 
Appreciations
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A smile, a hug and so much more... that was Uncle Parami Lt. Gen. Parami Kulatunga
It is the 26th of June, half past eight in the morning. I receive a call from my husband saying that there had been a bomb attack in Pannipitiya and Uncle Parami has been the target. A hundred more calls follow…some inform me that he is injured…some say he is critical…and others declare that he is dead. I cling to every possible hope that he is not, perhaps he is badly hurt…Then the television screen blares in front of me confirming my worst fears. Tears roll down my cheeks uncontrollably. My five-month-old son screams for milk… I am instantly reminded of Uncle Parami’s last words to me, almost a month ago, when I met him at my in-laws’ residence. “Whatever you do remember your son is now your priority number one,” he had commanded with a gesture that suited only a commander before he hugged me tight with both arms flung around me and kissed my husband, Ashan and I goodnight stroking our faces lovingly as he always did, like a prayer, before leaving. Taking little Rahul in his arms he had said, “If ever ammi makes you cry for milk just let me know and I shall deal with her”. And now Uncle Parami is no more…There is no more casual banter over coffee and cheese toast, no more laughter and antics, no more funny emails, no more teasing, no more reassurances and positive energy about the country’s situation, no more trips to Panagoda, no more chocolate cake and dark chocolate, no more fresh orange juice, and above all no more will we see the “gentle” lion sprawled over my mother-in-law’s sofa in a relaxed mood, talking, laughing, smiling away…so broadly. I met Uncle Parami, almost five years ago, a few weeks after meeting my husband. Uncle Parami happened to be a very close family friend of my in-laws. He and I became friends, although I was 25 years his junior. Many a day while on our way home from work we would receive a call from my mother-in-law asking us to drop in at her place because uncle Parami was there and he would like to see us. We would readily agree for it has always been a pleasure being in his company. Very often we would exchange emails. Some philosophical…some funny…I received the last email from him the Tuesday before he died. It still remains in my inbox, opened perhaps more than thousand times during the course of the day. The subject line read: “Are you a coffee bean?” and each time I go through it I wish we were all …so then we would have been able to bear the grief of his loss much better. His emails have always been a source of inspiration or have lifted my spirits whenever I was down. What more…what more do I tell the world about this great human being, Parami Kulatunge? He was definitely a Major General with qualities extraordinaire…Inside this majestic and giant like figure was a very tender heart…a heart that worked in the name of humanity. He was a man who strove to bring a smile to the face of the common man, children and disabled soldiers. He was silent on the many good deeds or the social work projects he carried out in the communities. He was patriotic…with an outlook which has been nothing but positive he would often tell me, “Greener pastures are not all that green after all” and that we should not sacrifice the luxuries back home for the unknown in alien lands. He was humble and compassionate…He spoke to each and everyone alike and never discriminated against people based on caste, creed, social status or nationality. He was house proud…I have watched him in awe… as he inspected the polished floor or brassware…as he excused himself half way through a meal to go and straighten a cushion which lay haphazardly on the sofa or to adjust a slanted lampshade… as he strolled in the big garden inspecting the plants, seeing whether the new jasmine creeper has enough sunlight or whether the yam plants had enough water. I have listened admiringly as he gave explicit instructions to my mother-in-law on buying a new table cloth to match the curtains, cushions and floral arrangements…. He was brave, he feared no one. I witnessed many a time how he had been amused when he was told to be cautious and how he had shrugged when people said he might be a target. He loved children…be it his own nieces, nephews, children of friends, colleagues or workers, he would so lovingly carry them, pat them on the back or stroke their head. He possessed an infectious smile and a cherubic
personality… He was so many things to so many people… You will be sorely missed Uncle Parami!
