Appreciations
View(s):Dr.Lilaknath Weerasinghe
He brought great joy to everyone he knew
The flower bloomed and faded. The sun rose and sank.
But your noble deeds and actions would linger never to fade
Dr. Lilaknath Weerasinghe was a great professional in the field of medicine. We got to know Dr.Weerasinghe when he married Mallika akka. Since then our family had a very strong bond with him.
His entire professional life expressed the great perfection of his career in medicine as a surgeon and inspirational teacher.
Moreover, his entire life was marked with a great devotion and sacrifice towards his patients without any discrimination. He brought a contagious sense of responsibility in all his efforts.
He was a devoted father to Anuradhi and Anupama and a loving and caring husband to Mallika akka. In addition he brought great joy to everybody he knew – he had an uplifting personality.
When I walk through the corridors down memory lane the most extraordinary quality I remember was his quick helpful nature to others with a friendly smile.
The great admiration and the appreciation people had for him was remarkable. I remember very personally how anxious he was until a patient he was treating recovered. He had a great healing power which was so magical.
I dedicate to you my respect and gratitude. My heartfelt grief is expressed to you dear Anuradhi, Anupama and Mallika akka.
May he attain the supreme bliss of nirvana.
-Shanthi De Silva
Derick Thalwatte
A good friend, he was an inspiration 
“Death is not the extinguishing of the light. It is the putting out of a lamp because the dawn has come.”
In sincere appreciation, honour, gratitude and love, I pen these lines about a gentleman planter Derick Thalwatte who is now enjoying his eternal reward.
He was called to Jesus on October 29, this year at the age of 76. He was a gentleman and an exemplary religious person.
I first met him when I was transferred from Shawlands Estate, Lunugala in the Badulla Region to Giragama Estate, Pilimathalawa, Kandy Region under the Janatha Estate Development Board where he was my Manager Estates in 1989.
I was transferred to Kandy at the height of the insurgency period and I had to face a lot of hardships. One day Derick called me to his office and said, “trust in God –He is a mighty God.
Nothing is too hard or too difficult for Him”. He invited me to join a prayer group. To cut short my long story that is how our entire family accepted Jesus Christ as our personal saviour and became Christians.
Derick was a living example to all who take more pains in collecting worldly fortunes than spiritual treasures. Those who knew him would undoubtedly agree with me.
His experience and knowledge of the plantations was fully utilised in his capacity as a Superintendent, Visiting Agent/Consultant of the Janatha Estate Development Board.
He was in places such as Wanaraja, Gonakelle, Venture, New Peacock groups and his dedication and service to the industry was unparalleled.
An old Trinitian, he was a disciplinarian, voracious reader, fine friend, loving husband and good father. Although he was strict, he was straightforward.
He has been a beacon guiding many prominent personalities including several planters but never boasted about his achievements. Those who experienced a close association with him would know how punctual and methodical he was.
His integrity left an indelible impression on those who came in contact with him. A man of principle, he never hesitated to speak up for what he believed in and never bowed to pressure, interference or threats.
Derick was very close to me and helped me immensely in my English writing. He always inspired me to be straightforward in writing and bear witness to the truth.
He encouraged me thus, “people may not like to see or hear the truth. That is not your fault but theirs. You need not worry about them.
You be yourself”. Yes, you are quite right. I owe a debt of gratitude to you for guiding and inspiring me in my writing.
He was a simple man who led a simple life and always dressed well. He knew his charming wife Dilki had a heart of gold with tremendous feeling for the less fortunate.
Derick was extremely proud of his two children Shanika and Ramesh. He leaves Dilki the lady who always stood beside him and his two children, in- laws and the two grandchildren.
I thank God for giving me such a fine friend whom I badly miss. It’s hard to believe that he is no more.
May the good Lord bless and keep you in in heaven.
Till we meet again
May your soul rest in peace.
-Lalin I. de Silva
Roshanara Nelumal Boteju nee Abeyewardene
She held their hands for a while and their hearts forever
“I shall pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being; let me do it now; let me not delay it or neglect it; for I shall not pass this way again,” said she for one last time when she visited us with Walter, her husband.
