| by Premasara Epasinghe
( September 25, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The
ninety fourth birth anniversary of legendary Editor Meemana Premathilake of
Silumina fell on September 20, 2012. In Sinhala language, the word ‘Silumina’
can be defined as the Pinnacle or ‘Kotha’, which is placed on the top of the
Buddhist Dagoba or Pagoda. At the inception of Silumina weekend paper, it was
popularly known as the ‘University of Twenty Five cents’. Undoubtedly, it was
the mostly read weekly circulated newspaper not only in Sri Lanka but also in
South East Asia. Some of the great scholars, erudite Buddhist monks and other
religious dignitaries regularly contributed articles to it.
It was like a weekly mini-encyclopedia. This popular
newspaper was an Associated Newspapers Ceylon Limited publication. Some of the
great editors of Silumina that come to my mind are Martin Wickremasinghe,
Piyasena Nissanka (Loku Sir), Meemana Premathilake, Dharmapala Wettasinghe,
Siriwardana Subasinghe, D C Karunaratne (presently attached to Lankadeepa).
Between 1960 to 1980, I served as a journalist attached to
the Dinamina, Silumina, Janata, Sarasaviya, Navayugaya, Daily News, Sunday
Observer. This was immediately after passing out from the university. I had the
great fortune of serving under such editors par-excellence of the calibre of
Meemana Premathilake (Silumina), M A D Silva (Dinamina), Dharmapala Wettasinghe
(Janatha and Dinamina), Wimalasiri Perera (Dinamina, Sarasaviya and
Navayugaya), Siriwardane Subasinghe (Sarasaviya, Dinamina and Silumina), Cecil
Graham (Daily News), Denzil Peiris (Sunday Observer).
Happy memories
In those days Lake House was like my second home. We worked
with the best of Editors, News Editors, Sub-Editors and Reporters etc. The
beauty was we were one family. We were dedicated and committed to our mission.
Looking back, I feel, if what I have achieved in life, the training that I
gained obtained under these Editors and Editorials was like a Transfer of
Training, which helped me to build my career path and character in the future.
We worked day and night, enjoyed every bit. The working environment was so
pleasant, thrilling and challenging.
The days I worked in the Silumina can be considered the
best. Many happy memories are still etched in my mind, working under the great
men of its Editorial.
To work under Meemana Premathilake, the Great Poet cum
Editor of Silumina was a great experience. Unassuming Meemana possessed a
majestic personality. Humble and simple this fine human being treated everyone
equal. He was friendly and jovial. He was a man of impeccable integrity. His
sense of humour was inexhaustible. This great human being possessed a golden
heart. He welcomed everyone. He was an ornament to Lake House. He never cared
for his position. He smiled, spoke with all and mixed with everyone at Lake
House.
He was a brilliant writer and vociferous reader. Although,
he rarely spoke in English, he was well-versed in English too. He was brilliant
in both languages. He was like a philosopher. I still remember that on a Friday
evening, he borrowed the Discovery of India written by Nehru from the Lake
House Library read few chapters and wrote a very valuable article on India in
Sinhala.
Buddhist education
He was a rare Editor. Versatility was his forte. His
creative thinking was amazing. It's no surprise, that Silumina created history
as one of the leading newspapers which had the largest circulation in South
East Asia those days. We were proud to be in that team of journalists. I firmly
believe the success of any newspaper is in the hands of its Editor. An Editor
can make it or break it. Meemana Premathilake was born in a village called
Meemana close to Horana, on September 20, 1918 and passed away on July 12,
1965. He was a ‘Proud Product’ of Ananda Vidyalaya, Colombo, one of the
crest-jewels of Buddhist education in Sri Lanka.
From his childhood, he was a creative poet and writer and a
great lover of the environment, culture and sports.
This great lovable Editor Meemana Premathilake married
Adline Hathamune. She was the wind beneath his wings. They had six children.
Sunil Madhawa, one of the best journalists cum creative writers. He was a Chip
of the Old Block. Sarath, an all-round journalist and fine Sports Editor.
Unfortunately, Saman and Sadun are deceased. Sadun was a sports journalist.
Ramani was another fine journalist. Mihiri is a civil engineer in Australia.
Except Sadun, who captained the First XI Team of Dharmapala Vidyalaya,
Pannipitiya, the other three boys studied at Ananda. The two girls studied at
the Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo. Meemana Premathilake was a dutiful husband and
father.
