APPRECIATIONS
View(s):Our sweet angel taught us the beauty of unconditional love
Naomi Angela de Silva Wijeyeratne
Our sister Naomi was born on January 4, 1964. Mum was quick to realise that this little girl was different and both our Mum and Dad were very keen to find out what was wrong with this child, the 11th in our family. After many check-ups and consultations with doctors, they were made to understand that she was “differently-abled”.
I am certain that our Mum’s and Dad’s dreams for her future may have been shattered as they realised the implications of her condition. But they had the courage to come to terms it and developed appropriate attitudes and skills as her carers.
After a year or two, they realised that this little girl had not been christened yet. Our Dad was very famous for giving great names for his children and everyone was kept guessing as to what he would name this special child. We have heard many stories from his younger days when our Dad’s sweetheart had always been our Mum, Zoe Linnette Naomi. So he borrowed the name “Naomi” from his sweetheart to show that this child is sweet. One name had already been picked and he was sure that was going to be her first name.
From the day our parents got to know that this sweet little girl was a differently abled child, our Dad always said that she is the Angel of the family and is a blessing to the family. With this in his mind, he chose the name Angela and finally decided that her name would be “Naomi Angela”. For him, she was always his “Sweet Angel”.
She always lived completely dependent on those around her.
She badly felt the loss of our Dad when he passed away in 1987, but settled down quite well with Mum by her side. But when our Mum passed away in 2019 she was incapable of coming to terms with it. She knew that her Depi Akka was behind her, supported by sister Vinodini, and the entire family was backing her, but the loss of both parents was unbearable.
Our Mum and Dad set an example for us and our sister Depika took the lead and all my brothers and sisters followed what was taught to us by letting her know that “if you cannot talk, we will be your voice, if you cannot stand, we will support you. If you cannot walk, we will carry you. We are here for you and we will stay with you through it all.” This was just what each and every member of our family did for her and it was really a blessing for us to walk with her through her life and to make sure that she enjoyed and lived well right until the very end.
Wherever she went she was able to win the hearts of the people. She was full of humour and laughter. She loved going for parties beautifully dressed, and was able to match her accessories to her dress. When someone commented on her dress she was always on top of the world.
She kept strong family bonds. She was innocent and the most lovable in the family. She gave us the gift of unconditional love. Our Sweet Angel taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reason. She taught us about kindness and patience, because it took a lot of love, patience and dedication to care for her needs day after day. It is truly loving without condition, and it is perhaps the most beautiful and purest form of love that exists. She made that kind of love exist. She made it possible.
Her life wasn’t easy or glamorous. There were many hard times, for her and for the whole family. But she taught us how to look past the difficulties and find beauty in life, for there is always beauty; she made our lives beautiful. We are glad that we had her in our family and how true our Dad was, when 59 years ago he said our Sweet Angel was truly a blessing for our family!
She enjoyed her life and she entertained us as much as we entertained her. She loved music and dancing and there was no Christmas without her taking to the dance floor. It was her love for carols that resulted in our Mum organising carol sessions during Christmas, which continues to this day and even during the COVID period.
Our “Sweet Angel” received her call from Jesus on July 6. Although we are grief-stricken, we promise not to forget the loving memories you gave – but we still miss you and we long to hear your caring words. We will make sure that you will be remembered in all our get-togethers in time to come. We are certain that the Pearly Gates would have been wide open to receive you and St. Peter would have specially invited Dad and Mum together with our sisters Anne and Ramani to be at the gates to welcome you with open arms. So enjoy their company once again until “we shall meet on that beautiful shore”.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
VPdesW
To shared memories of our wonderful aiya
Dr. Winston Wadugodapitiya
Our brother Winston aiya passed away peacefully three months ago. He had many talents and achievements to be proud of – nevertheless, we two sisters salute him for the more humanitarian side of him: his kindness and compassion to the less fortunate. Being a doctor enabled him to realise his dream of helping the sick and needy irrespective of their status. Family, relatives and many more received medical help with no financial benefits to him. For this great quality (inherited from our father) we have a deep respect for him and firmly believe that he will have an even better life in his journey through Samsara.
We were a closely knit family from Kandy with great parents. Our father Seneviratne Banda Wadugodapitiya fondly known as Sene and our mother Lena, an angel to us, greatly supported our father and us. We were seven siblings – five girls and two boys. Winston aiya was the second. Educated at Trinity College Kandy, he was a brilliant all-rounder. He had an excellent academic record and was the only student to enter Medical College from his batch.
As a sportsman he represented Trinity at the famous Bradby Shield Rugby matches in 1951 and 1952 (which won the trophy) and was the oldest living Rugby coloursman. We were taken for all the matches aiya played for and were so proud of him.
Later on he played for Medical College and subsequently was the doctor for the CR&FC rugby team for a few years. We used to watch him rush to the field when players got injured – that was his commitment.
His talents and achievements as an academic and professional were many but we share our childhood memories of him.
Life in Kandy was simple and pleasant. Our eldest sister Rita (Karunaratne), Winston aiya and the next brother in line, Rando aiya, were one unit. The three elder siblings took great care to protect the four younger ones (Mallika, Amala, Kamala and Shanti). Ours was a happy home. We used to have so much fun. Mother was a good pianist and father loved to sing and our house therefore was full of music and song. If we remember right, Winston aiya used to whistle contributing to it.
Just as all good things have to end our father was transferred to Colombo breaking up our family. Our brothers were the most hit. Winston aiya had to look after himself when still in school and also take care of Rando who was also at Trinity. It was a tough time for him with many other constraints. We were all sad at being separated. Winston aiya managed his roles well and this brought the two brothers even closer.
