Appreciations

Asoka De Silva, Executive Committee member of Women In Need (WIN), passed away on May 3. She joined the organisation as a voluntary befriender in the early nineties. Very soon Aski, as she was affectionately called became interested in the work of the organisation, which was wholly committed to the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children.

Her dedication and sensitivity to the cause were soon recognised and she was invited to join the executive committee. Aski loved hard work - half hearted effort was unknown to her. She totally immersed herself in the various projects carried out by WIN. Her sensitivity to the issues of gender discrimination and the actual suffering of women in situations of domestic violence brought out her qualities of patience, tolerance and sympathy. These great qualities happily blended in her character in which dedication and service formed the keynote.

As a lawyer, her analytical mind and legal knowledge helped to solve many a legal problem, which the victims of domestic violence were faced with. She worked with our team of lawyers who were instrumental in drawing up of the WIN constitution. Aski was a happy person, pleasant and witty with abundant laughter. At the Board meetings which she never failed to attend she was quick to see a shortcoming, but her ready wit and joyous laughter saw any difficult issue solved with ease.

Aski was a generous person. She gave her time, energy and personal wealth to WIN. She was in charge of the shelter for abused women run by our organisation. Aski took a personal interest in its running and made it a pleasant place for the victims who were given shelter, seeing to all their needs. Her generosity was aptly demonstrated when she spent large sums of money to help the victims of violence. The shelter was Aski’s pet project and it was efficiently run with Aski visiting it at least once a week. Aski enjoyed giving her time to cheer up these women and children.

Her sudden death uprooted from our midst, a lovable personality. Her understanding of human problems brought us together to work towards the goal of eradication of violence against women. She was too young to leave us. She has left a void difficult to fill. She was a special person who cared for others and gave her heart to what she believed in.

She dedicated her life for the rights of women in need