She was a larger than life figure Elizabeth of Sacred Heart Convent Galle-by Wathsala de Silva

Elizabeth Senanayake

Elizabeth Senanayake

Elizabeth Senanayake was the Vice Principal and a teacher during my schooling (1979 to 1992) at Sacred Heart Convent, Galle. She was identified as “irreplaceable” long before she was no more. Elizabeth was never short of respect, admiration and applaud, not just from her students, but from the parents, community and the society she belonged to, for, she was a rarity in the highest form of integrity. To the people who knew her closely and dealt on a regular basis, she was an epitome of boldness, perseverance, dignity, dedication and on most times the quintessence of drama – the very essence of her character that made her a larger than life figure.

She was born on May 3, 1936 as an eldest child belonging to a reputed family in Galle. She lived in her ancestral home – Upper Thistles Court, the manor house I loved visiting with my father. Elizabeth was a product of Sacred Heart Convent (SHC) studying from her primary to secondary. Her mother too was educated at SHC, and so were Elizabeth’s siblings. Upon her graduation from the University of Peradeniya, on the request of then principal Sr. Adrian, Elizabeth joined the staff of SHC in 1968. Later, on Rev. Sr. Rosina Nanayakkara’s appointment as Principal, she made Elizabeth her deputy. To merit her dedication and invaluable service to the Girl Guides Association she was awarded with the Hansa Poottu, the highest award a Guide could receive; she was also a former Senior Guide Commissioner of Sri Lanka. Until the time she turned 84, the year prior to her passing in May 2021, she continued to service the school.

The friendship she shared with late Rev. Sr. Rosina Nanayakkara who served alongside her as our principal was a real hit! Reminding us and the new generation that true friendships are not based or survived on superficial affection and constant praise not genuine for each other, but telling off when necessary, correcting each other, respecting privacy, standing up for one another, and sharing moments of raillery and sarcasm to keep in good shape. Unlike the nowadays so called fake “besties”, Ms. Elizabeth and Sr. Rosina were true besties.

Those from my generation even to this day talk about “that” moment – when we were in the Galle stadium grounds rehearsing for our annual Sports-meet parade Elizabeth loudly with little curtesy told Sr. Rosina to stay away as she didn’t know a blooming thing about “it” (referring to the ongoing practices). During this blitz, with or without her knowledge Elizabeth was standing before a fully turned-on microphone that carried the noise all the way to the Galle bus station. Sr. Rosina having reminded her ‘nicely’ that she could in fact be heard by everyone as the microphone was on (rather than responding to Elizabeth’s bombardment), Elizabeth continued the blitz in the same frequency resulting us to end up in a fit of loud, hysterical laughter though what was expected of us was unwaveringly stand tall in the parade – discipline being at its the core under the supervision of an impeccable character like Elizabeth. We are now in the strong belief that the people inside the Galle stadium and the public outside of that premises, heard not only the “interesting” dialogue, but understood it too as Elizabeth spoke explicitly in the colloquial dialect of our mother tongue, contrary to the Queen’s English she mostly conversed in.
Elizabeth was known for possessing a vast knowledge that went beyond a school and university education. In casual conversation or passing a regular remark, she still spoke eruditely and wittily that came naturally to her.

Elizabeth was a product of Sacred Heart Convent (SHC) studying from her primary to secondary. Her mother too was educated at SHC, and so were Elizabeth’s siblings. Upon her graduation from the University of Peradeniya, on the request of then principal Sr. Adrian, Elizabeth joined the staff of SHC in 1968

One instance being when she visited my home with Sr. Rosina, perhaps their first visit to my place, Elizabeth sarcastically remarked, “It was like coming into the bastille” leaving me utterly perplexed, then a very young girl, not understanding a fraction of the riddle she uttered to my parents who had just welcomed them. Curious me on inquiring from my father later learned that, on finding their way to our house, she had struggled to figure out what might have been behind the high parapet wall while debating with Sr. Rosina about which gate to enter from. She had been in fact referring to the French Bastille, the onetime prison and fortress.

Without a doubt, clearly and in the understanding of many Elizabeth was my favourite teacher, for, she saw me for who I was – the daddy’s little girl, the spoiled brat in the school whom some could not stand! My late father and Elizabeth shared a strong bond working hand in hand as senior members of the School Development Council. My father saw her as a woman with a mind of her own.

Elizabeth will be in my heart and of those who were fortunate to know and learn from her as the great teacher whose reprimands and telling offs had no spite or bitterness but affection and concern. She isn’t just irreplaceable, but unforgettable too!
May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
(Wathsala de Silva)