A tribute to a father, a visionary and a legend

Today is Ebert Silva’s 80th birth anniversary

By Rajini de Silva Mendis

Every father is every daughter’s hero, who fills and occupies a very special place in her heart that no one else can ever substitute or replace. As I sat down to pen these words in appreciation of the unique, wonderful relationship I shared with my father and that of his life, I realised how impossible it is to encapsulate and embody all those years of unconditional and selfless love and affection showered on my family and me and that of his legendary life of passion and commitment to Sri Lanka’s transport and tourism industry, in a few words, lines and paragraphs.

Ebert Silva

Today, 2 November 2012, marks the 80th birth anniversary of my late father, Ebert Silva, and this most humble attempt is to pay tribute to an extraordinary father, a legend in the transportation industry and a wonderful human being who left us all just about seven months ago.

My late grandfather, Agampodi Nomis de Silva, a remarkable entrepreneur from the coastal village of Waskaduwa in the South Western Province, arrived in Colombo and settled down in Dehiwala to realise his dream of starting a business in passenger transport. With his wife Magilin they raised a family of eight children, the eldest son and the second in the family was my father, Ebert.

Nomis de Silva, in a conservative Sinhala Buddhist background, instilled in his children the Buddhist principles, tenants and values with the family having very close relations with many well-known and respected Buddhist monks and their temples all over the country. Being a devout Buddhist, a teetotaller and a vegetarian by choice from the age of seven, it was a tradition respectfully continued and maintained by my father throughout the years.

Educated at St. Peter’s College, my father used to recall the carefree lifestyle he enjoyed in his younger days where he used to cycle all the way from the residence along Hill Street in Dehiwala to College, accompanied by his friends.

There were also days that his father would drive them to and from school in his Austin 14. My father’s passion for automobiles was evident from a very young age. After school, he would leave his books aside and dash to the workshops and garages, situated beside the residence. His friends calling him for play after school often found my father emerging from under vehicles he had been tampering with covered with stains and smears.

Bus service dream

As told by my father, when my grandfather set out to realise his dream of a bus service by operating the first bus between Colombo and Matara in 1925, there had been no proper guidelines to regulate or to standardise the services. I remember the many exciting and chilling stories narrated by him, having heard and witnessed as a little boy of fights and brawls, sometimes even fatal that had erupted between bus operators and their crews due to the struggle for passengers and routes.

The buses that were in operation at that time had been the ‘open body’ type with artistically shaped wooden bodies. Passengers were able to get in from either side of the bus and the rear. There were no fixed windows but the passengers were safeguarded from the elements by leather cloths that hung above the openings, which could be buttoned down or rolled up. At a time when environmental pollution was not heard of and with absolutely no congestion and traffic jams, this may have been a wonderfully comfortable, joyous and ‘eco-friendly’ way of travelling!

The ‘Nelson Commission’ had been subsequently appointed by the British Government in this context to address the inadequacies of the existing bus service and to suggest and recommend methodologies to improve the public transport system in the country. Among the Commission’s proposals were recommendations to use ‘closed body’ buses to ensure passenger safety and comfort. It was also stipulated to incorporate all bus operations into limited liability companies with the allocation of specific routes and operational time tables.

It was in this backdrop that my grandfather, Nomis de Silva, incorporated his bus service as ‘Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company Limited’ in the 1940s, adorning his buses with the name of his eldest son.

Prior to the incorporation the buses were operated along many main routes in the island including that of Colombo to Jaffna, after which the Omni Bus Company commenced its service along the Colpetty – Eye Hospital – Wellawatte – Kirulapone – Polhengoda – Colpetty – Maradana route. My father once recalled the bus fare from Colpetty to the Eye Hospital being five cents and that from Colpetty to Maradana being a mere two cents at that time.

Treasured possessions

The Chevrolet 1935 ‘open body’ with the plate Z – 1988, the oldest bus preserved in its original condition in Sri Lanka, is a prestigious member from the original Ebert Silva Omni Bus fleet of 1940s. This priceless piece of history was undoubtedly my father’s most treasured and cherished possession out of all in his precious collection of vintage, classic and other unique motor vehicles.

It was this love he had for motor vehicles, especially the vintage and the classics that made him a founder member of the Vintage Car Owners’ Club in 1987 and later a Vice President. He was an active member until his demise.

