Appreciations
View(s):A friendship that spanned more than 60 years
Jayampathi Abeysuriya
Jayampathi Abeysuriya was one of my very good friends and a close neighbour in Galle. He passed away peacefully on October 10, 2018. He was the youngest son of one of Galle’s famous physicians, the late Dr.Fred and his wife Beatrice Abeysuriya and was the youngest brother of the late Dr.Punna (Eye surgeon), the late Deshamanya Ranjith (P.C.), Dr.Sarath (Neurosurgeon), late Nalendra (Planter), the late Lakshan (Bank Manager-UK), and sister SuranganiAbeygoonewardena. His beloved life partner was Ramya (nee Daluwatte), who looked after Jayampathi with so much care and affection until his demise.
Jayampathi had his entire education at Mahinda College, Galle. He was an outstanding student, a member of the College Athletics team in 1959 and one of the editors of the college magazine in 1964.
After his father’s death in 1965, the family moved to Colombo and Jayampathi joined Aquinas College to follow a secretarial course. He joined the Asian Electrical &Mineral Company at Mattakkuliya which manufactured “Tungstram” bulbs and was Purchasing & Stores Manager until they ceased operations in the late ’90s. As by this time I too had moved to Colombo, we met frequently. I was boarded in Borella and was a frequent visitor to his residence at Veluwana Terrace, Dematagoda, just walking distance for me.
Jayampathi joined the Colombo Branch of the Mahinda College OBA in the ’60s along with me and was elected as a member of the Executive Committee, in which he served until around 2010. He was an active member and was the pioneer in organising the annual trip. The only expense for members was the cost of transport, as Jayampathi managed to obtain ready assistance from old boys at the locations to provide us meals and where necessary, lodging too. Somehow, Jayampathi managed to organise a bus from the Mattakkuliya Depot of the CTB and throughout the same driver and his assistant transported us safely and punctually. He left the committee due to ill health and the annual trips thereafter took ill too.
He was a devoted Buddhist and always took part in the annual “Woodward Pinkama” held to bestow merit on the late.F.L.Woodward and other past principals and teachers of Mahinda College. Latterly, he could not attend these events due to poor health. In 2013, Mahinda College OBA Colombo Branch felicitated Jayampathi for his long and dedicated services to his alma mater. The award was taken by me on Jayampathi’s behalf after a brief speech about him to the audience, as he could not attend due to poor health. This award was personally handed over to him later at his residence at Battaramulla.
While living at “Jayawadanagama”, Battaramulla, Jayampathi played an active role as a member of the death donation society. Jayampathi was involved in constructing a Buddhist temple “Maithree Dharmayathanaya” and was an active “dayaka”.
Jayampathi was a very close and loyal friend to me for over 60 years. He never forgot my birthday and used to send me postal greetings every year.
May Jayampathi attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.
Ranjith Gurugamage
He was the light in our lives
Philip Leo Perera
My best friend and husband passed away on October 28, 2015. It has now been five years since Leo was called to his eternal rest. In those five years there hasn’t been a single day when I did not shed a tear for him. He was such a wonderful and caring husband to me and a loving, caring and inspiring father to our two sons Prasanna and Rohan.
Leo and I were married for 48 years before our Lord called him to his eternal rest. We were looking forward to celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on January 24, 2017. However, this was not to be.
Leo and I met each other because of our very close friends, Hugh and Princy. The two of us attended their wedding. Hugh and Princy orchestrated our meeting. Therefore, we have always called them our “Kapu Joduwe” (marriage brokers). Even now Hugh reminds me of the “Kapu gasutwa” (brokerage fee).
Leo was elated when our first granddaughter Dyana was born. He was fortunate to be present for her first birthday before he passed away. To this day we miss him dearly at all our family functions.
Leo was a good sportsman. He captained the Peradeniya University volleyball team. He was also a competent horse rider and once had his own horse. Leo was also fond of angling. In later life he became an enthusiastic tennis player participating in many tennis tournaments organised by the Police sports body. Our two sons also took up tennis following their father’s footsteps.
Leo was a hard working, honest and honourable Police officer. He dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the Police force. From the day we got married in January 1967, I accompanied him to all his stations. We faced happy times and challenging times during his service. When faced with challenges Leo never compromised on his values and principles. Our family continues to admire and try to live up to his values and principles. Leo retired from the Police force as Senior D.I.G.
His entire life, Leo had an ardent thirst to continuously improve himself and gather more knowledge. I always admired this quality in him. When he retired from the Police force he entered Law College and passed out as a lawyer. He was a practising lawyer until he passed away.
Goodbye Thaththi, till we meet again someday on that beautiful shore.
Loving wife Melanie
I miss his love and affection
Thilak Jayasinghe
‘Jayasinghe Mahaththaya’ he was known
In the days now far gone
Well remembered for his sanguinity
By family, friends, and wide community
He was a fine gentleman
And a very proud ‘Anandian’
Shaped lives of many men and women
He thought the world of his five children
Our father, a grandfather and to many a dear uncle
He always greeted everyone with a sparkle
In his eyes and heart full of kindness
He enjoyed work, family and reading to the fullness
I miss his love and affection
His words and phrases with perfection
So grateful for immeasurable strength
Nothing second to any material wealth
In his handwritten letters
With a beautiful style that endears
He showed care and truth within
Buddhist teachings therein
Written without any urgency
Expressions of such fluency
I read them with eyes full of tears
Knowing that they can wash away all my fears
My mind now calm and sustain
Offering merits to Thaththa, and may he attain
The supreme bliss of Nirvana
As you gained loads of good karma
Aruni Jayasekera