An exemplary life that touched us all

Sisila Rathnayake

It is unfortunate that my friend Sisila Rathnayake passed away at a young age of 42 years. He was a fearless ruggerite and great basketball player, representing his alma mater Royal College, during the early eighties and winning college colours for both sports. He captained the college senior basketball team in 1981 and the Sri Lanka schools basketball team at the senior nationals the same year.

After leaving college he was employed in the mercantile sector and met his wife while being employed in Kurunegala. They settled down in Kurunegala in his wife's hometown.

Sisi, as we used to call him, was a loving husband to his wife Chithrani and dutiful and caring father to his two sons Livith and Senel.

Sisila touched the hearts of many by his simplicity and unassuming ways and was a dear friend to all of us. He will be remembered always for his gentlemanly ways.His untimely death has shocked us all. As the saying goes, "the good die young”.

Goodbye dear friend, yours was an exemplary life and we will miss you deeply but your memories will always linger.

May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

By M. Agalawatta