Sharm de Alwis no more

Thursday, 1 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Born in Kandy on 17 March 1934 to Duwadisawage Victor Vincent De Alwis (better known as Captain De Alwis) and Pearl Wijesinghe, he was the first born of his siblings thus inheriting the respect and adoration as ‘Aiya’. Having attended both Wesley College and Trinity, he recalls his fondest memories at Trinity, the school he also served as secretary of the OBA for over three years. He was in the Trinity boxing pool even though he was not able to represent the college and when in Wesley together with his mate Babu Ahamath they managed to coax boxing in to the sports curriculum.

His big break in boxing came when he captained Shell Company in 1954 to 1956 and went on to win the cup in the pin and fly weight categories at the Mercantile Intermediate Boxing Meet (1955). He also held the cup for the ‘Best Boxer’ for three consecutive years and remained an unbeaten boxer. His boxing career stood at a standstill when he left for England where he studied advertising, market research, marketing and public relations at the London University for four years. While in London he travelled around Europe for three months on his Llambretta scooter bringing back both souvenirs and tales which were enjoyed by his children and grandchildren. On returning home, after many successful years in advertising and marketing at William Biscuits, J.W. Thomas, Grants, Senarathne and Don Carolis, in 1972 with the birth of his third daughter whom he considered ‘lucky’, he made a giant leap and pioneered his own company ‘Kangaroo Packing & Shipping’ which he steered with the help of his wife Loretta. He was also a freelance writer on sports, travel and social comments. He leaves behind his children and grandchildren who will miss him very much.