Appreciations
View(s):SITHIE SHAREEFA ALY (SAIRA)
She was magnanimous to the end
Shareefa, fondly known as Saira, came into our lives when we were in our teens and received all the love and care the youngest gets in any family.
She began her education at Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura when I moved there for work and later was at Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo and Holy Cross Convent, Gampaha.
Saira blossomed into an exuberant ever-smiling person, who saw goodness in everyone. She was loved by everyone who came in contact with her, be they relatives or friends.
As years went by she married Anver who was working in Dubai in the hospitality field. Saira took up residence in Colombo and set about bringing up her family on her own.
They were blessed with two delightful boys, Ashfan and Shafran and led a contented life . Later she moved to Dubai to join Anver.
Saira worked for Toys R Us, in Dubai and kept long hours to supplement the family income. Her waking hours were devoted to the wellbeing of the family. She was the pivot around which the family revolved.
All decisions from the menu, to décor, selection of schools, changing of jobs stemmed from her. Theirs was a close knit family and it was Saira’s counsel everyone sought.
It was only after her sons were able to stand on their own feet, did she retire. She made longlasting friends and even found jobs for some in Sri Lanka through them.
We saw her only once in about two or three years, when she came down on holiday, but kept in touch.
She devoutly adhered to Islamic practices and maintained a household in keeping with the teachings of the Holy Prophet p.b.u.h.
In April this year, I saw a posting on her facebook, of her departure to Colombo. I was then in Australia and wished her a pleasant holiday not knowing the purpose of her visit.
It was only later that she confided in us the heartbreaking news, of having been diagnosed with cancer and that she was in Colombo for treatment.
After I returned to Sri Lanka, end of July, Saira, came to live with me and continued her post-surgery treatment. Those 20 days brightened up our home with constant banter, of the good old days and the colourful characters we had met.
Little did I know when she left for Dubai that these would be the last happy days I would spend with my little sister.
In early October, a sobbing Anver informed us that Saira’s condition had worsened. She was being brought back to Sri Lanka on Thursday, October 8. She went straight to the Cancer Hospital and was warded there for four days
. She was lucid for only one day and told me “Don’t worry too much brother, you look after your health”. She was magnanimous to the end. I had to hide my tears so as to not upset her.
She breathed her last, two days later. Almighty Allah in his infinite mercy blessed her by not prolonging her suffering and took her soul during visiting hours when she was surrounded by those near and dear to her. She was 55 years old.
To Anver and the boys, this was a mighty blow. Her illness was brief and her death was a shock to her friends and family alike. I have never felt so much grief in all my over three score and ten years.
Seven days after her death a beautiful recital (Katham) in her memory took place followed by Zikr (remembrance of Allah)in the presence of her immediate family and relatives. The prayers were so solemn and healing.
It is my fervent hope and prayer that all the meritorious acts on her behalf and the goodness that she radiated are accepted by Almighty Allah, who alone can forgive her sins and grant her eternal bliss in Jennathul Firdous. Ameen.
-Bakeen Raban ( Elmo)
Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
Let us celebrate his life!
Kitta lived an amazing life. What is it that I remember when I think of Kitta? I think everyone who knew him very well would agree with me on this. It was his genuine sincerity and wonderful loving heart. He was the kind of person who has a great time with simple pleasures.
A man with an acquired taste for fashion, his talent in writing was impeccable. His passion for fashion and writing was contagious. Once when I was invited for a fashion show, I could only think of inviting Kitta to accompany me as he would be the one who would enjoy it the most. And indeed he did.
Kitta’s death was altogether sudden due to his illness. It was a sad day. I remember when I heard the news I simply could not believe that he had gone so soon – he had been so excited to meet a dear friend who was to visit Sri Lanka and planned a nice meeting.
And we had just the other day spent the evening at his home with great cheerfulness, and were really looking forward to that fellowship as his birthday was a few days away.
