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The sun seemed a little warmer than usual that afternoon…. as if determined to stay on, until the designated time arrived to bid goodbye to a great son of the south. Matara itself seemed strangely quiet and forlorn on that day March 4, as one of its most illustrious and patriotic sons wended his way on his last journey through the town.

The solemn-faced soldiers of that gallant unit of the Army, Gemunu Watch, most fittingly paid their last respects to their one-time Commanding Officer, Col. B.A. Perera, with a burial service with full military honours.

As the bugle sounded that strangely vibrant yet haunting music known as the ‘Last-Post’ which in itself seemed to reflect the mood of everyone gathered there, Col. B.A. Perera’s tired and weary body of 80 years was laid to rest. The grateful salutation of the Army personnel whose admiration and respect he had won and the sincerely fervent wishes of his loved ones and friends in whose hearts he shall live on, would have made him happy if he was watching from beyond. Well known are the facts that he was an attorney-at-law, as well as an unofficial magistrate. He was also a director and subsequently vice chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board and director of the National Livestock Development Board. He held the unique honour of serving as the Basanayaka Nilame of the famous Devundara Devale for 25 consecutive years.

He is credited with starting the southern region’s first ever security company, Provincial & City Security Services Ltd.

However, the lesser known facts show the soul of this remarkable man better. His sense of patriotism and generosity were such that his own life and wealth were mere tools for him to serve others for a greater cause. It was perhaps this noble trait in him that prompted him to donate his entire salary from the Paddy Marketing Board as well as the National Livestock Development Board to the National Defence Fund. He had also been contributing towards the renovation and maintenance work of the Matara Hospital.

He had generously spent his own funds to enhance the quality and standards of the welfare sector of the Gemunu Watch Regiment. Yet another silent humane gesture which was known to his immediate family only, was the financial assistance he had been providing to a deserving athlete in the Matara Police, Damith de Silva. Another noteworthy feature was that he assisted those who found it difficult to hold a decent funeral for their kith and kin. His home was always open to friends, relatives and associates to come in, relax and refresh over a meal or a cup of tea.

As a voluntary force officer, his uncompromising patriotism and duty-bound honour saw him rising up spontaneously in defence of his motherland. The sacrifices made by people like him to keep democratic values on course have saved our motherland from the clutches of hasty immature philosophers.

His one foray into politics, was more in desire to keep the democratic way of life flourishing at whatever cost, than for any other reason. He did not expect personal victory. Those who have today gained electoral victories ought to be grateful to the heroic deeds of men like Col. B. A. Perera.

Did he have any regrets? Being human, he must have had. In the last lap of his life when he was besieged by illness, which in turn affected even his speech, he would sometimes gaze into the eyes of his daughter longingly trying hard to say something. The love and gratitude showed by his two children, sisters, brothers, son-in-law, cousins and those who stood by him always, would have been of great comfort to him.

May our motherland be blessed with more and more truly courageous and generous men like him. May the ‘Last Post’ sounded at his farewell, be the clarion call echoing from the soul of our motherland for the truly patriotic sons and daughters to do their duty as well.

May his spirit edge him on towards the enlightened path leading up to Nibbana.

It's two weeks since that tragic day Nihal de Silva set out on a trip that was no novelty to him but still exciting-an early morning safari at the Wilpattu National Park.

When I first heard of the blast at Wilpattu, just before noon on Saturday May 27, it was another "news story" and since of late all of it has been bad news. Blasts, assassinations, shootings killings, killings and more killings, that by the end of the day they add up to a number.

It was not until much later on Saturday, that I found out that Uncle Nihal may have been a part of the group caught in the explosion. I was shocked, to say the least. I frantically made a couple of calls and was told that there were two people who had escaped. They had heard of the blast and fled into the forest.

That was the hope I clung to and also shared with Uncle Nihal's family. His two sons Shanik and Shenal were to set off for Wilpattu at the break of dawn on Sunday.

But by morning, the bouts of information that emerged throughout the night proved our worst fears.

I found it inexplicable how the life of a man like Uncle Nihal could be snatched away so suddenly and cruelly. I still don't have an answer but as a believer of Jesus Christ, I know it's all a part of a larger plan that will be clearer to us some day.

I have known Uncle Nihal since I was a child, but interacted with him far more frequently after he took to writing.

He always had a passion to read and write and I remember when I was about 14, he took a few of us kids, along with his own for pizza and couldn't take his eyes off a read in the Time magazine, prompting a nudge or two from Aunty Sherline.

When he first told me about the "Road from Elephant Pass," I was excited, more so because the title, recounts an area that as a journalist I have so often visited and covered. He told me not to expect too much and to let him know what I thought of it. I told him it was a page-turner and that I didn't realize he was such a prolific writer. He wanted me to do the launch and say "something about the book". I said I would be happy to. He autographed the book saying, "to read, and laugh at".

But it was no laughing matter. His first literary work went on to bag the Gratiaen Prize and the State Literary Award.

Uncle Nihal was on a roll and since then, The Far Spent Day and Ginirella Conspiracy followed in quick succession, all of which I compered at the launch.
His fourth book, on an arms dealer was in the process of being completed when his life was snuffed out.

What stood out for me about Uncle Nihal was his simplicity, modesty and wit. He also always had time to listen.

Even when I asked him for an introduction about himself for the launch, he brushed it off saying "ah, there's nothing much to say, just say I'm a product of St. Joseph's College.”

But there's so much to say, Uncle Nee… You have given so much to the world and to everyone who knew you-from your family to those who just barely knew you or just met you only once. The impression you left was lasting. And it did not matter who the people were or how old they were, either.

