Plus - Appriciations

Para as he was fondly known to us was a part of our family for many years. I first met him almost 30 years ago, when he was a young handsome Captain of the Sri Lankan Army being in the same regiment as Thaththa – The Gamunu Watch.

When we were kids, I clearly remember my brother Ajith and I following Parami around in the Diyathalawa Army Camp. We were attached to him like glue. He played with us, shared our jokes and spent many hours in our company. Our association with him continued over the years. Jaffna was one of the most vividly remembered destinations. Para was with Thaththa during the many times he served in the North. Between the two of them they made many friends no matter what race or religion they were.

When Thaththa became Army Commander in 1983, Para was chosen to be his ADC. By this time he was more than a part of our family. He planned out Thaththa’s schedules to perfection. There was never a time that things didn’t go like clockwork. He not only was a part of all this but very involved with the rest of the family too. Our close relatives and friends have all known Para over the years. I also recall an incident many years ago when he suddenly turned up at school. Suddenly we saw this handsome tall man in uniform walking towards the office and the girls were quite excited as it was a rare sight in a convent 22 years ago. I became very popular overnight after Para’s visit to school.

Time passed and we moved on with our lives but Para never stopped visiting my parents’ home and joining us for family functions.

The true and sincere love that Para had for our family became clearly evident when Thaththa was diagnosed with cancer. Thatha’s two ADCs Para and Eggie stood by him, tall and strong. Para shared our pain and sadness. He was with us all the way. He took care of Thaththa like a son would do to a father. He never hesitated to openly show his love and concern.

Para was unique. He loved and was loved more than any other person I can think of. He was a ‘gentle giant’. My kids loved him; it was like when I was that age.

We will miss the hugs, kisses and the love we shared with Para. The memories are endless and he has left a void not only in our lives but in the lives of many people. In my faith I believe that Para is in heaven with some of the people he truly loved – his parents. I also picture Thaththa and Para having a chat over a drink. We wish we could have personally thanked him for the love he shared and kissed him goodbye.

We remember a life today
and all that made him the man he was -
his work, his gifts, all that he enjoyed and found rewarding....
calling to mind
his beginnings, his journey, and the wonderful stories
we love to share about him.

We honour a life today
his character, his integrity,
his commitment to the things he stood for -
recognizing his great heart, his sense of humour
and the helping hand he so often extended to others.

We celebrate a life today
and all that earned him the love, the admiration, the respect
of family and friends,
feeling grateful for our time with him,
enriched for having known him,
feeling blessed to have his remarkable spirit
here among us forever.

K.M.S. Kasturi, a well-known cricket administrator, umpire and coach in the Kurunegala district is no more. He departed from us at the age of 56 after a sudden illness.

He was an assistant secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association at the time of his death. Born in 1950, Kasturi was an old boy of Mayurapada M.M.V., Narammala where he excelled in extra-curricular activities.

He began his cricketing career as a cricket coach at Mayurapada M.M.V. in the late seventies. He helped many talented junior cricketers in the area.

Later he and a few others formed the Narammala Sports Club in the early eighties.

He held the post of secretary for almost a decade in the club. Under his guidance they were promoted to play Division II cricket of Sri Lanka cricket, the governing body of the game in Sri Lanka.

He also joined the Kurunegala District Cricket Association from its inception in 1982, and held many posts of the association for the past 24 years. He was instrumental in starting the Mayurapada -Ibbagamuwa M.M.V. big match in the early eighties.

He was an active member in the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and was assistant secretary of the association at the time of his demise. He toured Malaysia with the junior schools Under 15 team as its coach and served as the tournament secretary for many years in the Under 13 age group.

A teacher by profession, he served his alma mater for nearly three decades. May he attain Nibbana.

One would have thought that five years would have dimmed the pain and the memories would have started to fade. But, when you lose a child, the passing years only make you more aware of how precious a gift you have lost.

We have moved to a new home, and as Dada and I walk through the rooms we think of all the plans we had for you. This house would have been the place where you would have grown from adolescence to womanhood.

Every corner of our new home is a poignant reminder of the loss of our precious child. We have learnt to face life and we go on with our day-to-day work. But suddenly something happens or we see someone, and our grief is fresh once again and we weep for our loss.

My darling, this is how life will be for me till the end of my days as I live with the hope that the Lord will unite me with my baby once again.

Akka’s baby son brings us a lot of joy and to a certain extent soothes our grief.
You would have been thrilled with your little nephew and you wouldn’t have let him out of your sight. We remember how you loved children.

We had two family weddings which brought us much joy but at the same time we were crying for what might have been. You would have been a beautiful 19-year-old in saree having a wonderful time dancing with your cousins.

We are living in a cruel world full of stress and strife with a war looming in the background. But you are in a place where no one can harm you and where you will always be at peace.

This thought comforts us a lot and to me one day of my life spent is a day closer to when I will be able to kiss you and hug you again. We love you my darling and from wherever you are we feel that you are watching over us . Be happy my child – I will love you and cherish your memory always.