Appreciations
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| My
mother, my teacher, my best friend
Rather, she practised this very much in the way she lived and by doing so, embodied a quiet example of true Christian faith as different as can be to the aggressive and invasive doctrinal teachings that are now increasingly common in the modern world. Growing up in Kandy in the early seventies was somewhat similar to living in a time bubble. The rude realities of a country where ethnic tensions were increasing did not impact upon our lives. I do not remember even a single instance in my formative years where my parents spoke disparagingly of any other race, community or religion. Talk of caste was unheard of. From one perspective, this was to inculcate in me a lifelong incendiary anger whenever I heard or saw racism or bigotry in any shape or form. I came to realise later the value of such true philosophical teachings that are not limited to learned writings or the letters that one acquires after one's name. From another perspective, this sheltered upbringing was little protection against the world when the seventies became the eighties and Sri Lanka started imploding. The fields of media and law in which I chose to work in were places where naivete is given short shrift. However, I do not regret for one moment, that quality of innocence that my parents imparted in me when I was growing up. Their unconditional understanding in allowing me to make my own way in life and therein, chalk up my own failures and my own victories resulted in a personal strength that was all the more precious for it being so hard won. In her work as an extremely strict though much liked teacher of mathematics and English, my mother also projected her personality from out of the home in a manner that was extremely empowering to both my sister and myself. We were brought up without any awareness that there were any limitations imposed upon us because we were female or that there was any differentiation between what we could put our hearts to accomplish. This freedom was heady and had its own dangers. At times, I was aware that my crusading zeal caused my mother considerable unease. It is to her credit that she never discouraged me except to utter a few words of caution now and then, particularly when jail sentences loomed large on the horizon due to my taking up some issue with more than customary fervour. Then again, my wholesale rejection of organised religion also caused friction on occasion. However, throughout, her acceptance and love symbolised the quintessential qualities of motherhood. What my mother taught me was beyond what we can learn from textbooks. Essentially, she taught me what patriotism actually meant. From my father, I learnt also that even though one may have opportunities to live and work abroad, there is a special love in living and working for your own country. And the non-materialistic quality of their lives as utterly dedicated public servants was unbelievable. Yet again, the conversations that I had with them on political issues were to be the basis of my own thinking. Years later when I was conversing with a famed statesman responsible in many ways for good or for ill in shaping Sri Lanka's present constitutional and political structures, I informed him that many of the questions that I was putting to him for answers, originated actually in conversations that I have had with my parents as a child. Regardless to say, he was much amused. My mother was my best friend whose passing away has been immeasurably hard to bear. A beloved voice has been stilled. But as one poignant poem sent to me by a friend puts it: "Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room....I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well." Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena Simple
in manner, he made giant strides in life and work As a son and brother he will be cherished. As a friend he will be truly missed. As colleagues we were privileged and honoured to have Palitha in our midst. It is with profound sadness and shock that we mourn the tragic demise of our dear colleague Palitha, who was engulfed by the tsunami that struck our country on December 26, last year. Palitha was a brilliant student. His academic achievements were numerous. Pursuant to passing out from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK, of which he was a Fellow and obtaining a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, where he graduated with merit, Palitha proceeded to London, as a recipient of the British Government’s prestigious Chevening scholarship. He obtained an M.Sc in International Securities, Investments and Banking from the University of Reading, UK, and once again graduated with merit and was placed among the top quartile in a Class of 93 students from 25 countries. Upon his arrival from London, Palitha had a short stint in the corporate sector and then dedicated his entire life to serving government. At the time of his death Palitha had risen to great heights in the public sector and was functioning as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. Prior to being appointed the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Palitha was a much-respected regulator in the field of telecommunications and his expertise was much sought after. He held the post of Director Economic Affairs and was one time Acting Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. As a man, he was gifted with an amiable, generous and honourable disposition. He lived by great principles, which he adhered to the very last moment of his life. He will always be remembered by those who knew him and who were privileged to associate with him, as a friend who would joyfully sing with you when you are on the mountain top and silently walk beside you through the valley. His life was characterized by an incalculable breadth, depth and height of devotion and service. He was indeed a giant-indomitable in courage, steadfast in purpose, total in commitment, clear sighted in vision, irreproachable in character, and yet simple in manner. His life may be best summed up in the words of Anthony in Julius Caesar; “His
life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might
stand up. And say to the entire world “This was a man”. |
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