Appreciations
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Three
beautiful people lost in the whirl of tsunami In this unannounced death trap were caught three beautiful persons - my good friend, Jaliya Jayasuriya and his two loving sons Sanka (19 years) and Hashan (16 years), my students at the CCC School of Cricket. When disaster struck, the Jayasuriya family, were at the Yala National Park having arrived there from Tissamaharama in the morning. The tsunami took the lives of Jaliya and his two sons, but left his wife Henrietta injured and unconscious to recover in hospital - shocked and devastated to learn of the loss of her husband and their two loving sons. Jaliya, the magnificent personality who stood over six feet five, was really a gentle giant. His two boys were also six footers though they were in their teens. An outstanding product of St. Anthony's College Katugastota, Jaliya, an all-round athlete played almost all games at school, but excelled in basketball, rugby and athletics representing his school. He was awarded colours in rugby, played cricket for his house, and was a storehouse of knowledge on the game. Similarly, his two sons, represented St. Joseph's College, Colombo in basketball and cricket. Sanka represented the senior team at basketball and the 2nd XI at cricket, while Hashan represented the Junior team at basketball. Sanka also represented CCC School of Cricket at U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels and also toured India with the school team in April 2000. Hashan, too represented CCC school of Cricket at U-13 and U-15 levels and toured India in 2001. Both were very loyal and disciplined students. Leaving school, Jaliya joined Lever Brothers as a Sales Representative, where he worked for a couple of years. He joined Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd., as Merchandising Manager in 1985. It was at Singer, that I had the good fortune to come to know this wonderful man - a very loyal and sincere friend and above all a thorough gentleman. In 1994, when Singer (Sri Lanka) Ltd, sponsored and organized the first ever International World Cricket Series in Sri Lanka, "The Singer World Series", Jaliya was the livewire of the organization which successfully conducted the tournament. Unassuming gentleman that he was, Jaliya, inspite of his towering personality, always kept a low profile. He was very popular among all, but shunned publicity. In the following year, when Singer Sri Lanka sponsored "The Singer Champions Trophy 1995" in aid of the Cricketers' Benefit Fund in Sharjah, it was once again Jaliya who helped to make the series a success. His experience, coupled with his pleasing personality helped him to win the confidence of all people from Abdulrahaman Bukhhatir, Chairman, Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then ICC president. This tournament was followed by the AKAI-SINGER Champions Trophy in 1997, also staged in Sharjah. His successful, organizational ability earned him the respect and admiration among cricket administrators of U.A.E., Asia and Singapore. At Singer, Jaliya, as Merchandising and Promotions Manager pioneered the 'Singer Mega Stores' concept and was instrumental in starting several "Mega Shops" in Kandy, Rajagiriya and Mount Lavinia. Thanks to his enthusiasm and passion, Jaliya was also successful in promoting and organizing several international and local rugby tournaments for schools and clubs in Sri Lanka. Jaliya Jayasuriya rose to the senior management position of Business Development Manager at Singer in 1996, and served the Company till 2001, when he joined Nutrina (CIC) as Marketing Manager. Even after leaving Singer, Jaliya did not lose touch with his old colleagues and promptly joined the Association of Past Employees of Singer where until his demise he was an active member inspite of his busy schedule. Jaliya was loved by all his subordinates, colleagues, friends, neighbours and anyone who came into contact with him. He was a fond and dutiful father and a loving and caring husband to his beloved wife. Nelson Mendis A
leading economist with a warm heart I got to know Palitha when I joined the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission where Palitha was Director, Economic Affairs. A soft-spoken gentleman, Palitha never flaunted his brilliant educational qualifications and was ever ready to work hard and put in the long hours necessitated by the expedited telecommunications reforms launched by the then Government. Palitha was a recipient of the British Government's prestigious Chevening Scholarship and obtained his MSc. (International Securities, Investment & Banking) at the University of Reading, U.K. He was also successful in the Securities Representative Examination at the Securities and Futures Authority (SFA), U.K. and thereafter obtained his MBA at the PGIM, University of Sri Jayawardenepura. In the field of accountancy, Palitha obtained associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), U.K. and was a member, Divisional Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Sri Lanka Division. Palitha had stints in the Morgan Stanley (U.K.) Group, London, National Development Bank and Sampath Bank in Colombo prior to joining the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. Having applied for the Post of Director-General in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Palitha left the TRC to take up appointment as SEC's Director-General. He continued to be the Director-General of SEC until he ran into stormy weather and as a result had to seek redress from the courts. It
was during this time that he made the ill-fated visit to Yala having
gone to Kataragama prior to that. With his death the country has
lost a great economist cum accountant and a warm-hearted and humane
gentleman of the highest order. Themiya L. B. Hurulle End
of a fascinating voyage An employee of Ceylon Shipping Corporation Limited (CSCL), he had sailed on many voyages and visited many countries as a seaman. I knew Mr. Leelarathne was a popular bread maker on ships. Later he worked several years in the head office of the CSCL. Subsequently he was appointed bungalow keeper of the CSCL holiday resort at Bentota where he worked until his early retirement. The staff and especially their children remember the delicious meals along with the warm hospitality he extended to those who stayed there. He
meticulously maintained inventory records at the holiday resort.
May Mr. Leelarathne's sojourn in sansara be short and may he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana. Yasapala Ponnamperuma
He
was a true follower of the Man for others Looking back at his life and work, memories flood one's world. Lakdasa contributed to life in many ways, foremost being his life in the Church and his work as a State Medical Officer. It was when he was working in Nawalapitiya that he participated in the affairs of the Diocese of Kurunegala. He was a member of that Diocese in the Standing Committee when Archbishop Robert Runcie visited Kurunegala. As a doctor, he cared for his patients, sending them post cards to remind them of their clinic dates, and also calling on them if they were not able to keep their appointments. Lakdasa both in life and at the point of his death lived and worked for others. In that sense he was a true follower of the Man for Others. He could have used his office to purchase a motor vehicle. That was not Lakdasa. He was not enticed by "filthy lucre" as the Scriptures state, nor by all that glitters and shines in life. In remembering Lakdasa, one cannot forget his role as a sportsperson. His zooming kicks to touch and those fantastic drop goals were part of his game. Sydney Knight A life
of beauty and serenity Later she went to Ramanathan College (Jaffna), the premier institute for girls, devoted to nurturing them in the Hindu faith and the fine arts. Finally at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya in Colombo, she was exposed to different communities and faiths, in preparation for a more cosmopolitan life. She was married at an early age of sixteen to the handsome Dr. Balasingham, a cardiologist with a promising future. Tragedy struck when Dr. Balasingham succumbed to a heart attack at the early age of forty four. Faced with the prospect of bringing up three young children - a boy and two girls, Pathma faced this challenge with great courage. She even found time to engage in social service activities. I came to know her well as a senior member of the Sri Lanka Tamil Women's Union, founded in 1909. She held various responsible offices in the organization, in 1964 as Treasurer, 1966 as Vice-Principal, which post she held again in 1969 and as Principal from 1972-1974. From 1975-1980 she held the elected post of Vice-President until she left to join the Ashram at Puttaparthi before we could honour her as President. Having fulfilled her duties as wife and mother, and to the community she felt the time had come to devote herself to spiritual development. I and fellow members will treasure her memory and remember her with affection as a gracious and willing helper at all times, ready to shoulder any responsibility in a quiet and unassuming manner. Her devotion to Kalalaya and her contribution to the school based on her grounding at Ramanathan College were invaluable. Sarojini Kadirgamar |
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