Appreciations
View(s):Asoka Devendra
Outstanding teacher, propagator of the Dhamma and social worker
Well-known as a teacher, disseminator of the Dhamma and social worker, Asoka Devendra, passed away on January 15 this year to continue his Samsaric journey, the cycle of births and deaths. Born on May 17, 1925 in Asgiriya, Kandy, he died at the ripe age of 91 years. The final years of his secondary education was at the prestigious Trinity College, Kandy, from where he entered the University of Ceylon.
Obtaining a Special Degree in Mathematics and later a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching from the University of Colombo, he initially taught Mathematics at Mahinda College, Galle. After teaching at several outstation schools he was later a Lecturer at the Teacher’s Training College, Maharagama, and subsequently its Principal. He was also, at one time, a Director of Education.
A large number of students learnt their Mathematics at his feet and they highly respected his skill as a teacher and guide.
In 1956 he married the fair and charming Kusuma Devendra, now Ven. Bhikkhuni Dr. Kusuma Theri. They had seven children, of whom two were twins.
Taking seriously to the study and practice of Dhamma he became an active member of the Maharagama YMBA (where he lived). He also engaged in conducting lectures, discussions and meditation classes for those interested in the pursuit of the Dhamma.
He was on many occasions a speaker at the weekly meetings of the Servants of the Buddha Society at Maitri Hall, Bambalapitiya, from the days of the late Deshabandu Alec Robertson, who was the President of the society for over several decades and continued to do so when I was its President for a number of years thereafter. The Servants of the Buddha Society meets every Saturday evening to listen to and discuss the Dhamma.
When the Colombo YMBA commenced the conduct of Dhamma discussions in English on the third Sunday morning of every month towards the early 1995, he was one of the first to participate as a Panelist. Later when the Association inaugurated Dhamma discussion in Sinhala on the first Sunday of every month, Asoka was one of its earliest and regular panelists.
He was a regular contributor of articles for the annual Buddhist Vesak journal, “Vesak Sirisara”, started by the late Mr. H.P. Jayawardena, former Headmaster of Royal Primary School. When I was the Editor of “The Buddhist”, the quarterly journal of the Colombo YMBA, he obliged me by contributing articles for this journal and continued to do so after I ceased to be its Editor until his death. In fact, one of his articles would appear in the Vesak Sirisara this year.
As a social worker in his capacity as President of the Maharagama YMBA he initiated action to establish residential facilities for cancer patients at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, who were outdoor patients but living in distant areas. He had to raise funds for the construction of buildings for this purpose and was generously and liberally supported by his grateful students who gladly supported their teacher and the cause of the cancer patients.
Until a few years ago he gave lectures at the Servants of the Buddha Society in Bambalapitiya and participated as a Panelist in Dhamma Discussions, both in Sinhala and English, at the Colombo YMBA.
For a considerable time he was a member of the Buddhist Forum of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), which comes on the air every Tuesday. He also gave Buddhist talks on the radio on several occasions.
He became physically feeble two or three years prior to his death but his mind was in perfect order. So with the help of others he would continue his Buddhist activities. He accepted the physical body pains with philosophical resignation in the true Buddhist spirit.
In accordance with his wishes his remains were taken from Jayaratnne Parlour to the Malabe Medical College for researchs.
May Asoka realise the Supreme happiness of Nibbana early and be free from the trials and tribulations of Samsara, the cycle of births and deaths.
- Rajah Kuruppu
Sharon Schuilling and Imeshi Perera
Cherishing their lives and their memories
On Monday, April 25, this earth tragically lost two amazing human beings but heaven gained two beautiful angels as God saw it fit to call them to their rightful and eternal home with him. Sharon Schuilling and Imeshi Perera were exceptionally loving daughters to their parents and extremely loyal friends, to those of us who were privileged to have called them so. Even in their short time here on earth, they touched numerous lives. We’ve only been classmates for the last five years but their friendship didn’t need a long period of time to be valued for the rest of our lives. The two of them radiated a certain light of friendliness that crept through the tiniest cracks in any wall and illuminated your entire soul. They were the light in a too often dim world.
It is never easy to say goodbye to a friend, let alone two simultaneously. Anyone who knew Sharon and Imeshi knew that the picture simply wasn’t perfect if one was ever seen anywhere without the other. The perfect idiom in our mother tongue that describes them would be “Jaadiyata Moodiya”. They really did complete each other; always true to their calling of being the best of friends, never letting the other down. They were absolutely inseparable and it would only seem fitting that they leave life together as well. Their lives were not just idly ‘spent’ because they really lived to the fullest. These may be clichés expressed after they’re gone but it remains as it is; the simple and honest truth. They were exceptional human beings who lived each day as if it was their last.
They never took anyone for granted. They were always appreciative, grateful, kind, helpful, humble and tolerant. All the same, they were crazy, spontaneous, carefree, expressive and jovial. They never harboured anger because it was below them to do so and out of the goodness of their golden hearts, they forgave anyone who ever did them wrong. They were gifted with a brilliant sense of humour and this allowed them to brush off anything that got under their skin by laughing it off. Countless are the times we have managed to overcome stressful situations or pressing problems effortlessly because of their light hearted approach.
