Bala Tampoe (born 1922) is Sri Lankan lawyer and trade unionist. He is the General Secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers Union (CMU) in Sri Lanka.

Remembering my grandfather By Cathy Watson I had seen them in Uganda – the grandchildren of distinguished colonialists – Sir Albert Cook, who set up the first hospital and the progressive governor Sir Andrew Cohen, who led the building of the Nile dam. And now I was one of them, Sir Ivor Jenning’s granddaughter, clutching old photos to present to the University of Peradeniya. I did not know what to expect. With colleagues from the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), we filed into the vice chancellor’s office, where my grandfather sat from 1942 to 1955. Across the table were deans, and next to me the current vice-chancellor, Professor Atula Senaratne. I had asked my mother for talking points. But nothing had come. My daughter, who studied Papa’s letters and papers, 40 boxes worth in Senate House at the University of London, had advised me simply -- say he believed in education. My husband had said – tell family stories. Everyone loves them. So I sat there with my notes. Professor K Samarasinghe spoke first. “This is a historic meeting from our side because we respect our first vice-chancellor because of this university, the most beautiful in the world. We have this gift because of Sir Ivor Jennings.” The dean of the faculty of agriculture went on: “The entire country respects him so much. I take this opportunity to thank Cathy and the ICRAF team for taking time to do this important thing. We were dreaming to meet a relative of Sir Ivor Jennings.” I thought – “oh no, how beautiful!” And then - “I mustn’t cry”. I thought “you can be strong.” Then the Vice-chancellor spoke. “Your grandfather was the person behind the first constitution. DS Senanayake wanted independence to be on his birthday. But your grandfather said it is far and the people are yearning for Independence.” So, apparently, they chose my grandparents’ wedding anniversary instead. That’s the story at least! I then handed over the photos, including one of an elephant lifting a steel girder during the building of the university and another of the signing of the constitution. My grandfather was 38 when he arrived in Ceylon and had already written 11 books. Later I talk with my mother. I tell her that Peradeniya is tree-filled, the trees in bloom, students chat in milk bars, and the library has one million books. She says – “My father always said that his books would be his legacy, but perhaps his real legacy is the university.” I nod in agreement down the phone.” That evening we are hosted to dinner at the vice chancellor’s residence, from where my mother married in 1952. I thank the chief librarian for being so generous about my grandfather. She says – “He is always with us, every day. He is all around us as we walk across this campus.” Again I swallow tears. My grandfather went on to write another 19 books and several more constitutions and to be Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University and master of Trinity Hall. But he never forgot Sri Lanka. END

Charmaine de Bruin nee Dissanayake was born in Kotahena, Colombo 15. Her education was at Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena and she married Derrick de Bruin in 1984.

An extraordinary collection of black of photographs from Ceylon circa 1952 to 1963

David Leask, was born at the Hatton Nursing Home in June 1939. His mother, Margaret (nee Fowler) was also born in Ceylon when her father was planting on Lippakelle Estate. In 1957 I returned to Ceylon and commenced my tea planting career up-country. After eleven years I resigned my position as senior SD on Diyagama East Estate and left Ceylon.

Richard Lionel Spittel, CMG, CBE, FRCS (commonly known as Dr. R. L. Spittel) (December 9, 1881 – September 3, 1969) was a Ceylonese Burgher physician and author. He was one of the foremost experts on the Vedda community. An avid nature-lover, Dr Spittel made many trips to the jungles of Ceylon, gaining much knowledge of the flora and fauna and the aborigines of the island, the Veddas. His studies on the Veddas made him and expert on this little understood people. Based on his ethnographic studies, he authored several books that gained much fame during his lifetime. His works include novels, poetry and academic studies. from Wikipedia

WILLIAM LYONS Born 1920 – died 1978, occupation - printers compositor, he worked in Fleet Street on the Daily Mail and London Evening News At the outbreak of war he volunteered for the RAF but had to wait until October 1940 at age 20 to commence training. By March 1943 he had qualified as a WOP/AG (wireless operator & air gunner) and joined 413 squadron Coastal Command at Stranraer Scotland. He was then posted to Ceylon arriving at Koggala in April. 413 squadron was in fact an RCAF unit as most of the crews came to England to join the war effort from Canada. The squadron flew Catalina flying boats which were ideally suited for maritime operations from Koggala lagoon. The squadrons primary functions were air surveillance, search and rescue missions and anti submarine patrols. A typical flight could last for 10 or more hours often at night over the Indian ocean. These long flights over the sea could be hazardous with the constant risk of attack from Japanese fighter aircraft or shipping, or engine failure. Ironically, having survived himself, he returned home in August 1944 knowing that his parents and sister had been killed by a German V bomb earlier that year. At the end of the war and with the rank of Warrant Officer he had clocked up a total of 1100 hours of flying and eventually returned to his former employers where he completed a 7 year apprenticeship. Like many of his generation he regarded his military service as a duty and was modest about his role. He rarely spoke of his wartime experiences and that I never thought to ask him about such things is a matter of much regret to me. However, a recent visit to the lovely Island of Sri Lanka and with clues from those old photographs has provided some consolation by helping me to piece together this part of my Dads life. Best wishes John Lyons 20.4.14

My grandfather was James Blair Tennant who lived in Matale. My Grandmother was Lingama. My Father, Richard Tennant went to St. Anthony's College in Katugastota.

"The collection of "Nita Proctor" photographs belong to Nazreen Chelwavathy Sansoni as bequeathed to her by her late uncle, Duleepkumar Tampoe Philips. (1930-2014). Nazreen Sansoni is Gertrude Proctors granddaughter; Duleepkumar Philips was Gertrude's son. Duleep was twin to Nazreen,s father--the late Shanthikumar Philips--the twins were brothers of the late Arasakumar Tampoe Philips. Nazreen is married to Dominic Sansoni and has five children: Ashira Thompson, Natasha Thompson, Isabella, Sebastian and Sophia Sansoni. This piece of information is here so all concerned are aware of their antecedents."

Sheila Meyler (née Baker) was born in Colombo on 8 April 1924. Her father Guy Mervyn Baker (“GM”) was a planter. He came to Ceylon in 1920 as an assistant planter at Bibile estate. His fiancée Nancy Frend followed, and they were married in St Mark’s Church, Badulla on 21 Dec. 1921. GM and Nancy had 2 daughters, Sheila and Anne, and one son, Rodney. Anne died aged 3 and is buried at Kanatte cemetery, Colombo. The family lived at Namunukula, Avissawella (Hemingford estate), and Bogawantalawa (Devonford estate). They left Ceylon in 1933. Sheila Meyler died in 2008.

My first camera was a folding Kodak 116 given to me by a cousin in about 1942. It was VERY difficult to get film in wartime & I only ever took about 2 rolls as the size was imposs to get.Another cousin took pity on me & gifted me a Zeiss Ikon folding camera 120 size about a year later –this took good pics & got me totally hooked. I bought film & had it processed at the Standard Photographic Studio next to Bambalapitiya police station. The owner was the elder (step ) bro of Hector & Victor Sumathipala who were both press photographers for Lake House. The owner had a Leica 2 which he lent to favoured customer like me at no charge. By then I had joined the Photographic Society Of Ceylon as J O Ebert (known as Sonny) twisted my dad’s arm—he was a VG photographer who exhibited regularly . He also leaned on my dad to buy me a good camera so got a Rollei Automat in about 1945. I left school at the end of 1949 & was the recognised official pic taker for SJC (st. Joseph's College). I started going on shooting trips in 1950. - Tony Peries