Memories of a ‘Gulliver among Lilliputians’

The first six years of my banking career was the most enjoyable, and it was the time that I learned my basics in banking at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd, my, ‘banking Alma Mater’.My classmate, Dilip Fernando (retired DGM at Commercial Bank), assisted me in joining the bank. Although I had the basic qualifications, my First XI soccer vice-captaincy ‘label,’ acquired at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, helped him to get my case through successfully.

At that time, English was the domi-nant language among most employees,including the senior officers / clerks,and also among a good number of Tamil fellow bankers (mainly from the north).Due to the lack of mastery in English,the first few months were a bit shaky for me, but my participation, in almost all the sports, and also becoming the

carrom champion of the first ever carrom tournament of the bank, made me known to all.The bank had a formidable soccer team and the star player was the youngest of the famous Hasimdeen family, Yaisoor Hasimdeen. Some other talented contemporaries were T. M.Saldin,

John Peter, Kayoom, Saval, Lal Perera,Abrew. (they were members of some ofthe leading soccer clubs in Colombo).As usual, even during that time, the bank participated in the Mercantile and Inter bank soccer tournaments. The famous soccer venues were Government Services Grounds (at present Cinnamon Lake Hotel) Echelon Square (currently

Colombo Hilton). Army Grounds / barracks in Galle Face (now Shangri-La Hotel), Moors grounds, City-League Grounds, Police Park in Bambalapitiya. We all liked the last venue above, as whenever we played a match in that ground, a very enthusiastic spectator never failed to be present there and cheered us up, along with his pleasant son and daughter. (His two children were very friendly with us and also very simple and humble despite, their father’s high stature). That was none other than the second-in-command of the bank at that time, the Deputy Managing Director of Commercial Bank Ltd., the late Mr. Edgar Gunatunge (later MD of Commercial Bank, CEO / MD and Chairman of Sampath Bank, etc.), whose residence was just a few yards away from the grounds.

During the halftime breaks of the matches, he used to walk towards us and encourage us with his pleasant smile. His trademark briar-pipe was never missing his hand. Because of his colossal figure, we dared not get very close to him as we looked like ‘Lilliputians’ chatting with Gulliver. Out of all players, I was the ‘worst-hit,’ or the most unlucky guy, because it was like me looking at the moon when I have to exchange a few words with him.

Four+ years, after I joined, the bank became the Interbank 7-a-side Soccer Champions and the Mercantile ‘B’ Division Soccer Champions, under my captaincy. The final match of the latter tournament was held at the Police Grounds. There was a sizable presence of bank personnel, led by Mr.Gunatunga, our own customary ‘Chief Guest’. When we became the champs,at the final whistle, the cheerful and jubilant Mr. Gunatunga extended an open invitation to the players and all Combank guys, who were present there, to be his guests, at his residence.

For many of us, undoubtedly, it was a lifetime experience. Once gathered in his house, he brought many ‘hard’ bot tles, that I had never seen before, and poured all to fill the championship trophy. (It is in the attached group picture) That was the best and the most ‘spirited’ cocktail that I have ever tasted, in my life, and it was the same with all of us (only toddy was missing). Its power lasted longer than expected and the ‘end result’ which required plenty of lime, also remained with many of us for quite a while.

Luckily there were no ‘breathalyzer-tests’ at the entrance of the bank premises (presently, the Indian Bank is located there next to Gafoor building) on the following working day, otherwise many would have failed the tests. So, again we were, ‘back to school’. After the unexpected party-time, somebody dropped me to the Bambalapitiya railway station. I managed to catch the last train towards my home town, Panadura (I possessed the season ticket up to Panadura). I had a self imbued slumber in the train before somebody woke me up when it had reached its destination, Kalutara.

I was in trouble but with a little bit of ‘soccer-dodging’ I came out of the station ‘unscathed’ and reached Galle road. However, after a long wait at the bus stand, at Kalutara, I came home around 4 am, the following morning,amidst internal thunderstorms. But my excusable words, “we are the champions” helped calm down my dear parents. I continued my sleep for hours. Let this piece of history be a fitting tribute to a fearless man, a strict disciplinarian, a versatile banker and, most of all, a great human being.

LALITH FERNANDO