God gave us a precious gift on August 10, 1974 and decided to return it to His fold on October 19, 2009.
This is the story of our darling Shehan.
Born to Shamala and James Louis, Shehan was the first boy in the Rajakariar family. He was tenderly cared for by his parents and grandparents and grew up to be a handsome young man.
He had his education at D. S. Senanayake College, and on leaving school joined the Hatton National Bank, serving at the bank’s Bambalapitiya branch. He later served at the Nation’s Trust Bank, Kotahena. When he joined the NTB, he would never have guessed that his life’s journey would end with his job there.
Shehan was a kind-hearted boy, loved by all. Simplicity was his most endearing quality. He was very popular among his peers. A colleague said: “Shehan was held in the highest esteem by all, from the janitorial staff to the top management. It was his simplicity that attracted us all to him.”
His popularity was evident in the crowds that came to pay him their last respects.
Shehan has left behind his dear mother Shamala, his young wife Rajika, and baby son Shevan, and all who knew and loved him.
Until he got married, Shehan’s life was the office in the morning and St Lawrence’s Church in the evening.
He loved animals, and was a maestro at breeding fish, birds and dogs. His prize-winning Boxer was his great pride.
He was a non-smoker and a non-drinker. Despite being so careful with his health, he lost his life early. I sometimes wonder whether he would have lived longer if he had treated himself to the occasional drink.
Shehan was a patriotic Sri Lankan and never liked the idea of ever leaving the shores of his motherland.
He would tell his aunts: “Do not worry about your future – I will be there to look after you both.” His words were a source of great strength to both aunts, who had no children and looked upon him as their son. He gave us this assurance, and now he is no more.
Shehan looked after his mother, wife and child with great love and a strong sense of responsibility. He was an adoring and adorable son, husband and father. He was a very intelligent boy, with a strong analytical mind. Although we were a good 35 years older than him, we would always seek his advice.
Shehan’s specialty was financing. He was a wizard at managing finances. He had a very bright future.
At the time of his death, he was looking forward to moving into a new apartment. Every week he would visit his apartment with his wife and baby. Because the elevators had not yet been installed, he would climb the six storeys, carrying his baby and never complaining.
You wonder why God would take away such a beloved person and such a young life without any warning. Like a clock that stops ticking, Shehan’s life ended – just like that. A nun who attended the funeral wrote in the condolence book: “God found the fruit ripe and decided to pick it”.
Did Rajika and little Shevan ever dream that Shehan, who dropped them off in the morning before going to work, would never return home?
No words were spoken. He suddenly decided to bid farewell to all. When her little son asks the mother, “Where is Dada?”, the mother says: “He has gone to Heaven.”
God blessed Shehan with a loving wife and child but gave him only six years to enjoy his married life.
In life he excelled as a loving, tender-hearted and devoted son, husband, and father to Shamala, Rajika and little Shevan respectively. He was a great companion to his relatives, friends and colleagues.
God has called Shehan from this world and given him a safe place in His kingdom. A flower in full bloom has been broken off at its stem, and we know God has a reason that we cannot understand.
Although dear Shehan has left us, his good deeds will live on in our hearts.
O Lord, grant him eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Goodbye and farewell, darling Shehan, until we meet again in Paradise.
Aunty Puvi |
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