmo,I just remembered another ex CICer - Leonard Ranasinghe. Does anyone know what has become of him? I saw Indrani (Perera) recently whilst passing Nugegoda. Couldn't speak to her as we were at the traffice lights and she was walking down Stanley Tillekeratne Mw. Dont know where she lives or how to contact her.
Spoke to Rita today. She said that their guest house is almost ready. Why don't all you guys who come over to SL for a holiday so that we can all go for a weekend to Rita's Guest House? Why don't you add Chris de Saram's name to the departed souls? Regards to all Mallika
James your suggestions re a list of CIC/CNX staff on the blog would be a great idea now that there is a surge of enthusiasm to come under the banner of the evergreens! Lets hope the folks in SL will join in with their own contributions and not be silent partners.
Amongst the deceased its good to remember Ian Outschoorn my senior in the Paints Dept- Ian had a passion for novels under the pen of PG Wodehouse which I followed.
James, it's a good idea to list all the CICers who were there in the 60s, 70s and 80s on a separate page on our website. I think Elmo can do the needful. We can list them by Department. Example..Wharf - Joe, Austin, Lalith, Hector, Boyagoda, Heather, Marie, Rohan etc.
Its a healthy sign that our membership is expanding at a fast pace-my only hope is that the momentum will remain stable and not wither away. James keeping track of our days at CIC/CNX is pretty good - we'll leave that to our webmaster Elmo P. In my case I joined ICI in 1957-its 50 years of work life for me now. Cheers to all. Eric
MR ARUMAINAYAGAM'S BULL
As for Mr Arumainayagam, I wonder whether he's "still negotiating bulls on the C'bo Anuradhapura Road?" This is what he wrote on his insurance claim when asked to explain how his car ended up in a ditch. I can still recall he wrote, "While negotiating a bend, a bull jumped across the road. While negotiating the bull, the car went out of control." Elmo
Sorry Guys, I sent one earlier with my itchy fingers before I realized I hadn't added my two cents. Thanks Elmo for the identification parade of ex-C.I.C.ers. I knew Donald well because we were in the C.I.C basketball team together. I too thought young Satku had passed on (somewhere in Wellawatte- where Dilky & I used to always bump into him). After you named them I reminisced on the old times, and people I totally lost touch with. Noel, Lalith, Jayantha, Nalini, Anoma (her hubby Mahen worked with me in Saudi).
I will try to get Hector @ CIC on Monday (if he has not retired- he was threatening to, in Dec.) Elmo, you definitely look the same (a little wiser) and "the one you must obey" still looks the same knockout, I remember, who swept you off your feet. Joe; great to see you too are on board. Its been a long time. Now I don't have to inquire from Joe W or Francis after you. James
Hi there everybody- a quick pic of the Torontonians getting together with Eric at Ragu's daughters residence. Eric and Wife Pushparanee are right now on their wayback to Vancouver
Left to Right - Roy, Eric, Self, Melchi, Ragu.
Great to see you guys. All looking good! Ana
As Ananda says, Great and good to see you guys. They look so different, especially, Eric now looks very small, compared to the big built he was in his hay days. Ragu also is different and Melchi to me is beyond recognition. Bye love to you all - Nalinee
Yeah all of look ok still considering that we are in the evening of our lives. Ref. your comments Eric has lost weight and is much thinner, and Milky looks like a mini sized Adolf Hitler with that same hair style, and he only needs to shorten his mustache on both sides. James will have to apply botox I guess to get his hair back ... unless he stills wants to look like Yule Briner, Roy needs to eat more chicken to put on some weight and I have to find a new way to make my hair black. All those hair colours that you use excepting (Elmo and James of course) only gives me the mighty scratch. So what can I do. And come to think of it ...Eric's hair is still a bit black in places ... wonder what he has been eating all these years in Canada to help keep his hair black. Must be treating himself for a lot of sea food in Vancouver. Ragu
TRAVEL
Mano Abraham, James Alagaratnam, Valentine Balasingham, Pootharan Fernando, A.Ragunathan, Roy Selvadurai and 'yours truly' met at the residence of Mano & Selvi in Scarborough on Sunday (August 06) evening.
