TORONTO — "In The Doughty Dons of Dowa,’ my grandfather has built bridges to a world that our first generation of Sri Lankans born and raised off the island, is so far removed from our contemporary Western lives."

This observation was made by Tamara, the eldest grandchild of Kirthie Abeyesekera at the Toronto launch of his autobiography, Dec. 29. Tamara flew in from the University of Sydney where she has obtained a Masters Degree in Teaching.

Quoting Carolyn Steedman, Tamara said that "once a story has been told, it becomes a piece of history — an interpretive device. Although especially relevant to our family, Grandpy’s story is a story for us all as people interested in history. He has made our history accessible to us for generations to come."

"Grandpy," Tamara concluded, "I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to undertake this journey with you."

The well-attended book launch held at a public library was chaired by a family friend, Larry Marshall, a Sri Lankan expatriate in Australia, on holiday in Canada.

The traditional lighting of the oil lamp, to the strains of ‘Danno Budunge,’ by the author’s seven grandchildren — Tamara, Devinda, Dilani, Aravinda, Anita, Seetha and Ashmini — heralded the evening’s programme. In a message of congratulations and good wishes, Ranjit S. Wijewardene, the former Lake House chairman during Kirthie’s reporting days at the ‘Observer,’ said he was delighted that the author had published yet another book.

"More so," he added, "because the fount of inspiration and writing continues to flow freely, giving your reading public more hours of undiluted pleasure."

The first copy of ‘The Doughty Dons of Dowa’ was presented to the author, on behalf of ‘Sarvodaya Vishva Lekha Publishers,’ by Rajinda Gunasena who designed the book-cover. The book was autographed by Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, Sarvodaya president: "With admiration, love and best wishes for your continuing enrichment of our literature." In a message to the launch, Dr. Ariyaratne observed that "although Kirthie is now a resident of Canada, yet one wonders how he retained a microscopic memory of the village of his birth, his ancestors and the natural surroundings he grew up in." Dr. Ariyaratne added that the book is "not just a memoir, but a literary piece where the cultural, sociological, economic and political life of his people are described in a readable way."

Sinhala messages from Kirthie’s Dowa cousins, Chandra and Hema, said how proud they were that "Aiya had preserved the ‘Abeyesekera’ name for posterity. Fiona Harvie, a Sri Lankan expatriate in Brisbane, in her message, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "A gifted writer is able to capture not only a sense of time, place and atmosphere, but also the essential nature and spirit of the people he writes about." Your book, Ms. Harvie said, "certainly achieves this."

In an emotional scene, Kirthie Abeyesekera presented signed copies of his book to his wife Olga and his children, Jayantha, Chitra, Rohan, Anoma and Charmanie. Jayantha, the eldest sibling responded, thanking his father for helping them understand their heritage and culture.

In his presentation speech, the author said a published autobiography is every writer’s dream. When a journalist sets down his life’s story, it assumes a larger dimension, because he is revealing to his readers, the man behind the stories he’s told about others.

"In this context," the author observed, "I have reached a momentous milestone in my life."

A vote of thanks was proposed by Ashmini, the author’s youngest grandchild who came from Melbourne with her mother, Anoma and brother, Aravinda, for the important family event.

"This book means very much to my grandpy and to all of us," the 12-year-old, grade seven student said. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Ashmini turned towards the author and said "We are all very proud of him and thankful for this gift he has given to our family."

Two teenage Abeyesekera cousins, Anita and Seetha, clad in colourful sarees, presented a ceremonial oriental dance recital to the music of ‘Uda rata kandukara, siriya paradana....’