Appreciations
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A
shining example of truth
Subsequently he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force and was sent to the UK for training with the Royal Air Force. There he followed a course in logistics and was trained in explosives and fuels. He passed this course with distinction and was placed first by order of merit, beating the other officers, by a big margin. Returning to Sri Lanka, he was posted as Chief Equipment Officer of the Maintenance Unit, Katunayake. A few years later, he was promoted as Commanding Officer of the Unit where he served for about 10 years. Thereafter he was sent to the Royal Air Force Staff College in Andover, UK from where he passed out with distinction. He was the winner of the Staff College Prize for the best thesis. The Editorial Board of the R.A.F. Staff College Journal at Bracknell selected his essay for publication in that year’s journal. It's the only essay from an overseas student that has been accepted for publication. Group Captain Puvimanasinghe's superiors at Staff College held him in high esteem. He was a confident and effective speaker, expressing himself clearly and with conviction. He was a capable and dedicated officer of high professional ability and fine personal qualities. On his return to Sri Lanka, he was appointed Director of Logistics, SLAF and continued in this post until he retired voluntarily in 1977. Thereafter he functioned as General Manager and Director/Sales of two leading hotels in Colombo being qualified in Hotel Management. He had also been aide-de-camp to the Governor General in 1960 and 1961 and also to the President of Sri Lanka from 1975 to 1977. A member of the Institute of Purchasing Supply, England and Sri Lanka, he was Fellow of the Institute of Supply and Materials Management. He was also the President of the Sri Lanka Institute of Supply and Materials Management for three years and conducted lectures at the Institute. A keen sportsman, he played tennis and hockey at the university and Staff College, UK and won colours at both places. In a world of corruption, deceit, dishonesty and greed, Group Captain Anton Puvimanasinghe was a shining example of truth, justice, fairplay, honesty and integrity. He was a real officer and gentleman, par excellence. May he rest in peace and gain his eternal reward for his well-spent beautiful life.
A dear friend and He
did not get caught up in the rat race Sudharma was born on July 12, 1941, to a well-connected Kandyan Buddhist family from Harispattutuwa. His late father, Rambanda Dhanapala, rtd. Inspector of Police excelled in sports in the early ’50s at national level. His mother, the late Punchimenike, a deeply religious lady from Annathugoda Walawwa, in Harispattuwa was the pillar behind his success. Sudharma
who received his formal education as a hosteller at St. Anthony's
College, was a scholarly product of the school, excelling in English
and Latin. He continued to keep close links with his alma mater
and his old friends After joining the Kandy Bar under the guidance of the late Tissa Kapukotuwa, a good friend of his late father, Sudharma never betrayed professional ethics for cheap personal gain, but practised his profession with dignity. I can still recollect his words that "what has happened to most of our people is greed and running the rat-race, thereby losing their identity." He believed in the simplicity of life. His virtues were extolled by judges, lawyers, clergy, clerks and the poor clients who had benefited much from his services. Sudharma was an avid reader who had a broad knowledge of many different subjects, which he loved to share with others. He loved nature and was also keen on horticulture. In the small garden around his house at Hantane one could see various plants which he had planted himself during his leisure. According to him this was a small project he had undertaken for the sake of co-existence with nature. Absolutely straight in his dealings, he was disciplined and quite happy to appear for a couple of cases a day and then rush to the Technical College where he conducted lectures in law and banking for the poorer, lower middle class students. He had an idyllic life with his affectionate wife Padma, and only daughter Sriyangani, a brilliant student. There is much to say about his virtues but in conclusion I would like to quote a Latin maxim; "Mortui Vivos Docent" - The dead teach the living. Sarath Dhanapala He
never hurt anyone by word or deed