Like many of us, Rev. Fr. C. Kuriyacose was overwhelmed during his farewell at the cemetery. He said Nihal was "a man who didn't preach religion. But lived it," a true child of God.

I will miss our chats, especially the ones after Sunday mass, which were a mixture of the situation in the country and what more I should be doing with my life. He always urged me to complete my masters, saying he was sure I would be very successful.

In one of his last emails, he attached the story of "Chaya" saying "this is to keep you amused." It recounted a powerful experience of a couple that survived the Boxing Day tsunami and pointed to the need to appreciate how precious human relationships are in this materialistic world we live in.

The last time we spoke, he congratulated me on an article I had written for the New York Times and told me about the fourth book he was writing. "I can count on you for the launch, right," he said, and I replied, "Of course Uncle Nee."

I will remember that day, and your ever-smiling face. I have sat with Uncle Nihal in his office many times, talking about the content of the books. He would also ask me a million questions on my life as a journalist.

On May 29, I sat in that very office with his sister-in-law Iromi, writing his death notice and picking hymns for his funeral service. It was awful.

The room was still full of him. Papers strewn on the table, a half-empty Black Label Whisky bottle and by the side of the computer, handwritten notes of his next book.

It was not easy to focus on getting logistics done and the practical matters attended to, when most were still in shock over his death. But they had to be done. Looking for an epitaph from what had been written before, we couldn't find anything that encapsulated what Uncle Nimal stood for and meant to the people who loved him.

Swallowing the tears that welled up and trying hard to focus, the words suddenly flowed.
Precious forever
Are memories of you….
Deep in our hearts
You will always be treasured….

"Her children shall rise up and call her blessed"

What matters now is that we must realize that hers had been a remarkable and an extraordinary life. Born to wealth and high station, she could have lived a life of ease, enjoying all those prerogatives. This was not her choice. She created her own life, acquiring through her own efforts, a sound education and the highest of professional qualifications in her chosen field of competence. Fortified with these credentials, she built on the foundation of the business devolved on her by her father to reach pre-eminent status in the world of commerce.

Marriage and the upbringing of her children were not the least of her achievements. She projected the image of the quintessential Sri Lankan woman of distinction - truly oriental in her lifestyle; quiet, dignified, commanding both admiration and respect from all who knew her. Soft spoken, gentle in demeanour, never overbearing yet forceful and firm in her convictions, she wielded a great deal of influence whenever her advice or direction was sought by friends or colleagues.

Always well groomed, dressed appropriately for any occasion, she stood out in a crowd although she never sought the limelight. Her family could justifiably be proud of this unique personality and death will not remove the aura attendant on her for many years to come.

Her boundless unpatronising charity and compassion for those less privileged than herself will always be remembered. What is more, these endearing qualities she had bequeathed to her children — all eminent in their respective fields yet simple and unassuming.

There is no doubt that Sriyani derived courage and enlightenment from the faith that she professed. That is why it behoves us to find her Biblical counterpart whose children, without hesitation, ranked her among the blessed.

The death of our dear Nelumpura Nenda, Sumitra de Silva Wimalawansa, is a loss for everyone in the family. We were blessed with her acts of kindness, generosity and understanding. She was always there for us and with us at any stressful or happy time to comfort and share our pain and sorrow and to smile and share our success and happiness. It would be hard to find anyone in the family who had not experienced her kindness and hospitality.

Her life was beautiful and complete - an exemplary family life in which she was its centre, devoted to her brilliant husband D. S. P. Wimalawansa de Silva and supportive to him in his duties to the state, a loving mother to her three children who were guided and encouraged by her to become good people with sound education, sturdy values and kindly hearts. Their stable family life was an inspiration and a benign influence to the younger generation.

But her world extended beyond her little family. Her extraordinary affection and caring nature made her a dearly loved aunt, sister, cousin, in-law, grand-aunt and friend to numerous people. She and her husband shared that rare love for people.

She had time for everyone. Even after her husband departed, she continued his good work undaunted. She did not drift into oblivion or solitude, but took life with both hands and made up for his loss by being there for all who needed her.
Nenda was a guiding light to our family, a sure tower of strength. A sweet-natured person, she had mature wisdom to guide us and share our hopes and dreams. Everyone in the family, even those older to her, respected her and gave heed to her word for she had the rare strength of character to make good, sensible and fair decisions.

So many memories hold her close to our hearts and, in each of those memories, we see her loving nature and her gentleness.

A cheerful and happy person who found pleasure in everyday events and simple acts of love and goodwill, she kept track of each one's achievement, progress and whereabouts, however far they lived.

She became the grand matriarch of our family surrounded by many loved ones, near and distant. Selflessness and hospitality were the hallmarks of her character. Whether it was a party, a wedding, a family reunion, arranging a marriage or facing a loss, everyone depended on her sound guidance and direction. Her culinary skills and organising ability made whatever the occasion a success.

To the end of life, she remained dutiful, cheerful and alert. Distance was no barrier — she would always insist on visiting sick relatives and friends and attending funerals of anyone whom she had even the remotest connection with.
Yet, impermanence and sorrow are an inevitable part of life. But to reflect on the features of her beautiful and complete life of over four score years, would help us to derive inspiration from it and take consolation in the fact that here was a truly loving and lovely person who gave sunshine to the lives of all who knew her, lived a happy life, was free of vices and bequeathed three good children to the world who will surely carry on their good parents' legacy of compassion, love and goodwill in all they say and do.

In the magnificent work that her son Professor Sunil Wimalawansa does so unobtrusively for Sri Lanka's downtrodden and the needy, his generosity and gentle nature, Sumitra Nenda shall live forever. In our adoring hearts, her memory will be forever fresh and fragrant.