Going back to a time when a sumptuous meal on a bannna leaf cost a rupee

by Cecil de Mel

I was recruited by Shell Company at the age of 20-years, when P.D. Finn who was a WW II Veteran fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force, was the General Manager. He was blue eyed and tall and had an imposing personality. I was confirmed in service before 21 and was eligible to enter my name for Jury service, as I reached 21, when the lists calling for names were circulated.

I had more than the required qualifications, having passed the Intermediate examination of a Chartered Institute in London. Later on I was advised by the staff department, that I had been selected, and briefed on the matters to be observed. Duty leave was granted with full pay and second class railway warrants were provided .

Instructions were given to be reserved and not to entertain any visitors at home. Dress was a problem but fortunately, Mahiman Amarasuriya had given me, some nearly new white English satin drill trousers, twice my size which mother and sisters unpicked, and I got a friendly neighbour who was a tailor (u/Salgado) to re-cut and tailor to my measurements. I also wore the boots issued for the Queen’s visit in 1954, which we were allowed to keep and the broad bottoms which were the fashion then, concealed the boots altogether.

A matching white coat was borrowed which was slightly larger but it passed unnoticed as I looked more mature. I took train from Moratuwa one hour ahead to avoid the regular travelers and walked all the way to Hulftsdorp to report to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Proceedings at Court were not strange to me. I had seen many important cases being heard before, in the company of law student friends, and we had access to the galleries of Parliament thanks to Sergeant at Arms Ronnie Abeysinghe, who was an old boy of Prince of Wales’ College and former Mr Moratuwa.

I have seen almost all our political leaders of that time speaking , both in and out of Parliament . But in this instance, we were participants in the administration of justice. Counsel addressed the jury on facts and the Judges clarified matters on points of law and we had to pay complete attention and deliberate on matters in privacy.

The Foreman of the Jury was our spokesperson. We saw several Judges on the bench. Justices T.S.Fernando, Sri Skanda Rajah, & E.F.N, Gratiaen and eminent Counsel like Neville Samarakoon, Colvin R de Silva, and Bala Tampoe. Justice Noel Gratiaen was the most impressive. He filled the bench. As soon as he sat down he removed his wig and placed it on the table and conducted proceedings most amicably, now and then making remarks, full of humour.

Neville Samarakoon, my own Company Law Lecturer at Technical College, who later became Chief Justice was the softest in cross examining witnesses. He did his own marketing at Wellawatta, on a push bicycle. Those were the greats in that era…

The training at Shell, started with Induction Training , at the Training Centre in Kolonnawa , followed by Rotational Training. Visits to airfields, harbour, ships , bunkering barges , minor installations, engine rooms of ships at anchor, film shows at the Shell theatrette and explanation of the concept of forward freighting, by the master strategic planner, Operations Manager Bodwell himself, on what was then known as the Bodwell Plan which could not be completed due to nationalization of the oil companies.

The hectic day started with the taking of tank dips which required climbing several tanks. some with modern floating roofs. We smelled of petrol at the end of the day, as vapours were very intense. After all this we were given a grand lunch at the Hotel Metropole next to the Central Bank. Shell always patronized this joint. Beer was served and most managers who were present would have observed our behavior and conduct in selecting future leaders.

The composition of the staff at Shell was truly cosmopolitan. It comprised Snhalese, Tamils, Burghers and Malays. Mrs Poulier’s voice at the reception desk was a trademark . others like Pat Mclean, and Mavis de Fry also served in her absence. There were Joachims, de Jongs , de La Harpes, de Mels. Pereras, Fernandos, Ferdinandos, de Fonsekas, Obeysekaras, Bongsos Nonises and Saldins and they all intermingled freely.

Red haired Mrs Wagner stood out tall and big made and Miss Dharmakan was G. M.’s Secretary.. Quintin Fernando, Tissera and Ann Lorage were trade union stalwarts. Vadivel ran the orders section with Karunaweera as cashier.

The others were either expatriates executives or Management Trainees. Names like Aird, Finance Manager, Kinnaird, Campbell McKenzie, George Sim, Chandi Wijesekere, Eymard Wijeratne, Lalith de Mel and Tissa Chandrasoma come to my mind and they were all very upright. Lalith de Mel was a racing enthusiast even then, and his car was tuned by Ralph Obeysekera in the internal audit.

Talents were abundant. Unfortunately, some persons fell from grace due to various reasons and dismissals followed. Quintin Fernando retained E.R.S.R. Coomaraswamy as Counsel, in his fight for a bonus for employees and that paved the way for the ultimate nationalization of the oil marketing business. ERSR who subsequently became Chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, was a close friend of Sirimavo Bandaranaike and we all lost our jobs with a mere sop for compensation.

There are many many hilarious episodes which come to my mind, one in particular relating to Peon Soysa’s encounters with George Sim our red nosed Accountant, which will make you burst out in laughter. Henry de la Harpe was my own boss and happened to be an angler. He enjoyed this hobby and was a member of the Angler’s Club. He was most suave and soft spoken and solved all our accounting problems.

But he too played a prank on me in good humour, when I had just joined, and asked me to go to his arch trade union rival, Hindley de Zilva, for paper weights. I was blasted and asked, ” Who sent you here? I know it is that La Harpe. Wait till I catch him.! ” at which I quickly retreated saying I am very sorry. The level of noise generated was terrific and the entire Marketing Department shook and some stood up as if a tornado had passed.. When I related what happened to my boss, Mr de La Harpe , he just shrugged his shoulders .

I do not have the capacity to know where all these good persons have gone. May they all reach the final bliss of Nibbana !