We spent the fleeting hours in the spirit and camaraderie of those unforgettable yesteryears. It was a journey down memory lane reminisicing of the good times we had sans any concerns. We talked of the colleagues and their (plus or minus??!!) points all in a spirit of joviality. On my suggestion the CIC 'old boys' agreed to be in touch with their erstwhile colleagues around the globe. I hope we can all adhere to our good intentions for 'old times sake'.
I think I got Ana in the swinging mood. Yes if need be come to Toronto. Only, over here the bars close @ 1.00 a.m. I can add another invitee. Sebastian Benjamin Arumainyagam - now related to me (thru my cousin marrying his nephew). Mallika I did pass on your inquiry to Mano sometime back. James
James you look smart indeed even sans the crop of black hair!! We were all about 9 years younger when the pic of our Toronto get together was taken at the home of James & Dilki who entertained us to drinks and a sumptuous meal in typical Lankan style. Eric
Elmo, you have taken me down memory lane to Jaffna where I have enjoyed some of the best days in my work life marketing CIC Paints & Alakthene Pipe-yes Subhas Hotel is where I too always stayed. Eric
Yala - Hi Elmo Thanks for those lovely Yala photographs. Years ago I went to Yala with our own Melchi along with a Times Group. It was here a chap who came with us explained to us how to escape from an Elephant chase ! He said , "You must always run in a zig-zag fashion". On our first night in Yala we went a bit too close to a patch of jungle where we heard Elephants trumpeting.
Melchi and I followed this man's advice and ran zig-zag and came right into our tent in no time. Bur "Ali Matahaya" as this man was known made a straight 100 metre dash and forgot all about the "zig-zag" business. But no one ever saw anything like an Elephant. It was all imagination!! Path
Evergreens Get-together @ Chandra's August 2012 & Dinner at Nawaz's
Dear All, the above event was graciously hosted by Chandra Jayaratne and his wife (Sunethra). The food was excellent and was preceded by a liquid diet where you had the option of being 'Regal' or going 'Black'!! All that was enjoyed with background music provided by a trio of extremely talented musicians providing lilting music of the years gone by. The ambiance was just right.
Now, a bit of trivia about our host. Chandra's company (Citihealth) continues to be the 3rd largest importer of pharmaceuticals in to Sri Lanka and his annual turnover is only three times that of Chemanex Group!!
The gathering was more like a Chief Executives forum, where so many Chairmen and Managing Directors were present!!
List of participants:
Sales Group A: Tilak Karunaratne, Nalinee Algama, Ranjith Illangakone, Bosco Fonseka (& Rani)
Sales Group B: Chris Edwards, Noel Senanayake, Jayantha Jayasundera, Jayantha Rajapakse, Neil Kottege, Cyril Wickremaratne, Aruna Serasinghe
Invoicing & Finance: Nawaz Faleel, Mallika Rodrigo (& Cuma), Ayoma Jayawardena, Sathkunasingham
Stores: Ana Abeygunawardena (& Indrani), Ranjith Ponnamperuma
Ratmalana Works: Elmo Perera (& Thali), Ivan Perera
P&GI: Sam Sirimanne, Ranjith Ganemulla
Absent (invited but had other commitments): Lalith Siritunga, Lal de Mel, Lal de Alwis
PS: Tilak Karunaratne has volunteered to host the next gathering at Bolgoda!! So, all the expats, stay tuned and make your travel plans accordingly. Neil
Dear Neil, many thanks for the instant and very interesting and 'spot on' review of the Evergreens get together at Chief Chandra Jayaratne's residence on Sunday.You have aptly described the broad spectrum of ex CIC Directors & Staff who were privileged to grace the occasion and sink in "Chivas" or "Black" depending on their preference for Lord Bacchus followed by a mouth watering array of dishes that would have pleased them no end. The joyful sounds emanating from the trio of yesteryears teaming up with the members of the impromptu CIC choir would have received 'encores' I am sure.
It is so pleasing to learn that our dear friend Col. Chandra Jayartne is a colossus in the realm of Pharmaceutical importers and ironically CNX is dwarfed by his financial standing. I do recall Chandra working in the Industrial Chemicals Dept. under Lalith Siritunga in days gone by which are now in the recess of memories.
It is great news for us expats to be made aware of Tilak Karunaratne's kind invitation to Bolgoda for the next reunion of CIC'ers and let us hope that some of us from afar will have the pleasure of visiting SL and meet up in salutary waters for yet another CIC extravaganza.
