Ideal book for railway enthusiasts

The Viceroy Special Author: Hemasiri Fernando

Reviewed by Premasara Epasinghe

A yawning gap exists presently in the literature of the country. Rarely does one come across well-written, well-researched, well-designed books. To write a historical book woven around the Sri Lankan Railways, which boasts of a history of over 150 years, titled The Viceroy Special is a stupendous task.

The word versatile can be defined as turning easily or readily from one subject, skill or occupation to another. Men of versatility are rare. Such men are extra special. The author of The Viceroy Special, Hemasiri Fernando belongs to this category.

Hemasiri Fernando is known to many as an outstanding sportsman. He was three times National Shooting Champion in Sri Lanka. He was also a fine athlete, cricketer, soccerite and an all-round sportsman.

Administrator

He was also a fine sports administrator and a man of integrity. He became internationally well-known as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Olympic Committee. His contribution to the promotion of sports is enormous. He possesses a charming personality.

Hemasiri is an Economics special graduate from the University of Colombo. He is versatile, an all-rounder and a task-master. He held a number of prestigious positions and was highly commended by many Heads of State in Sri Lanka. His career ranged from being a volunteer Naval Officer to the Secretary of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. At present, he functions as Secretary to the Ministry of Posts.

Wish such a tight schedule it is creditable for him to write a book of this nature. He has selected a totally different subject to write on.

The author says he had a passion for philately and railways. His enthusiasm for railways dates back to his childhood days at Seevali Vidyalaya, Borella where his parents were teachers. Watching the trains passing by on the Kelani Valley line motivated him to write The Viceroy Special. Later, it resulted in the launch of The Viceroy Special a steam-powered train that carries thousands of tourists to places of interest.

Obstacles

In this venture, he faced many obstacles and challenges. He realised his dream on February 2, when The Viceroy Special got off the ground due to the collective team effort of all the railway employees. The book is all about how he accomplished this Herculean task.

The Viceroy Special is a readable book. The story is woven around the viceroy special and the characters you come across in the book are fascinating.

When one sees the title The Viceroy Special one might wonder whether it is a book relating to mechanical and engineering skills of a railway engineer. It is, on the other hand, a fine story of a railway enthusiast and how he achieved his life long ambition.

With his simple poetic language, he has enthralled the reader. There are some rare sketches and photographs of the Balana, Alagalla-Kadugannawa precipice, the era of bullock carts from Colombo to Badulla, which reminds us so much of the well-known folk poem - Thandale Dennadepole Dhakkanawa.... Pavukala Gono Edapan Haputal Yanawa. There are many valuable photographs and picturesque scenes, in the book which are of historical value.

His language is lucid and simple. He developed his own style of writing. Chapter IV - “Meeting with the Chairman Tourist Board and General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways” is very interesting.

In this chapter, Hemasiri and Cliff Jones meet the General Manager of C.G.R., G.P.S. Weerasuriya. The dialogue is very touching.

”When I first saw him, I was highly impressed with his appearance; tall, handsome and soft-spoken. Weerasuriya, I later learned, was one of the best General Managers of Sri Lanka Railways, who worked with great enthusiasm to administer this fairly big Government Department, maintaining the high standards left by its British predecessors.”

The friendly chat between Fernando and Weerasuriya is very interesting.

”Sir, I had my preliminary education at Seevali Vidyalaya, Borella and higher education at Nalanda Vidyalaya and the University of Colombo.

”Do you know Mrs. Amitha Weerasuriya, who was teaching at Nalanda?”
”Yes Sir, I do She taught English. She might remember me.

”You know Hemasiri, she is my wife.”Knowing Amitha as an excellent English teacher, who later joined the University staff, I am not surprised at all about the high standard of English of Amitha's star student, Hemasiri maintained in writing “The Viceroy Special”.

His presentation of facts in 40 chapters is praiseworthy. The author pays a glowing tribute to all the employees of the Ceylon Government Railways who helped his dream come true, when The Viceroy Special got off the ground on February 2, 1986.

Not only railway enthusiasts, but the public too will enjoy reading The Viceroy Special.