To Sir, with Love – by Ishan De Lanerolle
‘The hymns have faded, the prayers are said,
The chapel echoes with the silence of the dead.
Yet in our hearts, his voice remains,
A symphony of guidance through joy and pains.’
Tribute to a Great Master Unlike Any Other
To Sir, with Love.
In the early 2000s, Sir began experiencing persistent and unusual pains—one day his eye, the next his toe, then his hand and the list goes on. We took him to several doctors who initially treated him for psychological issues. However, I knew this was not in his mind. Finally, a full health check at Apollo Hospital (now Lanka Hospital) revealed a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his spine. Sir needed a rare and complex surgery. An appeal went out, and within three days, 1.5 million rupees poured into the STC account.
Securing the appointment with Dr. Sunil Perera, a renowned neurosurgeon, was another story. With Nimantha De Alwis’s help, we managed to get an appointment for 9 PM. Sir told us to pick him up from Kanatta (Borella Cemetery). I waited at Asiri Surgical from 6 PM, while Rohan searched for him in Kanatta, but Sir was nowhere to be found. Eventually, Sir contacted me via a post office phone the next day, and we met at 4 PM the same day, keeping him safe and determined to meet the doctor until the 12:15 AM the following day! The surgery went well, and Sir spent almost three months in a nursing home in Panadura for critical aftercare. This marked the unofficial start of the De Lanerolle’s involvement in Sir’s care.
Rohan and I never had the privilege many Thomians had of experiencing Sir’s teachings from a young age. Rohan joined College from Prep School after his O Levels, benefiting from Sir’s guidance for only three years. I joined College in the third term of Form V and was in the choir only for four years, commencing in Upper VI. Realizing what I had missed in terms of flowing handwriting, impeccable English, and comprehensive music theory. I still remember almost the entire class scoring around 20 to 40 out of 100 in music exams which were known for their complexity. Scoring 40 in Sir’s paper was a guarantee of a distinction in the local O Levels. Contrary to what many think, neither of us were choir leaders. The choir had a very clear line of seniority. There was a register, and the names were in that order and moved up year on year. Once again, this method taught humility in service. You could be the most celebrated singer, but in the choir, you were what you were in the order of service.
In College, Sir epitomized S. Thomas’ College. Discipline, punctuality, integrity, commitment, planning, organization, devotion, and steadfastness are just a few of the qualities that defined him and shaped our lives. Sir always stood his ground, whether facing the Warden, priests, or the Bishop. He was never late unless he intended some ‘drama’. His devotion meant he would drag himself to the classroom even when sick. He meticulously planned events, with choristers knowing he had both rain and no-rain plans for the carol service.
Material things never mattered to Sir. The late Vinodh Senadeera once showed me uncashed STC payment cheques (13 – his lucky number and 13 letters in his surname) he found when clearing the organ loft. Despite receiving countless size 14 shirts and tailor-made trousers for his 24-inch waist (which he loved to flaunt), Sir often wore the same outfit repeatedly. This led some to believe the De Lanerolle’s were not taking proper care of him, but many others directly and through us supported Sir in numerous ways until his passing.
Contrary to his modest waist size, Sir had a great appetite, and I often wondered where all the food went. Our outings in Colombo for concerts and conversations, and trips to Trinity College will be cherished memories. Sir frequently asked for mobile phones, and I gave him five; all at different points were dashed, and the last he said he threw into a drain. He requested a solar phone once upon a time, which he had read about in a newspaper, which I never got him and will be a regret in my heart. Sir loved the environment and was very green, wanting to minimize his carbon footprint.
Sir helped me immensely when we started the Thomian chamber orchestra back in college, not only advising but also doing the unthinkable. As we didn’t have a place to practice, and this was started by the students to play at Warden Neville De Alwis’ farewell, Sir gave us the chapel to practice in, something he would never allow.
Sir – The Quiz Master, together with Mrs. Abeynaike, used to keep all the boys who did Western music on our toes during the inter-house music quiz. This led our committee of the Classical Music Association to launch the Annual Interschool Music Quiz in 1999.
Towards the end, Sir was diagnosed with self-neglect and frailty. On Friday, the 24th, he fell at his Mount Lavinia home and was taken to Kalubowila Hospital. During a previous (COVID-time) admission, Thomian Dr. Shehan Silva took excellent care of him in Ward Number 1, and this time too, Dr. Silva was there to help. Sir was doing well with the assistance of Kumara, an attendant. However, on Tuesday, May 28, around 9:15 PM, Sir suffered a massive heart attack while turning in bed to take his medicines. The doctors assured us he likely did not know what happened as it was so fast. I am thankful that Sir did not have to suffer in the hospital, as he was seen a couple of hours before, sitting up and eating his yogurt.
As I sat at the funeral service, I couldn’t help but think that Sir wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. His student Marc Billimoria, Warden, was the celebrant at the funeral requiem. His second long-standing choir leader, Asanka Perera, was the Sub Warden and choir master. His student, Fr. Samuel Ponnaiah, was the chaplain. His students Denham Pereira and Neranjan De Silva also played the organ, along with Nilhan. The senior sacristan was Rohan’s son, Yohan de Lanerolle, and the choir leader was his student Enaksha’s son, Pramodh Fernando.
We extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Shehan and all the Thomian doctors who helped Sir over the years. Sir’s caregivers—some only lasted one day, but others, such as Seshan and Kumara, managed longer—can’t be thanked enough. We also thank Sir’s family, all the boys, and class groups who supported Rohan and me in caring for him.
Sir’s dedication to the College was evident from an early stage. While he was at university, Warden De Saram sent him a note saying he was needed at the College. Sir immediately left his degree unfinished and rushed to assist, putting the College first, always.
I can’t help but think of the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” as it was one of Sir’s favorite hymns, especially the alto part. For me, the most poignant lines which fit Sir are the last ones: “Demands my soul, my life, my all.” Sir definitely gave his soul, his life, and his all to S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.
Sir, you will always make me laugh when I reminisce about the memories, remind me to eat my veggies, think over and over if I’ve forgotten something, strive for perfection, and always offer the best.
Sir, you were a legend unlike any other. Your legacy of excellence, dedication, and love will forever inspire us.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Your student
Ishan
‘Through halls of College, his shadow roams, In every note, in every tome. His laughter, his stern, yet gentle gaze, Are etched in time, through all our days.’
Note: Since I sadly didn’t have the privilege of learning English under the legendary GRLB, please forgive any grammatical missteps and stylistic quirks. I suspect Sir would have generously awarded me a 2 out of 10, and that’s on a good day!
Yolantha Gunasekera
Had me in tears reading this beautiful tribute to Sir, Ishan!
