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Appreciations

Loyal friend with forthright views
The cruel hand of death ruthlessly took away yet another colourful personality of the planting fraternity with the dawn of the New Year. Gamini Weerasekera, 'Gamma' as he was fondly referred to, by his near and dear ones died on January 1.

He met with a dreadful accident while driving his car accompanied by his wife. It was a private funeral at his request.

Gamini was a versatile tea cum rubber planter thoroughly conversant in both crops. He was never deterred by industrial strife, which was rampant on plantations at the time, as he knew nothing called fear. He faced any situation on the estates under his charge with courage. His employer, the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation recognized his professional ability and handpicked him to manage some of their largest and most prestigious estates such as Mahawela, Pelawatte, Sorana and finally Raigam which were the pinnacles of his long and noteworthy planting career.

I had the good fortune to establish a healthy rapport with him during our planting days in Sabaragamuwa.

He was a tower of strength to me in all my activities especially those connected with the Ceylon Planters' Society, the only trade union of the working planters. He contributed in no small measure towards my success as the Regional Chairman of the sprawling Sabaragamuwa Region and subsequently in my capacity as the Treasurer and supported me in all my endeavours.

Gamini hailed from an illustrious family. Tall, dashing and debonair, he had countless friends from all walks of life and radiated bonhomie. Forthright in his views, unwavering in his loyalty to friends, he remained steadfast in his convictions. He had a deep penetrating mind which focused on men and matters.

He had absolutely no concern for himself, nor did he solicit praise. He was a friend without peer. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his beloved wife Thusila and sons Pasad Dilum and Buddika. It is our earnest wish that he will be born again in our midst as a Kalyana Mithra in his sojourn in Sansara until he attains the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Good-bye and farewell my sincere friend. "To live in the hearts of men is surely not to die.”

Lalith Perera

His charming personality won him many friends
Murali Jayadeva
Murali Jayadeva passed away in a private hospital in Colombo on January 20.
His charming personality made him a popular figure wherever he went, with his relatives as well as his friends.

I met him first towards the end of the 1960s, years after his mission to New Delhi around 1965 to receive the Golden Peacock Award for the film along with Gamini Fonseka. Since that time he arranged several film festivals in Colombo on many occasions for the film society, which he represented.

It was sad when he lost his residence at Nawala-Koswatta in the '83 riots . Life became difficult for him after this. People whom he had helped for long years attacked his house, but he bore no malice to anyone.

After retirement from government service he was attached to the Timber Corporation and later to the Hotels Corporation until he migrated to Madras in 1990 because of his children's higher education He returned to Sri Lanka in 1995. Since then he worked as a freelance journalist at Wijeya Newspapers and at a later stage at Lake House prior to his sudden demise. He was a person who moved with kings but did not lose the common touch.

S.A.P. Subasinghe

True son of Lanka
Reggie Candappa
It was with a profound sense of grief that I read of the demise of Reggie Candappa. Unfortunately I could not attend his funeral, as I was overseas. I had visited him soon after his operation and although his health was failing, he was full of energy, humour and wit. As usual, he and I spoke for a long time with the mutual respect we had for one another.

He was indeed a true, dedicated and loyal son of Mother Lanka. One thing that really fascinated me was his collection of books, and that too on a wide variety of subjects. He had a collection of rare books on Sri Lanka, which was priceless, which I envy, even today!May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Amyn Chatoor

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