A fine father and staunch friend

W. P. R. B. Wickremasinghe

Ten years may seem a long time, but it is like yesterday that my father passed away, a decade ago. Nothing prepares us for the death of a loved one, and losing a parent is particularly hard. Even though the pain of losing Thaththa has diminished over the years, I continue to miss him.

My father was not born to many privileges, but he studied hard and through sheer hard work and perseverance entered the Sri Lanka Overseas Service. He was a conscientious public official, as anyone who came in contact with him would vouch for. In fact, he was known for going out of his way to help people, regardless of what strata of society they came from. He also stood up against injustice and championed what he believed in, even if at times it meant being at loggerheads with his seniors. My siblings and I are proud to have been blessed with such a fine father.

He was deeply attached to his parents and took great care of them. He was a good friend, always there when friends needed his help. He was a wonderful father and thanks to his care and guidance, all his children are independent individuals today. He was also a source of strength to his wife and family, providing for all our needs.

We all miss him a great deal.

By Chandani