Mother Lanka loses an illustrious daughter

~ Elina Jayewardene

Elina Jayewardene (nee Rupasinghe) passed away on November 17, 2007 - barely a month before her 95th birthday. I never failed to meet and greet them on September 17 and December 15, the dates on which the late President and Mrs. Jayewardene celebrated their birthdays.

Lady Elina Jayewardene

I do not wish to elaborate on the late President Jayewardene and his unmatched academic, professional and political success. To state that, as the saying goes, Mrs. Jayewardene was the unseen strength behind his incredible success is certainly not an over-assessment. However, she shunned public limelight and kept as low a profile as she possibly could - fulfilling her duties as wife and being a loving and devoted mother to her only child, Ravi.

It is with a deep sense of nostalgia that I reflect upon her life through my association with her son, Ravi - a friendsip that began when I was ten years old. Ravi and I received our education at Royal College, Colombo. I travelled with Ravi to school and back in his car. Our friendship, which blossomed throughout the entirety of our academic careers, brought about a close relationship between the two families.

Mrs. Jayewardene carried the mantle of "First Lady" of our nation with distinction, decorum and aplomb. She was a charismatic and modest person who, despite her gentle manners, possessed a strong personality. Mrs. Jayewardene was the founder and driving force of the Seva Vanitha Movement, the beneficiaries of which are numerous. Absolute honesty and hallowed ideals are extremely rare in any person, however much you search. But, Mrs. Jayewardene stuck to her ideals, set high standards and believed in truth and, thereby achieved her goal in serving the needy. Sri Lanka has lost one of her illustrious daughters - a modest, amiable, yet humble lady.

As a human being, Mrs. Jayewardene rated high as a woman of honour, integrity and discipline. Her greatest attribute was the love and respect she had for people, be they rich or poor, adult or child. She impressed me as a person with immense humility. Evidence of her popularity and the deep affection people had for her were clearly and amply visible from the large number who came to both "Braemar", her residence, and the cemetery to pay their respects.

Her light may be extinguished but her sprit will live on in her family members - they are special people who will continue to make her proud. Words could never describe Mrs. Jayewardene adequately, however much I may try. She was a colossus in her time. I will miss her, but never forget her, as she will always have a special place in my heart.

She was, without doubt, one of a kind - a lady in every sense of the word. God bless her!

By Clarence Welikala