Sita and Cedric de Silva – a journey of many hues

Sita and Cedric de Silva, the golden couple of George Keyt Foundation fame is no more. ‘Aunty Sita’ and ‘Uncle Cedric’ to me and many more who associated with them beyond professional pursuits, touched many lives in numerous ways. Sita de Silva (nee Dunuwille) who left us all on June 10, 2018 was joined by her soul mate Cedric, 91, who departed on May 31.

They shaped a canvas of their own filling each other’s lives with colour and vibrancy. So much so, Uncle Cedric never accepted that his beloved Darlo was gone. As their daughter Yasmine would share with us, he kept on asking when she would return. On the day of her funeral, he would look at her lying peacefully and remark that he would return later with Sita to pay their last respects.

I was fortunate to spend many happy hours with these love birds in their cozy little nest on Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha. I can still picture the couple, impeccably groomed, surrounded by stacks of newspapers they diligently read, waiting to receive me. After a peck on my cheek and her acknowledgment of the dark chocolate I would spoil her with, she would signal to one of her old retainers for our customary mugs of hot Milo– the ritualistic prelude to any chat. While Aunty Sita would be chatty, filling me with tales of her yesteryear adventures, all of which I relished, Uncle Cedric watched amused. A man of few words, he would nod and smile in his unmistakable gentle way.

Our friendship transcending generations was further cemented by the artistic efforts of the George Keyt Foundation the couple championed. For them it was a labour of love to unearth new talent at Kala Pola, Young Contemporaries, Nawa Kalakaruwo, Sri Lankan Art and much more true to the objective of the Foundation: to propagate Sri Lankan art whilst perpetuating the memory of the iconic artist. She would gently urge me to “make a note in my diary” of all these events and would count the days for a story to appear in her much loved Sunday paper. Until her demise, my Sunday wake-up call was from Aunty Sita who would congratulate me on every feature I wrote, cheering me to greater heights. She would faithfully collect all paper cuttings, retrieve them and read with delight.

A one-time kindergarten teacher, she was a doting grandma not only to her own grandchildren but to several more. She would shuttle between Royal College and Ladies’ College and was a mountain of strength to Shehan and Anishka.

Her little pocket notebook was filled with her ‘to do lists’, her grandmotherly obligations taking top priority. When my daughter was born, she was among the earliest visitors. An expert gift wrapper, one of her many skills which I often admired, I still remember her breezing into the hospital room with a little rattan basket, expertly wrapped, full of exquisite baby clothes. I have never had the heart to give them away and they still lie among the baby memorabilia. She took delight in her friends’ children and their grandchildren, matched by her youthful spirit.

Cedric de Silva, a respected professional, was a Director of the Insurance Corporation and Chairman of the Employees Trust Fund Board. He was also Precedent Partner of Tudor V Perera & Company. Sita was the woman behind his success. As she would recollect, they “saw the world together.” With failing health, when everyday tasks became challenging for him, it was Sita who was his second shadow. She was his physiotherapist, counselor, life-long companion, all rolled into one. I would watch in wonderment during my visits how she would lovingly massage his hands with lotion and get him to do his daily exercises chiding him not to be lazy!

A niece of Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, Sita, the grand Kandyan dame was of an illustrious lineage. Refined in taste with a zest for art and culture, she was the essence of a graceful lady. A perfect hostess, a wise counselor, she was young at heart until the end. Her innate ability to see the brighter side of life, her passion for causes she championed supported by her husband will continue to inspire everyone who had the blessing of knowing this grand duo. Their empathy towards the underprivileged, charity towards those who served the family for generations was admirable.

The customary speech Cedric made before every event of the George Keyt Foundation as its Chairman was carefully planned, he would go through every detail and the speech was vetted by his better half. They would encourage promising artists, offer them an ear, a good many from backwaters who would find a sound platform to nurture their talents.

The curtain has now fallen on the bright orange door to their cottage-like abode which I used to fondly call the ‘elves entrance.’ Two beautiful human beings who enriched many lives with love, compassion and beautiful memories are now reunited in a world above us.

The American poet Maya Angelou said, “life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” Sita and Cedric were living embodiments of these words.

– Randima Attygalle