His genuine kindness was an example we all should learn from. He was a host for all seasons, his home was always “a ready to meet and be happy” venue.
Kitta this is for you: “To know you is to know people who are kind, considerate and thoughtful. To know you is to be grateful for the special things you do.
You reached out and gave unselfishly to family and friends and at times when our hearts were heavy and our days were dark, you would make ways to see us smile.
Words cannot express what this meant to me personally. I will not forget the support and friendship you gave Daniel and me. We will really miss you, Kitta.
He wanted to make everyone happy. So at this moment, let’s all think back and remember how Kitta touched our lives. How he made us enjoy life and how good he was as a person.
This is not the moment for us to shed our tears but we should all be thankful that we were given the chance to have known a man named Kitta.
Kitta will forever will be missed but I know in the right time, I will meet Kitta again. We will all meet Kitta again and he’ll make us sit and for sure have a drink with us.
Mahika Chandrasena
Nanda Senewiratne
A beloved father
Those we love remain with us
For love itself lives on
Cherished memories never fade
Because one loved is gone
Those we love can never be
More than a thought apart
For as long as there is a memory
They live on in our heart
Viraj and Dhakshina
Dr. Soma Edirisinghe
A tribute to my grandmother
Kissing her forehead a few weeks ago, I whispered, “I love you, archcha”. Then I left the hospital bed she was laying in after she whispered “bye darling”. Little did I know, this would be our last goodbye.
It breaks my heart to know she’s gone, and I find myself secretly shedding tears when I am reminded of her. But more than anything, I am hopeful. Let me tell you why.
What can I possibly say about Sri Lanka’s sweetheart that hasn’t already been said? Most people know her as a phenomenal businesswoman and philanthropist who wholeheartedly served the people of Sri Lanka.
They call her Deshabandu, they call her Deshashakthi, and they even call her Doctor. But there are only twelve individuals including myself who have the privilege of calling her “archchi”.
While the media constantly reminds us of her superhuman efforts in the fields of business and philanthropy, to me, she was simply “archchi”, the only grandparent I had the privilege of meeting.
I wouldn’t be lying if I said that my siblings, cousins, and I sometimes had to make “unofficial” appointments to meet her; but when we did, we ended up having the best of times. She certainly wasn’t a conventional grandmother.
I mean, how many grandmothers would ask their grandchildren to read her autobiography when they ask her to relate a story of her childhood?
My archchi did. She spoiled us with the best birthday presents and her beautiful spacious garden was the venue for all our parties. She was witty, loving, and caring in her own unique way, and we loved her immensely.
My archchi lived an amazing life. And when she wasn’t busy serving the people of Sri Lanka, she would take the time teach me a lesson or two. She instilled in me the notion that the effort you put in is what you get out.
There is no dream too big to achieve, no task too difficult to accomplish, and no challenge too daunting to overcome. Life is what it is. She warned me that I would encounter setbacks.
But more importantly, she made me promise that when I do, I will accept them, learn from them and push on. Success requires toil and perseverance, as does any great goal worth struggling for – my grandmother is a testament to this.
But most importantly, archchi taught us the importance of serving and appreciating those around you, and in doing so she inspired us to be the best that we can be.
And that is exactly what we will do. My siblings, cousins, and I certainly have big shoes to fill, but with you watching over us, we know that the sky is the limit.
And while I wish I get to say “I love you, archcha” one more time and see your smiling face, I find peace in knowing that you are right there beside me saying “don’t worry darling, I know”. You may have left us now, but you will continue to live in our hearts forever.
I love you Archcha!
-Kavindee Edirisinghe
M.D. Jinadasa
A joyful life and July destiny
July, the month of your becoming.
Your career began in July.
Your love blossomed in July.
You became a father for the first time in July.
And then in the end you left us in July.
