John David was known to the world as a brilliant Teacher, Artist, Philosopher, Master Craftsman, Entrepreneur, Social Worker, Humanitarian or Simply a gentleman.

Having started as an Art and English Teacher at St. Mary’s College Nawalapitiya and later moving to St. Josephs College Colombo, he proceeded to become a Lecturer at the Teachers Training Colleges of Peradeniya and Gampola in addition to teaching assignments at several others colleges.

While still a teacher, John joined Mrs. Kusala Abeywardane, a colourful politician in the Bandaranayake era, and Navam Appadurai, a philanthropist, to establish Service Civil International( SCI), a Swiss based NGO that promotes an environment of peace through voluntary services. The volunteer members, bringing with them a variety of skills worked in camps organised in rural areas of the country involving and supporting the locals. In working together, people came closer enabling them to understand each other and the lives they lead. The work camps sometimes would lastma weekend or even a week depending on the length of the projects undertaken. While during the day the project work was taken care of, the evenings were set aside for social interactions amongst the participants.

At times workshops were conducted with a focus on current issues giving an opportunity for the foreign member participation as well. Lovingly known as Uncle John to all, he would always be the one driving the programs with a passion and commitment. Occasionally he would pick up a guitar to sing old favourites, like “Danno Budunge” or “Bathiyana Pem Pala, Namadimu

Lakmatha” which were composed to raise to the level of Sri Lanka’s national anthem but Namo Namo Matha gained the approval over Uncle John’s favourites.

Blessed with boundless energy a commitment and a desire to help others, he did not restrict his community work to SCI. His next Humanitarian and entrepreneurial undertaking was the opening of the Handicraft Service Centre, the pioneers of handcrafted leather products in Sri Lanka in a little town known as Pilimathalawa on the Kandy- Colombo Road. At a time when leather was mainly used for shoes, he combined his knowledge of craftsmanship and artistic talents to come up with the handcrafted production of leather wallets, purses and travelling bags. The emphasis of this project was to empower and provide employment opportunities for some of the uneducated or underprivileged young women of the village to gain economic independenc and build careers for themselves.

All the women were trained and given equal opportunity to make it on their own, and some even took the challenge and set themselves to become successful entrepreneurs. In this effort the other original contribution to Sri Lankan handicrafts were the copper plaques sold through Laksala.

These plaques became a decorative item particularly with popular designs of The Kandyan Dancer, Snake Charmer, Elephant etc. etc. At a very personal level, he was simply Uncle John, my mentor, and the one who always gave me support and strength. Fortunately for me, our paths in life crossed around the time when I was a 16 year old looking to complete my GCE Advanced Levels at St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy. I was looking for a place to stay as our family was based in Nuwara Eliya.

As the only known relative in Kandy, and desperate for a place to live and attend school , I still recall how Uncle Hohn came to my rescue. I was invited to live at his home and I vividly remember his words “son, you are welcome to stay in our home and share whatever we have. However, in life nothing should be taken free, so in return for our hospitality, help us with the chores around the house”. While I was able to reciprocate his kindness, I was also fortunate to have an aunt who made me feel a part of the family.

With Uncle John, there was no half measures and shortcuts. It was always hard work, do it right from the beginning and learn as you progress. At a time when there was scarcity of food, I had an occasion to learn from him the horticulturist skills and attention to detail in developing a garden. After being raised in Nuwara Eliya and acquainted with gardening, I thought this was a simple task. But he had other ideas for me. First I had to visit the Peradeniya University’s Agricultural Faculty to pick up free gardening literature.

He made me read them and learn the soil types and natural fertilizer. As a young teenager, of course I was restless but followed his instructions to grow Eggplant and green chillies in neat little rows with the correct amount of spacing between the rows and periodic watering of the plants.

The result was a bumper harvest and a lesson well learnt on doing things the proper way and getting rewarded.

Uncle John was also an active Scout Master and as such took an interest in my obtaining the queen scout badge. I was caught in a bit of a difficulty when I had to study Venereal diseases in order to pass my Public Health Badge. Times were different then and talking of VD was generally considered a taboo subject. However, with no other option I did talkto him about my predicament. What I got was a complete lecture of Sodom and Gomorrah including the biblical interpretation and as to how it got its name. I can still recall the look on good old Dr. Alwis’s face when he wanted me to explain VD and I repeated what I heard from Uncle John.I did pass with flying colours but all he wanted to know was who coached me!!

Similarly, when I was entrusted with a project for a school exhibition that was of course attended by students of all schools in Kandy, titled the Changing Capitals of Sri Lanka. The idea was to let a stream of lights move from the oldest capital to the newer ones. The challenge was of course to provide glass openings to let the moving light through, which involved more work than we bargained for. While fretting on this problem, he took a couple of sheets of wax paper, royal blue ink and and some Flavin (remember this yellow colour medication used on wounds?) and started sketching the Ruwanvelisaya, Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sigiriya and Dalada Maligawa etc., and coloured them with just these colors.

It was a true master piece, for which I got great reviews and bragging rights to go with it. He never mentioned a word to anyone and neither did I and the project became a permanent fixture in the living room of another favouruite mentors of mine, Mr. Bernard Abeysekera.

I feel humbled and privileged to have known Uncle John intimately, and be considered one of his own sons in the latter part of his life, and for considering me worthy of sharing his personal thoughts, with lots of wit and candor.

Go in Peace Dearest Uncle John

With love and gratitude

 John David passes away

By Malkanthi Abeyewardene

John David passed away at the age of 89 peacefully surrounded by his family in his home at Kandy, in February of this year.

Being a Life Member of Service Civil International (SCI) Swiss based Non Governmental Organization (NGO) I used to travel with late Kusala Abhayavardhana and late Vijaya Dharmawardhana to Kandy for meetings and projects.

On our way we used to stop by at John David’s home at Pilimathalawa on Colombo-Kandy Road. John and his beloved wife Theresa always gave us a warm welcome. Several times we have shared warm and happy meal together at their home near a small Tea Factory and Leather Store.