Appreciations
View(s):She taught us the true meaning of love
Rene Roberta Jayasekera
Losing a parent is sad, losing both within a short time, heartbreaking. Parents are the rock on which the foundation for a happy home is laid. When we leave to make homes of our own, the parental home often continues to be called “home”. With Mamma and Daddy gone, the “home” we loved is gone, with it a life we will treasure forever.
Our parents met in 1958, when they sailed to Britain on the SS Orantes. Mum emigrated with parents Edward and Gladys John and four siblings. Dad went to do his articles in Chartered Accountancy. A friend who came to bid him bon voyage spotted Mum and remarked to another “I’m sure Ranjit will meet that young lady on board and end up marrying her!” How true his predictions were!
Their romance blossomed and they married in Britain in 1963. Mum worked in Britain but turned fulltime home maker after Yolande and I were born. We returned to Ceylon in 1967 when Mum met Dad’s family for the first time. In those days air travel was not frequent as today. They welcomed her with open arms. Mamma was a wonderful kind human being whom everyone loved. Michael was born in Ceylon and her family was complete.
Mamma supported Daddy in all he did with her unstinted love and strength throughout their time together. Together, they loved, guided, supported, and gave us an incredible childhood for which we will forever be grateful. Mamma played an important role in breaking news to Dad if we landed in trouble. We didn’t get into too many scrapes, if any, I was usually responsible and Mum would be the soothing balm!
Mum loved family, cooking, music and dancing; Dad wasn’t a keen dancer so she gave up her dancing shoes in the early days of their courtship! She danced whenever the music was good and would tap her feet and move to the beat. Mamma was a happy soul. Friends and family were always welcome in our home and they enjoyed her company and delicious food!
Mum’s illness came as a shock. We were devastated. Daddy tried to be brave, but knew deep inside he was going to lose the woman he loved, his soul mate and partner of 55 years. We did the best for Mamma ensuring she had the best quality life and time to spend with those she loved. Mum fought a good fight and did her best to look after her family for as long as she could. Her determination and positive attitude helped immensely. Sadly, Daddy predeceased Mamma six months before their golden wedding anniversary.
Theirs was a marriage made in Heaven. Mamma was laid to rest alongside Daddy the day before they would have celebrated this milestone. This is just a milestone; they celebrated life every day on earth, they lived, they loved and are now together in God’s Heavenly home.
Mamma, we miss you and always will.
We loved you then and love you still
As you and Daddy watch over us from up above,
We move on with poignant memories and
Everlasting love.
Mamma, you taught us the true meaning of devotion, commitment, and love. Thank you for your example, for happy times, endless love and beautiful memories we will treasure forever. We were truly blessed to have you in our lives.
Until we meet again where “there will be no tomorrow but today will always last.”
Your first born
Amma you spread your love far and wide
Hester Coorey
It has been almost one year since our beloved mother passed away, leaving great sorrow in the hearts of those who dearly loved her.
A Sunday school teacher for more than 25 years, she had a deep and abiding interest in Christianity, serving in church organisations in many capacities with great care and love. She was a guiding light for all of us, especially to my sister and my brothers, giving advice, love and care whenever we needed it.
Later when we got married, she stepped into her role as a grandmother to give love to our children. She was a good friend to all her friends, always keeping in touch with them.
She was an excellent housewife, and maintained a lovely home and a garden full of flowers. It was a matter of a few hours to dish up a delicious spread to many of those unannounced visitors. We all would spend the day occasionally with food and drinks, and lovely singsongs and she used to join in happily.
When my father was ill, she looked after him even in old age, keeping their strong bond over the years. Amma, you spread your love throughout your life to your husband, children, grandchildren and the whole family.
Bryan Coorey
You planted the seeds of love and reaped it too
CHITRASENA (CHITRAL) RODRIGO
Your last words were ‘I love you’ to your beloved wife and that sums up who you were, a loving and caring husband, father, son, brother and friend.
I still recall vividly our first meeting in the early 1970s when we joined Loku Maama, Aunty Lillian and family for a wonderful holiday at your family estate Kabaragala in the salubrious climes of the hill country. You were a smart young planter then helping your Uncle Mike to run Kabaragala. Although the large estate bungalow was overflowing with guests, you were always the gracious host, going out of your way to make us feel welcome and comfortable.
Our friendship progressed to a different level from the time my dear cousin Dilani became your wife a few years later. You were a proprietary planter in your own right, and planting was more a vocation than a profession to you. You took great pride and satisfaction in your work and were able to bring an owner’s perspective even when working later as a planter in the State Plantation Corporation (SPC) and regional plantation company (RPC) estates.
