APPRECIATIONS
View(s):I hold onto those precious memories
H. M. G. S. De S. Wijeyeratne
Gertrude Sunethra De Silva Wijeyeratne (nee Herath), my maternal grandmother, was a remarkable woman. She was a perfect combination of warmth, compassion and love. She was both a sword and a shield.
Su Amma, I wish you were here so I could tell you how much I miss you and it still hurts like the first day you gained your wings. It’s been one year since you left, and everyone said that there is a reason, and that time will heal. Neither time nor reason changed the way I feel.
Su Amma, you had ears that truly listened and arms that always held me. I never fully understood what the words ‘I miss you’ meant until I reached for your hand, and it wasn’t there reaching back. I carry a picture of you in my heart and I close my eyes to see it when the world gets dark. I carry a memory of you in my soul and wrap it close around me when the nights get cold. If anyone asks me how I am, I say I am just fine, but the truth is if you could read my mind not a day goes by that I don’t think of you.
Su Amma your death left a heartache no one can heal but your endless love left me the most precious memory no one can steal. You made me who I am today, and your memories will continue to influence the person I become tomorrow. Every day of my life, your legacy will live on through me.
May you walk on the path to attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
Your loving Sulakna Isini
A gentle soul who gave her best to all of us
Kshirabdhi Aruliah nee Nagendra
Ten years ago, a great spirit only 40 years old left this world. In life she had the best of fortune and the worst of fortune. Kshirabdhi was born into an illustrious Sri Lankan family, the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam. She was beautiful both physically and spiritually. She was surrounded by wealth and admirers. None of this made her arrogant, as it would many others. She was blessed with a gentle soul seeing no difference between the high and the low, valuing and respecting all equally.
Her wide circle of friends in Sri Lanka encompassed all ethnicities, all religions, and all age groups. Sinhalese and Tamils, Muslims and Burgers, ancients and babies, all were thrilled to see her. The 13 years we lived in England together brought her many more friends particularly from the junior school our son attended and she taught at.
But at an early age she was afflicted with arthritis that over the years progressed beyond her joints to invade her lungs. She was blessed with great inner strength and courage that enabled her to hide this painful affliction from those around her. Like her mother she was a great athlete at school, though she had to take Panadol before competing and after winning was in pain. When it became impossible to hide her illness, her inner strength enabled her to feign it as less disabling than it actually was. Even to me.
I first met Kshirabdhi when she was 21 years old. Over the years I saw in her many things I myself lacked. My character is not as warm, not as considerate, not as patient, not as affectionate. She patiently put up with me and came to understand me. From her hospital bed 10 years ago, when we were still expecting to be released to go home, watching me inconsiderately tapping away at my laptop she said to me, “You are a good man”. Words I will treasure to my last day.
The greatest gift I gave her, and she gave me, is our son Karnan. Karnan was the good fortune she valued most in her life. He was more than enough to compensate for all the misfortunes she had to endure. For Kshirabdhi 16 years of Karnan more than made up for 30 years of illness.
In this tenth year since she passed away, Karnan is marrying Ellie, his English fiancée. Kshirabdhi will be full of joy, as am I, that our son has found a lovely girl who will take care of him just as well as Kshirabdhi took care of me.
Jekhan Aruliah
A gracious lady in addition to being supremely talented
Dr. Sumithra Peiris
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the demise of renowned film director Kala Keerthi Dr. Sumithra Peiris. I became an admirer of Lester James Peiris’ and Sumithra Peiris’s films, and had the good fortune to meet the couple at their then residence on Dickmans Road (now Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha) in Bambalapitiya) one afternoon back in 2008.
Sumitra greeted me warmly at the entrance and accompanied me to her husband’s room where he was resting. I will never forget this gracious gesture and her humility, and the short time I spent with both of them in their home.
Before I left, as a memento of my visit, Dr Peiris signed and gave me a copy of the First Day Cover affixed with a stamp honouring him that was issued on April 5, 2002.
