Features
Charles Ambrose Lorenz: an unsung artist of the 19th century
by Avishka Mario Senewiratne
“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso
Though forgotten by the present generation, it is no understatement to say that Charles Ambrose Lorenz was Ceylon’s most beloved son of the 19th century. The whole colony mourned his premature death in his prime in 1871. He was loved by people from all walks of life. This most accomplished and colourful personality wore several hats in lifetime.
He was well-known as one of the earliest Ceylonese appointed to the Legislative Council where he fulfilled his duties with zeal and integrity. Being a lawyer, he stood for justice, never compromising his principles for glory or monetary gain. Though Burgher by race, the Sinhalese called him as Lorenz Hâmuduruwwô, for he stood for all irrespective of caste, creed and race. A pioneering journalist, he founded The Ceylon Examiner. A prolific writer of letters and articles his was a fine balance of intellect, emotion, knowledge and virtue. Among the few who may have heard of him, not many are aware of what a fine illustrator, artist and musician he was in his day.
Lorenz hailed from Matara, where many Burghers had settled during their heyday. His father, Prussian-born Johan Freiderick Lorenz (1772-1845) was a traveller with little money when he settled in Ceylon and was fortunate be be appointed Magistrate of Matara by the colonial power. When Lorenz was born in 1829, Ceylon was going through a new phase under the British with the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission under implementation.
This was a much-needed change in a colony that was spending much more than it earned. Charles Lorenz was the youngest (ninth) child of Johan. Anna Petronella Smith, Lorenz’s mother was Johan’s third wife. Lorenz and his big family lived in a spacious house called ‘Lodge Harmony’ by the banks of the Nilwala River. ‘Lodge Harmony’ was said to be so named because of the various musical instruments played by the Lorenz family. The whole of Matara was aware of the musical talents of the Lorenz’.
Johan Lorenz, who was an accomplished scholar himself, taught English, Latin and Euclid (Mathematics) to young Charles. The late Justice Percy Colin-Thome reveals that Johan taught each of his children the rudiments of poetry, painting, music, dancing and amateur theatricals. By the tender age of 12, young Lorenz was an accomplished musician, able to play the violin and flute. Similarly, Lorenz loved to do skits and caricatures of himself and the people he adored.
Musicians of ‘Lodge Harmony’
One of the earliest surviving sketches by Lorenz is that of a musical group of his family in Lodge Harmony. In this illustration, Lorenz depicts his sister, Henrietta Agnes (to be married to John Drieberg in a week) seated in the centre playing the spinet. On her left, John Fredrick Lorenz (Charles’ elder brother) is seated playing the violoncello. On Henrietta’s right and slightly behind her, standing and playing the flute is the 12-year-old Lorenz, while tapping his foot on the floor, to the beat. On the right of Lorenz is his other sister, Nancy Catherine Louise, sitting right-angled to the harpsichord, working her fingers through its fine strings. In the foreground of this illustration are their parents; Johan standing at ease on the left and the mother watching seated on the right. Truly this sketch is illuminating.
This kind of illustration of casual family gatherings of this era in Ceylon is very rare. Glancing through the fine details of the work of Lorenz, many intricate details are revealed. ‘The picture of the Lodge Harmony’ writes the author of Lorenz’s Centenary Monograph, “is not without some historic value, as illustrating the interior and furnishing of a room of the period…”. (Quoted from Blaze p. 14) Apart from the different styles of the chairs and the piano stool, a square window with glass panes and short draped curtains is depicted. Though Johan Lorenz was an art enthusiast, the Lodge Harmony walls are bare. Perhaps it was because paintings were expensive or that he may have not been fond of displaying art. The floor is red brick or tiled squares marked out with white lime, a classic feature of old Dutch Houses in the South.
