It is with a sense of sadness that I write about my devoted Geography teacher and Athletic coach at Ananda College, Kachchakaduge Lamananda Fernando Wijedasa (popularly known as K.L.F. Wijedasa amongst his pupils and friends), who passed away peacefully on 4 November after a brief illness. He was 93 years old. K.L.F. was the second in a family of four siblings.
He hailed from a distinguished family. His father K.P.F. Wijedasa was a former Head Master of Kandegoda Maha Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda.
K.L.F.s Primary education was at the Kandegoda Maha Vidyalaya. He was a bright student and at the age of 11 he was admitted to Dharmasoka College (Grade 6).
After completing his secondary education, his father who was keen to educate him at a popular English school admitted him to Moratu Vidyalaya for his Ordinary Level examination.
After successfully completing his O/L examination, he attended Ananda College for his Advance Level classes.
He passed the exam in his very first attempt and entered the Ceylon University College Peradeniya (arts stream) to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree. KLF obtained a first-class honours degree for Geography.
In 1950 KLF established Sri Lanka’s 100 meters record in 10.3 seconds while at the University.
As a youth of 24 years, he entered the teaching profession. His first assignment was at Richmond College, Galle, where he taught his pet subject Geography.
A few years later, he joined the staff of Ananda College in 1957. S.A. Wijethileke was Principal at the time.
The staff at Ananda included distinguished teachers such as the Most Venerable Kotagama Vachissera Thera, and Ven. Hettimulle Vajirabuddhi Thera, Col. G.W. Rajapakse, V. Thanabalasingham, C.M. Weeratne, K.D. de Lanarolle, A.A. Fernando, Sertus De Alwis, D.G. Kumaradasa, K.D.S. Perera and others.
K.L.F served as a sub-warden of the College hostel and some years later he was appointed as Prefect of Games in addition to his teaching.
He performed these duties with dedication and enthusiasm, treating pupils under his care with kindness and understanding.
He was a friend to the academic as well as non – academic staff. Ananda has been able to produce a significant number of distinguished Sri Lankans, who went onto excel in the athletic field during this period, such as Vijitha Wijesekara, G.N. de Silva, R.de S. Daluwatte, Priya Lecamwasam, W. Hema Amarasinghe, H.B. Jayasekara, Priyath Fernando, S.C.P. Jayasuriya, S.C. Madannayaka, J.A.K. Jayakody and others.
In 1964, K.L.F. bid farewell to Ananda due to personal reasons and joined University of Colombo as a Physical Education Director.
K.L.F. served in the Ceylon Public Schools Athletic Association for 7 years. His service to the Sri Lanka AAA began in 1969 and continued for nearly 15 years.
He has served in several capacities at the AAA – as Secretary and President of the coaching committee, member of the selection committee, senior starter, senior time keeper, chief photo finish judge and Manager of the Sri Lanka Athletic team.
In addition, KLF was one of three officials who passed the Area Technical Officials Exam conducted by the IAAF and officiated a number of International meets in Asia.
As a coach he produced over 30 national title holders and over 10 international athletes.
He was also Sri Lanka national coach from 1983-86. KLF edited the teaching manual for athletics and also the 75th AAA Souvenir honorarily.
In 1979, KLF followed a course in Physical Education at the Nedland University in Perth, Australia for a year on a scholarship awarded by the Colombo Plan.
He was a founder member of the Ceylonese Track and Field Club (CT and FC) and served as Vice President and President, respectively.
KLF married one of his athletic pupils, Ransiri Serasinghe, in 1968, and was blessed with two children.
Eldest son Duminda is in Australia and daughter Puranya is a Montessori teacher. The happily married sporting couple were grandparents of five children. My beloved teacher, may you attain the Supreme bliss of Nibbana.