Mr. Viji Weerasinghe - Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest

Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

By Kamal Abeysinghe.

It was Saturday the 3rd November 2007, dawned with bright and sunny
weather marking another milestone in the Royal Legacy.

Minutes past 10 in the morning, in the shade of Mara trees and Bamboo
Plants in front of Boake gates, I was part of the gathering with the
Principal Royal College, Academic and non academic staff, Secretary,
other officials and members of Royal College Union, Royalists past and
present, parents and spouses, with all preparations ready for a grand
reception be-fitting a King or a Head of state.

A large number of Royal fraternity and many others gathered were
patiently waiting to accord a Grand Royal Farewell to a unique human
being.

All were awaiting the scheduled but, unusual arrival of Viji Sir, who
made a routine entry and exit, to and from this hallowed institution
every working day for more than past 73 years of his full life, which
spanned just over 80 years.

Escorted by a police pilot car, the motorcade according due honour to
his greatness arrived at the Boake gates at 10-40 a.m.

Proceedings began with a guard of honour by the Royal Cadet Corps and
the Cadet Band playing the music to the tunes of 'Sailing, Dida and
Scipio by land and sea' as to console the weeping.

When the mortal remains of Viji Sir, who was a giant pillar of a
monumental Institution was being swiftly carried to the College Hall
with full Royal honours, everyone had no choice but to succumb to the
stark reality – this will be the beginning of the final journey of a
Royal legend that marks the end of an era.

Silent remains of a Man of brevity lay in state carrying the same
endearing facial expression, in the midst of the roll of honour
accorded to outstanding past panel prize winners and other
distinguished personalities who made Royal and the country proud,
among whom were many of his pupils.

It should be recalled that one of the longest standing persons to be
privy to much of the history in the making in the surroundings of the
August College Hall was none other than Viji Sir, himself.

Four hours later, followed by a meticulous Royal oration befitting his
simplicity and humility, it was time for the legend to embark on his
fInal journey from the hallowed alma mater with which he grew to be an
Institution himself.

Many of us are aware, usually when the College Anthem was to be sung
in any gathering he was present, it used to be Viji Sir who took the
lead for others to follow.
That was an honour and a duty he cherished so much.

This time it was different. Viji sir would have been listening form
heaven, the perfect harmony of the anthem produced by a multitude of
lusty throats.

2-30 PM spot on, as scheduled, the casket was draped by the College
flag and a second guard of honour followed signaling our beloved
guru,that the inevitable final journey is to be begun.

It was time, once again with full Royal honours, to march through the
College portals and the Boake gates never to return to his hallowed
alma mater, spirit of which in his own words he said, had penetrated
into his blood and bones.

The routine journey to Royal back and forth, which he did so
diligently on a daily basis for 73 years in life, has come to an end
without any shadow of a doubt reminding all of us of a universal
principle of nature. – The law of im-permanency, which he too believed
always.

The procession carrying his remains led the way guarded by the cadet
corps, followed by the immediate family, relatives and then in the
order of most junior to most senior generations of Royalists present
and past and winding its way from Royal to the Borella Kanatte.
It was more than one and a half kilometers long with traffic being halted
for more than one hour.

Half way through, even the Mother Nature could not hide her sorrow of
this great man's departure any more.

Brightness of the sun suddenly disappeared with a looming cloud cover,
which turned into sprinkles from the Heaven until the entire
procession reached the cemetery.

From the main gates to the crematorium, his batch mates, and office
bearers of the Royal College Union received the casket in successive
turns to reach the final physical destination of his journey in this
life

Minutes before the cremation, once again last thing he heard was his
most favourite song
"Thy spirit first to life awoke……"
sung by all the Royalists present, past and present to the background
music by the Cadet Band.

Good Night!
Sweet Prince, the uncrowned king, who remained a father to a line of kings.

Up in flames and smoke the quintessence of Viji Sir, one of the finest
creations of Mother Nature was to be embraced back in to her bosom.

Getting back to the reality in the physical realm, Royal shall
continue its forward march steadfastly and all those who will miss him
dearly now know that their tomorrows will never be the same again.

Without any doubt the legacy Viji Sir left with us will forever touch
our hearts and the fond memories of him will eternally linger in our
minds raising our spirits.

Let's "Rally for Royal" wholeheartedly.
That is the best we could do to honour this greatest Royalist of the Century.

Viji Sir, May you attain the supreme bliss.

A plea from the writer-

Call of Duty!

A meticulous arrangement that was made just within 48 hours of his
demise to accord a grand farewell that befits Viji Sir's stature is
proof of what we are capable of delivering when we "rally together"
consciously and wholeheartedly.
Countless people led by the Principal Sir, Honorary Secretary RCU and
the Secretary SDS all did their utmost to arrange the grand farewell
efficiently.

All their efforts should be greatly appreciated and acknowledged.

Viji Sir's, loss is irreplaceable.
Sooner than later we shall awake ourselves to realize its full extent.

Those who sincerely wish greater success for Royal need to get closer
together to give the best out of what is left as our duty to support
the 'Royal Cause'

It is time to call upon all Royalists and all sincere well wishers to
"Rally for Royal" and come together in "Royal Spirit" more than ever
before to continue the "Royal Legacy"

Reach the writer at - kamalabeysinghe@gmail.com