Among his fine collection are also rare and invaluable pieces such as a 20 hp Rolls Royce, a Bentley, a Cadillac, Armstrong Siddeleys and Buicks, of which the convertible belonged to the renowned Sri Lankan actress Rukmani Devi.

Having searched and hunted for these treasures out of sheer passion and love, collecting these treasures had taken him all over the country. With each discovery having its own unique tale, his dream was to restore them to their pristine condition one day and have them displayed in a unique Ebert Silva Museum. Alfred Lord Whitehead comes to my mind with his insightful words that “great dreamers’ dreams are never fulfilled, they are always transcended”.

Taking over with courage

In 1953, my grandfather had passed away at the least expected circumstances following a brief illness at the age of 59. My father, the eldest son as a young 21-year-old, took up the reins of Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company with courage, fortitude, and grit and he carried forward the business with great determination and competence.

Among the titans of the Omni bus company era were many colourful and distinguished personalities with whom my father maintained cordial relations and of whom he often related interesting and fascinating stories.

The distinguished Sir Cyril de Zoysa who owned the South Western Bus Company, also member of the Senate and a philanthropist, was much respected and admired by my father. Others were K.B.L. Perera, Sir Leo Fernando who owned the Panadura Bus Company, Mudliyar Mendis of Negombo who owned the Wijaya Bus Company (whose eldest son, former Cabinet Minister the late Wijayapala Mendis was married to my father’s elder sister, Nanda) and B.J. Fernando of the Silverline Bus Company.

Entrepreneurial spirit

In true entrepreneurial spirit, even amidst such devastating and trying circumstances, a year after the sudden demise of my grandfather, in 1954, my father incorporated a new company, the Ebert Silva Touring Company Limited, which he made to soar to great heights in the years to come.

Looking beyond the mundane operation of public transport, the new company was part of his vision to nurture and develop the sparks of a new market – tourism, which he foresaw to have great potential of soon unfolding into a vibrant industry.

The Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company was among the 56 bus companies that were nationalised to form the State-owned Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) that commenced operations on 1 January 1958.

At the brink of nationalisation, there had been a Commission set up by the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Government to assess the bus companies and to record public complaints and grievances against their services. My father used to relate with much pride the Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company being the only company against which there were no public complaints or criticisms.

The company had been acknowledged at that time to have operated a model transport service with safety, comfort and punctuality. At its zenith, the CTB had been the largest omni bus company in the world with over 7,000 buses.

Uncertain future post nationalisation

Ebert Silva Omni Bus Company had had 68 buses in its fleet at the time of nationalisation. Post nationalisation left my father with only two discarded buses which were not roadworthy. Overnight all assets of the business were lost and there was an uncertain future and grave financial issues for my father to address with six younger siblings.

The workforce had been absorbed in to the newly-formed CTB and their jobs were thus secured, my father reminisced. When my father had been notified by the authorities to call over and collect a cheque for being compensation for the fleet, he had written back with a request to pledge the funds to the Cancer Society.

Undeterred and unshaken, and with immense spirit and resilience, my father started rising up from the ashes as a phoenix, with immeasurable courage and determination. He travelled throughout the country looking for second-hand vehicles and lorries to build up his fleet once more.

In a differently configured economy and at a time when motor vehicles were not abundantly available as it is today, lorries were bought and converted under his guidance and supervision into buses in his workshop. Ebert Silva Touring Company commenced business with two second-hand cars that were deployed at the jetty of the Colombo Harbour and the Mount Lavinia Hotel for tourists.

As a young entrepreneur he also initiated many tour packages to less seen and travelled places in the island of significant historical importance and scenic beauty with the vision of promoting domestic tourism. The concept of ‘package tours’ among Sri Lankans to experience places of interest in the island was thus introduced.

Unique success story

Having undergone excruciating economic downturns in the nascent and challenging times of the industry, his vision, leadership and guidance enabled him and his company to withstand the test of a lengthy period of time and ascend to inscribe a unique success story.

His resilience, business acumen and pioneering effort have undoubtedly contributed towards the survival of the industry and the economy of the country during its darkest and the most arduous times.

Receiving the Presidential Award as a Legend in the Travel and Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka in 2009

Always proud to be son of this nation, he often said: “It should be a primary obligation, responsibility and duty of every man and woman to righteously strive and endeavour to bequeath their best towards the advancement of their motherland and the betterment of its people!”