Neil, thanks for the report on yet another joyous get together graciously hosted by Chandra Jayaratne.It was a pleasure reading the names of those present and traversing on a wave of nostalgia."Memories are treasures that Time cannot erase". Eric
Dear Eric, thanks for the kind words. When I mentioned the "Chairmen and MDs", I was referring to the current standings of the participants.
The list goes as:
Chandra Jayaratne - Chairman (Pharma)
Tilak Karunaratne - Chairman/MD (Chemicals)
Jayantha Rajapakse - Chairman/MD ( Agro, fertilizer)
Aruna Serasinghe - Chairman/MD (Givaudan flavours & fragrances)
Ivan Perera - Chairman (Industrial solvents)
Ranjith Illangakone - MD (Decorators)
Ranjith Ponnamperuma - MD (Decorators)
Jayantha Jayasundera - MD (Chemicals)
Cyril Wicremaratne - MD (Retired ??)
As Tilak K commented last night, CIC had been a good training ground for a lot of people and the above list is ample testimony to that fact. Neil
Dear Neil,Tks. for the clarification re the impressive list of MD's of ex CIC'ers.It makes us all proud of their rise in the realm of business. We would all nod in agreement with Tilak Karunaratne's assertion that CIC was a veritable training ground for several who scaled greater heights in later years.You have a notable memory and perform an excellent task in providing us with details of interesting snippets and personalities who formed the CIC mosaic of yesteryears-thank you so much. I now gather that the secret is to consume fish-(courtesy my man Jeeves).
Cyril, you have done well too in your postcript of the gala event hosted by Chandra & Sunethra- we now await to see the photographs from Ana who would have recorded the event in all its glory with many enjoying Chivas & Black to their hearts' content. Cyril , I am now dreaming of joining in the next reunion to be hosted by TK to say'hi' to several former colleagues and bask in the charm of Bolgoda reminiscing of the 'good old days'. Eric
Hi Neil Thanks for a most comprehensive account of the night's festivities. Once again, a big thank you to Chandra who has hosted us more than 3 times and his generosity has been overwhelming. And it was great of Thilak to offer us a venue for the next 'do'. Lets hope it'll be soon and many more expat Evergreens will be able to attend.
Nawaz and Jehan also hosted me, Ana & Indrani, Chandra & Sunethra, Ranjith & Manna for a sumptious dinner the day before.
I also spoke to Hector & Jaffar and am planning to meet sith them (and many more Evegreens (if possible) before I leave. I'm also copying this to Tilak, Ranjith Ganemulla and Anura Serasinghe who now also adorn our mailing list. May it continue to grow.
Am off to Kandy & then Badulla for a few days. Will keep you posted on any other Evergreen news. Elmo
Tilak, Ranjith & Anura, welcome to The Evergreen Family! Our website is http://www.evergreens.com/ Hope you'll enjoy browsing through it. Please contribute as much as you can.
Hi All, Firstly I must say that our email list is growing and very impressive. And then thank our dear hosts Chandra & Sunethra for their generosity not once but three times. For me it was more than three times! Nobody spoke about the food. For me it was a novel idea mixing all the raw food and giving to a chef to cook instantly. I found it delicious! I must say that my granddaughter too had a great time. Now about the pictures I was taking with my shaky hands. I will send them once I return to California. We should plan ahead for our next do keeping in mind many of our active expatriates show up. Cheers to the Evergreens of CIC. Ana.
Well noted all the comments. Look forward to hosting the next meet of Evergreens. Regards to all. Thilak K.
Hi Thilak, It was great to read the invitation from you to host the next CIC reunion bash in Bolgoda-hopefully I will be around then in SL. Regards. Eric
Left to Right - Roy, Eric, Self, Melchi, Ragu.
Great to see you guys. All looking good! Ana
As Ananda says, Great and good to see you guys. They look so different, especially, Eric now looks very small, compared to the big built he was in his hay days. Ragu also is different and Melchi to me is beyond recognition. Bye love to you all - Nalinee
Yeah all of look ok still considering that we are in the evening of our lives. Ref. your comments Eric has lost weight and is much thinner, and Milky looks like a mini sized Adolf Hitler with that same hair style, and he only needs to shorten his mustache on both sides. James will have to apply botox I guess to get his hair back ... unless he stills wants to look like Yule Briner, Roy needs to eat more chicken to put on some weight and I have to find a new way to make my hair black. All those hair colours that you use excepting (Elmo and James of course) only gives me the mighty scratch. So what can I do. And come to think of it ...Eric's hair is still a bit black in places ... wonder what he has been eating all these years in Canada to help keep his hair black. Must be treating himself for a lot of sea food in Vancouver. Ragu
TRAVEL
Mano Abraham, James Alagaratnam, Valentine Balasingham, Pootharan Fernando, A.Ragunathan, Roy Selvadurai and 'yours truly' met at the residence of Mano & Selvi in Scarborough on Sunday (August 06) evening.
