Appreciations
View(s):He was truly a living saint
SURIYAKUMARAN WILLIAMS
We live in a society that encourages and advocates hedonism; in an age that glorifies self interest, ambition and narcissism and amidst an ethic that values ambition, possessions and prestige. It therefore comes as no surprise that rarely are we privileged to encounter an individual whose values and ambitions, whose character and goals, whose priorities and motivations, run counter to the worldview of our time and age.
During the many years that I have known him, Suriyakumaran Williams lived out a life that completely rejected the values of this world and instead adopted, adhered to and embraced a counter-ethic of integrity, humility, service, kindness and gentleness.
Regardless of the pressures and demands of life, in the face of which most of us fail, our masks become transparent, and we exhibit anger, impatience and frustration, Kumaran as he was known in our family, or Suri as he was called by friends, never seemed to fail. He was to those of us who had the honour to serve and walk alongside him, the best example of a living saint.
At a young age Suri felt called to Christian ministry; it was a calling that he never turned his back on. In order to prepare himself he proceeded to Bible School in India where he acquired a sound theological grounding that would stand him in good stead during four decades as youth worker and missionary, teacher and counsellor, preacher and pastor.
He seemed to instinctively follow in the footsteps of his great great grandfather, the Reverend Benjamin Rice who over a century before Suri, would teach at the Batticotta Seminary (the precursor of Jaffna College) and then serve as a Priest in parishes across the Jaffna peninsula. Suri was undoubtedly influenced by the piety of his grandmother Chinammah and his mother Dulcie.
Suri spent most of his adult life in the ministry of Youth For Christ, initially in Colombo, and then in the late seventies in Jaffna. He was sent north to pioneer the work in that city and its environs, as well as to nurture a Tamil language ministry. Ably assisted by Kumar Abraham, theirs was a pioneering missionary endeavour which would go on to reap rich spiritual dividends in the decades to come.
Suri, his wife Shanthi and their children Miriam and Naveen, were to live and work in Jaffna through the most violent years of the peninsula. But they were not daunted, they never wavered, they refused to abandon their calling. Suri could remain at his post, and inspire and motivate his family to stand firm in the face of adversity precisely because of his selflessness. Neither then nor later, did he seek recognition or reward, position or power, wealth or comfort. Finally on Saturday, January 13, he went to his glorious reward.
His life, his example, his teaching, his counsel and his inspiration remain a living memorial in the lives of those of us who were touched, blessed and enriched by him.
Jayantha Somasundaram
A salute to you Sir, on behalf of many generations of Medical students
DR .T. VARGUNAM
The passing away of a veritable colossus in every sense of the word, on Sunday, February 4, brought a sadness to us, his former students, that defies description. A former Professor of Medicine, who together with the likes of Senaka Bibile, he helped to pioneer the fledgling Medical School at Peradeniya to the enviable position it now enjoys. He would have in life, wished no public accolade, that was his nature. He was the Chancellor of the Eastern University, a post he carried with aplomb, grace, dignity and ease , a panache, that seemed almost a birthright.
We were from the first batch of medical students at Peradeniya. A motley crowd from various parts of the country, were taught our basics in Medicine by this teacher who was of a new breed, with a conversance of the scientific background to what he was teaching. We lapped up the “pearls of wisdom he cast”, for they were clear expositions of a complex subject. His encouragement in sorting out any puzzlement with focused questions remains even today, the hallmark of this faculty in the hills.
Always a pioneer, he together with a physician friend Dr Kolitha Karunaratne and the surgeon Rudra Rasaretnam were responsible for the organisation of the Kandy Society of Medicine, one of the foremost medical organisations in the country. With its scientific programmes it remains a vibrant source of continued medical education to the medical community, doctors and students, in the central regions of this country.
His nonchalant demeanour hid an extremely positive nature and we all got used to his “ I say, you guys ….” (succinct words of advice or exhortation followed ) that marked our relationship with him. Never a person to mince words, but always careful as to their choice, not to hurt a soul, he was a free spirit, though heavy with the garb of responsibility. He was a role model to us youngsters then. He always carried the wisdom that we all ‘will one by one, back in the closet lay’. One of the wisest men I have known.
He was responsible for the initiation of the WHO sponsored, unit on medical education for the South Asian region in the Faculty of Medicine Peradeniya, and for a time was its very active head, a role he undertook with all his onerous duties. A stint at the WHO in Geneva followed some years later.
A keen sportsman, the hooker in Ashley Cader’s 1st Bradby Shield winning team in 1948, he kept his interest in rugger, even turning up for practices for the Kandy team, while a Senior Lecturer teaching us. A regular participant at all the scientific meetings until a few months ago, we were accustomed to his penetrating questions.
In the later years he bore his illness with the stoic attitude we were accustomed to expect from him. He leaves his wife Thayalam, three daughters and grandchildren.
We salute you, Sir, for having inspired so many generations of medical students. May the turf rest softly.
Dr. Channa Ratnatunga