Appreciations
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Sri
Lanka’s man of the millennium The patriotic people of this land and their future generations will remember with gratitude, what this great man did for the majority Sinhalese despite being from the minority. When our Sinhalese politicos were afraid to speak out, it was he, who tore the deer skins off the Tigers to show the world their true colours. It was he, who was instrumental in getting the LTTE banned in the very countries where the Tigers enjoyed some sympathy. It was he, who did not hesitate to call Prabhakaran a terrorist. It was he who got the UN to recognise Vesak as an international holiday. Sir, this appreciation should have been written a long time ago when you were alive. Then you would have realized how much we Sinhala Buddhists love and respect you! I am writing this to show my gratitude to a patriotic citizen, a great diplomat and politician, a true son of the nation. I wonder, how many politicians will have the guts to agree with you and condemn the terrorists as you did. How many will truly endeavour to wipe out terrorism in this country, how many will remember you by next year? Dear Sir, you are the man of the millennium of this country! May the Triple Gem bless you! May you be born in a country where the likes of you will truly be appreciated! Inoka Makalanda Fragrance
of a memory The
fragrance of your memory sweeps through and over us and always will.
You keep reminding us, every day that we are only travellers passing
through. All your loved ones A fearless
lawyer and politician, he worked for ethnic harmony The news of his sudden demise came as a shock to us, the members of the Galle Bar, for he was among us in court the previous day in his usual jovial mood, attending to his professional duties. Mr. Kulatilleke had his early education at Mahinda College, Galle and Ananda College, Colombo. He entered the Ceylon Law College, as it was then known, and passed out as a proctor in 1956. We were eagerly looking forward to celebrating his fiftieth year at the Bar in January of the coming year in a fitting manner but fate decided otherwise. He began his practice in his hometown of Galle and commanded a lucrative practice both on the criminal and civil sides. In later years he concentrated more on the civil side.He was a past President of the Galle Law Association for two consecutive terms. Mr. Kulatilleke was affectionately called "Rajah" by his colleagues and friends and "Rajah Mahaththaya" by his clients and the ordinary masses who loved him. He lived with the people. He never thought in terms of race, religion, caste, class or any other such consideration and believed in unity among all. In
fact when there were occasional skirmishes between the Sinhalese
and Muslims in Galle he stepped in and provided a bridge to bring
about reconciliation among them. He was good to everybody and liked
by all. During the period of terror in the late eighties when bombs exploded and guns boomed practically in every part of the country, when death threats were levelled against the candidates in the provincial council elections, when heads of opponents were chopped off and stuck on spikes or sticks in fences, when voters were threatened that their hands would be severed if they dared to cast their votes, when people were forced to switch off their lights and remain in darkness, Rajah contested fearlessly as a candidate of the U.N.P. and contributed his share for the preservation of the democratic rights of the people. Having been successful in that election he was appointed the Deputy Chairman of the Southern Provincial Council where I had the opportunity of working with him very closely. He
served as chairman of the board of directors of the Galle Co-operative
Hospital and the Multi-purpose Co-operative Society. He also actively
participated in several religious and social service organizations
in the city. P.W. Seneviratne A doctor
and humane human being Dr.
Cyril Perera was truly a physician loved not only by his patients,
but also by all the people who knew him. He left an indelible mark,
not only as a doctor but also as a humane human being. He never
lost the common touch. He never profited from his profession. He treated his patients like his own children and loved them dearly. It went against his grain to speak evil or ill of anyone. If a person spoke against someone, he would immediately use his "diplomatic language", and say "Putha, why are you saying this, are all five fingers the same?" Or, if I had an argument with him, he would say, "Putha, let's talk about something else". He was a devout Christian. I still remember his Christmas Day articles in the print media, which were thought-provoking and educational. It is my earnest hope and prayer that the medical profession truly and devotedly enumerates his noble deeds. He remains sacrosanct in the hearts of many friends and patients who received his many kindnesses. Amyn Chatoor
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