Stalwarts Three from Yesteryear: Sri Lankans of Distinction

Upali Obeyesekere, whose chosen title reads thus: “Tribute to ‘Sons of the Soil’ who made a huge contribution towards the Economy and Socio-cultural Aspects of Sri Lanka.”

Summa   

 Jackson Anthony

 

 

Lalith Kotelawela

Sri Lanka lost a few stars of yesteryear recently and it is our bounden duty to recognise these individuals in our popular monthly tabloid – The Sri Lankan Anchorman. They came from diverse backgrounds in terms of birth, schooling, and upbringing. But they all had one mission in life – to excel at what they do to exude a commitment of excellence in their chosen field and bring pride to our motherland – Sri Lanka.

SUMANTHIRAN (SUMMA) NAVARATNAM – He was fondly called “the fastest man in Asia” after clocking at record 10.4 seconds at the India States Olympic Meet which was held in Madras in 1953. It was also regarded as the fastest timing recorded on a grass track on Asian soil. He began his athletics coaching career with Royal College Colombo in 1953. In addition to Athletics, Summa Navaratnam was a household name as a super Rugby star – first at his alma mater Royal College and at CR & FC and All Ceylon.

Sumanthiran Navaratnam was born on 21 May 1925 in the little hamlet of Araly in Vaddukoddai, Jaffna, to S.S. Navaratnam of the Civil Service of Ceylon and Ms. K.T. Navaratnam. The couple’s fifth child, who went on to be called “Summa”, has his entire schooling at Royal College. The legendary sporting icon leaves behind many gifted services to the island nation. He was considered the oldest living Sri Lankan athlete until his demise. The legend celebrated his 98th birthday in May this year, with family, friends, and students at the CR & FC. It was his one true club all his life.

At Royal College, Navaratnam went on to represent the school in Athletics, Rugby, and Boxing. He came into the limelight when he became the youngest Royalist to be awarded athletics colours, at the tender age of 15, in 1940. At the Reid Avenue school, he captained the athletics team in 1942 and 1943, and won the nationals in the 100m, 200m, and 4 x 100m relay at Public Schools Meet helping Royal College to win the Tarbat and Jefferson Trophies. He won the nationals n the same events in 1944. In the 40s and 50s, he was the cynosure of all eyes scoring brilliant tries, playing on the wing for Royal, CR & FC, and All Ceylon, while also breaking many national and international records in athletics for Royal, Ace Athletic Club, and Ceylon.

He was also one of the three local native Sri Lankans to represent the Sri Lanka Rugby Team which had been dubbed, “ALL-White Sri Lanka” Rugby XV. At the end of his playing career, he took up coaching. His services were always available to his alma mater Royal College for free for many years. For his yeoman service to the school, the Royal College Sports Complex grandstand was named after Summa Navaratnam.

Summa Navaratnam married twice in his lifetime. First was to Rosemary Jansz, daughter of Cyril and Barbara Jansz of Panadura. After their divorce, Rosemary moved to the U.S. and lived in Southern California and became the famous novelist known as, ‘Rosemary Rogers.’ His second marriage was to Romaine de Zilwa. Once the fastest man in Asia, Summa Navaratnam passed away peacefully at his Colombo residence on the morning of 19 October. He was 98 years of age.

DESHMANYA DESHABANDU LALITH KOTELAWALA – The Sri Lankan business community were saddened by the loss of a remarkable personality who made an indelible mark in banking and philanthropy. Lalith Kotelawala passed away on 21 October at the age of 84. Lalith Kotelawala was born to Senator Justin Kotelawala, a Ceylonese politician and businessman, and Millicent Kotelawala nee de Silva, daughter of Sir Arthur Marcelles de Silva, a leading surgeon. He was educated at Royal College, Colombo and studied chartered accountancy in the UK. He was the nephew of Sir John Kotelawala, the third prime minister of Ceylon.

