Appreciations
View(s):I am certain Hulftsdorp will feel the vacuum which you have left
Sujeewa Prasanna Jayawardena
“The fragrance of upholding precepts wafts further than any other fragrance”-
Puppha Wagga
Dhammapada
It is with great sorrow that I pen this appreciation in respect of a great gentleman with whom I made acquaintance in the chambers of S. Sivarasa, PC, at a consultation many years ago. Our acquaintance turned into a close friendship that continued until his unfortunate and untimely demise, which came as a great shock to me and my family, especially, my wife and son, who were also close to him.
Prasanna sacrificed a lucrative practice in the commercial, corporate, banking and appellate field where he was busy in the District Court, Commercial High Court, Civil Appellate Court, Appeal Court and the Supreme Court for the sake of accepting an appointment as a judge of the apex court. When I asked him, “Prasanna are you not making a mistake when you are a Director of some other firms?” he replied, “Yes, the emoluments I get from the firms are more than the salary I would get as a judge but I am accepting it with a purpose.” Till his death he never told me what was his purpose but at the same time he lived a meritorious life till death. He was to have even contested as the President of the Bar Association after being its Deputy President. The whole unofficial Bar would have missed a dynamic President had he contested. Like the late Neville Samarakoon QC who also sacrificed his lucrative practice as a civil lawyer to take up the post of Chief Justice, Prasanna followed suit as Judge of the Supreme Court.
The last occasion I met him was at the Voetlights dinner held on the last day of term on December 20, 2019. He said he was leaving early and wished to speak to my son and my wife. I immediately informed my son and told him “Prasanna wants to meet you”. No sooner had my son met him, he had given him a piece of advice saying “You should study the bench before you start addressing the bench, even if your case is a good one”.
Those words still ring in my ears and made me reminisce about the words of Dr. Colvin R. De Silva, when he addressed the Law Students’ Union as a guest speaker, when I was a student at Law College. Colvin said, “It is not the knowledge of the law, but it is the art of catching that animal over there.”
My son was fortunate to work with Prasanna as part of the team of officers of the Attorney General’s Department assisting the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the Central Bank Bond scam, where Prasanna functioned as one of three Commissioners appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena. His undeniable contribution to the findings of the Commission showcased his amazing ability to grasp complex matters in a matter of minutes. The same is evident in the well reasoned and articulately written judgements that he delivered as part of his undying legacy.
Many of us in the legal profession were not aware that the late Justice Prasanna Jayawardena, PC, was an adventurer and that he indulged in mountain climbing, including practice sessions to climb the Himalayas along with Jaliya Bodhinagoda, Attorney-at-Law, proving he was a multifaceted individual despite his busy practice in the Commercial, Civil and Appellate Courts in Sri Lanka. He also played golf and was a hiker and wildlife enthusiast. It was a narrow shave he had on the day of the tsunami when he was in Yala, but fate decreed otherwise to take him all of sudden prematurely when he was on the bench.
It is my sincere belief that these extracurricular activities during the height of private practice before joining the bench made him a man of great temperament, which held him in good stead as a judge who extended courtesy to all the members of the Bar, fairly and equally. Us legal practitioners feel a sense of emptiness brought on by his sudden demise.
His character did not change even after his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court where he made a name for himself in a short period of time. He was still the same man who was always cordial to his friends at the Bar and would move freely with them at any social gathering.
Prasanna though you have left us your memories will linger. I am sure Hulftsdorp will feel the vacum which you have left. Goodbye my sweet friend, till we meet again.
K. Ganeshayogan
An unforgettable teacher who moulded many lives
Gregory Kenneth Samaranayake
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we write this short biography of our beloved teacher Kenneth Samaranayake, in appreciation of the services rendered by him over a period of 32 years, from 1954 to 1986 to our alma mater, St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala.
He passed away at the age of 89 years.
He was born on January 11, 1931. His father was a CAS Officer and lived at Kensington Gardens, Bambalapitiya. After his early education at St. Peter’s College, he proceeded to Madras and obtained a first-class honours B.Sc. degree from the Madras University.
On returning he joined St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala as a Science teacher and first taught Chemistry to SSC and HSC/University Entrance classes He later switched over to teaching Botany. Kenneth as a young graduate teacher was handsome and always immaculately dressed.
During the golden era of Rev Bro. Alban and Rev. Bro. Lawrence Justinian as Directors, St. Anne’s had a reputation of having the best science teachers in the North Western Province. Mr. Samaranayake was one of them. He was an exceptional teacher who earned the respect of all. He taught with passion, loved the students and would provide them academic and emotional support
Dr. Jupiter Moonamale, one of his students in school says that he owes his success to Mr. Samaranayake for advising and encouraging him to sit for the University Entrance exam the third time after two failed attempts, at which attempt he was selected to the Medical Faculty.
