Appreciations
View(s):To a wonderful nephew who brought so much sunshine to our lives
P. Nilanka Fernando
The young life of P. Nilanka Fernando, the second son of late Dudley Nihal Fernando and Nilanthi Fernando was snuffed away a few months ago leaving a permanent void in the hearts of everyone whom he came into contact with.
We saw him growing into a fine young man from a curly- haired adorable toddler. A product of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, with pride we witnessed him graduating from APIIT and thereafter at Cardiff University in U.K. As a dutiful son he shouldered much responsibility during the demise of his father and was a pillar of strength to his mother. Never forgetting birthdays he showered his mother with flowers and gifts sent all the way from Australia. He was a devoted brother to Niroshan and his wife Rebecca and a doting uncle to Nefeli and Phoebe.
God blessed him with a loving wife Suzette and two adorable kids Dwayne and Tiahna. Once they migrated to Australia, periodical updates were sent to us especially of his adorable son Dwayne. It brought tears to our eyes when he sent us a photograph proudly carrying his newborn baby daughter Tiahna, last year, despite not being in the best of health, then.
When he was growing-up he was a source of joy to me and my spouse (his favourite uncle whom he trusted and looked up to and called “Lal Bappi”) since he filled the void in our lives until our son Sheranga arrived. I remember how he always wanted to travel in our vehicle because my husband used to drive at full speed beating all other vehicles and he wanted to be in the winning car, with shrieks of delight. He had a carefree and fun-loving personality with an infectious smile and managed to get away from many scrapes unscathed due to his sheer innocence. Once my mother-in-law who was trying out a special rice for Christmas from a newspaper recipe, suddenly found to her horror that Nilanka had used the newspaper to light crackers! Another time during a concert at school, after drinking two bottles of Fanta he could not clasp his cummerband round his waist, much to the consternation of his mother. I also remember how my husband had to rescue him from the wrath of his father on the day of his brother’s wedding for failing to collect his bestman’s suit from the tailors before they closed for the Sinhala New Year. They had to hunt high and low to find an appropriate suit, at the eleventh hour.
My son Sheranga looked up to him. Even though there was a 10-year age gap they were thick as thieves with common interests like playing computer games, X box games and the love for music being choristers at S. Thomas’ College. He gelled very well with all his cousins and had much respect for all his uncles and aunts.
He carried out many charitable projects. Not only was he the president of the Leo Club of Moratuwa-Ratmalana but was also at the helm of the entire Leo District by being an outstanding Leo District President of District 306 A1 during the period 2005/2006.
His words still reverberate in my mind when he called to express his happiness when my husband paid him a surprise visit at Perth, Australia after getting to know about his illness. He was also overwhelmed by the love, the moral and financial support given by all the family members. How appreciative he was of the loving care of his mother Nilanthi whom we all call Chuti and very specially his aunt (Nandi) Sirima who took wing to Australia to be with him and his family when he most needed her. She held his hand and was with him till the end alongside with his wife Suzette, mother Nilanthi and brother Niroshan who too made a dash to Australia to be with him when he was very ill. Unfortunately my husband was half way through to Australia when he passed away.
Even though you are no more, Nilanka, we, the family members will continue to care for your wife and two kids and will always love them, having their best interests at heart. Nilanka was a firm believer in uniting families; and he did just that by getting all his friends, relatives and cousins to pray for him in different groups. We were very much encouraged by his positive attitude and the love of God and we knew that he made valiant attempts to get back on track when the train of his life derailed.
