Panagodage Licius Johnson Fernando affectionately known as ‘Milan’ by his siblings, ancestral relations and neighbours was born on September 22, 1924 at Moratu Wella.
His parents were Panagodage John Peter Fernando and Lakshapathi Mahavidhanelage Edlyn Meraya De Mel and were Anglican by birth. He was the eldest child of a family of five children.
He was converted to Catholicism at the age of ten along with his siblings and was educated at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa. This move was initiated by Rev. Bro. Alban Patrick FSC, the Rector of the College. His entire education was in the English medium. He was a regular alter server of St. Sebastian’s Church, Moratuwa.
During World War 2, many people of Moratuwa had evacuated the area due to the risk of living in the border city of Ratmalana. His Father took his family to Bowatte Bingiriya H.L.D. Mel Company Coconut Estate where he was employed to be in Charge of the Carpentry Shed. During the period, he had attended St. Mary’s College, Chilaw travelling 20 kms.
Bingiriya and its suburbs were prone to malaria epidemic and the Fernando family was infected with Malaria and eventually they returned to Moratuwa. Getting back to his church duties, he used to deliver Gnanartha Pradeeepaya and Catholic Messenger to the parishioners.
Another weekly paper had been circulated by the Catholic Press by the name Samajasamaya vs. Samasamajaya of Sooriya Mal Movement. Besides, having passed his Senior School Certificate, he got the opportunity to serve as the Office Assistant at the Lanka Weaving Mill Moratuwa.
With the advent of the Educational Reforms introduced by C.W.W. Kannangara, then Education Minister, Fernando was invited by J. Francis Fernando, the head teacher of R. C. School, Payagala to teach English at the school. Then he received a transfer to teach English at R.C. Boys’ School, Kalamulla.
In December 30, 1952, he married Muriel Fernando of Diyalagoda. The Matrimonial Mass had been celebrated at St Sebastian’s church, Diyalagoda.
By 1954, he was transferred to St Vincent’s Home Orphanage School, Maggona. Under the guidance of Bro. Martin of the Franciscan Order, Franciscan seminarians also received English education and later on, they became priests. Some of them were Fr. Bernard Kurera, Fr. Mark Fernando and Fr. Sergius Fernando.
In the afternoon, he conducted English tuition classes. In the village, he was the only English master who was able and willing to offer English classes not only to schoolchildren but also to the adults.
He was also invited by the Sister Superior of the ‘Little Flower’ Good Shepherd Convent, Kalamulla to teach English for the Junior Sisters. Several Government officers wearing national dress came to study English under Fernando. A good knowledge of English put them on a good stead to have a change from the national dress to Western attire.
In 1963, two years after the school takeover, he became a government teacher having had his specialised English training at the Teacher Training School, Maharagama. His first appointment after specialised training was to Ku/ Kirimatiyawa Maha Vidyalaya (I.M.R.A. Eriyagolla was the Education Minster). Having served there for a short period, he was transferred to KT/ Dodangoda Maha Vidyalaya and worked there until his sudden demise on February 25, 1973.
He was survived by his wife, three sons and five daughters. At the time, four of them were below 10 years of age. The three-year-old toddler is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate. He is Fr. Lylie Jayanth Fernando OMI.
All the villages of Kalamulla mourned at his death and people used to call him ‘Moratuwe Master’. Besides, he was also known as ‘Kalu Master’ since he was a man of dark complexion
-F.M Fernando
