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Appreciations
An engineer, Hindu priest and scholar
Employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board were shocked at the sudden death of K. Harihara Sarma, a chartered mechanical engineer. He was a sober, pious, humble, honest and trustworthy gentleman who was respected by all.

I had the privilege of being his batchmate at the University of Moratuwa, Katubedda in 1966. After university, both of us joined the Department of Government Electrical Undertakings. He continued to work in the Ceylon Electricity Board till he died. He carried out his duties in an exemplary manner acceptable both to his superiors and subordinates. His advice on official and religious activities was welcomed by his colleagues.

Sarma belonged to a prestigious family of Hindu priests who were associated with the famous Ponnambalawaneswarar kovil. At the time of his death, he was functioning as a priest at the kovil deputising for his illustrious father Sri Kunjithapatha Sarma who is the chief priest. He was a scholar well-versed in Hindu rituals who had accomplished the enormous feat of evolving a new version of Grantha letters for the benefit of Hindu priests and devotees.

If I had the ability and power to proceed to heaven, I would have fought with Yama, the god of death like the legendary Savithri and brought back Sarma's precious life, as it is indispensable.

However, being devout Hindus, it is our duty to uphold the essence and ultimate aim of Hinduism which is to renounce birth and attain Moksha or eternal bliss.

May he attain Moksha at the gracious feet of the Almighty, Lord Siva.
Kanagasabai Jeyakanthan

Ovitigala Vitanage Samantha
He stood for justice
At twenty three
you knew right from wrong-
endowed with human values
not taught in books
and lectures
in the greater halls of learning.
Your courage
and commitment
against the suffering
of undergraduates whose only crime
was to have qualified -
to enter greater halls
of learning -
opened many eyes.
You fought against
a fear psychosis
gripping university dons
and scheming politicians
whose time has come
to stop their crocodile tears -
and take a stand
against those
who buried human values -
along with you.
Punyakante Wijenaike

Last journey of a gallant warrior
A call from the blues beckons the young gallant warrior.
The thoughts fly, he strides outdoors,
Stands poised leaning on a trunk of a tree pondering
Decision is presto! Duty to the motherland is first and foremost.

Back to the billet, shuddering away sentiments,
Packs up the haversack; dons the cap and requests the flight,
Luck's in his way. The plane is full
Shall reserve a seat on the next!

Determination, courage and bravery take not 'no' for an answer,
Rebukes the officer and wants room made available pronto,
Has his way and reaches the fateful destination Palai,
Performs the task given and returns cheerful and happy as a lark
Alas! the next few minutes he is the target of our bloody war
Silenced by a sniper! Wonder whether he cried Amma!
By evening the comrades see him in a polythene bag
Routine follows, a hero comes home alone in a coffin.

Cries echo, laments are heard, crowds throng the bereaved home,
The inquisitive, the sympathetic and comrades to see their brother officer
A guard of honour and funeral parade take his mortal remains
A mother's cry of 'Goodbye my son' rends the air.

Another young son of the soil has bled to death,
To save his motherland from separatism,
You've done us proud, thank you
We salute you, gallant warrior my darling son!

Your precious ashes lie in state
In the resting grounds of Kandy the great
Fanned by the cooling, scented breezes
Amidst some sons who too are great

The fervent wish of the mother
Is not Nibbana for you my son at any rate
My selfish prayer to all the Gods ever so great
Is for you to be born my son again and again.
Amma
Manel Wewegama

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