A daughter, sister, mother, teacher, wife, friend and compassionate soul, playing many a role in life she held hands with the high and mighty and lowly of all walks of life with equal zest before leaving all forever.
Roshanara Nelumal Boteju nee Abeyewardene was an enigma – someone who wasn’t easily explained or understood.
Daughters especially ones like Roshi could have oft been her mother’s best friend and staunchest ally with bonds knowing no bounds.
Mother and daughter, both English teachers of exceptional standing have enriched the lives of numerous Thurstanites and Royalists.
A best friend can be hard to find, yet Roshi has been best friend through all the highs and lows in her friends’ lives – her friends were there queuing up to pay their last respects to her.
Roshi akka was such an adorable gift; she was always there both in good times and bad. She was ever ready to share her joys and when going through challenges in life she would stand solid beside us.
Fond memories of her are treasured by her two sons – Nishan and Nilanka remember her presence in life as consolation in sorrow, hope in misery, strength in weakness.
There wasn’t a greater heaven than the heart of a loving mother.
As a caring wife Roshi took great pains to see to her husband’s wellbeing. She was his queen, nurturing his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path.
When we take actions that are caring and loving, we feel more love in return, This is why compassionate people act on their kindness, whether it’s through volunteering or just being a shoulder to lean on, a characteristic virtue of Roshi.
-Jai Sunthush Abeyewardene
A.V.G.C.Karunathilake
His death leaves a trail of grief
I telephoned Karu (A.V.G.C.Karunathilake) in the latter part of August to fix a date for our usual chit-chat at the “Namaste”, an Indian restaurant at Gamsaba Junction, Nugegoda where a few of our colleagues meet occasionally.
Instead of the robust and warm welcome I usually received, his voice suggested that something was terribly wrong with his health.
He said that doctors had found an unusual enlargement in his abdomen and he had been advised to enter hospital for a checkup.
He said he had planned to make a trip to Dambadiva with his family members prior to the admission, despite his illness, as he had not been able to accomplish this lifelong dream and assured me that he would contact me no sooner he returned from India.
As there was no response from Karu for about one month, I telephoned his wife, Damayanthi to inquire into the health of my friend on September 25.
Alas! The message I received from the other end was absolutely devastating. Karu had passed away in the wee hours on the same day in the Sri Jayawardanapura hospital after surgery.
When Karu breathed his last, he was 73 years and at the peak of his professional career and on the threshold of enjoying the fruits of his labour.
It was definitely too early to depart when he had many missions to be accomplished for the country in general and for the family in particular. But the cruel forces of “karma” had foreclosed his services to the nation.
Born to a middle class family in Galle, he was the eldest son in a family of two brothers and seven sisters. His late father, A.V.G.H.Karunathilake was a Circuit Education Officer who rendered a yeoman service in the upliftment of education in the Rathnapura and Galle Districts.
He received his education in the premier educational institution in the South, Richmond College, Galle where he excelled academically and had the privilege of entering the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Vidyodaya in those days).
Among friends he was more popular as “Richmond Karu”, a nom de plumme he endearingly earned, as there were a couple of Karus in our batches in the university.
Upon completion of his degree, he enrolled in a degree course leading to the M.Sc in Town and Country Planning at the University of Moratuwa.
He was a livewire in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Alumni Association and the Vidudaya Mithuro in that he was actively involved in their activities. He did not hesitate to participate in the annual excursions and mingle with the old and younger generations.
Though he was a few years senior to me, I could still vividly recall the happy memories we had in the early 1970s.
It is a matter for solace that our association with him spanning over 45 years was further cemented and strengthened later in life unexpectedly, when destiny led us to work as Consultants for International funding organizations such as the World Bank, ADB etc. Karu’s cheerful and affable personality was always a tower of strength to all those working with him who respected him as children would a kind and considerate father.
Karu during his illustrious professional career reached the zenith by holding the post of Deputy General Manager in the National Housing Development Authority in an era where the accelerated housing programme of the country was spearheaded by the late President, R. Premadasa.
It was during one of our usual get-togethers, Karu narrated how difficult it was to fall in line with the directives from the very early hours of the day, especially with regard to the implementation of housing programmes.