Lalith Kotelawala held a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankans. He served as the former chairman of Ceylinco Consolidated and was the founding Chairman of Seylan Bank. He was a significant figure in the country’s business world and earned respect for his contributions to the financial sector. Born in 1939, he embarked on his journey in the business and finance realm, ultimately playing a vital role in shaping the banking industry of the nation. Under his guidance, Seylan Bank became a trusted financial institution, known for its dedication to customer service and innovative solutions. As the founding Chairman of Seylan Bank, Lalith Kotelawala was instrumental in establishing a robust and trustworthy banking network in Sri Lanka. His vision for the institution was founded on trust, integrity, and a commitment to delivering high-quality financial services to the people of the nation. Seylan Bank, under his leadership, expanded its presence and diversified its services, making a significant contribution to the growth of Sri Lanka’s financial sector.

Lalith Kotelawala’s legacy goes beyond the business world. He was also known for his philanthropic work. He believed in giving back to the community and actively engaged in various charitable activities. His commitment to improving the lives of those less fortunate had a profound and lasting impact on many individuals and communities.

The passing of Lalith Kotelawala marks the end of an era in Sri Lanka’s financial sector. His legacy as a pioneer in the banking industry and a compassionate philanthropist will continue to inspire future generations. He leaves behind a rich legacy of achievements that have not only shaped the nation’s economic landscape but have also helped numerous Sri Lankans achieve their financial aspirations. He was married to Sicille Kotelawala (nee Fernando), daughter of Sam P.C. Fernando and Mrs. Fernando.

JACKSON ANTHONY – He was a Sri Lankan actor in film, theatre, and television. One of the most popular artists in Sri Lanka, Anthony won the award for the Best Actor a record sixteen times. Primarily active as an actor in all three media, he appeared before the public in versatile forms – director, producer, singer, screenwriter, television host, novelist, columnist, lyricist, historian, and traveller.

Jackson Anthony was born on 8 July 1958 in Podiwee Kumbura village, Ragama, Sri Lanka. While he’s recognized as “Jackson” by many people, his parents used to call him “Malsi”. He received his primary education at Hapugoda St. Mary’s Junior School and St. Mary’s College in Bandarawela and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo where he first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala language and Literature and did his master’s degree in Mass media at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

Anthony acted extensively in several stage dramas in university stage. Then he performed in the Neville Dias Subasinghe’s Vaaruwen Yana Minissu and Manavayo as well as E. M. D. Upali’s Methanin Maruwenu. Then he performed in many popular stage plays such as Marasad, Madhura Jawanika, Loma Hansa, Dhawala Beeshana, Ath, Mora and Tharavo Igilethi which brought him island wide recognition in the field of cinema. He was also the Best Actor at the National Drama Festival.

In 1993 he came to film industry. Having acted in Guru Gedara, Chitti, Ayoma and Loku Duwa, in his initial days, Jackson went on to prove his status in films like Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Agni Dahaya, Sooriya Arana, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the meantime, he came to terms with television as well. These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor. Some of his most popular television roles came through the serials: Palingu Manike, Ella Langa Walawwa, Suseema, Weda Hamine, Kadulla, Pitagamgarayo and Akala Sandya. Of these, he won the award for the Best Actor at the Sumathi Awards for his performance in the serial Pitagamkarayo. In the movie Tharanaya, he played the role of a train man named “Thangappan” and practiced dark magic.

Jackson Anthony married to his long-time partner Kumari Munasinghe, who is also an actress and a singer. They had two sons and a daughter, and the family was settled in Kadawatha. The daughter, Madhavee Wathsala, is a television presenter, actress and a singer. The elder son, Akila, also a television presenter, model, and an actor. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara also a television presenter, singer, and award-winning actor. On 2 July 2022, Jackson along with his younger brother Saman Anthony and a friend had been hospitalised following an accident in Anuradhapura after the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a wild elephant at Thalawa. The incident took place when he was returning in his personal vehicle. He was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital on the same day and to the Emergency Department of the Colombo National Hospital on the morning of 3 July. At the Colombo National hospital, he underwent a seven-hour surgery in the intensive care unit. Anthony remained in intensive care in a coma, on a ventilator donated by his family, for 458 days (15 months), until 9 October 2023 when he died at the age of 65.

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ALSO NOTE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lalith_Kotelawala

https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1597945-jackson-anthony

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_Navaratnam

The Bolt of Asia – Summa Navaratnam