Appreciations
View(s):A guiding light in our hearts forever
DULIP FLAVIAN RAPHAEL JAYAMAHA
An extraordinary individual who profoundly impacted not only my life but many others! A luminary in the legal profession, a man of highest standards and character who inspired and challenged me in both my professional and personal journey of life. He hired me to work under his mentorship in 1997, after I was referred to him by Franklin Amerasinghe, a friend to both Mr. Jayamaha and my father. He hired me after the first interview!
Being a new lawyer I was not very confident about making court appearances even to obtain calling dates which was the initial process in practice but he sent me off to Hulftsdorp to swim along with the bigger fish in our profession. I will never forget what he told me during my initial days at work; he said “You are Chandani Mohotti and you need to make sure that’s how you will be known and respected”. He always taught me the value of individualism and accountability. He always said “You are a shining light and remember light eliminates darkness and truth comes to light through honesty, integrity and wisdom”.
He also taught me to take my faith in Jesus Christ to another level. He had a picture of Christ on his office wall and each time he came into office he would always look at Christ and make the sign of the cross. That’s how he started and ended his day.
He had a gift for seeing the potential in others even when they couldn’t see it themselves. He was a meticulous teacher and attorney, you could not get by missing out on a comma in a six-page legal document without him drawing attention to it. I did get into trouble a few times for complete negligence for he would never tolerate mediocrity. I had to be best in class. This is how he treated all his juniors despite his hectic and busy schedule.
One of the greatest lessons Mr. Jayamaha taught us was the importance of integrity. He lived by a code that emphasised honesty, respect and hard work. Whether it was through challenging conversations or quiet moments of encouragement, he instilled in us the value of doing what is right, even when it’s difficult.
Once I left to USA I still kept in touch with him because he was a man I could always have an unbiased and intelligent conversation with whether it be on politics, the economy, current affairs in the world or even about religion. The day Donald Trump took office last year he called me to congratulate me as he knew I was always a staunch Trump supporter – that’s the kind of person he was – uplifting others and igniting their spirits, reminding us that setbacks were merely stepping stones for growth.
I can go on writing volumes but words would be insufficient to describe his unmatched energy and zest for life that was infectious – even towards his own family! He was a devoted loving husband to “Carmi” as he called her and a doting father to Lasika and Priyanti. No matter how busy or hectic his day, he always found time to go home for lunch and I was so intrigued and touched by that since many of us tend to neglect eating with our families with the excuse that we do not have time. He never gave excuses: with him it was always a “yes”, a “no” or “I can do something” or “I cannot do something”. If I said I could not, I had to have a solid and justified reason why I could not.
We remember his life and good works not only with the legal profession but with many other community associations. We will remember the vibrant spirit he brought into our lives. His laughter, the moments of shared joy, and the wisdom that will continue to echo in our hearts and embody the values he instilled in us of pursuing knowledge and compassion as we navigate our paths. I wish Priyanti to carry forward his legacy by not only striving to achieve the goals he set forth but also lifting others along the way.
Thank you, Mr. Jayamaha for everything you did for me and so many others. You will forever remain a guiding light in our hearts. Rest in peace. May you shine in God’s glory just like you asked us to till we all meet in eternity!
Chandani Mohotti
Who can forget the ‘Doc’ who brightened lives in Laksapana
Dr. Danister Gunaratne
It was Chintha on the mobile – “Karu, Danister’s 10th year alms-giving will be on the 1st, please do join us.”
She was referring to her late husband Dr. Danister Gunaratne, “Gunda” or “Doc Gunda” to us and the Medical Officer (MO) at Laksapana in the early 70s. Within a second, my mind took me back 50 years and I was in Laksapana.
Laksapana was the village where power station workers lived. The OE’s Bungalow, Laksapana, was the home for all bachelor engineers serving the power station and also for the MO. Some of the Pera guys knew Gunda well and told us that he was a go-getter, a friendly, jovial personality who could sing and dance.
Loneliness was part and parcel of Laksapana life. Evenings become even worse with the incessant rain. TVs/mobile phones were unheard of, radio transmissions were never clear, telephones rarely worked, road access was often blocked due to earthslips and there were no newspapers as well. Our only link with the outside world during the rainy season was the carrier communication system relayed over CEB transmission lines.
These made all of us faithfully patronise the Laksapana Club every evening. Gunda started clubbing from Day One. We remained in the club until it closed at around 10 p.m. and thereafter returned to the bungalow, the only pastimes being reading a book or going to bed. Gunda changed this monotony almost overnight.
