Never a dull moment with Naveen

A gentleman and a scholar, charismatic to his finger tips, Naveen was naturally marked out for great heights but opted to take the simple, uncomplicated way of life. This allowed him to share his time equally, among his friends, his business and his family; which however, still left them each yearning for more of his company than he humanly could give.

There was never a dull moment with him around. He made his presence felt whatever the company he was in. 

Naveen completely epitomised the legendary person who could walk with alacrity and equal harmony, with beggars and kings. No man was too big or too small for this large hearted, unassuming personality, who counted among his Royal schoolmates and accountancy batch mates, those in the highest echelons of political, public and business life. 

His zest for life would not let him be tied down to a position of high public office, which he so richly deserved, since it would have curtailed the time available for him to spend with friends and loved ones and also quietly enjoying life in his own inimitable style.

Naveen's sense of humour was a revelation! It was infectious and all pervading. His well-honed wit could turn the most mundane object or event into an extremely hilarious episode. When that charming grin spread across his face and when his eyes took on that certain sparkle, it was "look out somebody, it's your turn for a bit of teasing." But there was not an iota of malice or irony about it.

Naveen, of course, had his serious side. His acute sense of self-discipline, integrity and reputation for fair play earned him the highest respect among his business colleagues, friends and acquaintances. 

He ably steered a burgeoning business in the right direction with resolve and vision and a deep seated sense of honesty and integrity while nurturing his family with the commitment of a dutiful husband, father, sibling, (and even an in-law). 

Naveen steered clear of the political arena against all the pressure he may have had to get involved. 

Though initially holding independent views on religion, he appeared to relent later. 

If he subsequently showed a penchant for getting closer to God, he obviously did so at the right time; which no doubt would have proved an immense source of solace to all concerned at that time of unexpected grief.

Naveen, your cherished memory will be indelibly etched in the hearts of all those whose lives you touched with your magnetic presence. No doubt, as your beloved wife, daughter and dear mother-in-law will concur, you continue to regale your heavenly hosts with the jokes and anecdotes with which you used to entertain us. 

Till we meet again on that beautiful shore.

Desmond Aiya 

Lady with a heart of gold

Born in Beruwala, she hailed from a very popular and distinguished a family. However after her marriage she settled down at Pelana, Weligama, the birthplace of her beloved husband. Her husband C.V. Samarasinghe, a well known and greatly respected lawyer of the Matara, died about 20 years ago.

Evelyn was an unassuming, soft spoken person. She was sincere in whatever she said or did. She was very tolerant and her limits of patience and endurance were beyond measure.

Her entire life was built on fixed principles and values. She was a compassionate lady who, at all times, stretched out a helping hand to those in need.

Although she never liked to be in the limelight, she played an active role in the religious and social activities in the area she lived in. Religion was important to her. She was a devout Buddhist. Her entire life, until the very end, bore witness to a true and steadfast affirmation of the Buddhist faith and way of life. She always preferred to serve, rather than be served.

Everyone who knew her enjoyed the warmth of her company. Her hospitality knew no bounds. No one who visited her home, whether rich or poor, was ever sent away without a meal - (and this was practically a daily occurance).

It was her family life that she enjoyed in full measure. She was a devoted wife and a loving and caring mother. She enjoyed wedded bliss for almost 46 years, and was a tower of strength and inspiration to her husband at all times. In 1987, due to unforeseen circumstances, she was compelled to move to Colombo, where she lived with her eldest son Wilmot until her final call. 

She was a very close and dear friend to Wilmot (affectionately called Sam). He looked after his mother with great care, love and above all, great personal sacrifice till she passed away. However, this in no way depreciates the devotion and love Chandra, Wickramapala and Chandana had towards their beloved mother. To the world she was just one person; but to her four sons she was the whole world.

Though Aunty Evelyn is no more, those who were fortunate to have met and known her will cherish her memory. 

The large and representative gathering at her funeral from all walks of life, significant among whom were the simple village folk from Pelana who came in bus loads to pay their last respects, bore ample testimony to her popularity. 

She leaves behind four sons, three daughters-in-law and eight grand children. My sincere prayer is that the Lord Buddha gives them the strength and courage to meet this great loss and even more to follow the ideals set forth during her lifetime. 

Perhaps this little verse would be a fitting tribute to her.

"She gave the best she had to give

She knew no other way to live

She never wanted wealth, fame or gold

And what she treasured could never be sold"

Farewell Aunty Evelyn,May hosts of Devas sing you to your well earned rest. 

May you attain the eternal bliss of Nirvana.

Francis Vethanayagam

Amma- you meant so much

Dr. Nalinda Andraweera

She was everybody's friend and light

It is a privilege to write a brief appreciation of someone in the full knowledge that nobody would disagree with any words of praise; the risk one runs is of being found guilty of not doing her justice.

Yvonne and Irving had been in Australia for four or five years before Nim and I had the privilege of getting to know them. They came over here in late 1972 and Yvonne was well established in her medical practice in Greenacres when we first met. My introduction to the Sri Lankan community in Adelaide came largely through meeting many of its members, who were her patients and friends.

Yvonne was born on May 4, 1921. She studied at Bishop's College, Colombo and was trained as a doctor at Medical College in Colombo. I know she retained a number of close friends from her time in school and in medical college-a testament to her character. She married Irving Vernon Herft in 1950. They had three children, Christopher, Louise and Anthea.

Yvonne worked for 20 years in government service before moving into private practice, first in Kalutara and then at Sulaiman's Nursing Home, Colombo. 

Her move to Adelaide was facilitated by a colleague a Dr. Davidson, with whom she shared a practice after arriving in Adelaide. She came out to Australia with Irving, and her maiden-aunt, Hazel de Witt. Their adult children joined them later. Hazel had lived with Yvonne's parents. Louis and Winifred de Witt, from the time of their marriage and had helped to bring up Yvonne and her brothers, Alfred (Chum) and Hector (Jack). Yvonne was a young medical student and her brothers were still at school when their father died suddenly of a heart attack. They survived difficult times with the support and love of their extended family and friends.

Irving and Yvonne were devoted to each other. They had different personalities -though complementary-, the one quiet and sensitive, the other, "Hail fellow, well met", outgoing and ebullient. The family was very close. Yvonne's friends who kept in close touch all got to know Aunty (Hazel), Christopher, Louise and Anthea, Irving's sister Yvonne and her husband Lucien Keegel, and their respective families, in addition to her brothers. Their door was always open and no one who entered was ever a stranger again. The liveliest parties I ever attended in Adelaide were at No. 28, Manoora Street, Greenacres. In all this, Yvonne was always a quiet, perceptive and serene soul; never rattled, never in a hurry, never without a smile, in spite of many a vicissitude. She enjoyed life to the full, never boisterously, but always a part of what was going on.

I was constantly aware of the rapport she established with her patients and the trust they had in her. Much of this sprang from Yvonne's deep Christian commitment; something she never spoke about but which those who knew her sensed. The only open outlet of this that I saw was the poetry which she wrote and which she showed those whom she knew well, in the last ten years of her life. She was never judgmental, always supportive. 

With her own health deteriorating and the need to stop working, she never complained. But with a stoicism that would have challenged Diogenes, she bore all that was laid on her with grace and charm. She has gone before, leaving us an example of how life can be lived to the full with thankfulness for all it has to offer.

Justin LaBrooy

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