Sunday Times 2
Supreme example of being a gentleman
It is with the greatest of sadness that I heard the news of the demise of my great friend Tissa Molligoda. We met for the first time at “Winchester House” as fellow boarders when we were enrolled as students at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in 1947. Our mothers had schooled together and known each other previously, and our association and friendship, simply ‘sparked off’ from there.
Tissa was always a kind and considerate man — a supreme example of being a gentleman to a T! Tissa and his charming wife Sujatha visited my family, when they spent time with their daughter, in England. It was always such a joy to see them. Here was a man, to whom envy, jealousy and avarice never entered the ‘portals’ of life.He was always a delightful man with a striking personality, and had a keen sense of humour.
In the field of sports, he was an excellent all-rounder, to do so well in hockey and fives.We parted company when he left school to join the mercantile sector but continued to keep in touch. Tissa hailed from a traditional Buddhist family and passionately upheld the highest values of life. A great family man and devout Buddhist, he had impeccable manners and always spoke well of others. He was a firm believer that you should “command respect, and never demand it”.
In this impermanent world, I wish you well in your journey in Sansara! I have truly lost a dear friend!
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Siddartha Gautama.
Dr. Ranjith Dambawinna
Essex, UK