They were the live wires of the 14 English Arts class who, together with their third musketeer to complete the trio, would never fail to make us all laugh until our sides hurt or until we’d fallen off our chairs. That is why they are missed so very much. They were so much more than just two 18-year-old Sri Lankan girls who were tragically taken away too soon.
There are always many interpretations and conjectures to any story, but that didn’t concern us. All we wanted was to be given space to grieve, to mourn, to feel this loss. The only thing that mattered to us was cherishing their lives and their memories. We didn’t care about the details, the facts or figures. They might help piece a factual story together but it won’t fix the brokenness within us. That void will never be filled by anyone or anything else.
We can only hope that time will bring us peace and reveal to us, the Lord’s plan in our lives. As their class and batch mates, we are deprived of the luxury of time to cope with our grief since we have a decisive exam staring us right in the face.
May we never forget that the word “Goodbye!” means ‘God be with you!’ and in knowing that they are with God, may we find strength and comfort to face the days ahead.
They were too young to leave us, but they were also far too good to remain on this earth for much longer.
May we who remain, run this race until our time too is done.
Then in the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.
- Rashmi de S. Wijeyeratne
DHAMMA EKANAYAKE
Forever in our hearts and souls
The days you spoke
The times you smiled
The way a little joke
Made you get annoyed.
The night that you told
Of your young days
And stories with morals of gold
Remind me of your wrinkled face
The times we were together
Are gone forever
For you ain’t with me any longer
And I can’t get you back, No! Never!
Though you didn’t want me to shed a tear
You gave me great sorrow
To watch that endless fear
Of death at your door
You might be with God right now,
Watching us from heaven
And to thee I bow
For all what you’ve given
You and everything about you,
Are just dreams and memories with holes
But grandma, your words of wisdom will glue
Forever in our hearts and souls.
- Shenali Vitharana
EBENEZER ALEXANDRA ROMILA SELVADURAI
Be of good cheer mom… be of good cheer…..
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there—you saw me before I was born. (Psalm 139:13)
Mummy, ever since God formed me in your womb, when I re-collect my memories, it is so amazing to see how much you loved and cared for me and for others.
Now it is almost six long years, you left Dada and myself all alone and are dwelling under the shelter of our heavenly father Jesus Christ in His arms. You brought me up, fed me with nourishing food, clothed me, and gave me the best education with Christian values. You sacrificed your esteemed job at A.Baur & Co., Kandy, and joined teaching in order to look after me with extreme care. Being a devoted English teacher, you cared for the poor estate children and brought up 10 students, and introduced the first ever, English Medium (GCE O/Level) in a Tamil School in Nawalapitiya, which was a great task. Your toiling did not go to waste as these 10 students got through their GCE (A/Level) and now hold top jobs in Colombo in reputed firms and one of the students has gone to the UK for higher studies. No doubt mama, this credit should only reach you.
A silent giver in social and church activities, you always rendered your fullest support and contributed without expecting any rewards nor appraises, which many have commented on and testified to. This alone is a supreme quality and a credential for your valuable services. You were very methodical and punctual, maintained our house with extreme care in addition to your routine cooking and gardening.
Your dream was to make me a professional finance figure, yes I fulfilled your desire, but it was too late, you are not here to greet me. However, from heaven I know you stretch out your hands and praise God watching my prosperity. I firmly believe God will grant me a substitute Mom in the form of my life partner as you pray. Be of good cheer mom… Be of good cheer…. In the arms of Jesus, until Dada and I meet you in heaven.
- Brian Joshua Selvadurai
H.P. Kariyawasam
A much respected engineer and friend
Harry Premanath Kariyawasam, “Kari” to his friends left us all at a time while being actively involved in the “Construction Guarantee Fund” after his retirement after yeoman service as Irrigation Engineer Kandy. Having joined the department at a young age after leaving school, he served in the Yakabendi Ella Scheme, Gin Ganga Flood Protection Scheme and Minipe Nagadeepa scheme in the Nuwara Eliya and Kandy Divisions. His dedication to work is well known to his superiors, fellow mates and the farming fraternity.
Kari had a knack of reading all government circulars and orders between the lines with a lot of interest and enthusiasm and always gave a helping hand to anyone who sought his advice in interpreting them.
The work he did to rehabilitate the Kandy Lake when the lake water was affected by a fungal attack in 1997 on the eve of Kandy getting ready to celebrate the island’s Golden Jubilee Independence Day will always be remembered. His skills in handling work undertaken by the Kandy Lake Development Committee in investigation, reporting shortfalls, designing new avenues, and constructing them in double quick time to rid Kandy of the smelly waters of the Lake were outstanding. “Disce aut discede”, you have lived to the spirit of your alma mater.
Goodbye sweet prince!
- A Batchmate