Darling we aren't too old, though we pass the Jubilee Gold

'Simplicity and compassion were the two oars of our life'

by Lakmal Welabada

Love is not haughty or rude
Does not boast, hate or dishonest
Love is modest and honest
Kind and merciful
Forgives and patient
Gives in than gives up...
Love is trust, faith and hope...

Nawalage Somadasa Dharmasiri Dias was born on December 31 in 1925 to a farmer family at Nawala. His father, Nawalage Ruban Dias and mother Walallawita Arachchige Lucihamine did not have much hope for their children as they were a family that was content with what they had. Almost self sufficient with the little harvest they reaped out of the paddy fields and vegetable chenas in their garden the Dias family lived happily with their five children.

Dharmasiri was the third in the family and was a lucky kid who won the love of their maternal grandmother and uncles. "I was studying in a school at Nawala run by the Nugegoda Church. Today it is called Janadhipathy Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala. When I was in grade two, my grand mother took me to their place at Ethanamada, Kalutara.

I was their pet," he reminisces. Dharmasiri was brought up among love and care. "We were not rich, but united and benevolent," he recalls.

However his one year's stay at grandma's place brought him misfortune in one way. "I could not continue schooling after that. I did not remember what went wrong. So once I came back I was sent to Diyawannaramaya, Nawala to study Sinhala under the chief priest there. I remember learning 'Naamasthrashathakaya'. I made and offered a 'Mal Aasanaya' (a concrete altar which used to offer flowers to the Buddha) at this temple for my 75th birthday," he recalls.

Young Dharmasiri did not have a proper education or hadn't any skill to make his living in the future. So the only offer he got, the watch repairer's job at his brother-in-law's watch repairing shop, 'S.N.Piyadasa Watch Repairers' at Keyzer Street Pettah was the only hope. "I was 15 or 16 years when I started working. It was interesting. We met customers from all walks of life as unlike today we had winding clocks and watches so that everybody tends to service them from time to time. It was a good business at that time," he says.

"My salary was Rs,4.50 per day. I used to come to work on my 'Humber' push bike which I bought for Rs,200. I still remember how I had a hearty meal for lunch at Singhagiri Hotel, Pettah for 60 cents. I gave money to my mother as she had to assist my elder sister's family whose husband was dead by then," he says.

By the time of his father's death he was in his twenties. And that made him think more about life. If something happened to his mother who would be there for him?

'Marriage!' The idea struck in his mind. 'But!' There were so many things he had to think before thinking of a marriage. "The Rs,4.50 day-wage was not sufficient to run a family as I was assisting my mother and sister as well.

Knowing this my sister encouraged me to go ahead with the marriage. Finding a suitable woman was the next challenge," he recalls.

At this time, Tulin Aiya, one of his neighbours at Nawala shifted to Kohuwala. And Dharmasiri happened to visit them. Tulin and his wife were not at their house, so Dharmasiri pushed his bike upto the next door compound as there was a young woman sweeping the garden.

When he inquired about Tulin, the young woman told him that they had gone to the Balapokuna Temple. He listened to her, but felt nothing getting registered in his mind. He was very much engrossed in her appearance.

He faintly remembered her saying - Balapokuna temple, so he rode towards there. Fortunately half way down the road he met his host returning back home. "Malli, we were thinking of proposing a girl for you. There is a good looking girl next door. I will show her if she was at the garden," said Tulin.

Dharmasiri was smiling to himself. He had already seen her. But however he wanted to clarify whether it was the same young woman they were referring to. When they were passing her place she was there, still cleaning the garden.Dewamullage Leelawathie Perera was born on December 20 in 1925 to D.William Perera and Liyanage Selesthina Perera at Nadimala. Leelawathie was the eldest of five children.

She had her education at St.Joseph's Convent and Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda up to grade eight.

Leelawathie was brought up by her maternal aunt's under a strict disciplinary environment. "You hardly find a girl of that kind today. They are very rare," says Dharmasiri proudly. He has got one of the best. However those days grooms who wore trousers had better appeal than those who wore the national dress. Dharmasiri was one such bold groom who preferred the national dress.

And so Leelawathie didn't mind it neither.

Once both families came to an agreement, Dharmasiri thought he got the chance to visit her. He would cycle from Nawala to Kohuwala with a lot of dreams. He was having a lot to tell her. But Leelawathie's orthodox aunt was not in favour of that. Each time he went there her aunt would either slam the windows and pretend some way that they were getting ready to go out, gesturing indirectly for him to move out.

"It was terrible. As a young man I also wanted to have a few words with her. But her aunt was not allowing me to do so," he says with a smile. But he realised that was the pattern of those days' customs. This might have also lead them to quicken their marriage. Who knows whether it was a custom or trick of those days?

Dharmasiri and Leelawathie entered their wedded life on December 19 in 1955. With three significant moments; both of their birthdays and the wedding - all three events coincidentally fell in December.

And still Dharmasiri drew a dailywage of Rs,4.50. Leelawathie who knew to cut the dress according to the cloth was not facing difficulty in managing the household with the little money brought by her husband. "She even saved little everyday in the National Savings Bank and gave me Rs. 5000 to build this house. She was great!" he was grateful.

"Our horoscopes tallied very well. The astrologer told me something especial which still rings in my ear; "Mahattaya Manussa gana and this Nona is Raaksha gana. So if you can work according to the way she wishes, and do what she says then there will be happiness and prosperity in your household." So I still do things after consulting her. She was the force behind my success," he smiles.

It was high time for Dharmasiri to think seriously about a way of raising the family income. Now his day's wage was Rs,7.50. He was dreaming of having his own watch repairing place. Meanwhile he got to know that little space was available beside Singhagiri Hotel where he was having lunch everyday. "I heard that the Mudalali was in the hospital.

I went to see him pretending I came to see another patient in the hospital. Likewise I paid many visits after he came home, and got the chance to open up my own business place," he recalls.

Along with the death of Singhagiri Mudalali, Dharmasiri faced a new problem. With a compensation of Rs,100,000 he had to move from his shop. This was a crucial point in their life as the Dias couple were then the parents of two daughters and two sons.

All four little ones' future was lying unstable. But Leelawathie was a pillar that never shook during any storm. Her family was comfortably living under the shade of her shadow, and the sun could do no harm to them. Leelawathie knew there would be some way for her husband.

'Good wife's faith in life really worked out' ... Dharmasiri got little space at Galle Road. 'Dias and Sons Watch Repairers' at B-288, Galle Road, Wellawatta (just in front of Lawrence Church, Wellawatta). "Today, we are proud grand parents of three. Contended with what we have. I have been involved in many meritorious deeds since before I got married. When we went to Dambadiva, I took a brass clock and offered it to Isipathana Temple at Baranesa (Vaaranasi).

I thought I must do it as my whole life is with watches," says Dharmasiri. Simplicity and compassion are the two oars that rows the boat of life of Dharmasiri and Leelawathie.

"Do not try to grab from anybody. Be content with what you have. And share your resources with the others. If one can live according to that theory then you are having a meaningful life," concluded Dharmasiri.

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