APPRECIATIONS
View(s):Thank you for the precious gift of my mother, better than the best
RUKMANI ‘RUKIE’ EHELIYAGODA
March 26, 2026, heralded the centenary birth anniversary of our beloved mother, Rukmani ‘Rukie’ Eheliyagoda (née De Alwis)—a lady of formidable character and remarkable grace. Though she transitioned to her eternal rest in 2017, nine years ago, our mother remains an indelible presence in the hearts of her family and all who loved her.
Born the granddaughter of the Maha Mudaliyar, Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, she was a direct link to the refined epoch of British Ceylon. Yet, despite her patrician upbringing, her life was defined not by privilege, but by a profound egalitarianism, unpretentious sincerity, heartfelt compassion and an enduring humility.
She received her education firstly at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, and subsequently at Holy Family and St. Bridget’s Convents, which cultivated a woman of immense fortitude and unceasing philanthropy. She played netball at St. Bridget’s. She served as the Vice President of St. Bridget’s Convent Past Pupils’ Association and was engaged in fundraising committees, both at S. Thomas’ and St. Bridget’s.
In 1952, she entered a lasting union with my father, Percival ‘Percy’ Eheliyagoda. Together, they anchored a close-knit family of five – Leo, and two sets of twins, Shalimar & Charmaine, and Devika & Lankani. Today, her family has blossomed to include four cherished grandchildren and five adored great grandchildren.
To our family, she was the beneficent soul of our home – showering us with unconditional love and indulging us with every conceivable ‘good thing’ yet simultaneously, the resolute ‘Iron Lady’ whose disciplined devotion forged our characters. She fiercely and strongly loved us with a phenomenal love; family meant everything to her. It was amazing how she divided her devotion among the five of us in equal proportion, not leaving room for feelings of any neglect.
Our home was a happy space filled with warmth, laughter, music, comfort and hospitality. My mind still echoes with the melodies she played on the piano, with her favourites being ‘Maiden’s Prayer’ and ‘Over the Waves’. She opened her heart and home to others reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ’s love in action. Her hospitality was not selective. She was someone with a bountiful eye looking with a mindset of compassion and eagerness to help those in need. Many found refuge at our home for days on end. Even those who dropped in casually were invariably invited to stay for a meal. Her innate kindness was overwhelming.
My mother was a fun loving soul. The ‘Action Group’ she formed consisting of Bridgetine friends continued to meet frequently up until her last season in life. They were a great source of joy to her.
In the public sphere, she was the epitome of sartorial elegance. Attired in exquisite sarees, replete with traditional konde-kurus and immaculate accoutrements, her ageless aristocratic visage and sparkling personality rendered her the cynosure of any gathering. Her magnetic warmth, quick wit, and effortless sociability invariably put others at ease.
Yet, her most enduring persona was that of a steadfast spiritual sentinel. She was a devout lifelong parishioner, and chorister for over four decades at All Saints’ Church, Hulftsdorp. Her singing voice was a staple at the Sunday service. Her life was a continuous liturgy – a constant walk with her Maker. She navigated life’s vicissitudes with an unshakable resilience born of extraordinary faith-filled prayer and total dependency on Jesus Christ. Every morning she was found in her ‘secret place’ communing with God. Her evenings culminated in mandatory family devotions, and her private intercessions for others were meticulously recorded and prayed over until God answered. Her residence frequently served as a sanctuary for communal prayer and the exposition of the Word of God, as she prioritized thanking God for His grace and goodness in every situation. She served as a Trustee at St Andrew’s Home for Elders for many years.
I miss her wise counsel and her motherly instincts. Where fear was found I met with her steady calm, words of encouragement and warm embrace. I thank my gracious Heavenly Father, for the precious gift of my mother, better than the best.
In essence, her legacy is a masterclass in divine obedience, compassionate resilience, absolute integrity, and spontaneous forgiveness. She bore herself with superlative dignity and grace to the very end. Death cannot attenuate the profound love we hold for our beloved mother; she remains forever revered, deeply cherished, and profoundly missed.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”- 2 Timothy 4:7
Rest and rise in glory.
Forever my love and immense thanks
Your loving daughter, Charmaine Eheliyagoda Madurasinghe
A tribute to Madam whose humility and kindness will always be remembered
DR. PREMINI AMERASINGHE
“When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.”
It was a sad news to know that Dr. (Mrs) Premini Amerasinghe passed away a few weeks ago. I had known “Madam” as we all addressed her – not only the staff of the Radiology Department but all those who worked at General Hospital, Kandy, since I joined the Department of Radiology where she worked as Consultant Radiologist in Charge, I had the privilege of working under her supervision. She was a very kind, considerate lady, noble in her behaviour. She never held any animosity or apathy against anyone nor was she a stumbling block in the promotion of those who worked under her supervision.
She was always kind enough to help me on several occasions, but there was one incident I could never forget.
In August 1977 there were ethnic riots in Kandy and tension prevailing in the atmosphere. I was one of the only Tamils working doing the X-ray procedures of the victims. Madam sent a message asking me to meet her in her office and told me, “Your life is not safe, it is best that you go home immediately. If you are scared to go home on your own, I will ask my husband (Dr. Mark Amerasinghe) to drop you at home.” That was almost five decades ago but I remember it as if it had happened recently.