We spent the fleeting hours in the spirit and camaraderie of those unforgettable yesteryears. It was a journey down memory lane reminisicing of the good times we had sans any concerns. We talked of the colleagues and their (plus or minus??!!) points all in a spirit of joviality. On my suggestion the CIC 'old boys' agreed to be in touch with their erstwhile colleagues around the globe. I hope we can all adhere to our good intentions for 'old times sake'.
I think I got Ana in the swinging mood. Yes if need be come to Toronto. Only, over here the bars close @ 1.00 a.m. I can add another invitee. Sebastian Benjamin Arumainyagam - now related to me (thru my cousin marrying his nephew). Mallika I did pass on your inquiry to Mano sometime back. James
James you look smart indeed even sans the crop of black hair!! We were all about 9 years younger when the pic of our Toronto get together was taken at the home of James & Dilki who entertained us to drinks and a sumptuous meal in typical Lankan style. Eric
Elmo, you have taken me down memory lane to Jaffna where I have enjoyed some of the best days in my work life marketing CIC Paints & Alakthene Pipe-yes Subhas Hotel is where I too always stayed. Eric
Yala - Hi Elmo Thanks for those lovely Yala photographs. Years ago I went to Yala with our own Melchi along with a Times Group. It was here a chap who came with us explained to us how to escape from an Elephant chase ! He said , "You must always run in a zig-zag fashion". On our first night in Yala we went a bit too close to a patch of jungle where we heard Elephants trumpeting.
Melchi and I followed this man's advice and ran zig-zag and came right into our tent in no time. Bur "Ali Matahaya" as this man was known made a straight 100 metre dash and forgot all about the "zig-zag" business. But no one ever saw anything like an Elephant. It was all imagination!! Path
Evergreens Get-together @ Chandra's August 2012 & Dinner at Nawaz's
Dear All, the above event was graciously hosted by Chandra Jayaratne and his wife (Sunethra). The food was excellent and was preceded by a liquid diet where you had the option of being 'Regal' or going 'Black'!! All that was enjoyed with background music provided by a trio of extremely talented musicians providing lilting music of the years gone by. The ambiance was just right.
Now, a bit of trivia about our host. Chandra's company (Citihealth) continues to be the 3rd largest importer of pharmaceuticals in to Sri Lanka and his annual turnover is only three times that of Chemanex Group!!
The gathering was more like a Chief Executives forum, where so many Chairmen and Managing Directors were present!!
List of participants:
Sales Group A: Tilak Karunaratne, Nalinee Algama, Ranjith Illangakone, Bosco Fonseka (& Rani)
Sales Group B: Chris Edwards, Noel Senanayake, Jayantha Jayasundera, Jayantha Rajapakse, Neil Kottege, Cyril Wickremaratne, Aruna Serasinghe
Invoicing & Finance: Nawaz Faleel, Mallika Rodrigo (& Cuma), Ayoma Jayawardena, Sathkunasingham
Stores: Ana Abeygunawardena (& Indrani), Ranjith Ponnamperuma
Ratmalana Works: Elmo Perera (& Thali), Ivan Perera
P&GI: Sam Sirimanne, Ranjith Ganemulla
Absent (invited but had other commitments): Lalith Siritunga, Lal de Mel, Lal de Alwis
PS: Tilak Karunaratne has volunteered to host the next gathering at Bolgoda!! So, all the expats, stay tuned and make your travel plans accordingly. Neil
Dear Neil, many thanks for the instant and very interesting and 'spot on' review of the Evergreens get together at Chief Chandra Jayaratne's residence on Sunday.You have aptly described the broad spectrum of ex CIC Directors & Staff who were privileged to grace the occasion and sink in "Chivas" or "Black" depending on their preference for Lord Bacchus followed by a mouth watering array of dishes that would have pleased them no end. The joyful sounds emanating from the trio of yesteryears teaming up with the members of the impromptu CIC choir would have received 'encores' I am sure.
