Appreciations
View(s):Nanda Mendis
A wonderful sister– a gift to the heart
“A Sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.” This quote wonderfully describes what my eldest sister Nanda meant to me. Born on February 20, 1930, she was a dutiful and respectful daughter who was much loved by my father, late Nomis de Silva (founder of Ebert Silva omnibus company) and my mother Magilin. Being the eldest with five younger brothers and two younger sisters she was always a loving and caring sister whom we always looked up to. I was her youngest sister and being 12 years younger to her, most naturally, I enjoyed a special love where much of her loving attention was showered on me. It developed into an affectionate and strong bond as we grew older.
My sister Nanda studied at Musaeus College Colombo, and thereafter married Wijayapala Mendis of Negombo at an early age. He hailed from a political background as well as a similar business setting, as both fathers were bus magnates of the then bus company era. Having moved to Negombo after marriage she played a most supportive and encouraging role in advancing her husband’s political carreer. Being by his side at all times, I was proud of my sister’s dignified, graceful and elegant disposition being always helpful and obliging and popular among his associates and acquaintances. Her supportive presence by his side as a loving and caring wife undoubtedly helped him ascend the political ladder to responsibly handle key portfolios as a senior Minister who positively contributed to the advancement of the country.
She struck a wonderful balance dedicating her love and her time as a dutiful wife who had to play a prominent role in her husband’s public life and as a loving and caring mother who showered love on her children and never failed to be by their side. My sister Nanda and my brother-in-law Wijayapala spent 59 long years of blissful married life living together as an exemplary couple with mutual love, care and devotion. All who knew them witnessed a rare companionship and love that was only strengthened with time. She was a loving mother of one son and three daughters, namely, Manouri, Davindra, Dilupa and Nadika. I am proud to say that she was a loving and affectionate mother and thereafter a doting grandmother who was there for her children and grandchildren at all times fulfilling all her duties.
In my sister Nanda I always had a friend, we shared a unique relationship sharing our joys and happiness and holding each other close at times of grief and sorrow. Having guided me as a young girl right up to marriage both our families became very closely knit and she was fond of my three daughters as her own.
Though shattered, she faced the unfortunate and untimely death of her only son Davindra and eased her grief with courage and strength finding solace in the teachings of the Dhamma, being a devout Buddhist from her young days.
Sadly she lost her husband, after a brief illness at a least expected time. Though my sister was devastated at the loss and the loving companionship of nearly six decades, she once again drew strength from the teachings of the Dhamma to face the future. I am happy that my family was able to be by her side to ease her pain and grief and to shower our love, care and affection at a difficult and painful time, when she needed it most. With the demise of her husband, together with her daughters she was determined to carry out his last wish of very generously donating their palatial residence in Negombo with its beautiful gardens to the Maha Sangha, bringing back memories of the numerous such charitable deeds they had done together in the past.
She decided to spend her final years with her two elder daughters in Australia and England saddening all of us. One year ago, on April 19, she passed away peacefully in Manchester, England, leaving only wonderful memories. It is said that there is no better friend than a sister and she was the best sister and friend to me whose memories I will always carry in my heart.
May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana
- Chandra Wimalaratna
Sena Wickramasinghe
A selfless and caring uncle
I heard the sad news of the passing away of Uncle Sena from his sister-in-law. The first thoughts were that he was fortunate to have breathed his last on the first Poya of 2016. He had looked at his wife of over 50 years and shut his eyes peacefully to enter another world. Uncle Sena was 82 years.
Uncle Sena was more than just the husband of Mrs. Dhammeswari Wickramasinghe. He would accompany her virtually everywhere, sit silently while she attended to her various religious and educational roles and quietly watch her with admiration. It was that caring, selfless nature in Uncle Sena that provided aunty the courage, inspiration and confidence to attend to the plethora of social service work she was committed to. He never demanded that her time be allocated to only him. This noble trait is what we would all take lessons from. In fact it was his caring presence inspiring her to help others that aunty will now miss very much. Uncle Sena was so caring that he inspired aunty to care for others.
Uncle Sena’s birthday was spent with 75 children at the Sri Jinananda Children’s Home, an event that had been taking place for the past 12 years. Every year aunty and Uncle Sena would come up with ways to provide for the needs of these homeless children. Last year it was school bags and with Christmas, Santa and a live band was organised much to the happiness of the children and Uncle Sena.
His love for flowers and vegetables was great and he loved to daily visit his indoor garden, filled with exotic orchids and a host of organic vegetables. His pet cat was once a kitten which had lost its mother in a motor accident. That pet of 12 years passed away in his arms a few months before Uncle Sena’s death.
Uncle Sena was the gentle strength of his wife, providing her all the support needed and encouraging her all the way. In this selfish world Uncle Sena stood out as a remarkable individual whose selfless nature, radiant smile and giving ways epitomised what he was and what he will be remembered for with each day that he is now missed.
Uncle Sena bid goodbye silently on January 23, 2016 on his journey to Nirvana. His wife, Dhammeswari, his son Tushan, daughter-in-law Minoli and three grandchildren will miss him very much as will all of us who knew him and admired him for his loving and caring personality.
- Shenali D. Waduge
INDIRA FORTUNE RATNAM
A light from our home is gone
We just cannot comprehend nor find the words to express our grief over the loss of Indira, my darling wife on March 6. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend to us. During the 44 years of blissful marriage she never complained nor grumbled. She was strong-charactered, always searched for the good in people even when no one saw it. She was always open-minded, modest and never imposing. She never ever spoke bad about anyone nor did she speak behind their backs.
Indira was ever ready to help the poor, needy, suffering and the sick as she wanted to follow the commands in accordance with the word of God. Everything she did was for God’s glory. She always had a kind word for everyone. Her charity work was an inspiration to everyone. Always simple and unassuming, she was soft spoken and never raised her voice in anger.
Indira’s influence over us was so great that she provided an example for us to follow. A great listener and reader, she made the children members of the best libraries to read and gain useful knowledge in every subject. The stories she told them were full of morals. She had three separate note books for our three children in which she had written on various subjects and day to day important happenings around the world and whatever came to her mind – advising and influencing the children to lead a honest, and God dependent caring life. She had throughout encouraged them to live a life of righteousness. She never took hasty decisions but prayed and sought God’s guidance before taking any decision.
Even in her feeble state she visited her aged parents almost daily (both 96 years old) and her loved ones, relations and friends. Her devotion and loyalty to all those to whom and with whom she worked were so great, that she gained the love and respect of everyone around her.
Our beloved Indira, we all miss you. As her husband, having lived with her for 44 years, hardly have I seen any flaw in my beloved Indira.
A light from our home is gone,
The voice we loved is stilled.
The hands that did so much for us
are resting at God’s Will
We love you forever darling Indira/Mummy
- Albert, Rukshan, Dharshini and Shyamala