| Appreciations |
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Memories of a grandfather The lullaby he sang was some verses written by the famous poetess from the south, the late Gajaman Nona. He was able to recite these verses from memory. In a short while, my sister was fast asleep. My grandfather was very well read in both English and Sinhala literature. He worked for Sir Charles de Soysa’s family, managing the properties of the late Sir Wilfred de Soysa. In recognition of this, my grandfather was gifted with a bungalow-style house with large, airy verandahs beside the Lunawa lagoon. I spent a very happy childhood in this house with my father, mother and five siblings. Grandfather gave tuition to several students in Colombo. I particularly remember the late Mr. Vere De Mel, the owner of the first taxi service in the island, 'Quickshaws'. He coached him in Sinhala before Mr. De Mel sat the Ceylon Civil Service Examination. My grandfather took great pleasure in working in the garden. He manured the coconut trees by tilling the soil round the roots. From him, I learnt to trace the beetle that can destroy the young plant. His advice to me was "not to be ashamed to work with my hands. So long as there is soap and water, you can clean your hands, but be careful not to spoil your good name”. My grandfather's services were sought when special hymns were needed for wedding services. He would compose them and set them to music. The air raid on Easter Sunday 1942 was an unforgettable day. Many of our neighbours left for safer places. But father and grandfather decided to stay put. When my father died in January 1947, it was grandfather who stepped in to fill the vacuum. He took me and my younger brother Spencer whenever he visited his relatives in Poddala. Once, as members of a bridal party, the three of us crossed the Gin Ganga on a raft along with the bride and the groom. His relatives visited him for Christmas, and he sent them home laden with gifts. A fish-net owner who lived closeby used to send him a hand-net full of fresh fish. We shared this with our neighbours. He had a habit of taking a dip in the lagoon after the day's work. He taught us to swim with the help of two puhu pol tied together and slipped under the armpits. This was like a life belt and kept our head above water. However, that fateful day happened to be his last. He went for a dip later and did not return. When his daughter-in-law went down to the water she was shocked to see his body floating. She pulled the body out with the help of neighbours. Apparently he had had a heart attack. So ended a life of service to his family, friends and neighbours. George F. Silva She treated
the rich and poor alike Not only were we from Girls' High School, Kandy we also ended up as batch mates and later room-mates in university. She had a charming smile and a good sense of humour. She was an amiable, unassuming and lovable friend. Padma started her career at the Kurunegala Hospital and then moved to Kandy and Peradeniya Hospitals. She built up a good practice in Kiribathkumbura and won the hearts of many patients. She was a devoted wife to Nihal and loving mother to Rukshani. She treated the poor and the rich alike. She lived a simple life. She was loved, respected and held in high esteem by all who knew her. Padma is no more. But memories of her will always remain. May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Goodbye, good friend, until we meet again in the long trek of Samsara.
Priyani Pethiyagoda He
had a warm smile and personality He managed the Allied Trading Agency established in 1930, with his brother Zain Marikar, until he founded Thahirs in Colombo in 1949. Although involved in his business, he was also the ideal family man. He brought up his children in an exemplary manner. He looked after his four sons who were in Colombo for their education from a very young age. My father, Ifthikar Ahmed (Chairman, Allied Trading International Pvt. Ltd), often recounts the numerous incidents in which my grandfather tirelessly performed the dual role of successful businessman and caring father. Every Monday, at 4.30 a.m. my grandfather would set off for Colombo with his four little sons by train and arrive right on time for school. They returned to Beruwela only on Saturday. Appa was very knowledgeable and many looked to him for guidance. The picture that comes to mind when I think of him is his smile that radiated the warmth of his personality. It was the kind of smile that made talking to him a pleasure. Children always flocked to him and he was ever ready to amuse them with tales of his ancestors, going back to the time of King Bhuvaneka Bahu. He was proud of his large family and stressed how important 'unity' and 'compromise' were to keep the family tree alive. He told us that if ever a problem arose in the family after his demise, we were to discuss and resolve it with Alhaj Zam Refai (Chairman, Zam Gems Pvt Ltd) who is now the eldest in our family.
My grandfather was the livewire in our family. He was full of vigour
and humour. Kindhearted, he helped the poor in every way. His advice
to us all was to obtain a sound education. He encouraged us to gain
knowledge and get qualified. On May 9, 2003, he passed away at the age of 84. He was buried at the Masjid Al Sheikh Mustapha, Beruwela, according to his wishes. My beloved grandfather is no more, but his name, acts and words of wisdom will remain enshrined in the hearts of all those who knew him. May Allah grant him Jennathul Firdouse! Sabrina Ifthikar Ahmed Be
my guardian angels
That the pearl of your love, the rainbow of your heart, and precious
gem so rare, you bore.
I try to keep my courage, for I know, to surrender would be a crime,
I lift my eyes above the pain and shadows, to the world beyond and
try to imagine.. perhaps
Violets by a woodland way, trees decked in blossoms,
Happy, contented and free from strife and worldy cares...
May the voices, I love so dear be my guardian angels, Shari Atukorala He
showed leadership The youngest son of the late Rev. Osmund Welikala and Milfred, Sunil grew up in the enchanting town of Galle in a family of five boys. I remember him as a chubby, cuddly boy. He was my mother's pet and my kid brother. When our parents passed away he was still a teenager. He came to look up to me as a father and mentor. He came to Canada from a Sri Lanka in turmoil. He underwent many traumatic experiences which compelled him to give up a happy and comfortable life as a planter in Sri Lanka and move into a new career in banking in Canada. He
took up the challenge with enthusiasm, doing his work with meticulous
efficiency, skill, diplomacy, management and leadership. He will
be missed by his employers - Intria and Canadian Imperial Bank.
Music was one of his passions from childhood. I still recollect the day in the early 1970s when he told me, "Aiya let's go to a pop concert at Lionel Wendt". It was a fantastic concert, compered by one of our own relatives, Vijaya Corea. Sunil who was then only about 13 years had eyes only for "Baby Shiromi". The rest is history as Shiromi became my brother's wife. His love for Shiromi blossomed from being a fan of hers to a lifelong partner. He was a father and friend to both his son and daughter. His
one regret was that he could not visit his beloved homeland more
often. He was proud to belong to the Welikala clan. He missed his
relatives and friends in Sri Lanka, especially his brothers Lakshman
and Srilal. |
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