It is so pleasing to learn that our dear friend Col. Chandra Jayartne is a colossus in the realm of Pharmaceutical importers and ironically CNX is dwarfed by his financial standing. I do recall Chandra working in the Industrial Chemicals Dept. under Lalith Siritunga in days gone by which are now in the recess of memories.
It is great news for us expats to be made aware of Tilak Karunaratne's kind invitation to Bolgoda for the next reunion of CIC'ers and let us hope that some of us from afar will have the pleasure of visiting SL and meet up in salutary waters for yet another CIC extravaganza.
Neil, thanks for the report on yet another joyous get together graciously hosted by Chandra Jayaratne.It was a pleasure reading the names of those present and traversing on a wave of nostalgia."Memories are treasures that Time cannot erase". Eric
Dear Eric, thanks for the kind words. When I mentioned the "Chairmen and MDs", I was referring to the current standings of the participants.
The list goes as:
Chandra Jayaratne - Chairman (Pharma)
Tilak Karunaratne - Chairman/MD (Chemicals)
Jayantha Rajapakse - Chairman/MD ( Agro, fertilizer)
Aruna Serasinghe - Chairman/MD (Givaudan flavours & fragrances)
Ivan Perera - Chairman (Industrial solvents)
Ranjith Illangakone - MD (Decorators)
Ranjith Ponnamperuma - MD (Decorators)
Jayantha Jayasundera - MD (Chemicals)
Cyril Wicremaratne - MD (Retired ??)
As Tilak K commented last night, CIC had been a good training ground for a lot of people and the above list is ample testimony to that fact. Neil
Dear Neil,Tks. for the clarification re the impressive list of MD's of ex CIC'ers.It makes us all proud of their rise in the realm of business. We would all nod in agreement with Tilak Karunaratne's assertion that CIC was a veritable training ground for several who scaled greater heights in later years.You have a notable memory and perform an excellent task in providing us with details of interesting snippets and personalities who formed the CIC mosaic of yesteryears-thank you so much. I now gather that the secret is to consume fish-(courtesy my man Jeeves).
Cyril, you have done well too in your postcript of the gala event hosted by Chandra & Sunethra- we now await to see the photographs from Ana who would have recorded the event in all its glory with many enjoying Chivas & Black to their hearts' content. Cyril , I am now dreaming of joining in the next reunion to be hosted by TK to say'hi' to several former colleagues and bask in the charm of Bolgoda reminiscing of the 'good old days'. Eric
Hi Neil Thanks for a most comprehensive account of the night's festivities. Once again, a big thank you to Chandra who has hosted us more than 3 times and his generosity has been overwhelming. And it was great of Thilak to offer us a venue for the next 'do'. Lets hope it'll be soon and many more expat Evergreens will be able to attend.
Nawaz and Jehan also hosted me, Ana & Indrani, Chandra & Sunethra, Ranjith & Manna for a sumptious dinner the day before.
I also spoke to Hector & Jaffar and am planning to meet sith them (and many more Evegreens (if possible) before I leave. I'm also copying this to Tilak, Ranjith Ganemulla and Anura Serasinghe who now also adorn our mailing list. May it continue to grow.
Am off to Kandy & then Badulla for a few days. Will keep you posted on any other Evergreen news. Elmo
Tilak, Ranjith & Anura, welcome to The Evergreen Family! Our website is http://www.evergreens.com/ Hope you'll enjoy browsing through it. Please contribute as much as you can.
Hi All, Firstly I must say that our email list is growing and very impressive. And then thank our dear hosts Chandra & Sunethra for their generosity not once but three times. For me it was more than three times! Nobody spoke about the food. For me it was a novel idea mixing all the raw food and giving to a chef to cook instantly. I found it delicious! I must say that my granddaughter too had a great time. Now about the pictures I was taking with my shaky hands. I will send them once I return to California. We should plan ahead for our next do keeping in mind many of our active expatriates show up. Cheers to the Evergreens of CIC. Ana.
Well noted all the comments. Look forward to hosting the next meet of Evergreens. Regards to all. Thilak K.
Hi Thilak, It was great to read the invitation from you to host the next CIC reunion bash in Bolgoda-hopefully I will be around then in SL. Regards. Eric