Appreciations
View(s):I’m glad I could share your dreams, hopes, love, friendship and more
SURESH GOONESEKERE
Suresh was a very caring father to Zidan. He taught him that education comes first, and sports later. When it came to education, he emphasised that Zidan must learn the subjects very well, and then think “out of the box” to solve problems. When it came to sports, Suresh challenged him to do as many sports as possible, and learn the value of team spirit. I am very grateful for the gift of our beautiful child as Suresh lives on in him today.
July 31, 2022 was one year since Suresh left us and it’s hard to imagine that we who love him so very much have to go on with life without him. He was the love of my life, the one who supported me in everything. He also kept me on my toes constantly. The three of us enjoyed playing cards on the weekends, even though I could never win. There was never a dull moment when Suresh was around. He had such an infectious laugh that lit up the whole room!
Every school holiday Suresh was keen to go on holiday and the three of us always enjoyed spending time together. Suresh being the golf enthusiast, always managed to squeeze in a game which he loved no matter where he went. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to share his dreams, hopes, love, friendship and much more.
Thank you for being the rock in my life. You are never out of my heart or thoughts and I will always cherish the time we had together.
Yoshini Goonesekere
God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart
You don’t know love, until you have carried your child and you don’t know pain, until you have lost your child. I pray for you to be in the most peaceful and beautiful place in Heaven. I think of you in silence, your memory is a keepsake from which I will never part. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart. You have gone before me, I will see you when I get there.
Shanti Goonesekere
To the the best possible fatherI could have ever wished for
Even though it’s been a year I will never forget the impact he has had on my life. I was always challenged and pushed to be the best version of myself, and I will continue to push on whilst forever remembering and reflecting on the teaching of a man who unconditionally loved me and did everything to make me better.
Zidan Goonesekere
She may be gone but continues to teach us valuable lessons
KUSUMA RAJAKARUNA
“There is nowhere you could go that I won’t be with you.” The popular Disney film, Moana was played many times at our home. The first time I heard those words, I was instantly reminded of my own grandmother.
It’s hard to believe 10 years have gone by since our beloved grandmother Kusuma Rajakaruna nee Wickramanayake passed away. It was a day where I felt the world should have halted; for she was the centre of our family and we had just lost the compass of our lives.
However, life does go on and she continues to teach us valuable lessons. It was a tough lesson of letting go and finding peace in the knowledge that she’s without earthly suffering now, while her soul continues its quest for nibbana.
As a woman with strong Buddhist beliefs, she not only tried to practise the teachings, but lovingly passed on its messages to us. I remember the numerous mornings she would chant pirith by my bedside in her quiet melodious voice. How blessed was I to have woken up to the sound of those chantings. She delighted in every opportunity to offer alms to priests, listening to their bana/ sermons and observing sil, whilst instilling these valuable traditions in us.
If I was fortunate enough to intercept one of her daily morning calls to my mother, she would regale me with many stories of her younger days filled with amazing adventures . She had led a life so rich with experiences. From boarding school at a prestigious ladies school in Colombo: to life with her uncle, a Supreme Court judge and his family; to her married life as a school principal’s wife.
She always said the best part of her life was being a mother to her precious daughters who she referred to as her left and right eyes. Her natural motherly instincts drove her to extend love and compassion to countless others. They received her warmth, wisdom, and tireless attempts to embed good values to live by.
My two brothers, cousin and I were so blessed to have grown up under the same roof as our grandmother. To this day, she is with us at every moment we put her teachings into practice or at any significant milestone for our family. She’s with us right in the middle of an ordinary moment in life, such as a familiar song or an engrossing book. Then I’m reminded of those words in the movie, as if she was whispering them gently to me.
Dearest grandmother, wherever your soul may be, may it be at peace and may its search for the supreme bliss of nibbana be realised. We love you and miss you dearly.
Your granddaughter Hiranya
To those special years when we were together
VICTOREEN MARINA HASSAN
August 25, 2022 marked the 14th death anniversary of my loving wife Victoreen.
Vicky was my one shining star. I was always beside her until her untimely death. Now I am left alone, and my days and nights have turned so lonely.
My mind knows that you are in a better place where you are at peace. Each night I shed a silent tear as I speak to you in prayer to let you know just how much I care for you. For all you gave through the years, your time and love, your prayers and tears, your patience, caring and sharing too for all this and more, I love you.
Thanks for your endless love that helped me through each day, and thanks for your memories that never fade away. I was proud to be your husband and every day in some way I celebrate your life, and though it’s sad to think about the way things were before when we are reunited, it will be forever more.
Although you cannot hear my voice or see my smiles, you walk beside me still just as you did before. You listen to my stories, and you wipe away my tears; you always wrap your arms around me, and you understand my fears. You left your human body but your soul will never part.
Thank you Victoreen for the generous sacrifices you made for me and the children and all the loving care you showered on us. Thank you for loving me and for being what you were.
Darling Vicky our special years when we were together, will not return but with love within my heart we will walk together.
Sadly missed by your loving husband
M. Kamil. A. Hassan
We will miss his laughter and jokes at our gatherings
Trevinne De Silva
Although a year has passed by since our dear friend Trevinne went into eternal rest, the void he has left with his absence is still quite palpable. No amount of words will help us see our friend again or hear his hearty laughter for one more time. Nevertheless, words can revive the fond memories we all share of which he was a part.
Our memories with Trevinne or “Travia” as he was called by the boys, run long back into our schooldays at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. Trevinne was a highly enthusiastic student and he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities early on from his schooldays.
He captained the Under-14 Rugby B team in 2008 and continued to play for the College Under-16 teams in 2009 and 2010. He was a senior member in the College Hewisi Band and was a talented drummer. Trevinne was known for his work ethic and commitment to responsibilities that were entrusted to him and was appointed as the Treasurer of the Hewisi Band in 2014. He single-handedly managed the accounts of the band’s main event, the concert ‘Kinnara’.
Wherever a need arose for someone responsible, Trevinne was always there to step up and accept responsibility. Funnily, wherever there was mischief, he was always there too.
He was also a faithful servant of the Lord and never failed in his duties as an altar server at the church of SS. Mary and John, Nugegoda as well as in the Cathedral on certain occasions, under the guidance of his mentor Rt. Revd. Dushantha Rodrigo.
Trevinne was a well nurtured, kindhearted and disciplined gentleman, by reason of which he became a popular character among the student fraternity. He did not fail to make himself available for a friend in distress and always kept in touch with almost all of his batch-mates regardless of whether they were overseas or here in the country.
He was a true Thomian, true to his word, true to his principles and a brother to all of us. We will miss his company. His absence has a left a gaping void among us that cannot be filled. Our gatherings will never be the same without his laughs and jokes.
Rest in peace brother! Until we meet again.
His friends – S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia Class of 2014
Thoughts on your b’day
Savitri Wickramasinghe
Gone for four long years
You may be gone from my sight
But not gone from my heart
Always on my mind and remembered on
Your 62nd birthday on 31st August
May her journey through samsara be short and may she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Nimal W
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