Appreciations
View(s):She brought sunshine to people’s lives
SUTAMI RATNAVALE
The news that Sutami Ratnavale had passed away at the end of June came as a shock to me and although I did feel very sad, I consoled myself in the knowledge that she is now in the nearer presence of her Heavenly Father.
How does one best remember someone who achieved much but remained simple and unassuming and was therefore loved by all? Whilst the many achievements and accolades Aunty Sutami received are important what is more significant is the manner in which she went out of her way to help those whom she associated with, leaving a lasting impression on them.
The first time I met Aunty Sutami was at my grandmother Daphne de Soysa’s funeral in 2011. We chatted for some time and this was the start of a friendship where we would talk to each other on the telephone. She used to take me shopping and thereafter to her apartment where we would spend quality time together before she dropped me back at home. Aunty Sutami was someone who sincerely encouraged me by not only reading all my articles but also by sending my CV to people she knew with an accompanying note from her. She also told me that she used to pray for me often and it came as no surprise when she told me that she went down on her knees and prayed for me when the Sunday Leader where I was working closed down and said that I must take whatever job comes my way even if it meant a career change.
Aunty Sutami did a lot of social work but did not want any prominence. What she did for others was between her and God. Many can vouch for the fact that she went out of her way to help them irrespective of their social standing, religion or nationality. She did not expect anything in return. She was someone who “moved with kings but did not lose the common touch”. She did not have anger or resentment towards anyone and her faith in God was unshakeable.
I do miss the chats we used to have. The memories I have of Aunty Sutami whom I loved and looked up to are many and space does not permit me to pen them all down. I would like to end with the words of John Assaraf who said, “The most wonderful gift one human being can give to another is in some way to make that person’s life a little better to live.”
Apt words indeed for Aunty Sutami who helped innumerable people and thereby added some sunshine into their lives.
May she rest in peace. Kshalini Nonis
You touched our hearts in so many ways
Dr Chandra Dissanayake
It is with profound sorrow that we heard the sad news from my sister that my genial brother-in-law, Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Chandra Dissanayake M.D. had passed on, after a brief period of illness. I was privileged to know him from the early 1970s.
Chandra Aiya was a perfect gentleman whose integrity and goodness was exemplary. He was one who practised ‘hear no evil and say no evil’ flawlessly. He was ever ready to help and his valuable advice was always welcome .
All his achievements, from his schooldays in Colombo to the Medical College and eventual rise to greater heights as an eminent Orthopaedic Surgeon in California, USA never changed him at all. He opted to keep a low profile as a learned professional. As a practising Buddhist he was engaged in charitable acts without any publicity. He gathered much merit in the process. A devoted husband, exemplary father and grandfather, Chandra Aiya gave out his best to them, family members and us too. My older sister Ramanie – more a mother to me – and her daughters and grandchildren reciprocated his feelings as the Chief Sanganayake for the USA, Ven. Piyananda Thera comprehensively expressed at the funeral service in Cerritos. A perfect host and generous in his ways, he was very accommodating and cheerful. He has left us his immediate family members a legacy to emulate.
May all the meritorious acts and kindnesses coupled with his benevolence make his sojourn in Samsara short achieving the supreme bliss of Nirvana. Between us there will never be goodbyes Chandra Aiya as you touched our hearts so affectionately being more fatherly than a brother-in-law. You will always be remembered with deep respect and affection as we invoke merit. Missing your presence in life is a void that will never be filled.
Deepest sympathies Ramanie Akka and family
Namo Buddhaya. Milinda & family
He fostered in us a deep love for our country through travel
D. J. P. Weerasinghe
Don Justin Perera Weeerasinghe was the fourth in a family of ten. There had been much jubilation when the first boy after three girls, was born. His father was greeted with, ‘sarong and not a kabaya!’ Don meaning “chief” was added for more dignity. True to his name, he had taken on the responsibilities of taking care of his family at a comparatively young age after the demise of his father.
I admired the way Thatha lovingly cared for his mother, Rosline, the matriarch of the family. He would walk over to his ancestral home often and discuss family affairs. Priority was given to her health and her monthly medicine was supplied by him with strict instructions to ensure that the doctor’s instructions were followed to the letter. In an emergency, Dr. Guy Paranavithana was brought home promptly for care and advice. All this he did with much love and devotion.
Thatha was indeed a colossus, physically and mentally. He was ‘Justo’ to his older sisters or ‘Justin Aiya’ to his younger siblings—someone they could always depend on and turn to when in need. He loved his siblings immensely and never let them down. He was much respected by his in-laws too, and his forthright advice was much sought after in times of distress.
At Royal College, he had honed his sporting skills, especially in cricket, rugby and swimming. I recall going for rugger matches and the Royal-Thomian Big Match with my father from a very young age. He would travel to Kandy to watch the annual Bradby Shield encounter and get very agitated if Royal didn’t perform well.
He and his brother Percy were close buddies, and they used to visit our heritage sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa with Percy’s friends in the Department of Archaeology.
