Appreciations
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Toast
to a special bond of friendship Events
leading to his death were swift and it is difficult for us to reconcile
ourselves to the grim fact that the irrepressible Prema, who, in
the words of our friend Tissa Devendra filled our lives with 'life
and laughter' is no more. Tissa (Devendra) was the District Land Officer, Bodhidasa (HDT) was in Food Control, Stanley (Fernando) was in Agrarian Services, the later politician Paul (Perera) was in the Archives under that eminent Archivist J.H.O. Paulusz and I was the Electrical Engineer. As we came from different disciplines, our close association under a single roof gave us wide exposure to the different world within our own and for me it was an education of sorts. Paul
would recite extensively from Faustus and Tissa would talk about
Claudius, Prema would hold forth about drama and the ancient classical
texts. During
dinner we compared 'notes' on our activities of the day and special
mention was made of anything which we felt was funny. I remember
the several hours we spent together discovering the obscure 'walks'
in Nuwara Eliya, Prema would comments on the colours of the Nuwara
Eliya trees, plants and terrain - colours not found anywhere else
in Sri Lanka. During our time the Mahagastota Grid Substation site had a plaque that Baker had his farm at the site. I have not seen that plaque during my recent visits to Nuwara Eliya. Maybe someone has thrown it away without realizing that the plaque gave such historical significance to an otherwise unimportant place where a Grid Substation is located. Prema explained to me at great length the role that Baker and his group of settlers played in the birth of Nuwara Eliya, its agriculture, animal husbandry and how Baker's group introduced leeks, carrots, beetroot etc. which form the backbone of Nuwara Eliya produce today. We who were together at Nuwara Eliya recollect with much nostalgia the experiences we shared during that memorable time. The bonds of friendship had a special significance, maybe because Nuwara Eliya has that ambiance that seals friendships. Memories of Prema will pervade our lives until our own time to depart this world comes along. He will be remembered for his 'sterling' qualities, for the manner in which he would go out of his way to help anyone who sought his help and for the love and affection he had for all who were fortunate to be his friends. May the blessings of the Triple Gem guide his wife Paduma and the children during these sad days. We pray that Prema's journey in Sansara will be short and that he will attain the eternal bliss of Nirvana. Bertram Fernando You
were my guide in life "Grandpa" as I used to call him, was a simple man. I still remember like it was yesterday how he encouraged my brother and me in our studies. He was the only person to whom I could take my report card whether it was good or bad. There was a lot to learn from his life but unfortunately I had only 13 years to be with him. I used to visit him every evening and he never failed to give a treat of goodies to my brother and me. Although he was a busy person, he would always come to talk with us. I still remember how we celebrated Grandpa's birthday every year. It was a happy family get-together with uncles, aunties and cousins at Grandpa's house. How we looked forward to that day. We enjoyed his birthdays where there was food and music aplenty. But now on his birthday with a sad heart we light a candle at this graveside. His sudden illness made him weak and feeble. But strong at heart he wanted to continue his daily chores by himself and I was there to help out in the school vacation. I feel fortunate to have been able to be with him and help him when he needed our care. Our relationship got stronger and stronger day-by-day within a short span. He left all of us in tears on October 16, 1999 and for me it was the day after my 13th birthday. My birthday wish for my dear grandpa to come home was not fulfilled. On that sad day, he had a pleasant smile, as if he was trying to say "Don't cry dear, I'll be waiting for you in the garden of our Lord and be not afraid I'll be looking after you day and night". Grandpa, I know that you are with Jesus today. Please guide us and pray for us as you had been doing throughout your life. Sandaruwan
He
had a vision for the health sector After his internship he served the people of Mahiyangana with much enthusiasm, as the only medical officer at Mahiyangana Hospital. Early in his medical career he chose to work with cancer patients. He was kind and sympathetic to these patients who were looked after in a crowded and depressing environment. He worked in the Cancer Institute, Maharagama for over two decades, more than half of it as a consultant clinical oncologist. At the time of his untimely death he was the Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist in the state health service. In addition to his heavy commitment as a consultant oncologist he wanted to do more for the health service of our country. He was active in the affairs of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and was a popular President in the millennium year. He also led the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) for four consecutive years. He had considerable influence over the more enthusiastic younger doctors in the GMOA. They respected him and his views. He was able to temper their enthusiasm for action. He
had a vision for the health service of Sri Lanka. During his year
as President of the SLMA he worked hard to get a referral system
organised. Dr. Lucian Jayasuriya You
were always there Your teaching methods were so inspiring. We can still remember how you trained Anjula and Upadhaya to pick up similar objects of the same colour and shape from a jumbled box. You never grumbled as a grandmother nor did you avoid doing your part as a mother and loving wife. You never neglected your daily religious activities, whether sun or rain. Your chanting of pirith was like sweet music to all of us .Our household awoke to your seth pirith in the early hours of the day and went to sleep with jaya pirith at night. It was your unending faith in the Dhamma that helped you to tide over stress and fatigue. You were always careful not to be too demanding or commanding. We cannot therefore understand how you were removed from our midst so unexpectedly. As a housewife you were an example and as a mother you were a gem. For your many students you were a guiding star and at all times a good friend. You were a friend in need both at home and in school. Thanuja Serasinghe and Uditha Balachandra |
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