Arts

Second Death Anniversary of Gamini Fonseka:

The gift he couldn't give his wife

by Prasad Gunewardene

Yesterday (September 30) marked the second death anniversary of the doyen of the silver screen Gamini Fonseka. Today, I decided to unfold a secret that was sentimental to Gamini, my uncle and friend.

This was kept a secret by only two persons over the past two years. One is me, and the other is my colleague in the "Dinamina", a very senior Court Reporter, Stanley Samarasinghe. It was we two, in our capacity as senior journalists in this country who had the privilege of meeting Gamini Fonseka, just two weeks before his sudden death.

His wish

Gamini had this wish in his mind during the final six months of his life. He telephoned me at home and said, "I want you to see me with an experienced court reporter this Sunday at 9.30 in the morning". I decided the best man was Stanley Samarasinghe and mentioned the name to him. "He's fine, bring him and come", Gamini said.

Sharp on time we were at his residence. Our discussion started over a cup of tea and Gamini Fonseka spoke about the judicial system here and in India. He was concerned about laws' delays.

Thereafter, I moved the topic to the film industry and film personalities. It was close to lunch time, then "You gentlemen like to have a beer?", my uncle asked as I lit a cigarette. Stanley responded positively, while I said I had given up all types of alcohol six years ago. "You want me to believe you rascal", said Gamini with a mischievous smile. Stanley confirmed my position and he was overjoyed.

"Why don't you give up smoking too", was his next question. It was encouraging as Gamini was a chain smoker who gave up smoking just one year before following his second heart attack.

"I'll try to follow you, but let the heart attack come first", I cracked. "You know that I even smoked while bathing", he said demonstrating the manner he did. Gamini and Stanley just enjoyed three quarter of the bottle of beer. The three of us then walked to the lunch table.

Gamini was a near vegetarian in the last phase of his life. He had prepared chicken for us. He enjoyed vegetables and rice saying Dhal was his favourite dish. From time to time he served us while having his share.

Knowing him from my childhood, I noticed that he looked worried. His eyes looked sad. He had lost weight. When I inquired, he admitted his waste line was only 32 inches. I was shocked. "Now I am an old man", he quipped adding that life changed with time.

He was a man who never believed in keeping finger bowls on the table as such a method lacked cleanliness. He advised us to walk to the kitchen to wash our fingers from the tap there. He then ordered black coffee and instructed his aide, Nissanka to carry it to the verandah.

He sat relaxed with us and said, "now I will disclose something and it must be kept a secret between the three of us until it happens". I asked what it was. "This came to my mind when I was honoured on my 50 year contribution to the cinema at the BMICH in March and when my wife walked upto me and wished me.

A secret

I thought I must gift it to my wife if I get it before I die someday", Gamini said in a soft voice. I noticed that his eyes were full of tears. But, this strong man held them back. "Stanley, do you know the Chief Justice personally?, he asked. "Yes Mr. Fonseka", Stanley replied. "If you know him it's good because I know the Prime Minister, my friend, Mahinda Rajapaksa and he will help me", said Gamini.

He then referred to his case with a State Bank where the District Court awarded him Rs. 2.5 million as damages and explained that he went before the Appeal Court against the quantum awarded while the Bank had challenged the judgement in the same court.

Cracking that justice delayed is justice denied, Gamini lamented that both cases had stood before the Court of Appeal for fourteen long years. "How long am I going to live", he asked. "Many more years", was my reply.

"Go to hell man, death comes without notice, that is why I want to finish this off", he shot back with a smile. I told him that if he wanted to finish it off he should adopt a give and take policy and be satisfied with what was awarded. "Yes man, I am honestly keen to finish.

If I get it my wife will receive a grand gift from me after 25 years", said Gamini brushing the hair on both sides of his head with his fingers. "Why is this sudden change", I asked while Stanley started to laugh. "In early life we all make mistakes young man", he cut short.

His mistake

The fact was that he left his family, being misled by false astrological predictions told to him by 'interested' parties who wanted to break up his family. Gamini was a man who believed in astrology like his mother.

The only way to mislead him was with astrology. So, some people brought an astrologer to him 27 years ago and warned him that if he lived under that roof at Ratmalana his end was near in a tragic manner. He left the house much against the wishes of his wife and children.

Gamini told Stanley that he would draft an appeal through his lawyers to the Chief Justice seeking an early settlement to the matter. "Stanley, once that is done I will write a personal letter to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting his assistance on this matter and hand deliver it to Temple Trees", Gamini said beaming with confidence. Stanley interjected to advise that since a state bank was involved, an out of court settlement was the best to avoid further delay.

Gamini responded positively. Unfortunately, his lawyer did not turn up on schedule. The next day he called me and said the matter may get delayed as the lawyer had given another date in October. That October was never there for Gamini.

He passed away in his sleep on the eve of October 2004. True to his belief, death came without notice. He could not fulfil his last wish by his wife. His appeal is now 16 years old before the Court of Appeal.

His friend, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in whom he had much faith is now the Executive President of Sri Lanka. Gamini was not there to witness Mahinda's rise to the Presidency. Mrs. Gamini Fonseka missed a much deserving 'grand gift' from her loving husband after 25 years.

Nature In Focus-2

Nature In Focus - 2 Ranjith de Silva's third photographic exhibition will be held on October 13, 14 and 15 at the Lionel Wendt (Harold Peiris) Gallery.

Since Ranjith de Silva's last exhibition in October 2005, he has been awarded the following prizes:

Gold medal for the best colour photograph and 4th place for a photograph, from entries submitted (which were all exhibited at the contest) including the prize for best colour photograph printed on Kodak paper, conducted by Photographic Society of Sri Lanka celebrating the Golden Jubilee in 2005, which was also marked by International competition.

Best colour photograph printed on Kodak paper at the exhibition organised by the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka in 2005, and the picture was included in their catalogue for the year.

Trierenberg Super Circuit 2006 (Photographic competition in Austria) out of the fifteen entries submitted, two were included in the publication with 53 FIAP acceptances.

Pilsner Urquell International Photographic Competition September 2006 in USA, a LUCIE award for the second best photograph in the Pets & wild life section.

The exhibits in Nature In Focus - 2, the photographer has made an attempt to record in addition to wild life, the scenic beauty of our Island including some pictures of the minute animal world. These I dare say, are unique, and have been recorded with great patience and fortitude. It was done over a period of nine months, and the collection itself will speak of the endurance in terms of time and effort.

Principle sponsors for the Exhibition is Kodak and the co sponsors are Acme Foto Wellawatte, Visart Colour Labs Peliyagoda and the Lions Club of Kelaniya.