A lot can be observed by the style of dress depicted by Lorenz. The costumes of the boys were long trousers and a jacket. Evidently the customary schoolboy attire at the time. Johan Lorenz, lacking the wig, pigtail and three-cornered hat of the Dutch Burgher gentlemen of his day, seems to be quite modern for the 1830s. The gowns of the ladies illustrated are full skirts gathered tightly at the waist, billowing out towards the ankles. The sleeves are puffed and gathered at the elbows and tapers down to the wrist. A shawl is drawn over the mother’s shoulder. The older two ladies wear a day cap, covering their hair.
Rising musician of Colombo
After the Colebrooke-Cameron reforms, education in Ceylon made strong headway. The founding of many English medium schools took place during the time of Governor Robert Wilmot Horton. The Colombo Academy (Royal College) was the most important of these at the time. Realising this was the best opportunity for his multi-talented son, Johan Lorenz enrolled young Charles in the Academy in 1841. Leaving Matara, he lived with his brother-in-law, John Drieberg, an upcoming lawyer and his sister, Henrietta.
At the Academy, his many skills developed from strength to strength as did his talents in art and music. It was during this time that he met Hippolyte Silvaf, the art and music master, who had his own school not far from where Lorenz lived in Pettah. One day, the Driebergs with the young Lorenz accompanying, went to dine with the Prins family. As music was a must at Colombo dinners, Mrs. Prins played the piano, entertaining the guests. Soon she was accompanied by Silvaf (Violin), and young Lorenz (flute). This was the first time that Lorenz came to be known as a skilled musician. Unlike in Matara, the Harpsichord/Spinet was found to be old-fashioned in Colombo. Piano was the trend and Lorenz mastered playing it as well.
He would later start his own amateur band. Silvaf’s son, Napolean was its tenor/violinist. Other prominent young men in the band were Fredrick Kriekenbeek (second flute), Louis Nell (cornet), and the de Waas brothers (Soprano/violins). J. B. Siebel played second fiddle to Lorenz both then and later. The bass was provided by Gabriel Johannes Ohlmus, a music teacher. The group trained in Lorenz’s long room in John Drieberg’s House near Hulftsdorp. This band came to be in high demand in Colombo circles for socials, birthday parties and silver jubilee weddings. This was how Lorenz made his public debut, long before venturing into journalism, law and politics.
The performing artist
Lorenz, though serious and brilliant in his work, was known to play the fool more often than not. He was a great comic and creative punster who did not fail to leave his audience in fits of laughter. The famous Colonial Secretary, Sir James Emerson Tennant was one of his victims. Tennant had visited the Academy on one occasion and interviewed Lorenz, offering him a job for £48 a year. Here he reverently bowed to the Secretary multiple times saying “I’ll come back when I want £48 a year” (Blaze, p. 50). Soon his friends encourage Lorenz to pursue serious acting on stage.
Patronised by the educated youth of Colombo, especially the alumni of the Academy, the Grandpass Theatre was the best of its day. Encouraged by friends, Lorenz played his part acting and directing. B.R. Blaze, the biographer of Lorenz states: “Lorenz’s share was not limited to music. His bent for acting had full scope, as well as his gift for leadership and his organizing ability”.
It took hardly any time for those who were regulars at the plays to notice that Lorenz was the standout performer. One of his friends commented: “Lorenz was the life and soul of our Theatrical Company”. His musical prowess also came into good use as he later composed his own musicals and directed them. Blaze comments: “He was Stage Manager, scene-painter, actor; and leader of the Orchestra besides”. His popularity continued to expand as his versatility made him one of a kind. Even at that young age, he had by all standards reached the rank of pre-eminence.
One of Lorenz’s plays, George Barnwell, was a popular three-act play starring Lorenz (Rich Banker), his friend from the Academy: Bernard Edwin Alvis (George Barnwell – spendthrift nephew of the rich banker) and Owen Morgan. The latter played a female part. This play revolves around the prodigal folly of young George Barnwell, who spends lavishly and gets into severe debt. Later, he forges his uncle’s signature and swindles hundreds of pounds. Riotous in his spending, he goes bankrupt in no time. However, after this downfall, he makes ample amends and gets back on his feet. George Barnwell was well received in Colombo.
(To be continued next week)
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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