He said that the confidence and close rapport he built up with the late President enabled him to discharge those onerous tasks within the stipulated time frames beyond the expectations of the late President.
He had been a fellow of ITPSL and a Chartered Town Planner and I am told that he, in his capacity as the President of the Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka oversaw a golden era, mainly because of the professional manner in which he guided the numerous activities of the Institute.
Upon retirement from the public sector, his services were constantly sought by consulting companies in Sri Lanka in that he provided his services as a freelance Consultant and also as a Physical Planner, Settlement Planner, and Resettlement Specialist to numerous mega infrastructural projects.
His contribution as a Resettlement/Environment and Social Impact Monitoring Specialist in the Southern Express Highway and other 31 Highways had been noteworthy.
The last assignment, he undertook as a Town Planning Specialist was the Secondary City Development Project funded by the World Bank of which I was a member.
We had the opportunity of visiting major cities such as Kandy, Galle, Matara, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa with the representatives of the World Bank.
He was held in high esteem by the World Bank Officials for his professionalism, especially with regard to the first hand information he possessed and presented of the density of the populations and its growth over the last decade in these cities.
Karu in his submissions emphasized that the Kandy and Galle cities should receive utmost priorities in the development agenda of the World Bank.
Unfortunately, Karu is not alive today to witness the fruit of his efforts of this mega development drive. Whenever my articles appeared in the press, he was the first person to congratulate me giving his candid opinion on controversial issues. Such was his magnanimity.
Karu was indeed a very loving husband to his wife Damayanthi. Karu was fortunate enough to give a helping hand to his wife in her academic endeavours and the position she holds today as the Professor of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayawardanapura is a testimony of the efforts with which they have pursued their respective professional disciplines with determination and perseverance.
His son, Nishantha and two daughters Vindya and Hansika have excelled in their professions. He was blessed with several grandchildren whose company he cherished.
His untimely and premature death has caused intense grief to each and everybody who knew him.
To a trustworthy and honorable gentleman par-excellence with a heavy heart, I pray – may he tread through Sansara with the least possible suffering and attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
-Athula Ranasinghe
John Newton Fernando
Thank you for all you did for us
It is with a deep sense of gratitude, that I pen these few lines on behalf of my brother and sister on my father, John Newton Fernando who went to be with the Lord on October 16 at the age of 95.
His father, Marshall Fernando was a brilliant cricketer and scored the first century for St. Benedict’s College. My father having finished his education at St. Mary’s College Negombo, joined Grindlays Bank and was also their goal keeper.
He was the oldest living pensioner at Grindlays Bank, presently Standard Chartered Bank.
He was a gifted musician and could play any instrument and had many musical programmes at Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with famous singers such as Vincent de Paul Peries, Patrick Denipitiya and others.
He married Doreen Fernando in 1949 and my mother passed away in 1999. My father helped my brother, Godfrey Ranjan (now in the USA) and I to be champion athletes at St. Benedict’s College from under 13 to 19 and also to win Public School Athletic meets.
Like the man who wrote “Amazing Grace”, John Newton, my father too accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour and is now in the presence of the Lord.
-Pastor Rohan and sister Marji Fernando
Siddique Sally
A dedicated officer
Siddique Sally, an exemplary, dedicated and committed Air Force officer faithfully served our motherland for 37 years. His birthday falling on December 17 brought back a lifetime worth of memories for his friends, colleagues and especially his family.
After completing his education at Zahira College, Colombo, Siddique Sally (Dick) joined the Sri Lankan Air Force as a aircraftman and during his many years of service earned prestigious awards some of which included the Sri Lanka Armed Services long service medal, Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services medal, Sri Lanka Air Force 25th Anniversary medal, Purna Bhumi padakkama and the Vedamarachchi Operation medal.
He served at the Royal Ceylon Air Force Katunayake, China Bay, Sri Lanka Air Force base Ratmalana, Vavuniya and Air Force Head Quarters Colombo and held the posts of qualified flying instructor, Commanding Officer, Acting Director Flying Operations, Director of Operations, Air Co-ordinator and Eastern Zonal Commander further attaining a position of Stand-by VIP (fixed wing) pilot for heads of state President J.R Jayewardane and President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
He passed away after a brief illness on May 28, aged 79. In appreciation of his much valued contribution to the country, he was awarded a ceremonial state funeral by the Sri Lankan Air Force at the Dehiwala Muslim burial grounds.
