Appreciations
View(s):Lakshmi Wanigasinghe
She is missed by all every single day
She was a beautiful lady and caring mother. She was also my first teacher, my inspiration and above all, my loving grandmother. Though it has been six years since she left us, it still feels like yesterday that she was among us with her charming smile that could brighten just about anyone’s day.
The first thing that always comes to my mind when I think of my grandmother is how she used to feed me after school while forcing me to practise my poems for elocution class. She would spend hours with me, correcting my pronunciation or telling me to show more expression, all the while neglecting her own lunch.
Kindness was one of the many great qualities I saw in Acha. She went out of her way to help others. I have seen her help countless people through the years. As a result of her generosity there are many talented teachers, doctors, bankers etc out there. She spent her valuable time teaching these children and sometimes funded their education.
She was excellent at everything. I still remember the tasty patties and bread-rolls she made and how we impatiently awaited dinner time because the smell of her cooking used to make us hungry.
Acha was the grandmother every child could wish for. It is because of all the hours she spent with me, all the effort she put into making us good human beings that I have come this far in life. All that I am today and all that I ever will be is because of the groundwork laid by her. I hope I have been able to make her proud even in a small way.
She may not be here with us physically but she is always in our hearts. Words cannot do justice to what a great person she was. People as kind and caring as her are hard to find. She is missed by all of us every single day.
May she attain Nibbana.
Lakshila Wanigasinghe
K. Theivanayagam
A teacher of formidable intellect who stood for social justice
We are filled with grief at the passing away of K. Theivanayagam of Kaluthavalai, Batticaloa on November 28.
An encounter between a humble gentleman in his early forties and some children at a village school every morning is seared into our memories. It was 1976 when Sri Lankan society was not privileged to reap the benefits of science and technology in the pursuit of education, with probably the only source of learning being a teacher. The village children and their parents had no clear idea about education.
But the children had a thirst for knowledge and it was Mr. Theivanayagam who kindled their interest in education from Grade 6 onwards, which is termed in educational psychology as a crucial stage in learning new things about the world.
He was witty and humorous enough to keep the children’s attention focused on a subject for long hours. He would address each and every child by name to give them due respect. At the same time, he reminded them of their parents’ good qualities and their selfless devotion to them and whenever he felt that a pupil and his parents needed his guidance and counselling, he was there to offer his service.
Having been a teacher of Accounting and Business Studies, Mr. Theivanayagam had been contributing to the educational advancement of Kaluthavalai, a village known for betel cultivation, which even has a folk-song in its name. His contribution to education enabled around 40 students to enter universities for various courses in Commerce and Social Sciences in the early and mid-80s. This was a remarkably high number for Kaluthavalai Maha Vidyalayam. Apart from this achievement, his thought-provoking approach to teaching would have had a profound impact on the attitude of hundreds of students in the area.
He was instrumental in starting a new Advanced Level class for the Commerce stream at the school in the early 1980s, although there was a shortage of graduate teachers. He himself came forward to shoulder the responsibility of coaching his pupils in two major disciplines — Accounting and Business Studies.
He was always critical of injustice and inequality and wanted his students to understand and critically analyse issues. Even as early as the late ’70s, he was critical of the hypocrisy of some of the UN agencies. He was humanistic and left-leaning in his thinking.
After his retirement, he became almost an errand boy, taking many ailing people from his village to the hospitals in Kandy and Colombo.
He was a role model and great source of inspiration to many.
May his soul rest in peace.
P. Sivagnanam
Hewa Nancy Fernando
It was a blessing to learn under her
It is with sorrow that I pen these lines in appreciation of Hewa Nancy Fernando (nee Weeraratne) of Wattala. I knew her throughout my life, from the time we were neighbours at Dematagoda.
Nancy passed away peacefully on September 24, at the age of 97 years.
She was born on December 25, 1917 to a respectable Sinhalese family in Borella. Her father was Post Master H.E. Weeraratne. She had three elder brothers and two younger sisters. She had her education at Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 10, where she passed the Senior School Certificate in 1933. Subsequently, she obtained the Diploma Certificate for English Language from the Maharagama Teachers’ Training School in 1935 and joined the tutorial staff of St. Mathew’s College, Dematagoda as an Assistant Teacher. A few years later, she joined Presbyterian Girls’ School, Colombo 10, as a fully qualified English teacher.
She was an extraordinary teacher. Humble and good-hearted, it was simply a blessing for students to study under her, to know her in person. She was a good listener, patient and always there by your side when you needed her help. She was a teacher who believed in treating all alike. Teaching is not the most recognised and highly paid career, but the joy and satisfaction of teaching and the contentment you receive from moulding another’s life through knowledge, are limitless. That was the joy Nancy experienced in her 42 years of teaching. She loved what she did.
In 1945, she married Sunny Fernando who was employed at the CWE, and they had three children, who were given the best of education. Nancy retired in 1977 as Vice Principal at Presbyterian Girls’ School.