Only the fragrance of a beautiful person remains Sita Arunthavanathan (nee Windsor) It is only the memory of this lovely person that remains now. She was beautiful. She was Sita Windsor, and later became Sita Arunthavanathan. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Windsor of Magalle, Galle. Her demise was sad and somehow too soon. Too sad for all of us. She was a bright and promising student of Sacred Heart Convent, Galle and an all-rounder. Having completed her studies, she gained entry to the University of Peradeniya and she was among the first batch of undergraduates to obtain the degree from there. She was one of the pioneers to have acted in Professor Sarachchandra’s plays, one of which was Bahina Kalawa which went on the boards, and became popular. She was a versatile actor, scholar, singer and dancer. She was radio broadcaster and Buddhist scholar who gave talks on Dhamma and participated in discussions on T.V. on the Buddhist doctrine. She was well versed with the ‘Tripitaka’. She was a devout Buddhist and her knowledge of Buddhism was wide, one of her orations was ‘Sakyamuni Buddha’. She held the post of Secretary of the International Buddhist Centre and was a Council Member of the Women’s Congress and Federation of University Women. She held office as President of the Colombo Branch, O.G.A. of Sacred Heart Convent, Galle and of the Welfare Association of Housewives. She held many other key positions too serving in the administrative wing of Lake House and as Administrative Officer of Consolidated Exports Ltd. She was also in the tutorial staff of St. Clare’s College, Wellawatta. She was at one time the Chief Translator to the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike at Temple Trees. Around that time she also composed lyrics for the Police Bakthi Gee and for versatile singers P.L.A. Somapala and Chitra and also sang with them. She had a beautiful and melodious voice. I consider myself fortunate to have known a person of this calibre. She was kind, gentle, and loving. I got to know her through my sister Pearl, who was her classmate and great friend. She liked me a lot and I called her Sita Akka. After her graduation, she got married and came to reside in Galle. I will never forget, how loving she was to me. Wherever they went, they never failed to take us whether it was a picnic, a film or a trip. I remember how we went to see the movie ‘Awara’ with them. She was very fond of my parents too. She went for cookery classes with my sister, leaving the little baby in my care. That little baby is a senior officer in the armed forces today. He also has lovable qualities, like his mother and so do her other children. She was an asset to her husband, who was a senior Police officer, who predeceased her two years ago. He too was a person of generous and unassuming qualities. Sita Akka was a beautiful lady, elegantly dressed. She was always neat, prim and proper. Her sincere and warm smile was one of the characteristics of her personality. She was a loving mother not only to her sons and daughters, but also to the sons and daughters, who have joined the family, adorable grandmother, loving sister, loving aunt and sincere friend. I used to ring her up and once when I rang her it was her birthday. She was very happy. When I heard the news that she was sick, I was sad. I went and saw her at Asiri Hospital, with my son. I was sad to see her, she was in a deep slumber. My memory went back to bygone days. She was clad in a soft pink night gown, and the colour of the dress made her more beautiful. I wrote a small note, and gave it to the girl who was attending on her and she later told me that she listened to it being read. I am sorry I couldn’t see her before all this happened. We will never see her again. Only fragrant memories of her are left behind. May you attain the Sweet Bliss of Nirvana.
A popular doctor, he cared for all Chelliah Sinnappahpillai Dr. Chelliah Sinnappahpillai was born on July 3, 1924 in Manipay, Jaffna and entered the medical profession as a Registered Medical Practitioner in Ampara. He served in government hospitals in the Gampaha area for more than 50 years. Prior to his retirement in 1978, he was attached to the Malwatte Peripheral Hospital where he served for four years. After his retirement, he established his private practice under the name Ranee Medical Centre in Thihariya, Kalagedihena. Fondly known as Ranee Doctor among villagers around Thihariya, Kalagedihena and Attanagalla, where there was a scarcity of medical professionals in the 1970’s, there are many who sought his services day and night. He was also a popular figure among the Muslim community in Thihariya and also among the Sinhalese and Tamils. A willing social worker who contributed his services to any social activity in the area, he was also an active member of the church. After a brief illness, he was called to rest with Jesus on February 14, 2005, leaving his loving wife Ranee, three sons Dr. Ranjit, Lalith, Vijith and daughter Dr. Shiyamala Allegakone, son-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. We are sure the Good Lord whom he served with much devotion must have reserved a very special place for him. May his soul rest in peace.
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