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Age is just a number for committed learner
View(s):Age was no barrier for Withanage Leelawathi Aslin Dharmarathna when she decided to pursue higher studies.
At the age of 97 Ms Dharmarathna, hailing from Nawalapitiya has completed a Master of Arts Degree in Buddhist Studies from the University of Kelaniya recently.
She was also successful in the Pali language and the Thripitaka Dharma exams conducted by the Vidyodaya University and Sumangala Commemorative councils, passing with honours.
She also is talented in art and needlework and has good eyesight with no requirement for the use of spectacles. She gets about with her normal work at home.
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- 97-year-old Leelawathi Aslin Dharmarathna: Now in the process of writing a novel and (left) attending to daily chores. Pix by Suranga Rajanayaka
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- A seamstress and artist too
Born in Millewa, Horana she studied in Sinhala and English languages and her first job was as a teacher of English. She says she continued to attend classes even during World War II years.
Later she passed the notary exam and worked in the Galle – Baddegama areas as a notary. She then moved to Walapane.
At Walapane she married Soma Jayalath, a notary public in 1962 and moved to Nawalapitiya. However, eight years later her husband passed away.
She took care of her five children and the daughter of a close relative was able to guide them in their higher education enabling them to enter into various professions. One of them is a doctor, another a professor and another a lawyer. Others have taken up teaching, nursing and another is employed at the Irrigation Department.
She said Buddhism was a strength in her life and eventually decided to follow her further studies at the Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya where she read seven subjects. She completed her thesis on research on ancient life reflected in wood carvings at the historic Embekke Devale.
Ms. Dharmarathna becomes the oldest candidate to complete the MA in a university in Sri Lanka.
“I am lucky to have seen several generations including twins born to my grandchildren. I have ventured on writing a novel and have almost completed it. I hope to publish it soon,’’ she said.
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