In Canada, the sky was the limit for him

In the birth certificate his name was Deepa Piyatissa Wijerathna Jayasundera (D.P.W. Jayasundera) but close relatives called him DP, and in the University, he was known as Deepal. Deepal visited many Asian countries such as Singapore, Cambodia and Japan. About three decades ago he migrated to North America and settled down in Winnipeg, Canada. With his global experiences and seeing the living standards, he selected Canada to be his second home.

He urged all of us to migrate to Canada saying, “In Canada, the sky is the limit” and took the initiative to arrange Permanent Residence (PR) under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for my daughter and her family. Subsequently, my daughter and her family arranged for my wife Chandani and me to become Canadian citizens. If not for his sincere generosity, we would not be in Canada today.

Deepal was born in Kalagedihena, Sri Lanka. His father Jayasena Jayasundera was the Sub-Post Master in Kalagedihena and his mother Alice Jayasundera was a teacher in the Kalagedihena Government School.  In 1961, Deepal was selected on an island-wide competitive “Rupasinghe Scholarship” examination and entered Royal College. Even today his name appears as D.P.W. Jayasundera in the Rupasinghe Scholarship Panel in the main hall of Royal College. He was an active member of the Royal College boxing team.

When I entered University of Ceylon, Colombo Campus (now University of Colombo), my father found a boarding place for me with one of his friends (E. R. Eratne) in Barnes Place, Colombo 7. It was here I met Deepal. He became both my roommate and my university batch mate. He was not only studious but also keen to maintain physical and mental fitness as a boxer and weightlifter. His routine was 'early to bed and early to rise' and a nap after lunch.

He showed me the books that he possessed for his university studies and told me of his dietary habits to maintain his body weight. Further, he showed me a string of 108 beads (නවගුණවැල) frequently used when meditating. His lifestyle was different to mine. With my friends, I used to go for movies, especially the 9.30 p.m. shows, and return after midnight. Due to this Deepal called me 'the Midnight Man'.

After a few months, he advised me that if we could do well at the first-year examination we could apply for an honours course. As a result, I emulated some of his textbook oriented lifestyle habits and was able to do well at my examinations. He obtained University Colours for weightlifting.

Pending University examination results he got an appointment as a Junior Executive at Ceylon Glass Company, Ratmalana. He started his government career as a Valuation Officer at the Department of Valuation. Later, due to his sports background he was recruited to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) as a Flying Officer (Gazetted Officer).

Deepal married my second sister Thilaka. His best man was Tony Opatha (Sri Lanka Cricket Team/Flying Officer, SLAF) and his groomsman was Wijaya de Mel (Dept. of Valuation). As Valuation Officers Deepal and Wijaya were doing field work in the Divisional Secretariat of Habaraduwa and occupied the front room of Guna Nivesa on Galle Road, Unawatuna. They later came to know that the owners of the house (Wijetillakes) are related to me.  When I married Chandani from the Wijetillake family, Deepal was the attesting witness at our marriage. As he was very close to my parents, he arranged for Wijaya (his co-worker/groomsman) to marry my elder sister, Yamuna. Because of this intimacy with my family, Deepal was like a brother to me.   

During his stay in Winnipeg, Deepal used to associate with many Tamil Sri Lankan families and Tamil community leaders. They were very helpful for me when I was the President of the Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba and I still keep in touch with them.

Deepal worked at Western Glove Works in Winnipeg. After retirement, he moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta to live with his eldest daughter Nipunie and her family. His second daughter Yosha and her family are in Winnipeg and his son Asitha and his family are in St. Rose du Lac, Manitoba.  

His motto was, “Unburdened with duties and frugal in ways” (appakicco ca sallahuka-vutti), from the Discourse on Loving-kindness (Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta).

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

Senaka Samarasinghe

Winnipeg, Canada