Joe Abeywickrame : A Man of Natural Kindliness and Deep Humanity

| by Victor Unantenne

(October 02, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The recent death of Joe Abeywickrame evoked a nation - wide out pouring of grief which, in my view, was not only because, along with Gamini Fonseka, he was one of the greatest actors who adorned the silver screen in our time but also because of his natural kindliness and deep humanity. I had first-hand experience of these rare qualities in him which, I feel, I should narrate.

Quite some time back while serving as a Working Director in the State Timber Corporation he came to see me with an officer of the Personnel Branch to seek my advice on a disciplinary inquiry to be held against an employee of the Corporation. Having perused the charge-sheet I suggested the person defending him should see me with the connected papers to elicit the facts of the case with a view to advising him on a suitable line of defence. Having thanked me for my advice he left only to stop in his tracks and look at the bird cage hung outside in which my son was rearing two pet budgerigars. His face lighted up with a look of child-like delight on seeing the caged birds sharing the grain in the tray inside with two battichchas who had flown in and were perched on the iron frame of the cage outside.

Sensing my presence he observed "see with what harmony the caged birds are peacefully sharing the grain with the two birds outside. By contrast the rich in our society live inside their mansions with high walls and tall gates and ignore or shoo away the homeless poor who knock at the gate to beg for a little food or a few coins." Saying this he waved good-bye and left. I never saw this fascinating character again. However, the truth of the words he spoke recurred in my mind from time to time and came back in a flash on hearing he had passed away.

The next instance that I came across Joe was equally thought provoking albeit by remote control!. One day of an evening not so long ago while idly changing channels on the TV set, I stopped when I saw him being interviewed on one channel. I missed what he had said earlier. But one observation by him was typical of this remarkable man and remains etched in my memory. He said a wild life ranger had mentioned to him once how he had observed a small herd of deer frolicking near a water hole in Yala, while above them was a leopard stretched out on a branch in slumber. His stomach must have been filled to satiety devouring the flesh, perhaps, of an unwary deer or wild boar he would have been stalking stealthily through the forest. For the leopard enough is enough. Joe commented "but on the other hand, there are some people whose insatiable greed drives them to acquire more and more wealth and material possessions far above what they need to live on comfortably. Such people have no peace of mind and can hardly sleep thinking of what the day after would bring in terms of profit" Joe then said" This is `thanha’ which the Lord Buddha preached is the root of suffering - Dhukha.

May his journey in Sansara be short and may he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirwana.