APPRECIATIONS
View(s):Epitome of simplicity and graciousness
Jinawathi Kumarihami Gopallawa
Jinawathi Kumarihami Gopallawa passed away on January 6. She was the wife of well-known politician Alick Aluwihare.
I had the privilege and pleasure of associating with her and her family as I was called for medical advice and treatment. Madam Aluwihare as she was affectionately called was endowed with everything in life, but she never showed any pride or self-importance. She was the epitome of graciousness.
She never dabbled in politics but helped her husband in numerous ways. She welcomed the public who came to meet her husband in his absence and facilitated their meeting him. She was, may I say, his additional private secretary. Though she had an extremely busy lifestyle, she maintained a beautiful house – neat, tidy, and spotless with a small flower garden that she always tended personally.
She was an excellent cook and was famous for her ‘Uduwel’ and could whip up any delicious meal. She was well dressed all the time with such an elegant air and I have never seen her dishevelled in all my years of knowing her.
Mrs. Aluwihare was loved and respected by people of all walks of life. This was seen in the large crowds that thronged the Aluwihare residence when her demise was known. The road leading to the cemetery was decorated, the shops en-route were closed, and silence observed as a mark of respect to this wonderful lady.
She is survived by four sons and a daughter and grandchildren. She leaves golden memories.
May your journey in Sansara be short and may you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!
We will miss you dearly, dear madam. Au revoir!
Amila Rushanthi Weerakkody
Memories of the good times will live on
Herman rodrigo
I heard that Herman had died a few weeks ago. It had been his wish for the funeral to take place on the same day with the family in attendance even without an obituary notice.
I met Herman more than 50 years ago when he was the private secretary to my father B.J. Perera who was secretary and head of Human Resources at the Bata Shoe Company. My father was not an easy person to work for but Herman with his fun-loving amiable personality got on well with him. So much so, he was regarded as the eighth child of my father who had seven children of his own. We, in turn, treated him as a sibling.
After my father’s premature death, Herman left Bata and joined Pegasus Reef Hotel as Personnel Manager. Herman said to me that he had learnt the rudiments of personnel management by watching my father work. This experience helped him to get this position at Pegasus. Herman did quite well and was sent overseas for further training. I remember sending an acquaintance for a job with a note and Herman replied “your wish is my command”. Such was the friendship between us.
Herman was tall, fair and good-looking – an eligible bachelor. A friend of mine at the Lions Club wanted my help to get his daughter married to Herman. I arranged the meeting but Herman elected to remain a bachelor his entire life.
I then went overseas and every time I came back for a visit, Herman was the first to greet me. We had so many good times. He was a livewire at any gathering.
Many years later, I came back to practise law with my brother Nihal K.M. Perera. Herman was living at St Rita’s Avenue and I bought a house at Athula Mawatha in Mount Lavinia. Due to the close proximity we met practically most days for drinks, dinner and a sing-song. Those were good times and Herman used to say that “the night is young and so are we” and carried on merry making into the night.
Like it so happens in life, we got older and retired. I went to live in Diyatalawa and the frequency of our association reduced considerably. On the rare occasions we met the fun and frolic was gone and he was a frail sombre man.
When I heard that Herman had died, I was grief-stricken. I am sure if Herman sees this from wherever he is, he will be delighted that his appreciation was published in the papers. Goodbye Herman. Rest in peace.
Ananda M.N. Perera
I will miss her phone calls and caring ways
Nalini Baddewela
Beautiful, well mannered, charming and good natured, Nalini was the eldest daughter in an aristocratic family in Kandy.
I first met her 35 long years ago at my dear friend Sakunthala Ranhoti’s residence and we became good friends. We had so many common interests such as cooking, sewing and reading. We got on so well. Nalini was a caring person and a pillar of strength – when you needed any help, she was there for you. I miss her daily phone calls.
She was very much involved with the Cancer Hospice Kandy and put in great efforts to raise funds for this cause.
Nalini brought up her two children Ahintha and Umanga very well. Both of them graduated from the University of Peradeniya and are now living in the United States and the United Kingdom respectively. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to them.
Nalini’s sister-in-law Padma Baddewela cared for her devotedly during her brief illness and Dimitri, a grand niece of Nalini – an ayurvedic physician by profession, also took great care of her, visiting her every day and checking on her needs. She was like another child to Nalini.
My dearest friend is no more. But she lives in my heart forever. Goodbye Nalini. May your soul rest in peace.
A. F. Izzadeen
Leaving a legacy of love for four-legged friends
Suranganie De Silva
Last week, we bid farewell to Suranganie De Silva, nursery teacher at Visakha Vidyalaya and Belvoir College International, Home Secretary for Sneha Children’s Home, and Committee Member of Mallika Nivasa Samithiya. She was a proud mother and doting grandmother, dearly loved by those who had the honour of meeting her.
For us, though, Suranganie was most renowned for her decade-long service as Vice President of the Animals’ Welfare & Protection Association (AWPA). She loved animals from a very young age, and was an active AWPA Committee Member for over 25 years. She particularly excelled at handling the dana programme and arranging supplies for the shelter dogs and cats. Suranganie’s name is synonymous with ‘doggie danas’, and she worked diligently to both get funds for feeding shelter dogs, and to honour the pets who have passed on, gently reminding donors when their dana was due.
Suranganie visited the two shelters in Dehiwela and Kahathuduwa weekly on her supply run in a rickety old van, taking with her Marie biscuits to distribute to the doggies as a treat. She had a special bond with the shelter dogs and cats, and spent a considerable part of the day showering them with attention, cuddles, kind words and treats. She played a vital role in running the feeding operation at the shelter, to feed the 450 dogs and cats in our two shelters, supporting sterilization programmes, managing administration and providing much needed encouragement and kind words to other animal welfare workers, including other committee members. She was always ready to take on a challenge, and often referred to her greatest achievement as the Pet Expo at BMICH, where she was able to rehome 11 pups in a single day!
Suranganie sadly battled a terrible illness in the last few years of her life. She bounced back once, a couple of years ago, and returned to fulfil all her duties at the shelter with the same ferocious commitment and dedication as before. Alas, her time came far too soon, and the illness took over when we least expected it. We really thought she had more time with us, to better train the next generation and spend more time in the place she loved, the animal shelter.
As a committee, we will pull together and continue the wonderful work she did. But no one can ever replace the quiet, smiling and encouraging presence that was Suranganie.
A Committee member of AWPA
My father and I
A. G. Abeysinghe
Ying and Yang, my father and I
Exasperating, yet invigorating
Disagreeing more than agreeing
Family first, still nonconforming
Love of books, movies and late nights
Bronte, Austen, Hardy and Dickens
Cricket and soccer, watched in scores
Coupled with gaudy, relentless clatters
Never calling the day before midnight
Hitchcock and Kurosawa company at night
Analytical, logical, proud of his might
Reading, writing papers was his delight
Walking dictionary, armoured with his facts
Chosen topics, social injustice and politics
Service to humanity, welfare societies
Trips organised with dependable specifics
Romantic at heart, never was it known
Sprinkles of softness tepidly shown
Proud of us, but never good enough
Money saved was much better than spent
Charmed in the company of tiny tots
Adored six grandkids, noticing their distinct likes
Musical and artsy, singing C.T. songs
Good food and a drink, countless good times
Many an argument supported by own facts
Not backing away from any disagreements
Freedom is cherished, wanting no suggestions
Till the last day, fearlessly autonomous
Dr. Dilrika Weerapperuma
Livewire of our small family group
Pathmaranee Sivannesan
It is unfortunate that the most active and sociable member among our in-laws, experienced a sudden deterioration of health within six months of the demise of her beloved husband. The inseparables have been finally disposed to be together again by Divine design. Pathmarananee is both my maternal cousin and sister-in-law being the wife of my late second brother-in-law Sivannesan.
We were both engaged on the same day, and her marriage ceremony preceded ours. Ever since, she had been a pleasant companion to my wife and our children. An amiable lady she had the knack of planning out every activity meticulously. Whenever we visited her she would welcome us with open arms –so much so our grandchildren refer to her as “Welcome Grandma”.
She was the proud mother of three daughters, all well settled abroad and a son who is now a Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon.
Her disciplined upbringing especially by her mother and her long association with a reputed finishing school as a student and a staffer till she married, too contributed to her meticulous attention to detail.
Her demise has left a yawning gap at least in our small intimate group.
R.Suntharalingam
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