The late Mrs. Daisy Perera (née Ranasinghe) hailed from a respected Nuwara Eliya family. She was the eldest daughter in a family of 11, of which my mother Harriet is the youngest sister, and the only surviving member of her family. She lives with her granddaughter in Matale.
When we were children we stayed with Aunt Daisy, or Loku Amma, in order to go to school in Matale. Loku Amma, who had no children, was like a mother to us. She dedicated her life to keeping us happy, comfortable and in good health.
There are no words to express our feelings of love and gratitude for Loku Amma. She taught us to respect our elders, our relatives and others, to be gentle, and to live a decent life, mindful of our religious upbringing.
There was an incident in our childhood that very nearly cost Loku Amma her life. My sister accidentally knocked over a kerosene lamp in the kitchen and Loku Amma’s clothes caught fire. Fortunately, Banda the servant grabbed a damp gunny bag, wrapped it around her and rolled her on the floor, dousing the flames. She suffered only minor burns.
She had a fall in 2003 and was paralysed. She passed away three-and-a-half months later, on September 8.
Dear Loku Amma, we miss you very much. You were a beacon in our lives. You will remain in our hearts forever. May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Loku Putha |
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