| Plus |
|
|||||
|
Appreciations During World War II, our cousins attending big schools in Colombo came back to their villages. Mr. Palakidnar was among the Colombo students who joined Kokuvil Hindu College. The Colombo students found the environment somewhat strange. The staff of Kokuvil Hindu College were in white verties and national shirts. My association with Palakidnar began in the common classroom for senior and pre-senior students for the English language and literature class. Mr. Palakidnar entered University College, Colombo and obtained a degree in arts and proceeded to qualify as an advocate of the Supreme Court. Having practised law for sometime, he entered the judicial service as Anura-dhapura Magistrate. He adorned every echelon in the judicial service until he became the President of the Court of Appeal. I had the opportunity of associating with him more closely when he served as Jaffna District Judge. We were members of the executive committee of the Sri Lanka Chapter of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of India. The late Yogendra Duraiswamy was president and Mr. Palakidnar a vice-president while I was general secretary. Our main task was to draft a constitution on the basis of the constitution of the parent organisation and Mr. Palakidnar showed us the way to adapt it for local conditions. He suggested that we enshrine only what was most essential. He was realistic and had the ability to keep his eye on the fundamental issue. He dedicated himself fully to whatever social activity he was involved in. Our efforts to organise the Vivekananda festival in Jaffna in 1980 saw us meeting with eminent people. Senator S. Nadesan Q.C. was spending his furlough at his brother's home in Navaly and we spent an evening in conversation with him on subjects ranging from Nadesan's own trial to dietary principles. Nadesan was nonchalant about his own trial but emphatic about the manner in which we should take our diet. Towards the end of our meeting, Mr. Palakidnar requested Senator Nadesan for a copy of the affidavit he had furnished to court and the Senator obliged. To me the request for the affidavit appeared to be improper. On our way home I asked him whether it was proper for a judge to borrow the affidavit and Mr. Palakidnar replied, "The judge enjoys the freedom to improve his legal education at all times". The third phase of our friendship was more relaxed. During conversations, he would recall the character of the village preacher in the 'Deserted Village'. His prediction for the Karma Yoga in the Gheetha made him admire forever the characterisation of the preacher by Goldsmith. To them his
heart, his love, his grieves were given, A
devoted son and friend of all Hareen had some sterling qualities. The finest example of which was his devoted caring for his mother who, like him, suffered a painful illness for a long time. Throughout this period, Hareen cared for Aunty Ivy as I have not seen any son do. Hareen was fortunate that he had a close family with three sisters who loved him dearly. His sisters, in these last few months, took great pains to try and pull him through. However, as he told an aunt on the phone from a Singapore hospital earlier this month, "God wants me up there." I am sure that this was God's plan. Hareen, a bachelor, considered all his close relatives his own family and was interested in the welfare of everyone. All his nephews and nieces were extremely fond of him especially because he could relate to them easily. Hareen was a good friend and likewise he had some good friends who are going to miss him dearly. Rarely do people like Hareen pass through this world. We who knew him were lucky to have been there when he did. From far off
Manila, I can only say, "Farewell Hareen. I loved you. May
you find that peace in Heaven which only God can give." He
found jobs for many youths He worked briefly at the Colombo Kachcheri and then took up the Post of Registrar of Marriages, Births and Deaths in Kelaniya in accordance with his father's wishes. Marriage was considered a prerequisite for the post and hence a suitable nuptial was arranged with young Trixie Jayasinghe of Nagoda Walauwa, Galle, who became his life-long partner. Mr. Jayatilaka also took an active part in the co-operative movement in Kelaniya and held the posts of secretary and president of the Siyane Adhikari Co-operative Union for 20 years and president of Pethiyagoda Co-operative Society for more than 30 years. He was appointed an All-Island Justice of Peace and was also a charter member of the Kelaniya Lions. He worked tirelessly as the Chief Dayaka of the Bodhirukkarama Temple, Waragoda and was a committee member of the Vidyalankara Dayaka Sabha until his death. He was a director of a shipping and foreign trading company and helped provide employment to numerous youth in Kelaniya. He was a generous person and leading contributor to many local causes even in his ripe old age. Though entitled to, he never charged a fee for registering a death. DN was sought after by many politicians during his time and was a personal friend of President J. R. Jayewardene and R.G. Senanayake. As a person he was kind and bore no grudges. He enjoyed hosting friends and relatives at his residence. He remained
active and mobile and maintained rationality of thought even to
his last day. He is survived by his wife Trixie, sons Rajpal and
Haritha and daughter Ramani. |
||||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
