On February 2, as I have recorded in my dairy at 3.35 p.m. I had the unbelievable and saddest message from my wife about the sudden demise of my friend Nimal.
Nimal was an exemplary banker who had an illustrious career for well over three decades at People’s Bank. He was born in the deep South, a link we shared and later moved into the city with his employment at People’s Bank where he served in several branches in Colombo and suburbs. He married the attractive Nayana and had two wonderful daughters Hiruni and Ishari, both educated at Museaus College. Nimal retired from the bank prematurely and opted to concentrate and contribute to the flourishing business launched a few years ago by Nayana and their daughters.
Nimal was someone with whom anyone could enjoy a candid conversation and a good laugh. We all admired him for his incredible ability to make friends across every possible barrier of gender, social strata, or ethnicity. He was a multi-faceted personality with multiple talents and interests. He would associate with beggars and kings with absolute equanimity, a rare trait which drew people to him.
Nimal was occasionally aggressive in putting his arguments across but deep down he was big hearted, warm and compassionate. He lit up the place wherever he was and also the lives of everyone around him with his sparkling humour. His cherubic smile will linger forever in our lives although he is no more.
He was a dedicated family man and his wife and daughters were the whole world to him. He was the patriarch who held the family and circle of friends together.
I recall with strong sentiments those effervescent years of association with him and his family. It was extremely difficult to come to terms with the sudden loss of Nimal. However, as Buddhists, we believe all compounded things are subjected to decay and death and it is applicable universally to all of us.
Sarath De Silva |
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