APPRECIATION

S B Wijeratne:

Brilliant lawyer

Suberatna Banda Wijeratne (Attorney-at-Law) JPUM passed away on July 1996, after a brief illness. S B had his early education at St Agnes' Convent, Matale and his secondary education at S Thomas' College, Matale, where he excelled as a brilliant orator both in English and Sinhala. Before he joined the Law College he was an English teacher for a short spell.

He was an outstanding student leader at the Law College, with Sarath Muththetuwegama. They joined the communist party through the student movement. He passed out as a lawyer in 1959 and started his practice in Matale. He was the district secretary of the communist party, Matale. In 1960 March he contested Matale electorate as a communist, with a political giant, Bernard Aluwihare. Although he lost the battle he continued to serve the public specially the poor workers and peasants charging no fee to appear in courts. He was fondly called 'SB Sahodaraya'.

He contested the Matale Urban Council as a communist and won the Malwatta Ward defeating the strong UNP candidate. SB joined the SLFP in 1970. He served as the chairman of the Rent Control Board and the Agricultural Tribunal, Matale from 1970 to 1977. He was involved in promoting peace and understanding with socialist countries and was the president of Sri Lanka-Soviet Friendship League, Matale for over 25 years. To honour him 'The Soviet Friendship House', Moscow, conferred a special honour on him in 1985 for his services.

When Soviet Astronaut Yuri Gagarin came to Matale in 1961, SB was the first person to receive him. He was also the president of Sri Lanka-GDR (German Democratic Republic) Friendship League, Matale, for many years. He visited GDR as the guest of honour in 1973, on an invitation extended to him by the president of GDR. SB has travelled widely in almost all the socialist countries in eastern Europe.

Apart from being a brilliant lawyer, he took great interest in promoting sports in Matale district. He was the president of the Matale Hockey Association for over 20 years. He was involved in promoting welfare activities and was a member of Lions Club Matale and was the Charter president at the time of his death. He took keen interest in religious activities too, and was the Chief Dayake of Dharmaraja Pirivena Maha Viharaya, and was the president of Matale Buddhist Association. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

Richard Basnayake

Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra:

Rare luminous star

Prof Ediriweera Sarachchandra was an artist who had rendered a distinctive service to enrich the fields of Sinhala drama and literature. He was born at Gammeddegoda a remote village in Ratgama on June 03, 1914. He first name was Reginold Silva. But later, he changed his name as Ediriweera Sarachchandra. His inborn talent versatility and dedication helped him to be a rare luminous star within a short period of time. In 1933, Sarachchandra entered the Colombo University College. He won the degree with a second lower division.

In 1939, Sarachchandra entered the Santhi Niketana in India, and studied music and philosophy. In 1944, Sarachchandra became a Pali lecturer in the university of Colombo. Later in 1949, he went to the London university for higher education. He was able to obtain postgraduate degrees such as MA and PHD. Sarachchandra was recruited, as a Pali and Sanskrit lecturer in Peradeniya University.

He became popular among university lecturers and students in a short period of time. When he was in the university, he did a huge role to the field of Sinhala drama. He staged dramas such as Maname, Sinhabahu, Wellawehum and Mahaasaara. Having identified the colours of Professor Sarachchandra, Head of the Sinhala department Professor D E Hettiarachchi and Professor M B Ariyapala awarded him a professorship in Sinhala department.

Sarachchandra was an intuitive short story writer, a skilfull novelist; a drama lyricist; a stage dramatist and a radio dramatist; a translator, a literary critic; a huge writer who had written many researches and scholastic books; an efficient lecturer. This creator wrote several short story books such as Maayaa Roopaya, Roopa Sundari, Gruhaniya, and Kaalayage Evemen. Professor Sarachchandra was fond of writing fictions. Therefore, he composed several novels.

This erudite pandit wrote many scholastic books. Some of them were Saahiththiya Widyaawa, Sinhala Nawakataa Itihaasaya haa Wichaaraya, Kalpanaa Lokaya Wesmuhunada sabe Muhunada, Sinhala Gemi Naatakaya and Darmista Samaajaya. In 1983, Professor Sarachchandra was conferred Kumaaran Ashaan universe award from India. In addition, Megsaase award from Philippines was conferred to him. This reputed scholar suddenly became ill and passed away on August 16 1996. The name of Sarachchandra cannot be erased from Sinhala drama and literature.

