Appreciations
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He
worked hard to bring peace In 1989, he assumed the portfolio of Higher Education, Science and Technology and subsequently became the Minister of Higher Education and Justice under the premiership of President R. Premadasa till 1993 when he continued as Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Premiership of former President D.B. Wijetunge, till 1994. When in the Opposition he was the Chairman of the UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe. Taking into consideration his unbroken representation as a senior member of Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, and Minister of Justice and his wide experience at the start as a teacher and school principal, he was delegated to resolve Sri Lanka’s most volatile conflict viz: The Indo Sri Lanka Agreement of 1997, The Premadasa- LTTE talks of 1989 - 1990 and The All Party Conference of 1990 - 1992 through negotiation. The late Dr. Hameed exemplified most of the qualities of an effective leader, which are either bestowed by nature, acquired on maturity or cultivated through personality development. He was praised by Adele Balasingham in her book "The Will to Freedom" where she refers to him as "A great friend". This was mainly as a result of "The Premadasa - LTTE talks of 1989 - 1990" where he was negotiating peace. However when in 1990 the civil war resumed in Sri Lanka it upset Dr. Hameed as he felt that the prospect of peace was uncertain. He sought hard to bring the major political parties in the South together with a view to getting these parties to a common negotiating position. The books he authored included "In Pursuit of Peace Disarmament - A Multilateral Approach to Disarmament”. He also wrote short stories and poetry. The last publication before his demise was "The Spring of Love and Mercy" admirably prefaced with selected quotations from the Holy Quran - with the intention of highlighting the concepts of love and mercy Islam holds for humanity. Karu Jayasuriya , MP
Fate
took her away before our ruby anniversary To invoke merit on her on this sixth year of her passing away, I offered a dana along with my children to the monks of the village pansala at Sri Jethavanarama Vihara of Matale Road, Katugastota, a temple of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara Chapter, under the patronage of Ven. Watapane Dharmakirthi Thera. The next day, a mal-pahan pooja was offered to the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy. My wife had a resolute faith in the Buddha Dhamma from her school days. Mallika, like all members of the Yapa Abeywardena brood were staunch Buddhists. Her father was the late Gerald Edwin Yapa Abeywardena, a former Senior Station Master in the Ceylon Government Railway (CGR). Mallika had her primary education in the English medium at Vincent Girls’ High School, Batticaloa, during the time of that great lady Principal G. Croft. She also attended Holy Family Convent, Kalutara, St. Thomas' Girls' High School, Matale, St. Bernadette's College, Polgahawela, St. Scholastica's Girls' College, Kandy (now Hemamali Girls' College), Christ Church College, Kurunegala and lastly St. Ursula's Convent, Badulla. She had to move from one school to another so frequently because her father, a senior Station Master in the CGR was transferred from time to time. During her school days she excelled in netball and athletics and was also a girl guide. She was a member of the school choir as well. Later on in life, my wife tried her hand at writing and became an English journalist. She was the provincial correspondent for the now defunct. "Sun" and later "The Times of Ceylon" and "Daily Mirror" newspapers. Mallika and I met during our school days after I moved from Mahinda College, Galle and attended St. Bede's College, Badulla for my higher education. She was then at St. Ursula's Convent, Badulla. My brother, late Oliver Abeysirigunegwardena had married Mallika's eldest sister Sitha, thus Mallika became my sister-in-law. That was how our romance blossomed. We married on December 17, 1958 and led a happy and contented life. We planned to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary which was to fall on December 17, 1998, but sadly fate took her away.
E.Alian Birthday
remembrancesReliving precious times An
erudite man who lived a simple, holy life A highly qualified theologian, who lectured at the Divinity School Colombo, he taught religion in the higher classes and delivered well thought-out speeches at many CCYM and SCM gatherings. He was a graduate thrice over, and was widely known for his inspiring sermons. His Christian life, I venture to say, was the greatest sermon. He was a widely travelled man. He had a sparkling wit, repartee and a ready tongue infecting his audience with laughter on light occasions. He was always true to himself and equal to any task. He was an exemplary teacher of English and Christianity, a dramatist, an orator and editor who produced some of the best school magazines. Fr. John was for some time a lecturer at Theological College, West Samoa, consultant to the East Asia Christian Conference (presently CCA) and an official of the YMCA. Fr. John was a good administrator. He was a well-loved Warden at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia where he maintained a high standard in discipline in studies and sports. He was a writer of no mean refute and edited the Ceylon Churchman. During his later years he took to writing poems and hymns. Some of his publications are Come and Adore, Strengthen for Service and the Problem of Suffering in Buddhist, Hindu and Christian Thought. Fr. John lived a simple holy life. His home was open to anyone. He was a loving husband, an affectionate father and a grandfather. He enjoyed his ministry which touched the lives of all he served. May he Rest in Peace. George Gamalatge We
miss you You
would stretch your arms You
worked diligently You
attended every Pathana
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