I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the
‘Silumina Team’ which was led by Meemana Premathilake. Silumina had the best
set of journalists during our time. Elmo Gooneratne, G T Wickramasinghe, S
Subasinghe, Wimalasiri Perera, Tissa Gunatilake, D F Kariyakarawana, Eamon
Kariyakarawana, Benedict Dodampegama, Dharmapala Boteju, Dharmapala
Wettasinghe, Walter Sirimanne, Sports Editor Sumana Premathilake and Nissanka
Fernando and photographers of great repute Wally Perera (Wally uncle), Hector
Sumathipala, L E Samararatne and last but not the least Meemana's
'Peon-personal attendant' lovable 'Piyasena Aiya.' Special mention should be
given to Miss Sumana Saparamadu a brilliant university product, this educated
lady who guided - the young journalists like us. She was highly respected by
all.
Future generations
From the Chairman, Managing Director Esmond Wickremesinghe,
Ranjith Wijewardene, everyone at Lake House respected and loved Meemana, not
only for his journalistic brilliance, but, also for the great humane qualities
that he possessed. His company was great. His life was Lake House and Silumina.
Sometimes, in the evening after a heavy day's work, he used to spread a mat by
the side of his very valuable table and chair, wear a sarong and sleep.
Sometimes, he used to proudly tell us, that this historical table and chair was
used by great Martin Wickremasinghe. He firmly believed that one must always
respect historical antiques and preserve them for the future generations.
By the end of June 1965, Meemana suddenly fell sick and was
rushed to Ratnams Hospital. His condition deteriorated. On July 11th at about
8.30 pm, his condition worsened. Subasinghe, Wimalasiri, Boteju, Dias,
Gunaratne (Professor R Dias Gunaratne) and yours truly Epasinghe were at
Meemana's side. Boteju made a suggestion. He told us that when the great
Munidasa Cumaratunga was in a critical condition, like Meemana Premathilake, an
Ayurvedic Physician from Kelaniya cured him by giving some 'Ayuvedic Guli', and
that if Subasinghe and Wimalasiri agrees, he will bring the famous
Vedamahattaya. Subasinghe and Wimalasiri arranged a vehicle and sent Boteju to
bring the Vedamahattaya. At about 11.30, if my memory serves me right, Ranjith
Wijewardane also came to see Meemana. In the meantime, Boteju returned with the
Vedamahattaya. Tubes were inserted to Meemana's nostrils and mouth. Dr
Anthonisz too visited Meemana as he was the doctor who was treating Meemana.
Ayurvedic physician
The Ayurvedic physician told us that he needs raw ginger
juice to mix the Guli and to insert through the mouth. Dr Anthonisz helped the
Ayurvedic physician by removing the tubes inserted into Meemana's mouth.
In the meantime, Subasinghe and Wimalasiri entrusted eminent
(Dr) Dias Gunaratne (later Prof R Dias Gunaratne of Peradeniya University) and
yours truly to find some ginger from a close by boutique. Two of us went to
Slave Island. The time was about 2 pm. We managed to bring the ginger with
great difficulty. The Ayurvedic physician inserted the Guli with ginger juice.
At about 3 pm, Meemana uttered some words with difficulty to Subasinghe.
Meemana said he wished to hear Pirith. Dias Guanratne and I rushed in a Lake
House van to Walukaramay Temple, Kollupitiya as I knew the Chief Incumbent
personally and got four monks to chant Pirith at Meemana's bed side. A few
hours later,this great gentleman par excellence, our beloved Meemana
Premathilake passed away in the early hours of July 12,1965.
I conclude my humble tribute to this great poet and Editor
quoting a verse from Subasithaya.
Amita Guna Nuwana Yuthu Utuman Pabadha
Anatha Vehesa Laduwath Noma Vetha Duhadha
Digatha Pathala Suwadethi Sonda Sadun Kandha
Siditha Maditha Ekalesa Pathirai Suwadha
Even if you cut and pound the sandalwood, it will give its
fragrance undiminished, just so one can never succeed in making virtuous, wise,
noble people wicked.
Lifes of greatness all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time - Henry Wordsworth Longfellow
 The ninety fourth birth anniversary of legendary E...){kind=link}