His family is indeed proud to have been an integral part of his life and say his simple lifestyle and gentle but firm footsteps inspired and taught them many lessons in life.
His spirit and treasured memories will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone whose lives he touched.
- Razia Uvaim
Upananda Kumarasiri
Goodbye to a special human being
Upananda Kumarasiri, “Upe” died on November 3, 2015 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. He was 48 years old.
Even at a young age, Upe was a major employer in Kotadeniyawa.
The most amazing thing about Upe was how humble, welcoming and down to earth he was throughout his life and how generously he gave back to his community. With a broad smile, genuine actions and positive attitude, he had an inspiring personality.
I first met Upe in 1987 at the British Council in Bambalapitiya. There we studied English for two years. A strong friendship that would last another 30 years took root in just a few days.
A humble village kid who went to Ananda College in Colombo, he maintained his village friendliness with his city coolness, seamlessly.
During those years I had known him closely, I cannot recall a day that was spent with any worries. He would take your worries away in an instant. A generous, selfless guy, he was a perfect friend.
My association with him in those early days was so enjoyable.Always ready to help others, when the Director of the British Council was struggling to find a three-wheeler, he found one and with his limited English, at that time, sent him to Kollupitiya when where he really wanted to go was to Bambalapitiya.
Once he took Palitha Silva, then a relatively unknown actor who was attending British Council with us, in our car saying we were driving a mile or so, in fact, we were heading for a long drive to Gampaha to drop off a friend. Upe kept insisting, “It is just another mile” while exchanging stories with Palitha.
What Upe really wanted was to take him to dinner in Gampaha. And I had the unhappy task of driving back late.
At one time, we were visiting a girl in Kiribathgoda who was in our class. One of our friends, who had a crush on the girl, wanted to show off his modified-buggy (Volkswagen Beetle).
Upe convinced the friend that we should visit this girl even though the modified car was not fully repaired. It had only one seat for the driver, so the rest of us had to sit on the floor.
There were no carpets and the accelerator cable was running between our legs. We chatted and had tea at the girl’s house. When we were leaving Upe asked the friend to show off his car by racing it and taking a sharp turn.
At the same time he grabbed the accelerator cable underneath and pulled it a bit more—the car made a massive noise, backfired endlessly and died in the middle of the road.
And other times he orchestrated hiding our friend’s vehicles by simply pushing them into other streets. Then we would tirelessly search for the vehicle until the friend was about to call the police.
Then we all would go to dinner. Upe was the one who insisted that we invite the employees in the British Council cafeteria or bodyguards of the late minister Gamini Dissanayake who resided next to British Council to our end of class parties at the Galle Face.
The village he grew up Kotadeniyawa is a beautiful place with Ma Oya flowing by his coconut plantations. His plantations and stone quarries were main job suppliers in the area.
Related to almost everyone, he generously funded most of the events that took place in the area. One I can remember was the annual Vesak Dansala.
At the end of the Dansala, in the poem competition, Upe would take the mic and entertain the crowd with his hilarious on-the-spot poems.
His workers were devoted to him. Each of the coconut plantations had a family that took care of it. I did not get a chance to visit his stone quarries, but I presume it would be the same devotion.
I specifically remember the case of his driver and personal assistant, Premasiri. Not only did he look after him, when the time came, he found him a bride and helped him to start his own life.
What made it harder to say goodbye was, in the middle of chemo therapy, he was in high spirits—his positive attitude did not subside, and his broad smile did not fade away.
Upe was a pillar in his small town. He was a major entrepreneur and an inspiring businessman. He was a major organizer and a donor of Samanala Sports Club, Kotadeniyawa Youth Group and all the temples in the area.
He leaves a big void in the area.
May Upe, someday, attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana and may he be my friend, in this infinite journey until such day.
-Sanjeewa Karunaratne