My father M.D. Jinadasa had humble beginnings. He was born in a remote village called Arugammana, Kegalle on February 11, 1936 as the eldest of nine children to parents who earned their living as farmers.
His ancestral home was atop a hill and I have memories as a child of climbing that hill at the risk of being eaten by leeches, a common occurrence in that part of the world.
My father was a hardworking man from his younger days – there are stories that I have heard from my aunt about him studying diligently sitting on top of the hill their house was built on while the other kids were playing.
He gained entry to Ibbagamuwa Central College, Kegalle following the scholarship exams at Year 5 at his village school. He moved on to Veyangoda Central College to sit his A/Ls in the Biology stream.
He had a dream of becoming a doctor and worked hard towards securing entry to Medical College, but his dreams were dashed by a cruel blow of fate as he left all his certificates on a train, never to find them again.
But this is how his life turned for the better as he discovered later that his destiny lay elsewhere. He moved to Colombo at the tender age of 20, and took up a job at the Meteorology Department and up until recently, every time we passed the Meteorology Department office at D.S. Senanayake Mawatha, he would recall joyfully those endless days of staring up at the sky!
Hearing about the Ceylon Technical College in Maradana he then decided to study towards a two year Diploma in Civil Engineering in 1956.
Thus began his successful career in Irrigation Engineering which took him to some of the most richly diverse parts of Sri Lanka and lasted for 38 years till his retirement in 1994.
His life truly began here starting as a technical officer; he rose to become the Irrigation Engineer of Anuradhapura and stayed at the helm for 10 years.
He was stationed at Mahiyangana, Kekirawa, Mahailluppallama, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Nochchiyagama,Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and then back to Anuradhapura City and Dambulla.
He also pursued studies in Irrigation Engineering in the USA, Canada, Philippines and South Korea. From such humble beginnings he ended up travelling the world.
Some of the most notable irrigation projects he was involved with are the Yoda Ela Scheme in Minipe, Kandy, Nuwarawewa, Nachchauwa Maha Kandarawa, Tissawewa, Mahawillachchya Schemes in Anuradhapura, Badulu Oya and Bathmedilla Schemes in Badulla, Kande Ela and Ambewala Schemes in Nuwara Eliya, Kimbuluwana Oya and Bathalagoda Schemes in Kurunegala, Kaudulla and Elahera Schemes in Polonnaruwa, Dawaluwa and Nalanda Oya Schemes in Matale.
He loved the outdoors and his feats at the Department of Irrigation included many irrigation rehabilitation projects and agricultural projects that brought relief to thousands of poverty stricken farmers in the North Central region.
My father was loved by the people he met. His warm, welcoming smile was always accompanied by kind words and I remember at a thank you speech given by a group of farmers he was commended for his self-effacing ways.
Irrespective of where people came from, my father would always reach out to them with a gentle touch on the shoulders or by holding their hands, thereby instantly bridging the gap between them and making them extremely comfortable in his company.
He was a man of small pleasures. I remember him recounting enjoying a thosai at the Sarasvathi Lodge in Galle Road during his College days in Maradana.
His love for thosai, vadai and idly was with him till he passed away, even his last meal was brought from Sri Vihar in Thunmulla,
A chance encounter with A.M.S. Adikari, changed his life forever as he introduced him to the woman, his sister, who he fell in love with and shared a loving marriage with for 50 years.
He was a father of four daughters, who all became university graduates under his loving guidance and support.
My Father spent a joyful retirement at the home he built with my mother in Maharagama. He was truly happy and I saw that in the smile he greeted me with when I came home every evening after work.
I would find him sitting at our balcony which overlooks the sprawling grounds of the Maharagama Central College.
With a broad smile on his face he would be chatting to passers-by on the road below, who all talked about his joyful wave and smile when they came to pay their last respects for him at the funeral.
Thank you Thaththi, for being the father that you were to us – you will forever be etched in our memory as the father who gave it all with a heart full of love.
- Ravini Jinadasa