Appriciations

The recent passing away of Sheila Cecelia Josephine Johnson nee Alwis at the ripe age of 86 years, is a great loss not only to me but to my brother Tyrone as well.

From the early days of our life, she looked after us with care and tenderness. She spared no pains in bringing us upto what we are today. During our mischievous teenage days she was always behind us, not even allowing us to learn to ride a push cycle, climb a tree or a wall, as most teenagers used to, because of the love she had for us fearing that we might hurt ourselves. Such was her care for us.

In addition to all the attention she gave us, she was also a devoted and faithful wife to the late Thomas Newton Johnson, Retired Sergeant Major (Sri Lanka Army - Ceylon Engineers). They shared 50 wonderful years of married life.

The passing away of her dear husband a few months after celebrating their golden jubilee was the saddest moment of her life.

However, with courage and determination she went on to live just one week short of her husband's 10th death anniversary.

I am certain they are once again together in their heavenly home.

In addition to her duties at home she was a source of strength to her relations, neighbours and friends, who, on numerous occasions sought her advice and guidance.

May her soul rest in peace with Jesus. Goodbye for now till we meet again.

Our eldest brother, N.W. Prematilleke passed away on August 7, last year, after a brief illness.

Born in 1930 in Makura, a small village in Kegalle District, he had an illustrious career as a public servant. He had his early education at the Hettimulla primary school and thereafter entered St. Mary’s College, Kegalle for further studies.

Having passed the Senior School Certificate Examination, he joined the Government Clerical Service in 1950 and his first appointment was to the Registrar General’s office in Colombo. It was the era that most of the qualified young people from various parts of the country ventured into the city looking for greener pastures, in the public and private sector.

While he was boarded in Colombo close to Temple Road, Maradana, which was considered as the temporary abode of the youth who came to the city for employment, he had the opportunity to meet persons of various skills in the literary field.

He used to visit Radio Ceylon when he had the time, to watch the production of broadcasting programmes by veterans such as Karunaratne Abeysekara, Chithrananda Abeysekara, Sarath Wimalaweera, Gunatunge, K. Liyanage and many others. As a result of his association with them, he also developed an interest in the literary field. Whenever he came home for the weekends, he used to tell us about the Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Samajaya and great Sinhala poets such as U.A.S Perera (Siri Aiya), Meemana Prematilleka, P.B. Alwis Perera, Sagara Palansurya and many others, too numerous to mention.

As a villager, he valued our traditions and customs and was never influenced by the changing lifestyles of the city. He followed the teachings of the Buddha to the letter and did not hurt anybody’s feelings by unwanted utterances. He displayed these qualities while attending to his official work and readily helped those who came to seek his services as a public servant. After working in Colombo for a few years, he joined the District Registrar’s Office in Kegalle after a transfer.

He also had the opportunity to serve the people of Kegalle in a broad perspective, when he was called upon to work in the Ministry of Education, Shipping and Tourism under former Minister P.B.G. Kalugalla. As a co-ordinating officer in those Ministries, my brother listened to the problems and needs of the people.

He had developed that natural instinct to understand people’s problems and found solutions purely on merit and not for any favours or personal gains in return. Due to those honest qualities, he earned a good reputation amongst his superiors and colleagues.

In the early 1970’s he moved to Nawala, which became his permanent residence until his demise in 2005. In fact, he considered Nawala as his second home as he embarked on various social, cultural and religious activities in the area.

He held responsible positions in the credit and death donation society and spent much time in the operations of the functions of this organization. Being a devout Dayaka of the Wimalaviharaya, Nawala, he visited the temple as a daily routine and looked into the needs of the clergy, winning their admiration.

Even after his retirement, he never abandoned that practice. Earning the goodwill of the people was his wealth and that fact was amply demonstrated, during his funeral, which was attended by people of all walks of life, ministers and eminent persons.

Due to his vast knowledge and experience he was also called upon to serve in many other voluntary organizations. Being an active member of the YMBA, Nugegoda for a long period of time, he organized and participated in “Sil” campaigns, almsgivings as well as helped the Homes for the Aged and the Destitute Children.

He fulfilled those social obligations until the last days of his life before he fell sick and was hospitalized. After a few days in hospital, he passed away peacefully and the funeral rites were done according to his last will.

His demise created a vacuum in our lives, which cannot be filled as he was our mentor, who guided us to choose the right path of living.

May he attain Nibbana....!

Clare Attygalla Abeyratne passed away on September 6, 2004 after her 83rd birthday on August 12, that year.

She hailed from a respectable family and was educated at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena. She married Lambert Stanley Attygalle Abeyratne and lived at Madapatha, Piliyandala, her husband’s ancestral home. As a housewife she found happiness only in his happiness. She was in short, the embodiment, the personification of all virtues and qualities prescribed by our culture and tradition for a housewife.

Being a pioneer member of the Lions Club of Kohuwela, she always prepared delicious dishes and desserts for the Lions Club parties. Many of her nieces and nephews remember with gratitude her genial disposition, magnanimity and hospitality and the way she entertained them during Christmas parties and other occasions. Nature had blessed her with special qualities, modesty, reserve, gentleness, patience and forbearance.

She was deeply religious and worshipped Lord Jesus Christ with her heart, mind and soul.

She was a humble, simple, lovable and sociable person who was willing to oblige those who sought her assistance. She never harboured a grudge. Her sincerity and steadfastness to her friends should serve as a lesson, in a world where changing loyalty and shifting attitudes are the order of the day.

She was not content to give her four children a good education alone but also inculcated in them a deep sense of service to their fellow beings. In her life she reflected the message of Lord Jesus.

Cheerful and smiling – that was Zarina.
Ever ready to lend a hand.
Years did not matter youthful and sprightly.
Leading a life of sunshine and smiles.
Oils were your forte – and figure – work too.
Now we salute you – an artist true.

Swelling our prize fund – your uppermost thought.
Over the years – your donations were great.
Calm and collected - at meetings you sit.
Inwardly absorbing each point with zest.
Emphasis on honour and upholding the just.
Trustee for years - serving in silence.
Your advice invaluable – our funds to balance.

On the centenary – the prestigious Kalapathi Award.
For you an honour – so well deserved.

A ‘guide and philosopher’- in times of stress.
Resign? No!-Your command – I was blessed.
The Ceylon Society of Arts – pays this tribute.
Sojourn in peace, great artist – in your realm of art.