Winston aiya entered Medical College, making our father very proud and was back in Colombo. We, the two youngest siblings, had his support. Kamala was a sports person and Winston aiya encouraged her and made sure her essentials were met. Shanti the youngest was his favourite. They shared a special bond. He ensured she was excused when up to mischief. He was great fun and made us laugh when he used to practise his ballroom dancing alone, pretending to hold his partner with his right hand and holding out the left.
Unlike our understanding mother, our father was a strict disciplinarian. One house rule was that Winston aiya and Rando aiya had to alternately take the girls to Galle Face Green every Sunday. Not sure whether they enjoyed this task- but we remember the thrill of going to Galle Face, singing as we walked with sister Amala leading the way and the treat of the ice-cream cone that followed. Those were the days when simple things gave us happiness.
Winston aiya married Kamala Ranaweera and settled down in Kandy. They had three children – two daughters and one son who were his pride and joy. Aiya had the distinction of being appointed the first Medical Superintendent of the New Peradeniya Teaching Hospital and later Director of the Kandy Hospital. He had the support of his wife Kamala. Our contacts were less frequent as he was a busy man in Kandy and each of our families had responsibilities of their own.
We met Winston aiya a few months before he passed away and he read out a poem he had written about our mother with so much emotion that we had tears in our eyes.
Manoji his daughter, looked after him with love and care until the time he passed away knowing his family loved him dearly.
Winston aiya, may you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Your sisters Kamala (Kapilasena) and Shanti (Gunasekara)
(The only two surviving siblings)
I will carry his life lessons and wisdom with me always
DR R.C. RAJAPAKSE
My grandfather was a proud and honest man. He held his head high until the very end. He lived with strength, determination and the heart of a man who was half his age. He was known to have a stubborn streak, but his resilience allowed him to enjoy a fulfilling life until the age of 90, and I know he would have accepted nothing less. Just last year he bathed in the sea with us on a family trip and joined me for long morning walks on the beach as we shared our thoughts on life. These conversations will forever hold a special place in my heart.
He was a man with many hobbies. He treasured his garden and enjoyed the opportunity to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for his family and friends. I recall a time when his dedication led him to confront a mango thief in his garden, one of many instances where his youthful spirit contradicted his age.
He also loved to watch cricket, but only when Sri Lanka were winning. While he was a patriot, he also cherished his visits to England to spend extended periods with us, finding joy in simple pleasures like a warm bed on a cold day, strawberry picking and a post-dinner chocolate. I’ll never forget the way his eyes would light up when I suggested a visit to the village fish and chip shop for lunch.
For a military man and hospital director he was a strong-minded and tough individual. My grandmother was his main weakness. After 57 years, he still loved her with his whole heart and tried to show her that every day. He enjoyed spending every day with her and couldn’t bear the thought of them being apart.
Even though I’ll miss hearing all his exciting stories about their youth, their love story continues to serve as an inspiration.
Throughout his life, his family and friends adored him, his brothers looked up to him and his colleagues respected him. If he ever gave a compliment, it was sincere, and his playful teasing was a sign of affection. It was well known that the more he teased you, the more he liked you.
Lokuaththa was a man who set a lasting impression on everyone he met. His talent and integrity has left a mark on the community around him for years to come. I was told by several people he worked with that he treated members of every rank equally. He was strict but fair to all. Despite being a tough leader, no one had a bad word to say about him. Everybody appreciated the way he disciplined and rewarded people for their actions. Even today, those who had the privilege of working with him hold him in high regard. In fact, the staff at Sri Jayawardenapura hospital dedicated a touching verse to him:
A friend who taught us right from wrong
And weak from strong
That’s a lot to learn
What can we give you in return?
Sir, with love and everlasting gratitude we bid you goodbye. We salute your tremendous service and inimitable moral courage.
Whenever I felt lonely, my grandfather never failed to make me feel heard and appreciated. Though I miss hearing his words, I will carry his life lessons and wisdom with me always. He consistently expressed how proud he was of my achievements and I am committed to continuing to make him proud. He was a unique individual, a great teacher and a dependable friend. l will hold onto his strength in my heart through all of life’s joys and challenges.
Nuwanji Amarasekera
To those good old days
”CHUTTA” SANCHAYAN RATNATHICAM
My friend Chutta was born on November 3, 1947 and passed away in California in early 2022. I have very happy memories of Chutta who was articled at the same time as myself in that esteemed firm Ernst & Young. Of course he went to the wrong school because of his late father, who was an outstanding teacher at Royal College, Colombo.
Chutta was a brilliant student and passed all his exams in Chartered Accountancy on his first attempt, perhaps because of the maths background he had at home.
We had such a jolly time at EY. At the December 1969 final examination, Chutta and myself were the only two Chartered Accountants who passed out. His Membership would have been 298 and mine 299.
While I decided to opt for a career in public practice he joined the prestigious firm of Shaw Wallace & Hedges Ltd. For two years we maintained a close association where he would come and have lunch with me once a week at Akasa Kade in the Ceylinco building. I still remember the Triumph car he drove.
This close relationship went on until I went to London on secondment to the EY office there, while shortly thereafter he went to Zambia which was recruiting Chartered Accountants from Sri Lanka.
Subsequently, again while I was in London in 1975, I flew to Zambia to spend a one-month holiday with my brother-in-law, Lakshman Hettiarachchi and spent an evening with Chutta whom I found to be living a luxury life. I really enjoyed meeting him and we talked about old times.
That was the last time I met him in person.
Subsequently I heard from my old friends at EY that he had moved to California. He used to come on and off to Sri Lanka especially to do some volunteer work in the Vauniya District. Unfortunately I did not meet him on any of his visits.
I was very sad to hear of his passing away in the early part of 2022.
May he attain Eternal Peace.
Gamini Fonseka
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