Q & A – Moss Memories – Memorable Events -5
The March-Past
If I had a motto I would chose –‘ Never a dull moment.’ It’s hard for me to believe the unexpected things that have happened in my life.
In 1979 I was invited by the U.N. and the Government of Sri Lanka to carry out a three-month audit for them. I was asked to write a report on how the country could improve their agriculture communications.
At that time the population of Sri Lanka was about 15 million people. About 70% of them lived in rural areas.
The Sri Lankans were literate and had a good newspaper delivery service, but all the news was city orientated.
One of my recommendations was the country should set up a rural paper in both Tamil and Sinhalese. Everyone I talked to thought it was a sound idea.
I was keen to discuss this matter with the President, and I believe I could have done that with the help of my local Eisenhower Fellows.
I wrote a letter to the President but it was returned to me with a note I had to go through the correct channels through the Minister of Agriculture, and the Lake House publishing company – the leading newspaper publisher in Sri Lanka.
The Minister was hard to get hold of but I heard he was going to open a Young Farmers event in a town called Matele – North of Kandy.
Joyce had joined me at that stage and we were living in the Kandy Club. An interesting place. It had once been the King of Kandy’s storehouse before being converted by British Tea Planters into an English–style club.
On the day I dressed in my best safari suit, borrowed a UN car and driver and we headed for Matele.
We were to attend an annual Young Farmers event. It was an entertaining quiz programme with cash prizes for best displays, and answers to questions. This was to be was to be broadcast to the nation, as it was a major event.
The Minister failed to turn up we were substituted to carry out his tasks.
My first job was to stand on the podium and take the salute as the teams marched past.
The teams were beautifully turned out, all in white uniforms. All the leaders were carrying the national flag.
I remember Joyce whispering to me; ‘If only our kids could see us now.’ My problem was to decide on how to respond as they marched past and dipped their flags. Should I give my old Navy salute? I didn’t think that was suitable. Or should I give the US hand on the heart salute? I opted for the latter.
Our next task was to inspect the displays. Joyce made the mistake to admire a large citrus fruit, a jumbola, spilling out of a large cornucopia of local produce. Before we knew what was happening all the fruit was boxed up and put in our car. We were so embarrassed. We only made grunts of approval from then on.
The official party next moved into a packed hall. Our first task was to help light the lamp to signify the start of the proceedings. The brass lamp was about two metres high, with a large rooster on the top and held two dishes of coconut oil surrounded by numerous wicks.
The official party included people like the local MP, the chief of police, and Moss. We had reserved seats in the front row. Next came the opening speeches – to the nation.
I had a good interrupter assisting me.
He whispered to me, ‘You are on next – it’s your turn to speak. Speak slowly, use short sentences and I will translate into Singhalese.’
I still remember what I said. I would utter a few words, and he would amplify and receive a rousing reception. Joyce said it was the best speech I had ever given.
We were entertained with songs, dancing, and music. The highlight was the quiz show for cash prizes. It was an enjoyable event.
Before we departed, I asked my assistant why there were so many female young farmers. I was shocked at his reply,
‘The men were involved in a political revolution, he said. There was a mix-up in the date it was due to start and they started a day early. The army rounded them up and took them into the forest and they did not return. That’s most likely the reason the Minister did not show up today.’
That’s what I was told. Was it true? Most likely. I did come across other atrocities during my many visits to this beautiful land.
Another Handful of Tips 