The impermanence of life brought its curtain down on you on Saturday, July 18, to terminate an illness bravely borne, three years ahead of even the biblical three score and ten. Your premature demise made us all reflect on the age old sayings: “They will not grow old as we who are left will grow old; age will not weary them, nor the years condemn.”
Death humbles us all because in death we are all equal. Your life was a shining example of the consistent practice of those precepts of humility and equality at all times and the numerous tributes paid to you at its termination emphatically endorsed it. In July 1983, when some misguided people burnt down your dispensary in Horana I know your heart broke, but when the villagers together, re-built it, and pleaded for your return, you had it in you not only to forgive, but also to return to serve that community with as much, if not greater commitment. You treated patients from all walks of life with the equal
compassion and loving kindness. Your charismatic smile, and gentle, re-assuring words, often made your patients feel that they didn’t need any other prescription!
You were an exemplary son to your parents, exceptional husband to your lovely wife Pathmini, as you were a father to your three children, Sanjeev, Anjana and Nishani.
To your daughter-in-law, Jananie, and sons-in-law Brahman and Nimalan you were a very special friend and in your later years you deservedly found great happiness in your grandchildren, Ashwin, Akshara, Bhishman and Nithya.
Whilst all of them continue understandably to grieve at your loss, I am sure they are equally grateful to God for having given them a husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather of such humane qualities, whose life revolved around compassion, loving kindness and service to humanity.
Your soul we know, is already in a heavenly abode, having enriched the lives of a countless number of people who had the good fortune to know and be treated by you. Thank you dear Doctor, you will be missed.
Skanda |
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