My father’s able leadership saw the company grow from strength to strength. He had an artistic flair and minute attention to detail. His initials ‘ES’ were a branding he conceptualised and designed during the 1950s. The ‘ES’ in shining well polished brass is identified as ‘Ebert Silva’ even in the remotest parts of the island. The logo of the cheetah’s head, the fastest animal on land encircled by a wheel of fire, was also his creation.

There were strict rules on the maintenance of the fleet and embellishing of vehicles was done with such passion and delight that the Ebert Silva fleet stood out conspicuously from the rest. Each bus had a different design in the corporate colour of deep green across its body, in a pattern often conceived by him.

Stringent guidelines were set in recruiting staff with strict rules on minimum experience and age limit for recruitment in order to uphold the same high standards that had been maintained through the years.

Working 18 to 20 hours a day until his very last day, the zeal and enthusiasm in him as a 21-year-old never seemed to have faded with time. Many efforts of futile persuasion and coaxing to ease his routine and to relax would only make him quip with a grin, “The man at the top should be made out of steel!” and the finest steel it was indeed!

Tourism to the fore

The company extended and expanded its services realising the potential and accommodating the needs of the times. Thereafter, with the liberalisation of the economy in 1978 and the tourism sector, emerging among key segments and as one of the priority categories, created employment and attracted foreign exchange as well as foreign investments.

At these economic crossroads my father contributed significantly to the realm of the tourism industry in an unprecedented and unparalleled manner. His valuable and expert contribution was extended to the advancement and promotion of the industry with him also serving as the President of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka.

Despite many hardships and formidable challenges including limited resources, he gave life to a significant and splendid chapter in Sri Lanka’s travel, tourism, and motoring industry. The commitment and vision of this legendary pioneer undoubtedly enabled the industry to reach the present heights and unfold into a vibrant industry that now plays a fundamental and pivotal role in advancing the country’s economy.

The hand-picked choice of former President J.R. Jayawardene for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Sri Lanka in 1981 was the Ebert Silva Touring Company. The Queen and her entourage visited and view the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the company coaches and Ebert Silva’s was the only private company to provide transport for this Royal visit.

The company through the years operated many prestigious services with professionalism and style. Under my father’s leadership and direction it was felicitated on numerous occasions for the excellence in service. Among the accolades received were the Presidential Awards presented for the ‘Best Domestic Operator’ in Travel and Tourism in 2007 and 2008.

In recognition of a lifetime of passionate and committed contribution to Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism sphere he was bestowed with the esteemed Presidential Award as a ‘Legend’ in Sri Lanka’s Travel and Tourism industry in 2009.

A simple and unassuming man

Even though a legendary personality, with a name synonymous with Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry for generations, he was always a simple, unassuming and practical man of very few words. Clad in his signature white attire, he detested being driven and was always at the wheel of his much loved cars, the EY Humber Hawk and the Mercedes Benz cars all bearing his signature registration number ‘3500’.

Always shunning publicity was a silent and dedicated benefactor and patron of numerous Buddhist temples, many charitable organisations and institutions. The workers in the workshops as well as the staff knew of their master’s generosity and kindness. He was touched and moved by adverse and unfortunate stories and would readily make arrangements to offer necessary help. I have been deeply touched on many instances to notice my father’s eyes glisten as he listened to moving stories of unfortunate happenings in helpless lives.

It was my father who persuaded, supported and encouraged me to take on the many challenges of steering and advancing the business, often advising me on how to ‘balance’ the business with the career in architecture. He was the constant guiding light and the unshakable strength and inspiration behind my achievements and success. The faith, confidence, and trust constantly placed on me by my father gave me immense pride and delight, fuelling me with the audacity, inspiration and courage to soar.

Among many fine fathers and among many great men, I am indeed proud and privileged to have been the daughter of a man who not only inscribed and engraved his name to the world with honour and distinction, portrayed the rare human traits of courage, determination, resilience, and acumen, having confronted insurmountable challenges and obstacles, but for also being a man who tread upon this earth softly and gently with humanness, generosity and kindness.

A sage quote from a philosopher is a testament to the life he led: “The true measure of the greatness and legacy of a person is the length his shadow casts on the future.”

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!