Mano

When I joined the Chinese University in 1995, the only other Sri Lankan at CU was Mano Arumanayagam, who was a researcher at the Department of Chemical Pathology. He also lived on campus and soon became friends. A staunch member of CU's cricket team, Mano was known less for his cricket prowess than for the fun he brought to every game. He would open batting but not last too long at the crease, getting out quickly to a rash shot. He also kept wickets (when David Gilkes left in 1996), much to the benefit of the opposing teams because he let many deliveries go to the boundary. And when he fielded, usually far from the batsmen, we could all see an open beer can sitting on the grass nearby!

With Mano at Sek Kong, 1996. The buildings at the back were for the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), that would take over the Sek Kong camp after the take over in 1997

Mano led a carefree life, with numerous girlfriends and drinking buddies. All these frolics came to an end in 1997 when he decided to marry, mainly due to pressure from his mother and sisters who all resided in Australia and "worried" about his Hong Kong lifestyle. The fun and games ended with his marriage.

His wife, an accountant, didn't like working in Hong Kong, and in 1999, much to our regret, Mano left for Australia. He settled in Sydney and took up a teaching position, which he didn't like because he had no penchant for teaching. His marriage, too, ended a few years ago.

Last week, he was on a sentimental visit to celebrate the 25th year of his arrival in Hong Kong in 1984. He saw old friends and visited old haunts. We still miss him in Hong Kong: the easy going manner, the laughter, along with those lazy cricketing days in Sek Kong.

Mano in Sai Kung, Feb. 2009