BISHOPS IN METHODISM

                                              Ralph Martin Fernando – Birth Centenary 

                                                                                

Ralph Martin Fernando was born on the 9th of August 1921, as the 2nd Child of Martin and Laura Fernando of Sir James Avenue, Panadura. He was blessed to have five other siblings Nesta, Vernon, Shirley, Mignon and Elmo. His education was at St. John's College, Panadura where he also played Cricket and Hockey for College. He completed his education having passed the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) London. As his father Martin had passed away when he was only 16 years old, he decided to support the education of his 3 younger brothers and the younger sister by seeking employment in the Government service.

To qualify for employment, he followed a course on Short Hand, Typewriting and Bookkeeping at the College of Commerce in Wekada, Panadura. On the 1st of June 1941, he passed out from the said College with a recommendation as "an honest and hard-working young man with a clean record of his character" from the Principal P.C.T. Fernando.

On the 1st of July 1941 at the age of 20 yrs, he was employed by the Urban Council of Panadura first as a temporary clerk and thereafter as an Assessment Clerk. In 1944 February 1st, he was moved over to the Ceylon Medical Department and worked there. He was "specially selected" and transferred to work as Grade 2 clerk at the Governor General's Office from the 1st of February 1949 despite the Medical Department requesting to vary the transfer. Thereafter having served for some years in various Govt Departments, Ralph Martin was sent on secondment to work as the Office Assistant at Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle from 1973 to 1975. 

His career in the Sri Lanka Administrative Services ended as the office assistant at the Zoological Gardens, Dehiwela from where he retired on 9th August 1980. Being an animal lover the Zoological Gardens was the ideal place for Ralph to end his career as a government officer. 

He did not confine his work only to the office, every morning he did a full round of the Zoo and spent time talking to some of the animals i.e Chimpanzees, who responded to him.

Ralph Martin Fernando was a humble, unassuming government officer. He never felt jealous about the success of others in his career. When others obstructed his opportunities for overseas secondment or promotions, he bore it very calmly and continued his work faithfully.

Ralph Martin, was introduced to Srima Malini Fernando who hailed from Puwakaramba, Moratuwa but lived in Ratnapura. They were married on the 7th of May 1953 at the Baptist Church, Ratnapura. Rev. P. Basil Rajasingham the Minister who was pastorally in charge of the Methodist members in Ratnapura; under Panadura Circuit and Rev. Edward W. Mendis a family friend of Dany Simson and Nellie Fernando (Srima's parents) were the two matchmakers that did a perfect match between Ralph and Srima. 

Together they built a Christian home of love and faithfulness blessed with Sureetha and Sharmila, the two daughters. Ralph and Srima were a very loving and exemplary couple who led a very happy and peaceful life. His hobby was to do crossword puzzles in the newspapers together with his wife. Though he never learnt music like his two daughters, he played hymns on the Piano by ear while his wife enjoyed his playing. He was a lover of animals and he had dogs, various species of birds including ducks and a poultry pen. He spent his free time with these pets feeding and talking. The unexpected sudden death of his wife Srima in July 1979 was a heavy blow on him and he grieved very silently. Ralph was blessed to walk down the aisle with his two daughters to give them in marriage - the elder daughter Sureetha to Sumithra de Silva and Sharmila to me. Out of the five grandchildren Sulakshi, Suranthi, Sureshi, Suhadhini and Shameendra, he was able to hold in his arms only the first two. However, all five of them have inherited his loving and caring spirit towards fellow human beings.

Ralph Martin was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, Panadura. He participated very actively in serving God through the Church. He was a key figure in the ministry of the Sunday School and Wesley Guild and the social services of the Church. His leadership abilities were recognized when he was elected as a Circuit Steward to represent the Panadura Methodist Circuit at the Church Synods and Annual Conferences. Long-standing members of the Panadura Methodist Church still remember him as a faithful Methodist who kept his Methodist discipline and upheld the Christian values. He was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice and he rendered it to sing praises to God. Whenever I visited the Panadura Methodist Church and some other places in my official capacity, many have said how thrilled they are to know that I am married to their "Uncle Ralph's daughter Sharmila", as uncle Ralph had been a "wonderful person".

Ralph Martin was called to his eternal rest on the 27th of January 1982 at the age of 60. The Covid 19 has sadly prevented us the family to meet together in celebrating the birth centenary of Ralph Martin Fernando. However, his two daughters with their husbands; the grand Children with their spouses; five great-grandchildren; all his nieces and nephews will cherish Ralph Martin Fernando in their hearts as a forefather who has left behind a legacy of Christian faith, love, witness and service to be emulated. 

May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

Rev. Asiri P. Perera

9th August 2021