So, I will wind up with this thought :
“God saw him getting tired and a cure was not to be
So he put his arms around him and whispered “Come with Me”
With tearful eyes we watched him, slowly fade away
Although we loved him dearly, we would not make him stay
A golden heart stopped beating; hard working hands at rest
God broke our hearts to prove
to us
He only takes the best”
Swarnamalie Fernando
A mentor, godfather and great scout leader
H.Soma Weerakone
Lord Baden Powell in his last message said – “But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”
Soma Weerakone, former Chief Commissioner of Sri Scouts who was called to higher service on February 8, during his lifetime did exactly this. Soma Weerakone joined the scout movement as a Cub Scout at Anuruddha College in Nawalapitiya and moved to St. Mary’s College Nawalapitiya where he continued as a scout. Thereafter he joined Rock Mount Rover Crew and started his career in the Water Works Department in Nawalapitiya. He later served in Kandy, Avissawella and Chilaw. In Chilaw he served the Scout movement as a Scout Leader.
Thereafter he was transferred to Colombo. The late R. Bodinagoda, a former District Commissioner of Colombo who was his guru and knew his capabilities approached him to join the Colombo District Scouts and he was appointed as an Assistant District Commissioner (ADC). He was the Organising Commissioner of the Colombo Camporee in 1978. He continued to serve as an ADC and was appointed District Commissioner of Colombo in 1984. He served in this capacity till 1989 and was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Colombo. After serving a brief period he was appointed as an Assistant Chief Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association where he handled many subjects including International affairs.
Mr Weerakone was appointed the Deputy Chief Commissioner in 1997 and organized the 5th National Jamboree in Kandy in 1998. In 2002 he was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of SLSA. Under his leadership the National Jamboree was held in Nuwara Eliya together with the SAARC camp and the SAARC Chief Commissioners meeting hosted by Sri Lanka.
I came to know Mr Weerakone in 1982 when I was only a junior scout of 14 years. I was absorbed to serve the Camporee souvenir team and Mr Weerakone after the Camporee hosted a dinner to which I too was invited. I was touched by his humbleness and hospitality because I recall him talking to me on a number of occasions during the function to find out how I was – he made me feel very special.
This is a great quality he had where he was able to relate to both the young and old alike. I had worked with him since then and he always treated me like one of his sons. He would be the first to call and wish me whenever I achieved something either in scouting or my profession. There was one Christmas card which would reach me by post every year, and upto 2016 he did not fail to send this greeting card.
As Scout Leaders we had several heated arguments at meetings, sometimes I am sure he may have got hurt to realize that I was arguing with him. Yet he never took anything out of the meeting room nor held any grudge but on the contrary would invite me to join him for a bite at the 80 Club. He never missed a single meeting of the Scout Council if he was in Sri Lanka and would contribute positively at discussions.
I have received so many messages of condolence from all scouting nations and leaders of the Asia Pacific Region and they have expressed what a great scout leader and friend he was to all of them and how the Scouting world will miss him. They sent their deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and SLSA.
Mr. Weerakone won several awards and medals from the King of Thailand, Prince of Japan and the President of Sri Lanka.
Soma Weerakone was a great man, great Scout and a great father. To me he was a mentor, godfather and a respected scout leader.
Let me quote from Irvin Berlin “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”
Sir, may you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana and as I believe ‘may your soul ‘Rest in Peace’.
Janaprith Fernando
You showed the way and now your dream is a reality
CHANDRA SAMARASINGHE SILVA
A few days ago the University of Colombo announced the commencement of a course of studies to produce Graduate Nurses. It is a great pity that Chandra Samarasinghe Silva passed away before the realization of the dream she had worked indefatigably to achieve.
Chandra was, from early on, determined to uplift her chosen profession of nursing. Nurses, however highly trained, never earned the respect and status they deserved. Chandra realized that this was due to their lack of a professional qualification. She made it her ‘crusade’ to lay the foundation of a University course leading to a Degree in Nursing as in the US where she studied at Boston University. Many were the obstacles she had to overcome, but she triumphed in the end. She was an inspiring leader and was strongly supported by the leader of her Trade Union the Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda. She was a devoted Buddhist.
Chandra was fortunate in her husband Newton Silva, a Government Staff OIfficer who capped his career as ambassador to Pakistan.They were a happy family with their two successful daughters.It was a great tragedy that she lost her life due to medical misadventure.
May she attain Nirvana.
A Friend