APPRECIATIONS
View(s):His silence conveyed much more than his spoken words
Arunachalam Shanmugasamy
Arunasalam Shanmugasamy (Shan) was born in Madduvil but mostly brought up in Achuveli. He was the son of Mr. Arunasalam and Mrs.Thillaiamma Arunasalam. Shan was born on July 8, 1939 and passed away on July 7, 2024, a day before his 85th birthday.
He lost his father rather early in life and his elder brother Vaithianathan took over the responsibility of educating him. Shan lived up to the expectations of his brother and all his relatives in Achuveli.
After schooling, he joined the Central Bank. While employed at the Central Bank, he qualified as an economics graduate and climbed the ladder of success slowly but steadily, retiring as a Senior Accountant.
I recall when he was sent by the Central Bank to Japan to participate in a conference but while in transit in Singapore was robbed of his briefcase containing all his travel documents, including part of the foreign exchange he carried. Thus, he was compelled to return to Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, he took it in his stride. That was Shan.
He married my sister Vijendrani, youngest daughter of Mr. Kanagasabapathy and Sivayogam of Columbuthurai/Nallur. They had three children, two boys and a girl. The boys are residing overseas and the girl lives in Sri Lanka with her mother. They were blessed with four grandchildren –two boys and two girls.
Shan was a well-mannered, well-read, soft spoken, knowledgeable individual who was of immense help not only to his kith and kin but also to his friends and their offspring. The assistance he rendered to others were done in a manner unknown even to his family members. This was revealed by his friends who called over at his home to convey their sympathies.
When we got together on occasions he seldom spoke and when he did, it was to the point and gave food for thought. His silence conveyed much more than his spoken words. His activities reflected the spirituality in him. Perhaps due to the influence of Yogaswamy of Columbuthurai, whose ashram was next door to his residence?
He never complained of any shortcomings in his family circle but was concerned about everyone’s welfare.
I will miss you Shan, seated in your favourite chair at home, inundated with newspapers, magazines and periodicals.
Goodbye Shan.
K. Balendra
The brother we wished we all had
Anil Gamini Jayasuriya
Anil Nana as I called him was a special person. Our families were close friends and as a child, the age gap being less, I was a playmate of his much-loved younger sister Anula Kusum along with my friends Anila (who was God-daughter of Aunt Ena’s sister Phylis) and Manique ( the daughter of Aunty Ena’s good friend Freda Welikala Jayathilake).
While the three of us had our own brothers whom we loved most of the time, we often wished that our own brothers were more like Anil, the person we looked up to. The kind, awesome, “genius” person, who was not only effortlessly top of his class but produced amazing artworks with a unique style of his own which he developed when still a schoolboy. He was what we thought of as the perfect gentleman, who also did special things for his sister like writing beautifully illustrated letters to her while at university in Peradeniya, and presenting her with a pair of gold, single diamond ear studs with his first salary! Wow!
His accident was such a blow to his immediate family and all of us who knew him. Those were traumatic days. He finally regained consciousness and gradually life continued as indeed it must, and as best it could, with Averil remaining staunchly by his side as his soulmate and wife.
It was as an adult that I got close to Anil Nana. When I returned to Sri Lanka after my educational sojourn in the UK, our family dynamics had changed. We were less one parent each and our siblings were overseas. Two years later my father was gone. In the absence of my brother, it was Anil who helped carry my uncle’s coffin – my brother’s father-in-law. My regular Sunday visits after church to the home of the two ‘As’ (Anil and his beloved wife Averil) were something I looked forward to each week – a solid link with the past, our parents, our siblings and extended families. We would talk about everything and nothing.
The highlights of those evenings were Anil Nana’s wonderful sense of humour. I well remember how he once described his grandfather Sir Richard Aluwihare’s home in Aluwihare as “the replica police station Aththa built as his retirement home with a view, which Ammie (his mother Aunt Ena) transformed into her version of a Hollywood studio, stage, set and props – with the pride of place taken by her of course, as producer, director and the star performer par-excellence”!
Anil Nana, thank you for being there for me. May your valuable contribution as a Sri Lankan artist be given the recognition you deserve.
-Shanthi Wilson
Until we meet again Thaththi
A.V. KASTHURIRATHNE
In the stillness of this month gone by,
We remember you, dear Thaththi
Though you’re gone from our sight,
In our memories, you still shine bright.
Much adored grandfather, beloved father,
Devoted husband, pillar strong,
Everything you did, for our family’s sake,
Every sacrifice, every move you’d make.
God called you home, to realms above,
Leaving behind your legacy of love
Your kindness touched souls in countless ways,
A beacon of light in life’s darkest maze..
God’s plans, a mystery we cannot know,
Through tears and grief, we still mourn
You were the rock on which we leaned,
In our hearts now lies a void unexplained
Yet in our souls, your spirit stays,
Guiding us through life’s unknown ways.
In the quiet peace of evening’s grace,
We see your smile, your warm embrace.
Though you’re gone, your legacy lives on.
Until we meet again, in realms above
Rest in peace, dear Thaththi, in eternal grace,
In our hearts, you live on; forever safe.
~ Ruth Kasturirathne (Daughter)
Your legacy lives in every kind deed
Prasanga Kasthuri Arachchi
In a land of desert sands, you rose so high,
A beacon of brilliance beneath Riyadh’s sky.
With numbers and wisdom, you wove your art,
An MBA, CIMA, you mastered each part.
From Nalanda’s halls to global acclaim,
HSBC first recognized your name.
Dedication, integrity, your guiding star,
From trainee to leader, you travelled far.
At SCB, your talents shone bright,
A new horizon, a beacon of light.
Then NTB, our paths entwined,
Analytical skills of the rarest kind.
In Saudi’s heart, you found your place,
With promotions swift, you embraced the race.
Head of Compensation, a role you earned,
Respect and admiration, your presence affirmed.
Beside you, Priyanga, your love so true,
Two precious sons, your dreams they knew.
Shaviru and Ramiru, your pride and joy,
Plans for their future, you were not fortunate to see.
A devoted son, in every way,
Your parents’ pride, come what may.
In August 2016, you left us so,
On this anniversary, we feel the blow.
Through Sansara’s journey, may your path be brief,
Find peace and relief, beyond life’s grief.
Your legacy lives in every kind deed,
In every heart, you’ve found your place.
Goodbye, dear friend, till we meet once more,
In life’s eternal, boundless shore.
May your spirit soar, free and light,
In the embrace of Dhamma’s light.
C. Hewapattini
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