In her last stages she lived with her elder daughter Kamanitha at Wattala, who looked after her well until her last breath. May her sojourn in Sansara be brief and may she eventually reach the supreme bliss of Nirvana!
Meghavarna Kumarasinghe
Dr. Sam Jayawardene
Dedicated doctor who was a friend of the common man
Dr. C.S.P. Jayawardene (Sam to his friends) of Colombo 5, passed away on December 16, three years ago, at the age of 84, leaving behind long and lingering memories among his family, patients and friends.
Sam was a compassionate and charismatic doctor of medicine. His father was Dr. Charles Jayawardene of Gampaha and his mother Nanda of Hancha Pola. Sam distinguished himself at Royal College before entering the Colombo Medical College. In 1957, he married Soma, daughter of the famous Ayurvedic physician K.D.C. Jayathilleke of Kiriwaththuduwa and teacher Eugine Rodrigo.
Sam was attached to the Government Health Department for a number of years, serving hospitals islandwide. In 1964, he went to England for his postgraduate studies and returned to serve the people of Sri Lanka, rather than finding lucrative employment there.
From the Health Department, he was seconded to the Colombo Municipality and served in several city clinics as the Medical Officer, where he treated more than 200 patients a day. He became a good friend of the common man through his dedicated clinical work, taking a personal interest in the welfare of his patients. He was a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover and photographer.
Another set of fans are thousands of Sri Lankans working in the Ministry of Defence, Oman, who passed through his hands between 1977 and 1998, as he was the accredited MD, for testing medical fitness to serve in MOD Oman. His wise counsel and encouragement for first-timers who were going abroad, made him a popular father figure among them.
Sam touched people around him with love and affection while at work or at home. He inscribed his name forever in our hearts. His ever-present humour, kind guidance, gentle demeanour, gracious hospitality and eagerness to help everyone irrespective of their social status, will be remembered by family, patients and friends.
We appreciate the wise guidance given in medical and personal matters. We hope that we will meet some day in ‘Sansara’.
Thank you Sam, for sailing with me for 42 years in our friendly ship.
Sumith de S. Wijeyaratne and friends
S.A. Jayewardene
Memories that go back a long way
A soft spoken “Kohomada?” over the phone announced as usual his arrival in Sri Lanka.
This time he had fulfilled his dream of returning home for good. Alas, his stay was all too brief. He passed away after a month at the age of 92.
Saj, as he was affectionately called by his friends, had a brilliant mind, coupled with a laid-back personality. This resulted in his achievements being only the tip of an ice-berg. A Denham scholar at Royal, he subsequently graduated with first class honours in Mathematics. This led him to the soul-killing Income Tax Department.
Soon tiring of this, his restless nature took him first to Europe, where he mastered both Italian and French. He ultimately settled down in England, where he worked as a librarian in the Kensington Science Museum library.
‘A Bibliography of Scientific Publications’, a seminal work, was painstakingly compiled by him.
His interest in mathematics led him to research the works of a renowned 16th century Italian mathematician, whose cen-tenary lecture he was invited to deliver some years back.
He had a passionate interest in many things; books, calligraphy, cookery, (together with a gourmet’s appreciation of food) and topical causes affecting humanity.
Until a few years ago, he derived daily sustenance from Kew Gardens, and always expressed the desire to have a bench there in his memory. (Friends in Kew, please take note!)
His morning Muesli, midday salad and night-time pasta, were always prepared with TLC. He once berated me for the quality of the tea I poured, saying my heart was not in it!
He embraced causes enthusiastically. The most recent I am aware of, was a night’s vigil on the streets of London in an anti-nuclear protest.
Years ago, in Liverpool, when my first-born was a baby, the dirty nappies had accumulated to unimaginable proportions (I was and am a terrible house-wife) and Saj offered to wash them for me provided I paid for his services. The money was for the current cause he was interested in!
His residence in Kew was a home away from home for me and my family whenever we were in London.
He was devoted to his wife Padma who pre-deceased him by three years. His only son Sathish, a Consultant Nephrologist was a source of pride to him, as were his two young grandsons, whose company he delighted in.
May you rest in peace, dear Saj!
Premini Amerasinghe
EARLE ABAYASEKARA
Snapshots of a hero who embodied love and encouragement
I was three years old. The nightmare was scary. A parrot squawked. I screamed. I awoke to hear Thatha’s soothing voice. He quieted me. He lifted me from my bed; he carried me in his strong arms. I remember him walking around the house with me. I was comforted. When he brought me back to my bed, I fell into a deep peaceful slumber.
I was nine years old when he burst into my room one day. “The cat’s having kittens,” he announced. I rushed out to join in the fun. “April Fool,” he yelled; a wide grin on his Daddy face. He got me!
I was 12 years old. He picked me up after my Girl Guides meeting. We returned home to find Amma in the middle of a meeting. He signalled to me. “Let’s get back in the car.” I complied. Off we went to the popular Zellers Cafe up the road. He bought me a Knicker-bocker Glory ice cream. It was a tall mountain of an ice cream — and I couldn’t finish it. He laughed at me; he teased me. I felt loved.