He was a wonderful example to my mother, two elder brothers and me. Ours was a home full of happiness, love, warmth and togetherness. My father had a wide circle of friends and he loved to entertain and our house used to be the venue of many get-togethers and parties. The numerous family outings with friends and relations are memorable experiences etched in my mind. I know my father did all this to keep family unity and happiness. My two brothers and I have lovely memories of our childhood, thanks to my father and mother. We learnt the beauty of marriage and bliss of family life from them. My father ensured that the three of us had the best education he could have afforded, enabling us to stand up in society with confidence. He was a wonderful husband to my mother and a great father to us. When the three of us got married, it was natural for him to consider our partners as his own children showing no difference. He adored his four grandchildren. He was happiest when his family was around him. Each time he went overseas even on very short trips it used to give him so much pleasure to come home with a suitcase full of gifts for his wife, children and grandchildren (often forgetting to purchase anything at all for himself). He was a devout Buddhist and was actively involved in social service for more than 25 years up to the time of his death. He was so proud of the organisation he founded - HelpAge Sri Lanka, tirelessly working and lovingly watching it grow from strength to strength each successive year. On the 7th day of bana and alms-giving held in his memory, the priest in his sermon mentioned that since my father led such a good life he did not need merit to be bestowed on him, but that this offering of alms could be taken as a duty performed in memory of an exemplary husband and father. Thaththi practised loving kindness to all beings and did not wilfully hurt anyone by word or deed. I admired him for this quality. He used to advise us: "Even if anyone speaks disparagingly of you never retaliate or wish him ill, as this would only make you the unwise and add to your unwholesome karma." All that is left behind of him now are the beautiful memories of a life well spent. Ishani Epitome
of kindness The outpouring of grief by such a large number of mourners at the funeral was an indication of how much he was loved and respected. Although much involved in his business as a proprietor planter, he was a family man. He was close to his wife Thaksala, his three daughters and his grand-daughter. His caring and large heartedness especially towards the less fortunate was just one of his beautiful qualities. He will be missed by all those who worked with him and those who remember him as a real gentleman, who was always there when needed. Nalin loved life and was ever ready to go out on a trip, play a game of badminton or arrange a group dinner with his friends. To these friends it is still unbelievable that Nalin is no more. I can only recollect and marvel at his simplicity, kindness and generosity. He installed a turbine in a mini-hydro project on his estate, providing free electricity to some needy families in the area. He also donated land to a nearby school. Nalin is no more. But beautiful memories of him will always linger. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Gamini Wijepura A magnanimous
person who wielded influence Simlie was born on November 25, 1920 and died on December 21, last year. Simlie aiya, as we used to fondly call him, was my best friend's eldest brother. Hailing from a respected family in Moratuwa, he entered St. Sebastian's College at a time when it was taboo for Anglicans to seek admission there. He was the very first non-Catholic pupil of this illustrious institution. He joined the primary in 1926 and left only after his matriculation in 1939, to join the Public Service, which was prestigious in the good old days. He was very active in the Old Boys' Union and a member of the legendary 33 Circle, which included the best brains. He served as Asst. Secretary of the OBA and also was Asst. Secretary of the La Sallian Federation for 18 years. He received many an accolade from the Christian Brothers from time to time and Rev. Bro. Baptist Croos hailed him as a gentle, cheerful and magnanimous person who wielded much influence. Simlie was in government service till his retirement at the age of 59. By then he had served in the Treasury, Labour Department and Ministry of Industries and Scientific Affairs. Simlie held many responsible posts like Asst. Commissioner of National Housing and Administrative Officer, UNDP/TAO Agricultural Diversification Project. He had the distinction of being the first non-legal OA to the Legal Draughtsman in which post he retired. He was an active member of the Moratuwa Friend-in-Need Society, Moratuwa Cancer Society and also of the Home for Elders, Moratuwa. After retirement, he did a seven-year stint at L.B. Finance. He was a keen writer and many have read his interesting articles in the Catholic Messenger and other magazines. He leaves behind two daughters and a son. Simlie had many friends and one of them, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris, the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo, also a past pupil of St. Sebastian's conducted his obsequies. May Simlie rest in peace. Lenard
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