His passion for history and our heritage was ignited by these excursions. It is also possible that this may have also been sparked by his early upbringing. My paternal grandfather Edwin’s mother, had been Proctor John De Silva’s sister. Thatha used to recall how stories from John De Silva’s Siri Sangabo and other productions were related to the children by their father, with songs added that made the children emotional, even though Archchi reprimanded him for making the children cry when listening to the sad songs. He would always say that one should first travel around Sri Lanka before travelling abroad and during vacations, he would take us all over the country in his Volkswagen Beetle. He took pride in his driving skills! The trip to Jaffna was on Air Ceylon and his friend’s relatives gave us a right royal welcome when they realized that my father was the brother of the Police Officer “Weerasinghe” who had helped them in times of duress. We travelled far and wide and our memories are rich with fascinating experiences: eating rice with red hot chilies at Maradankadawal when strong winds from the reservoir almost blew our food away; sleeping next to the room that Queen Elizabeth had occupied at the Polonnaruwa rest house; swimming at the Nilaveli beach; visiting Adam’s Peak… He fostered in me a deep love of travel, of respect for our heritage, and the thrill of sports.
A.E. Goonesinghe was a family friend. Thatha used to reminisce about the train trips to Diyatalawa with the Goonesinghes. Senior Carolis, of “Black Pearl’ fame, had also been a family friend. His son Godwin was Thatha’s closest friend.
Thatha was a regular visitor to the American Centre. His interests were varied and they ranged from history, sports, carpentry and films to agriculture. He made use of his agricultural knowledge to grow vegetables, run a dairy and even have a poultry farm. The milch cows had English names such as ‘Rossana’ and ‘Maria’! Nature was close to his heart. He kept himself busy tending the garden after retirement and took great pride in maintaining a perfect lawn, and at the crack of dawn was out mowing it. Then he would take a shower, have his breakfast, and sit on the verandah and read the ‘Daily News’.
He was a stickler to time. The sense of punctuality was drilled into me – if we had to leave at 7 a m, he would be in his car by 6.55a.m.
Good films were never to be missed. The four of us would go to see family films, and Amma and Thatha would go by themselves for the adults only.
Thatha’s death was hard for Amma to bear but she faced it bravely. They had a special rapport and shared mutual interests. She would accompany him to his 27th Group of Royal College get-togethers and enjoy the company of his friends and their wives. He, in turn, used to take Amma to meet her friends.
Thatha taught us much in a quiet, unobtrusive manner—to live a simple, down to earth life; the desire to appreciate nature; love for our country; and above all, to treat others with dignity. He always paid those who worked for him handsomely and never expected any free service. Lastly, “Make it under your own steam’ was a philosophy he encouraged us to adhere to so that we could truly be independent. My Thatha was a true “elder” in the family. Thank you, Thatha, for everything you did to enrich our lives and provide Amma, Malli and me with a joyful, stable and secure life.
Saroja
Loyal friend whose love for STC Guru was legendary
Krishantha Weerawardene
It was a very sad farewell accorded recently to Krishantha Weerawardene at Borella Kanatte, in the presence of a distinguished gathering and the Gurutalawa Thomian fraternity.
Krishantha hailed from an established family in the Kalutara district whose ancestral Dediyawala Mills was well known. In fact, the area was known by their family name for many decades.
He was educated at S. Thomas’ College Gurutalawa where he distinguished himself as a loyal Thomian. He was Hony. Senior Vice President and Hony. Treasurer in the Executive Committee of its OBA. As the former Headmaster of STC Gurutalawa Rev. Fr. Nihal Fernando said in his eulogy, Krishantha was a legend at Gurutalawa and has left a legacy for his loved ones to emulate. He was accorded full Thomian honours and the casket was draped in the college flag.
Krishantha was the wind beneath the wings of efforts to resurrect Gurutalawa. He gathered his college mates and rallied round the college. At his request, though a non-Guru Thomian, I accepted the position of Hony. Secretary of the Guru OBA helping his endeavours which were indeed a great success. STC at Gurutalawa was reunited with STC Mt Lavinia once again. Krishantha donated a challenge trophy for their cricket match to be played on the annual STC at Guru Day in Mount Lavinia. He was benevolent and generous.
I came to know Krishantha at the Aquinas University College in 1970, being accountancy students in the Business Faculty. Soon we became great friends with the Guru-Mount Thomian connection. He was neatly dressed and popular at Aquinas with his outgoing personality and played a key role in campus activities, speaking up for the rights of students in a very dignified manner. Krishantha stood firm for justice and fairplay. He was a car enthusiast, having had many cars in the family. He knew motor mechanism very well and was able to diagnose any problem. He was very familiar with the motor spare part dealer network in Colombo. I took his solid advice on car problems and often received prompt attention and service from the sparts parts dealers, simply by mentioning his name from Dediyawala Mills.
His knowledge on medicine was also exceptional, so much so, some of us called him “Doctor”. He was multi-talented and well endowed.
Krishantha was a very dependable, sincere and loyal friend who enjoyed the company of his friends and the Guru community. His integrity was exemplary. He was a guiding light to his dear wife Ganga, son and daughter and his family circle. His younger brother, Sanjiva – a Mount Thomian passed on a few years ago.
Between us there will never be goodbyes, my “Kalyana Mithra” Krishantha as you touched hearts very genuinely.
We will always remember you affectionately; your absence is a void that will never be filled. Grateful thanks for your unfailing friendship.
May his sojourn in Samsara be short and may Krishantha attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana .
Esto Perpetua. R.P.M. Hettiarachchi
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