I worked at the Kandy Hospital for around six years and got 12 months off to work at Aramco Hospitals in Saudi Arabia, then resumed work at GH Kandy till May1983 after which I moved over to work at the Department of Radiology, Peradeniya. Once again I worked under ‘Madam’ when she joined the Faculty of Medicine as Senior Lecturer in Radiology in 1988 till I left for another 12 months to work at Singapore General Hospital(SGH). Having returned for six months, I migrated for greener pastures Down Under. She acknowledged my decision and I ended up working for one of the leading postgraduate teaching hospitals in Sydney.
Dr. Amerasinghe came from an illustrious family; she was a niece of the famous Dr. R.L. Spittel, her father was Dr. Hilary Goonewardene, a leading cardiologist and she was also a niece of Ruth Keyt (wife of the renowned artist George Keyt) who happened to be my teacher at Trinity Primary.
Dr. Amerasinghe was one of the founder members of the Kandy Society of Music with Professor Barr Kumarakulasinghe and Professor Valentine Basnayake. Being interested in classical music I had attended some of their gatherings.
She was an avid reader. Reading being my hobby too, I supplied her with books from my personal library. Besides reading she enjoyed poetry and gifted me an autographed book of poetry she had published on one of my visits.
I used to visit her at her Kandy residence on all my visits to Sri Lanka. When she later moved to Nawala, I obtained her whereabouts from the Mrs Barr Kumarakulasinghe to pay a courtesy call but regret I could not make it.
In spite of her acclaim, she neither lost her humility, dedication nor the spirit of sacrifice. She had a quality of humble love for all human beings and always believed that each and everyone has to be treated with dignity and respect even those who are less fortunate. As the saying goes, “courtesy and punctuality are the hallmark of nobility”.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
May her soul rest in peace. M. Karalasingham
The memories will always remain attached by an unseen force
Mahes Vivekanandarajah
There are many colours on the palette of memories. There is laughter and joy in the sweetness of remembrances. Our friendship with Mahes was entwined with our sister-in-law Rukmani, who is the younger sister of Mahes.
Hillary and I first met Mahes when she visited us in the early seventies. She was so beautiful. Hillary and I told her that she reminded us of Ava Gardner the Hollywood actress. Mahes laughed loudly when we complimented her.
I met Mahes again when I visited the UK in 1969. She was working for a well-established dental practice in Knightsbridge as a dental auxiliary. On our way back after her work on a Saturday afternoon, she insisted that I had to experience a show at the West End. Yul Brynner, who played the role of Pharaoh in Cecil B. de Mille’s Ten Commandments, was playing the lead role in The King and I. Mahes purchased tickets for us.
Rukie, and another dear friend Bernie Sivapulle would also join us, whenever there was a good show at a West End theatre. This became a constant happening whenever there was something worthwhile, like “The Fiddler on the Roof” with Topol, that we were so privileged to see in person. After the shows, we would return home by tube and go to Mahes’s or Bernie’s home for dinner, where Reggie (Bernie’s husband) and my brother Anton would be waiting for us. This happened many times during my infrequent visits to London where we had great times chatting and enjoying the weekends.
Mahes later met and married Mahinda Vivekanandarajah and lived in Ilford. Mahes was happy and settled as a housewife as well as in her working life. Hillary and I moved to the Sultanate of Oman for his work. Yet, even though our contact was infrequent, I would remember Mahes’s birthday on the 10th of January each year, and send her greetings. Strangely, I even remembered her address from memory.
The years rolled by and we moved on in years. Our memories though are embedded in our minds and the recesses of our hearts, and remain, like a web, fragile yet strong, as we remain attached by an unseen force, that doesn’t ever go away. Robert Sexton, the writer and poet wrote, “Across the years I will walk with you, in deep forests and on the shores of sand, and when our time on earth is through, in Heaven too we will have each other’s hand.”
-Charmaine Candappa
A world renowned scholar who believed in inter-religious dialogue
REV. FR. DR. ALOYSIUS PIERIS, SJ
Born in Ampitiya, Kandy on April 9, 1934, Fr. Aloy Peiris even as a child led a prayerful and spiritual life. His early education was at St. Mary’s College, Ampitiya and St. Aloysius College, Galle.
He went on to join the Jesuit College in Galle and also got through the government examinations.
In 1953, when he was 19 years old he joined the Society of Jesus and later studied philosophy in India at Sacred Heart College in Shenbaganur, also learning Pali and Sanskrit and obtaining a degree from the University of London. He studied theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty in Naples, Italy. He started his pastoral service with the Society of Jesus.
Fr. Aloysius was a world renowned scholar who had lectured at both Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and other leading universities. He gained his PhD in Buddhist Theology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The Tilburg University in the Netherlands also awarded him an honorary doctorate in theology in 1987.
He led a very simple life and always tried to uplift the people.
Fr. Aloy always supported inter-religious dialogue. He had a close connection with many learned Buddhist monks – Ven. Agga Maha Pandit Balangoda Ananda Maitriya Thera, Ven. Walpola Rahula Thera, Ven. Dr. Prof. Kakkapalliye Anuruddha Nayaka Thera among others.
He was a pioneer of a local Catholic liturgy.
He had done research on the importance of Asian Theology and identified with the indigenization of Christianity. He was a founder of the Tulana Research Centre at Gonawala, Kelaniya.
Dear Rev. Fr, today you are no more with us. May you rest in peace.
‘Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity” – John Milton.
- Malintha Bopearatchy
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