I have also met them on several occasions when they came for service on Tuesday evenings to St. Anthony’s Church Kollupitiya.
After Mrs Peiris moved to her new residence in Mirihana Nugegoda, I did not get an opportunity to visit her, although she invited me several times.
Sumithra Peiris was a supremely talented, highly cine-literate artist who made films of great artistic value. Her films were entertaining and profound. They changed the way you saw the world. As a film editor she contributed to the behind the scenes alchemy of film. I was able to see all the extraordinary films she contributed to either through editing or directing starting with Gamperaliya. The only film I was not able to see was her last film, Vaishnavee. When I mentioned that I had missed it in the cinemas, she told me that it would be broadcast on television—where I was able to see it.
Sumithra Peiris was an exceptional human being. Her cinematic achievements were numerous, but she conducted herself with humility and integrity. She made great contributions to Sri Lankan and especially to Sinhala cinema. Her passing brings the curtain down on one of the most talented Sri Lankan film directors and editors of all time.
Mrs. S. Gunawardena
You remain in my heart always treasured and cherished
Amitha Sriyani Menike
It is with sadness that I write about my loving wife Amitha Sriyani Menike on her 11th death anniversary. She passed away on March 22, 2012.
Amitha was loving, caring and the greatest blessing in my life. The memories of our journey together never can be erased. As a wife to me and mother to our two daughters Rukshila and Tharindra, you accomplished your duties very well.
You were very closely to your relations and friends and were with them in times of sadness or happiness. If you were with us today you would definitely enjoy our two grandsons.
Though you are no more I feel you walk beside me every day guiding me and protecting me. Amitha you are forever in my heart, always treasured and cherished.
Thank you for the wonderful and generous sacrifices you made for me, our two daughters and all the loving care and affection you showered on us.
Your beloved husband Weerasena
Her love a constant that knew no bounds
RUKIE EHELIYAGODA
Rukie Eheliyagoda was a rare, refined and one-of-a-kind mother, who possessed an extremely generous, compassionate and loving heart. She had no hidden agendas; she was absolutely genuine and forthright, with a high sense of integrity.
The gift of true friendship, a rarity, was a quality she lavishly indulged her associates with in full measure, with open arms and an empathetic ear whenever needed. Amazingly, she seemed to have had time for everyone – ever the busy bee!
She exuded a high degree of loyalty and bonhomie that instantly embraced one as being loved and appreciated. She had an inherent ability to capture the hearts of all who came into contact with her, which best defines her warmth, friendliness and affection for humanity.
A woman of practical disposition, she was able to deal with her problems without allowing herself to be consumed by them. Most of her anxieties went unspoken even to her family, while the battles were taken to the Lord in prayer.
This spirit of optimism impacted those who approached her with their challenges and enabled hope to bloom in their hearts while unlocking capabilities lying dormant within them.
She inculcated in the family right values of life, a sense of integrity, a strong moral backbone and total dependency on our Lord Jesus, on which our lives are built.
My mother was a liberated soul, casting her eyes on life as a journey to enjoy with enthusiasm, while never forgetting her Creator God’s plans and purposes for her life on earth. She loved her Maker with every fibre in her body and her undeniable faith in the face of obstacles was a testament to His Glory.
Her love, a constant that knew no depth, was a pillar of strength to my siblings and to me. I had a sturdy hand to hold onto in my formative years, and a firm foundation upon which to build my faith and draw closer to our Lord Jesus.
The haven of love, happiness and comfort my mother gave me has not gone unrecorded, for even as she reached her resting place in heaven’s abode, she is truly rewarded.
It was my great pleasure to see her reaching old age happily and gracefully until her Maker summoned her home.
Immortal precious memories will abide and be cherished all the days of my life.
Happy 97th Birthday Ammie.
Your loving daughter
Charmaine Eheliyagoda Madurasinghe
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