I was a teenager. Thatha and I took long walks along the beach. The sun was hot on our necks and sweat dribbled down. The beach was alive. The sea air refreshed me. We returned late morning for breakfast with glad hearts and brisk well-oiled limbs. I so enjoyed those long walks with my Thatha. They birthed in me a love of nature and a love of walking which have lasted to this day.
I was 28 years old when I walked up the aisle with him on my wedding day. I was 33 when he first met my nine-month-old son. My baby and he bonded right away; the start of a unique friendship. I was 40 years old when Thatha waved us goodbye as we left for foreign shores. He let us go, just like that. What a Dad!
I was 46 years old. Thatha was sick. I called him at once, concerned. The love in his heart echoed through his voice. “Hello Dhu.” He was very ill – awaiting an ambulance that would take him to the hospital for the last time. But even in that weak state, he was concerned about everyone else. “How’s Shan? How’s Asela?” he asked eagerly. My last words to him: “I love you Thatha.” His last words to me: “I love you Dhu” in the soft caring voice I loved so much.
December 19 was the 100th birth anniversary of my beloved Thatha. My memories of him are as warm as the springtime, as clear as a baby’s eyes. My heart fills with gratitude as I remember with joy and pride the amazing father he was to each of his seven. He made time for each of us. He loved us. He was my Father.
Two words stand out when I think of him – gentleness and integrity. He taught us how to live by the way he faced life — with courage, with perseverance, with love for his fellow man. He and Amma were deeply involved in blessing our community. But it never stopped them from being wholly involved in our lives too. How did they do it? It remains a deep mystery. But they did. They did. And I am so very grateful. When life didn’t go his way, he never complained. Never sat around feeling sorry for himself. He just got busy using his skills and expertise for the good of others.
I was 47 years old. Amma called us very excited. She’d found something unexpected in a secret drawer of Thatha’s wardrobe – a letter for his seven children to be opened after he died. It’s been the best gift I’ve ever received. It reached out to me from beyond the grave. It expressed the love and pride my Dad felt for his ‘Magnificent Seven’. I cried so much reading that letter. It still chokes me up as I gaze on his handwriting; as I soak in all the love and pride that special letter contains.
I was 55 years when I faced a tough season of life. It was a difficult time. I felt close to giving up on what I’d been called upon to do. And then… and then…. I stumbled on Thatha’s last letter. Among his life-giving words he emphasised that he was impressed at the way we faced problems and adversity, seeking the positive every time. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
My Thatha believed in me.
I didn’t give up. I finished the task I’d begun. I did it well. My Thatha would have been proud of me. Today, I give thanks and praise to my Heavenly Father for the earthly father he gifted me with. A man who lived 90 inspiring years. Who pointed me to my Heavenly Father. Who impacted and helped countless lives – not just his brood but many others. Today his clan comprises seven children and their seven spouses, 11 grandchildren and their four spouses, four great-grandchildren and one on the way. That’s 35 and still counting. I burst with pride today as I remember my special Thatha and the legacy he left for us.
To love God and to love others. To live life with integrity, purpose and passion. To work hard. To persevere through life’s challenges. To reach out and help my fellow man. To love my family. To be gentle and fun-loving. To be kind. To care. To read widely. To appreciate creation. To be a life-time learner. To grow. To become the best I can be.
“Today dearest Thatha, I thank God for your life. I am proud to be called your daughter. One day I will see you again; the love light shining in your eyes and in mine. Till then I will celebrate your life by living well. Thank you for the precious memories and for your unconditional love which continues to bless me. I love you.”
Anusha Atukorala
GAMINI MAHINDA PEIRIS SENEVIRATNE
He was a tower of strength to us all
It is a privilege to write a tribute to my brother Gamini Seneviratne who passed away in September after a brief illness.
Gamini had his early education at St. John’s College, Panadura and later joined S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, where he excelled in his studies and as well as sports. He was a livewire at the Panadura Sports Club which he represented in tennis. He was also a member of the Otters Club, Colombo.
In his professional life, he served as the Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and was appointed a Director of the CPC.
A keen follower of the teachings of Lord Buddha, he took part in all Buddhist activities in the temples in Panadura. I used to listen intently to his words of wisdom pertaining to Buddhism. He was an avid reader and knew the essence of Buddhism very well. Whenever time permitted, he wrote notes for future reference. Meditation was part and parcel of his life. He was principled and instilled his principles in us.
Gamini was affectionately called ‘Choco Mama’ by his nieces and nephews who adored him. He was a tower of strength ever since we lost our beloved parents. He was a loving father to Navin and Chamali, who cared for him until his demise.
Many are the cherished memories I have of my darling brother and all of us — my sisters, Indrani, Rani and Ranji, brother Ananda and brother-in-law Gemunu, miss him.
May his sojourn in Sansara be brief and with the least amount of grief until he attains Nibbana that ultimate sublime bliss.
Lakshmi Wijeratne