I looked forward to our many discussions on plantations, where I was able to get valuable insights from you into practical plantation management. You always had the welfare of the plantation and your workers at heart. The love and esteem that the plantation community had for you were evident by the large numbers that turned up to visit you in hospital and also to pay their last respects. As a respected senior planter, who rose to become a Cluster Director, being a mentor to your juniors was a task you took on seriously and they adored you, as seen by their touching messages of condolence. I am personally aware of how much you helped your juniors to progress in their planting careers whenever they sought your assistance.
Your strong work ethic and busy schedule in no way stopped you from living life to the fullest. Your sense of humour, fun-loving nature and your charming and easy going manner endeared you to everyone. With your innate management skills and meticulous attention to detail extended to organising events and functions, you were indeed much sought after at many a party, be it in your planting circles or at family get-togethers. You would often be seen urging everyone to start the sing-alongs and the dancing.
In Dilani, you were blessed with a wife who loved and cared for you deeply and your happiness and wellbeing were her overriding concerns in life. It was heartwarming to see your obvious love for each other after more than 35 years of married life. As a father, you doted on your wonderful daughter and son and your unconditional love and support created a happy family environment for them to pursue their goals.
You must be truly proud of what Diluka and Preveen have grown up to be and of their achievements in their respective professions. I know how much your children loved you and looked up to you and how much they miss you. In the last few years of your life, the apple of your eye was undoubtedly your precious granddaughter Aheli, who misses her darling Seeya and is pining for you. Dilu and her husband Ranil will find it hard to fill the void left in her life by your absence.
Chitto, during your life, you were able to make a difference in many peoples’ lives. Your generosity and charity will be remembered by all who were happy beneficiaries, and your life was a clear reflection of true Buddhist values that you professed and lived.
You were a livewire in the Rodrigo Society, a charity run by your family members, which dates back more than 175 years. The loving family environment consisting of your dear parents, two brothers and sister, the rich traditions of both Trinity College and Ananda College where you schooled, combined with your friendly personality made it easy for you to mix easily and make friends with people from all religions and different social backgrounds.
Nimali and I always wished you on July 21, your birthday, but sadly this year it is not to be. So it’s farewell, my friend Chitto from all of us. You will be dearly missed and will always be remembered and will live in our hearts forever.
May your family and friends find consolation and remember you for how you lived and not for how you died and as stated in the Dhammapada “life is a pilgrimage… death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely…. a kind heart finds paradise everywhere”. May you attain Nibbana.
Lalith
Sky was the limit for his bravery and patriotism
Dilhan Perera
Dilhan Perera or Daffa, as he was affectionately known, was a man of integrity and vision. His dream was a united and peaceful Sri Lanka and he made the ultimate sacrifice for that dream. Dilhan undertook his last mission on July 14, 1995 in Sandilipai, Jaffna in the manner he was accustomed to, hastening to provide crucial air support to the ground troops during ‘Operation Leap Forward’.
When he died at 26, Dilhan was a flying officer in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). He was from my immediate senior batch and we become friends in 1990 in China Bay, Trincomalee where we were undergoing a basic administrative training course.
Due to his exceptional flying skills at the aptitude tests at the very inception of his flying career, he was one of the last two flying cadets to undergo flying training in the Royal Air Force’s prestigious Chipmunk aircraft prior to it being withdrawn from service. Since then, he also achieved the rare distinction of flying the only ground attack aircraft of the SLAF, processed at the time, the Sia Marchetti (SF 260 TP). He not only went on close air support missions but was also responsible for bringing back stricken aircraft from airfields in the North.
Confident and daring and armed with extensive knowledge and flying skills, Dilhan achieved much in the battlefield. One instance was when he and his colleague were stationed in Jaffna in support of the ongoing operations, the enemy infiltrated the camp one night. Dilhan and his colleague brought back two aircraft to safety, at the risk of their lives. Only one helicopter was destroyed by the LTTE. This action taken voluntarily to save the military assets, earned him a medal he richly deserved, and also the admiration of his seniors and those in the three services as well.
Dilhan always advocated that we sharpen our skills by practising dummy bomb/rocket “Dives and Manoeuvres” to minimise collateral damage saying that accuracy solely depended on the skills of the pilot. By this he believed that there would be fewer “terrorists” for us to fight in time to come. He also got me thinking that we are bombing and perhaps destroying our own country.
Dilhan was an ardent sportsman who represented the flying squadron in cricket and rugby. I recall trying to avoid being seen next to this well built, handsome man in female company since the attention always went his way. He married his childhood love but left her and all of us for good, within eight months of marriage. He was one of the best pilots the SLAF has ever produced. Dilhan Perera’s loyalty to his country and his integrity were immense. He flew on his last mission knowing that missiles were deployed but wanting to do his duty by his country.
I wish that we will meet again in this sansara.
Wing Commander (Retd.) N.L.S. Wijesekera RSP.
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