Stories from Students

My Journey from Malaya to Ceylon

On the seventh day of July 1951, I left my home at Kuala Lumpur, in the Federated States of Malaya with my mother, sisters, and little brother for Mother Lanka. We came to Johore Bharu by train. It was a day’s journey. We stayed in Johore Bharu for two days with one of our friends. On the 10^th day of July, we motored to Singapore from Johore Bharu. At about 2 p.m. we boarded the ship “Napoli.” We stood on the deck and waived good-bye to father, elder brother and friends who were waiting at the wharf. I felt sad to leave them. “Napoli” left port at 3 p.m. Tears rolled down my cheeks as we lost sight of Malaya. At about 4 p.m. we were taken to the dining room for tea. That evening I felt sad. With a heavy heart I entered our room bursting into tears. My sisters comforted me by encouraging me to play with the girls in the steamer.

The next morning, we got up early, washed ourselves and had our breakfast. The most splendid thing I saw that morning was the rising of the sun. We also made friends with most of the Italian sailors. They showed us the different parts of the steamer. We were happy for two days; but alas on the third day the engine gave trouble and the steamer stopped for about two hours. When it started again it was a welcome relief to all of us. The sea was calm for three days; but on the fourth the sea became rough and most of the passengers were laid up. We were sorry we could not enjoy the journey. I began to vomit and feel sickly. For two days we did not go to the dining room and the stewards had to serve us in our rooms.

We reached Colombo on the fifteenth of July. We bid farewell to all of our new friends. We stayed in a hotel that night and left for Jaffna the next morning. I am sure the memory of my happy days on board the “Napoli” will linger long in my heart.

Written by an unknown student at Mahajana College (1951).
Source: https://noolaham.net/project/522/52121/52121.pdf

A Memorable Hour of My Life in Malaya

By N. Wijayasingam

In the morning of the 15th of Aug. 1945, as I lay awake in my bed listening to the distant crowing of the cock, I felt instictivly that I was wanted below. I got up quickly, woke my friend and together we steadily groped our way through the dark to the tunnel beneath the orchard. Neither of us spoke a work for fear of awakening the others, being well aware of the risks we were taking.

Out in the open my limbs were numb with cold, but I could not tell whether it was due to excitmenet of to the icy wind blowing. When we reached the tunnel and after we were sure that we were not being followed, did we dare to enter. We then securly barred the massive wooden door from within, switched on the electric light, and after running our eyes through the apartment found everything to be as we had left the night before. The place was stuffy and warm but we did not dare to use the electric fan for fear of the noise.

Then we went near our precious thing--the Radio. We were having a Radio without the knowledge of the Japanese Government. In a few minutes I tuned to the B.B.C. and was just in time to hear a lady announcer say that a special announcement would be made in fifteen minutes from then, at the end of a programme of recorded music. My mind was instantly filled with anxiety. What could that special announcement be? Could it be a mere change of programme? No: It must be something more. What could it be? I was perplexed. I looked at the clock. It showed a quarter to six (Tokyo time).

"6 a.m. and that announcement would be made" Just 15 minutes more; These 15 minutes were like 15 hours to me. At last the programme came to an end. At one minute to six the announces was again heard saying that the special message was to be read by the Prime Minister and relayed from No. 10 Downing Street by the B.B.C. A few seconds elapsed and I could imagine the whole world anxiously waiting for the message that was to come. Then in a man's voice deep and clear--"Japan has surrendered." This was the message we had waited for so long a time. I drank every word of the joyous message. Never in all of my readio listenings, was apiece of news more welcome. "With the defeat of Japan, the last of our enemies, the second world war come to an end." These words still echo in my mind as though they had been spoken a minute ago.

At the end of the message the national Anthem of the United Nations was played. Although I had long expected this news still the excitement was too much for me. Never before in my life, had I experienced such an ecstasy of joy.

Reclining on my arm chair I thought about the war. The Japs had sweeping victories on all fronts and the Britishers were always "withdrawing according to plans." I thought then something must be wrong with British plans for they were withdrawing on all fronts. But now Japan has surrendered unconditionally. Never in my life will I forget this hour.

N. Wijayasingham was a student at Hartley College (1947).
Source: https://noolaham.net/project/543/54276/54276.pdf

What Happened to Me During the Communal Riots

By Leela Nie Brainerd

It was the 26th of May 1958. I lived in Nugegoda. About 6 p.m. I heard a noise, and ran out to see what happened. They were hitting some people. After a little while our lights were cut off.

I could not have my dinner because it was dark. Luckily, I had my dinner by candle light. The next door people knew that I was a Tamil and they were throwing stones at our house.

My daddy did not come after work, so I was more afraid. I though that someone would have hit him. At last my daddy came and I told him how the stones fell and that very minute, another stone fell on the roof. I was shivering with fear. I fell asleep later.

On the 27th evening, I heard a firing sound, a shop was burning. It was a Tamil Shop. Those people came running to our garden, and they were hiding. But the thugs did not know it. A man got caught, when he was coming out of the shop. They hit him. He fell on the ground and was unconscious. After a little while they bought petrol to pour over him and burn him.

Our driver who was a Sinhalese called the police. Before that the thugs ran away. I was looking on when they were hitting. I could not do anything because I was also a Tamil. They thought I was not Tamil. So I escaped.

On the 28th morning I went to the camp which was in Kotte because they wanted to burn our house. I stayed in the camp for two weeks. I was very and there were many children to play with. We had cricket matches. At the end of two weeks I came to Nugegoda. Again I was afraid. I did not go to school for a term. I went up-country. After sometime I came back to Colombo. We sent out things by train and I came to Jaffna. And now I am happy because I am safe in Jaffna.

Leela Nie Brainerd was a student at Vembadi Girls High School (1958).
Source: https://noolaham.net/project/132/13187/13187.pdf

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