Back at the bungalow, with a guitar in hand, he started singing and dancing. He didn’t allow anybody to sleep before 11 p.m. If anyone was sleeping Gunda used to knock at his door and put them up and they had to join the singing/chatting/dancing session. I could even now hear his imitation of our fellow OE Krishna’s Sinhala “paadama” — “Li.n.da lan…ga in…da san…da bal..awa”. It was hilarious. Wives of the married engineers did the utmost to limit their husbands’ alcohol intake, but they were smart enough to overcome these controls. One of them had instructed Heenbanda, the bar boy, to pour two drinks when he ordered one. An innocent newly married lady was overjoyed when she believed that her husband was having only one drink, whereas true to his word, he was taking only one drink, but a large glass, filled with VSOA. All of us looked forward to these late evening sessions, and soon OEs weren’t in a hurry to leave the station after completing their quota of shifts, but stayed a day or two more to enjoy the fun.
These beautiful memories brought a smile to my face, but then I realized that Gunda is no more and only a few of our then companions, Bema and Romaine, Frank and Sriyani and Thissa Herath. Only three or four of us are in Sri Lanka now.
Gunda loved the innocent villagers and was very compassionate towards them. He used to say that, when he asked elderly patients “mokadda amaruwa”, their readymade answer had been “Amaaruwak ne, navathinna awa.” Alcohol consumption in Laksapana was generally high those days. One day Gunda requested the hospital to send a carminative mixture to our bungalow through the Orderly, but as he did not turn up, we got him down and asked him what had happened to the medicine. He sheepishly looked down and muttered, “Sir, mata bothalema peuna.” We had a hearty laugh.
On completion of our terms, one by one, we started leaving Laksapana. Gunda began a private practice at Hikkaduwa. He was very successful and would treat people free of charge on Poya days. When I visited his dispensary I found a board, with the message “Poya dinawala panu beheth denu nolabe”.
He hated charging a fee from the poor and finally decided to give up his flourishing private practice at Hikkaduwa and moved to Galle where he had built a palatial house. Later he sold this house and invested in a now infamous finance company, subsequently losing his lifetime earnings. When I met him next, he was in a crowded office conducting health checks for driving licence applicants. I noticed two large books on his table, the Dhammapadaya and the Thripitakaya and understood that he was on a different path.
In this backdrop, Gunda had concerns about his health too and was dumbstruck when the test reports confirmed his doubts. I visited him as often as possible and he remained the same lighthearted jovial character, cracking jokes as usual, only occasionally complaining about the discomforts. Chintha and children faced the situation with a lot of courage and looked after him with immense love and kindness. This helped Gunda face the inevitable bravely.
As a Buddhist I had only one wish 10 years ago, that was to have him as a friend in my future births as well, until he attains the eternal bliss, the nirvana. The wish remains the same even now.
JK
Two special sisters who touched many lives
Lalitha Tudugala and Jayamalee Rajapakse
Lalitha and Jayamalee were two sisters among four siblings born to Turin and Karuna Rajapakse at Waragoda, Kelaniya.
Lalitha was a music teacher and her skilled fingers on the piano, made melodies that were a pleasure to hear. An elegant lady with a serene smile, she was a devoted wife to her husband, a businessman, and caring nurse when he was on his sick bed.
With special care she groomed their chuti duwa, who was differently abled, to be independent and courageous.
Jayamalee, was always dressed in bright coloured sarees. Fairer than her sister and brothers, with curly hair tied back, she was admired by many as she walked to school daily.
A trained graduate dedicated to her profession, she was a favourite among the O’level and A’ level students at St.Paul’s Balika, and paved the way for many to choose their career in the field of biology.
Jayamalee gave up her teaching career to devote her time to care for their aging mother.
Lalitha and Jayamalee’s culinary skills were well displayed at family gatherings. Neatly cut rainbow sandwiches, egg boats, pastries with iced coffee, colourfully arranged on platters were served by Lalitha, on the birthdays of her two daughters Ruvini and Inakshi. Jayamalee’s favourite kokis and love cake with iced coffee were enjoyed by all during new year.
As old age crept into their lives, Lalitha’s movements were restricted to chair and bed as she gradually developed stiffness in her limbs. She practised her religion silently, and was ready to give up when the time was right.
Jayamalee, a victim of Parkinson’s, though restricted in movement kept on battling courageously, never missing staff trips, visiting friends and relations, attending weddings, and school events. She lent a hand to so many who sought her assistance in their hour of need.
She followed the poya programme at the Narada Buddhist Centre, and listened to Dhamma sermons. She had a deep understanding of the Dhamma and loved to discuss the Dhamma with friends and relatives.
The sisters passed away within a week of each other, leaving everyone in shock and grief.
These few lines were written to share fond memories of our dear aunts.
May the good deeds they practiced throughout their lives, shorten their journey in sansara.
-Niece
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