In the late 60s, after the college was taken over by the government and the medium of education was changed from English to Sinhala, St. Anne’s saw a large influx of students from rural schools with little knowledge of English. Kenneth took over the responsibility of improving the standard of English among these students. His untiring efforts were rewarded by the College producing three medallists at All Island English Day finals.
He married Maureen Peiris, the Primary School’s Music Teacher in 1959.
No annual prize giving was complete without Kenneth and Maureen jointly producing, mainly Shakespeare playlets to be staged at these events which were greatly acclaimed by the audiences.
Even after school hours, most often as late as 6 p.m., Kenneth was seen in the school premises training students in extracurricular activities which included music and drama. He kept in touch with most of them even after they left school. Our association with him as a teacher was memorable and he was a true professional who left a lasting imprint in our lives.
Kenneth and Maureen were blessed with three sons and two daughters, all married and doing well in their respective fields.
Kenneth and Maureen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the entire family and friends on December 28. During this celebration he was seen singing baila and dancing. The same night he had the privilege of sitting together for dinner with his beloved children and grandchildren before his call to Eternal Rest the following morning.
May his soul rest in peace.
BandulaWeerasekara and Bandula De Silva
Ode to a true gentleman teacher
Abdul Majeed Mohamed Naufal
I got to know Naufel Sir, through his sister-in-law Zahira Ramjan who was a moulavi and teacher herself. Sir had the highest respect and regard for her. I am ever so grateful to her for having introduced him to me.
Naufel Sir was a man of diminutive stature but his knowledge of the world and spirituality was so great, that any student who had the privilege to have him as a teacher would understand that you cannot learn from him without being inspired by his love and desire for learning and teaching. If wealth could be measured in terms of knowledge, Naufel Sir was the wealthiest person I have ever known.
He was born on November 23, 1942. His father was Abdul Majeed who was a “katheeb” in the Kandy Katukele Jumma masjid and his mother was Ummu Salma. He had two sisters and four brothers. He studied at Kingswood College Kandy and graduated from the University of Peradeniya with a B.A. He also gained a postgraduate diploma in Education and English.
He married Naseema Cassim and they had three children, two sons and a daughter – Mohamed Imran, Fathima Zeeniya and Mohamed Hasan. After the untimely death of his beloved wife in 1992, he married Sitthi Zeena.
He had an illustrious career spanning 45 years in the field of education. He had taught in a number of schools and institutions such as the Gampola Zahira College, government schools in Mawanella, Nuwara Eliya and Galhinna and the Darul Hasanaath Academy Warakapola.
There was humility in his knowledge. He would never impose his ideas on you, but would patiently listen – that is how much respect he gave to others’ opinions. The more he knew, the more humble he became. Learning and teaching were his greatest passions. He could make even the dullest subject interesting.
He was also a prolific reader, who could talk on any subject and you would think that he was an expert in that field. I have not seen a man so much in love with knowledge and teaching. He had a great impact not only on his students but on anyone having the good fortune of interacting with him.
Generally most people are either knowledgeable about religion or secular studies but Naufel Sir was expert in both fields. I pray that almighty Allah admit him to “janathul firdause” and elevate his status. He touched the lives of so many students around the country, and his legacy continues to inspire, guide and live through them.This beautiful human being left this world to join his maker on the June 27, 2019.
When I went to see him just a few days before he passed away, I told him “Sir I want my daughter, who is nine to know you, can you please pose for a photograph”. This was the last picture that I captured of him.
Shamima Salie Asif
Gentle giant of a friend and boss
Malcolm R.C. Peiris
It is hard for me to accept that this much respected gentleman whom I have known for many years is no more.
Major Malcolm Peiris was associated with CPS (Ceylon Planters’ Society) for several years and held the position of Chairman too. He was also a former Officio member of the Executive Committee and Council for many years. He conducted meetings with much decorum, even taking special care to never cause offence to anyone. His primary concern was the welfare of the downtrodden.
I gained much by observing him at the meetings he presided over. His aim was to always be helpful to others and live in harmony and peace.
It is we who remain, who will continue to mourn the loss of a wonderful and caring gentle giant of a friend and boss.
I am confident that God will reward him with a place in His heavenly abode. I extend my deepest sympathies to his beloved wife, Yolande Peiris, and to his other family members.
Anton R. Rajendram