| Appreciations |
|
|||
| Appreciations He was loved, respected and held in high esteem by all who knew him. I have never heard him speak ill of another. He was a devoted husband, loving father, concerned relative and sincere friend. He walked with kings but did not lose the common touch. O! Allah make his grave a garden of bliss and also make the grave not a place of hellfire. Though Zareen is no more, his memory will linger forever. Farewell my friend until we meet again at Jennathul Firdous, Insha Allah. - Haniff Mohammed
The fragrance will live on I have suffered separation by death from an early age and the death of an aged relative or friend does not move me to tears. But this death was different, for in her passing away I had lost someone, who with the rest of her family, stood by me when I faced life's tragedies. This was a loss of a true friend. Her home, whether it was at Queen's Road, Skelton Road, Havelock Road or Torrington Avenue was where her children's friends found warmth and welcome. I remember Umesh's friends Saba, Dharman and Thomas being welcomed with the same warmth that was extended to Roshi's friends Malkanthi, Tikiri and Sarojini. But we were the special lot - Nilanthi, Kamani and me. We found a home away from home in Aunty's house. We would barge into her room, sleep on her bed, raid the fridge and literally park ourselves there, as and when we felt like it. This was a speciality - her warmth. All her children have inherited this special trait and they continue to open their homes and hearts to friends, in a day and age where the culture is "each man for himself". The many, who came to pay their respects to this fine lady did so I believe, as much as to remember the times that were, as to offer their condolences to Umesh and Sharmali, Roshini, Gamini, Devika and Hemanatha. She was a person who took equal pride in the achievements of her much loved nieces and nephews and their children as much as she did of her own. Aunty would recall her life before I met her, and the grand lives of her sisters and brothers-in-law. Each would be remembered by her for what they meant to society and to her. Each act of kindness by one of them would be remembered and cherished by her. When I became her friend and confidante, all her joys and sorrows she shared with me. Though I was her youngest daughter's friend, we found in each other a companionship to which age was not a barrier . Her life she devoted to her children and they in turn honoured her. When it was no longer necessary to run house she moved in with Umesh and Sharmali and spent the eighties there, with her beloved nieces in close proximity. The nineties were mostly spent at Roshi's and Gamini's; when Devika was away in Australia. The last days of her life she spent with Devika and Hemanatha and there she received all the care and comfort required until the final moment. In all three homes she was equally loved and cherished and she was also blessed with nieces and nephews who had the same warmth. Long after her death, the fragrance of her life will live on and she will always be remembered by those who loved her. Vijayaluxmi Vivid
memories, framed picture - Lionel Outschoorn She saw only
the positive side Komathy, whom
I have known for more than 30 years never spoke ill of others. She
always saw only the positive side of a person. She made it a point
not to offend anyone but used subtle diplomacy to drive home her
point of view in any discussion. At the time of her untimely death, she was Assistant Manageress at the Bank of Ceylon, Kattankudy branch. Incidentally, she was the first lady from this district to be appointed to such a high post. Komathy who was born into an educated and respected family, married S. Saravanapavan, a Senior Assistant Manager of the Bank of Ceylon. Giritharan, aged 10, is their only son. May her sorrowing husband and son garner the courage and learn to live without her, who was once their shadow. May she attain the supreme bliss of Moksha. A.P. Anantham Athletics was
Raba’s first love Raba and I were classmates from Grade 1 at S. Thomas' Prep School, Kollupitiya. Raba was always active and his elder brother Suranjith was there to safeguard him whenever the prefects caught him being over- mischievous. Raba excelled in sports at Prep School, with athletics being his first love at that time. He was a super sprinter. Thereafter, Raba and I moved to Royal College where we came under the eye of his late uncle, E.C. Gunasekera who was Vice Principal. We were in Raba's shadow when we had to approach his uncle who was a very strict disciplinarian. At Royal too, Raba excelled in athletics and rugby. He represented Royal at under-15, 17 and first IV Rugby. He was under coaches such as Summa Navaratnam and Malik Samarawickrama. Raba first played as a flanker and later as a winger. Royal went on to win the Bradby Shield during his captaincy and were school champions. Raba was a
team man who led from the front. His players loved him and respected
him both on and off the field. After school rugby, Raba played for
CR&FC and CH&FC. We have lost a good friend. It will be difficult for his family to come to grips with his demise. Our prayers are with them at this moment. May Raba rest in peace! - Johanne De Zilwa A
many-faceted woman Mallika's parents
influenced her a lot during her formative years. She had her primary
education at Vincent Girls' High School, Batticaloa, during Principal
G. Croft's era. She had to move from school to school because her father, the late Gerald Edwin Yapa Abeywardena was a Senior Station Master who was transferred often. In school, she excelled in netball and athletics and was also a Girl Guide. She was a member of the school choir. Mallika was a woman of many facets. Having lived in Pilimatalawa for nearly 43 years, there was nobody in the area who did not know her. Later in life she turned her hand to writing and ended up as an English journalist. She was the provincial correspondent for the now defunct Sun newspaper. Later she wrote for the Times of Ceylon and the Daily Mirror. My wife was a lovable person with sterling qualities. She led a very simple life.Sunday, August 23, 1998 will always remain a black day in my memory. That was the day she breathed her last. May she attain Ama Maha Nirvana - the great blissful Nirvana! To me and the children, she has not departed from our home but gone elsewhere seeking solace in another world, perhaps to a divine world, to return sooner or later. Ealian Abeysirigunewardena |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
