Appreciation

 

ATHULA SENARATNE

(1964-2021)

(1977-1984)
STCG

It was in 2014 that I get to know Athula Senaratne personally. That too thanks to Dr Keerthi Mohotti – Director TRI, also an old boy of STCG who passed me the contact of Athula.  A few of us Old Boys of the 66-72 era wanted to support Fr Goodchild and  Athula who by then was looking into the wellbeing of  Fr. Goodchild on his own. Father remained a celibate all his life and did not consent to retirement homes. That year (2014) a few of us went up to Kundasale PHDT Regional Office where Athula and Father were stationed to celebrate Fr. Goodchild's 91st birthday. Ever since then I was a frequent visitor to them at PHDT offices at Kundasale and Hatton. When Athula got transferred to Badulla; Father went down to Piliyandala as the cold wet climate in the hills was too harsh for him now.

Athula joins Gurutalawa in the year 1976 and leaves in 1984 to take up a career in planting. He has had an illustrious school career being the Head Prefect in the years 1981 and 1982. He started his career in planting, a creeper at Divithura Estate under Elpitiya Plantations to end up a Manager at Malwatte Valley Plantations, after which he takes up the post of Regional Director at the PHDT; a Trust formed to uplift the living condition of the estate labour. 

It was through curiosity that I ask Athula while in Hatton the reason for such a close and cordial bond developed between Athula and Fr Goodchild. He had been waiting until I asked this from him and related this touching story that I had not divulged to anybody until now. But I'm sure there may be others close to him who were aware of his entry to STCG. 

Athula is from Rambukkana in the Kurunegala District born in a Christian family. Athula as a kid was therefore selected to Grade 1 at Carey College, Colombo 8 and was a boarder in the school. It was only once he went to Grade 2 that trouble started he says. He became a stubborn child and getting punished was a regular event in school. One day he with another boy was punished for a misdoing and they planned to take revenge through a sinister retaliation. Two of them set fire to the class furniture after school. This followed with both boys barely 8 years of age expelled from school. A furious father would not look in the eye of the kid, leave alone looking for a new school.  The mother, on the other hand, went about everywhere looking for a school that would pardon the kid but to no avail, she approaches Bishop Lakshman Wickremasinghe in Kurunegala who gives a kind hearing and assures the lady some form of redress.   

Bishop Wickremasinghe then contacts Fr. Goodchild in Gurutalawa and seeks his favour in getting the child into Gurutalawa. It was not an easy undertaking with his past school record but does discuss matters with Mr J.W. Marasinghe the Headmaster's secretary and they both approach the Headmaster Mr M. L. C. Ilangakoon to discuss the request of the Bishop of Kurunegala. Mr Ilangakoon was ready to take the child into the school on the condition that he must sit for an entrance exam just as any other student and if he succeeds in the entrance exam he should be under the continuous surveillance of Fr. Goodchild.  The conditions agreed the mother brings in Athula to sit the entrance exam and alas he turns out miserable in all the three papers, Arithmetic, Sinhala and English. Knowing the conditions both Fr. Goodchild and Mr Marasinghe try their best to get the minimum requirement for a Grade 2 pass and with much persuasion and undertaking they manage to convince Mr Ilangakoon to admit the child to College. From then on Athula came under the wing of Fr. Goodchild and obviously, he ended up being an allrounder and head prefect in school. The bonding that developed as a  Teacher/Pastor - Student continued all along until Fr. Goodchild was adopted as Papa in the family. And Fr. Goodchild was cared for with love and affection by Athula and Shamalie till he passed away peacefully on January 6th 2019 at 96. Fr. Goodchild despite the numerous requests from his family and relatives to migrate to Australia or the US preferred to stay in Sri Lanka with Athula and Shamalie and their two kids Dilshan and Hashan.

Author with Athula & Father in Hatton

Gurutalawa had tamed many such difficult characters in homes. Reading this, many of you might also feel how you did change being in a boarding school that had a set of rulings that worked like clockwork. Many ended being perfects and games captains. Gurutalawa did mould us all into a sizing which was one size that fitted all situations and conditions.

It was unfortunate for Athula to end life at an early age of  57 years. But in this short span, he amassed a great deal of merit through compassion and empathy shown towards the wellbeing of the underprivileged estate folk in providing suitable shelter for them. He had an extra-large heart that did bleed for others but did have to end his life in the most tragic way showing how unpredictable and fragile this form of life is. 

May His Soul Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory...

Uditha Wijesena

udithawijesena@gmail.com