News has just reached us of the passing of DODWELL DE SILVA on Saturday, November 11, 2017, in Cerritos, California.

Dodwell was fondly known as "Doddy" in school and is a pre-70s Peterite who was at St. Peter's College in the 50s and early 60s travelling to college from his parental home on Pereira Lane, Wellawatta.

Dodwell is best known as the band leader of the first St. Peter's College Fife & Drum Band in 1956, brainchild of Rev. Fr. Arthur Fernando – Rector (1955 – 1963). In fact, the band at St. Peter's College was the very first School's band formed among schools in Sri Lanka. Dodwell, as band leader looked dashing in the white Tunic Uniform. So did the rest of the band members. The only other members of the band that I recall are Carline Perera, Carline Nugara, Hector Pietersz and Royce Moldrich.

If some Peterite reading this post could recall the full list of band members of 1956, this would be historical information. In the meantime, we mourn Dodwell's passing and extend our sympathy to his wife June and two children.

Dodwell was a Past President of the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California and lived in Cerritos, California for over four decades. Cerritos is a suburban city in Los Angeles County, California.

May god grant Dodwell's soul eternal rest!

FUNERAL SERVICES

Dodwell Palitha De Silva, 78, born on September 11,1939, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, passed away November 11, 2017. He resided in Cerritos, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.

UPCOMING FUNERAL SERVICES

VISITATION 

Sunday, November 19 
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM     

Forest Lawn – Cypress – Hope Chapel

4471 Lincoln Avenue Cypress, CA 90630