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Appreciations

A wonderful friendship from Kopi Kade days
Srimani Athulathmudali
It was during our teen years that Srimani and I first met. We had completed college and had time to enjoy - eating chocolate gateau at ‘Kopi Kade’, the most sought after snack bar at the time, the swims at Mt. Lavinia and holidays out of Colombo, before deciding on how the next chapter of our life should unfold.

There was no pressure on us to act fast, as it is on today’s child. Life was less complicated and serious. Having said that, we did share a dream, which both of us wanted very much to realize. We wanted to travel; see new surroundings; we wanted to take our life’s journey beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. Our dream was realized when Srimani left for Geneva to work with UNCTAD and I left for Berlin to continue my studies.

While in Europe we had many occasions to meet and continue our friendship. Ours was a tolerant and easy friendship. There was no weight on either side. We both felt free to do what our hearts desired. There was no conflict in our friendship; no jealousy; no ambition to devour; ours was a friendship of understanding, one which could last a lifetime in spite of disagreements on certain issues. This was the foundation of our friendship.

By the time we both returned to Sri Lanka we had been married, Srimani to Lalith and I, coincidentally to one of her cousins. Being married to Lalith Athulathmudali, a high profile politician, Srimani had numerous responsibilities. Under such circumstances one would have thought Srimani would have less time for her friends. This was not so. Srimani remained the same person to her close friends.

Our children were born at about the same time and soon became part of the happy family. Together we enjoyed many joyful moments in Sri Lanka as well as overseas. Lalith understood our bond and once remarked, “It is faith - is it not that binds you both in your friendship?” Yes, I thought that is something we shared. Our spiritual search had just begun when Srimani fell ill. We had discussed the need to understand one’s own faith and the faith of others if we are to co-exist and make Sri Lanka a peaceful nation. Now, God has called her home and may you my dear friend rest in the arms of our Lord.

I thank you for the wonderful friendship we shared. Srimani Athulathmudali passed away after a brief illness on December 1, 2004.

Sharadha de Saram

A superstar among stars
Manel Jayasena
My dear Manel,
We miss you,
Terribly miss you.
You were a superstar,
The radiance and brightness
Of which will never fade.
The angels would have
Received you
With very great joy.

A superstar among stars!!
Everybody knew you were
A superstar.
Only a few knew your
Superstar qualities of
Humility and humaneness.

Your heart was with
Men and women
Who were downtrodden
You never spared your
Enchanting smile
To the least of them
You are not with us now,
But I can almost hear you say
"Henry,
"I am now at home in Heaven,
"All's so happy, all's so bright!
"There is perfect joy and beauty
"In this everlasting light.

"All the pain and grief are over,
"Every restless tossing past;
"I am now at peace for ever,
"Safely home in Heaven at last
"Then you must not grieve so sorely,
"For I love you dearly still;
"Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
"Pray to trust our Father's will
"When your work is all completed,
"He will gently call you home;
"Oh! The rapture of the meeting !!
"Oh! The joy to see you come!"
Felix P

She saw pollution of mind as dominant problem affecting us
Clare Attygalla Abeyratne
In these times of greater stress and strain in this country, one is constantly searching for men and women who act as Sri Lankans. One amongst this type of thinkers was Clare Attygalla Abeyratne who passed away on September 6, 2004. She had celebrated her 83rd birthday on August 12.

She hailed from a respectable family and was educated at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena. She married Lambert Stanley Attygalle Abeyratne and they lived at Madapatha, Piliyandala which was her husband's ancestral home. As a housewife she found happiness in providing her husband with all comforts. She was in short the personification of all virtues and qualities prescribed by our culture and tradition for a housewife.

A pioneer member of the Kohuwela Lions Club, she always prepared delicious dishes and desserts for the Lions Club parties. Many of her nieces and nephews who live in Sri Lanka and abroad remember her with gratitude, her genial disposition, magnanimity and hospitality the way she entertained them during Christmas parties and other occasions.

She was blessed with certain special qualities, modesty, reserve, gentleness, patience and forbearance. She was deeply religious and worshipped Jesus Christ with her heart, mind and spirit. She was of the strong opinion that the dominant problem affecting human beings was not economic poverty, social disabilities, or nuclear pollution but the pollution of the mind of our self-centred society.

She was a humble, lovable and sociable person who was ever willing to oblige those who sought her assistance. She never harboured a grudge. Her sincerity and steadfastness to her friends should serve as a lesson for all in the world where changing loyalty and shifting attitudes are the order of the day.

She was not content merely to give her four children a good education but also inculcated in them a deep sense of service to their fellow beings. In her life she reflected the message of Lord Jesus.

Love for the poor, the humble and lowly is a precious gift of God given to some people. To receive that gift, a person ought to be naturally humble. Mrs. Abeyratne was blessed with that wonderful gift.

Finally I wish to quote the following lines in treasured memory of our darling mother and dearest grandmother:
You left us so suddenly
Your last thoughts unknown
But left beautiful memories
We are all proud to own
Your hands that did so much for us
Are resting at God's will
All our lives we shall miss you
As the years come and go
But in our hearts you will live forever
Because we love you so much.

S.A.

He was a man of prayer
Hilary D. Fernando
Some five months ago, Hilary returned to his Master whom he loved and worked for so diligently for several years. Hilary was the youngest of six children born to Mr. & Mrs. H.D. Fernando. He had his education at S. Thomas' Preparatory School and at Richmond College, Galle. He took on his father's business, running the Army & Navy Stores in Hospital Street, Fort and Dynevor Estate in Mawathagama quite early in life. Later on, on his own initiative, he established the Christombu tea estate - an estate he created from jungle land in accordance with his own plan.

He practised strictly the principles of Christian money management. He believed in God's unrestricted ownership and man's restricted stewardship.
He assisted several churches and Christian institutions irrespective of denominational barriers. Often he gave in an anonymous capacity.

"He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9.6). This was true of Hilary. The more he gave the more was available to him. He gave generously to several good causes. Hilary and Dakshini had no children of their own but the children of their aides became their children and there were many of them.

Hilary and Dakshini were active members of St. Michael's and All Angels, Polwatte for a long time. He served as warden and took an active part in the life of the church. He was a man of prayer. There were prayer meetings at his home every Monday. These were really ecumenical as pastors and people of every denomination attended these gatherings. He imported religious books for distribution and sale locally.

May his soul rest in peace!
Israel Paulraj

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