Rohana Wansatilaka

Therese Siyambalapitiya:

My grandmother Loku

"Therese was a mighty beautiful woman", her old buddies used to say. Tall and graceful, her sharp features and fair complexion would certainly have made her stand out. But instead of vanity, she displayed a quiet humbleness. "I never liked wearing hats to Sunday mass when I was small" she once remarked. "Why Loku?" "Because it was only me and my sister who could afford one, and all my friends from the village school had none, which made me feel all guilty." Such was the beauty of her soul.

A teacher by profession, she taught Home Science and English for more than 40 years at my own school (Ave Maria Convent, Negombo), molding generations of young women and gearing them up for life. The school was her second home, and she stood by its foundation, when they were threatened by earthquakes of various sorts. She encouraged creativity and passion, and her pupils would remember her as being both strict and sweet.

Being truly a woman of the arts, she adored its every form, from dancing to knitting, literature to cooking and made sure those around certainly got a taste of it! She educated and supported numerous children and young adults in and around our village. I've heard that she used to have a gang of young boys of 10 to 12 years school dropouts, called "lokuamma's batagoi hamudaawa" all being handed the rifles of knowledge and wisdom, taught painstakingly to read and write by her, who in return were our gardeners and playmates. She taught for many years at the church's Sunday school. Her children (my father and my three aunts) were gifted most preciously, among many other things, the incredible ability to forgive and tolerate each other, which has been the firm foundation of love in our family.

My mother on the other hand is one lucky woman, having found a mother-in-law, of such warmth and care, who gave her equal footing in her new household. She never had a word to say about my mother's late evenings at the office, or her professional commitments, but always encouraged her to take a step further on.

To us she was the perfect grandmother. She was lucky enough to see nine of the grand children, I was the fifth and took special interest in all of us, worrying about our weaknesses and rejoicing in our achievements. We were raised in her care, singing, dancing, sewing, knitting, cooking and doing all other fancy things a child could dream of. Her room was our paradise of fun, and she never complained about the many times she had to tidy up.

In fact she enjoyed watching us play on her carefully made bed, all tangled up in a ball of little arms and legs. She joined in our imaginary wars, playhouses and made "sellam bath" with us, sometimes with even more vigour than any of us. I see her smiling, yes, she was truly smiling, sitting on that hospital bed, saying one final "God Bless You!" both of our eyes met one last time, both knowing that it was that final moment, our goodbye on earth. She will always have a special place in every heart she touched.

May we meet again in God's own kingdom, I know you are already there.

Nipuni Siyambalapitiya Kattuwa, Negombo

Wijaya W Dahanayaka:

Loved by all

It was a great moment of shock to all the relatives and friends here and abroad when the news reached that Wijaya Weerasinghe Dahanayaka passed away after a very brief illness on September 13, 2009.

Wijaya was the youngest in a family of four children. His parents hailed from the South as in the case of most Dahanayakas. Wijaya studied at Thurstan College, Colombo having joined as a fifth standard student. He excelled in atheletics and rugby and received the Public School colours in 1959 for the 4x400 metres relay. He was the house captain and also captain of the athletics team. He was also the head prefect from 1961 to 1962.

Wijaya's career at the Bank of Ceylon started in 1962. He retired in 2000 as senior area manager, Kalutara division.

His prowess and love for sports was displayed at the Bank of Ceylon too. He was the general secretary and later the vice president of the Bank of Ceylon sports club. He took part in athletics and as secretary of the sports club arranged the BOC cricket team to tour India and accompanied the team as the assistant manager.

At the bank he met his life partner Nalini Kulatunga. Wijaya and Nalini were gifted with a son and two daughters. Wijaya was very fond of his two grandsons Viren and Devan. He used to narrate interesting stories and also helped them on their home work. At Wattegedera Road, Maharagama where Wijaya resided he was a very popular figure loved by all the neighbours.

He used to go for regular walks with a few friends in the neighbourhood and they claim that Wijaya always finish the walk by two to three laps ahead of the younger ones showing his athletic prowess.His loved ones bade him farewell on September 13, 2009, but his influence will be remembered by many for years to come. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

Ranjith Kulatunga

Gamini Samarasinghe:

Rendered yeoman service

Fourteen sorrowful years have passed, but Gamini Samarasinghe's memories are still fresh in our minds. Many are the tales his family members have heard after his demise, the acts of kindness and assistance, granted to many who seek his benevolence. Neither, Asoka nor the daughter appeared to know these humanitarian acts.

Born to a well-known Samarasinghe family at Yatiyantota, second son of Charles Samarasinghe, Gamini educated at St Gebbriel's College, Yatiyantota, Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya and graduated at Sri Jayawardhanapura University. Selecting Banking as the profession, prior to the appointment of the Economic and Research unit branch, Bank of Ceylon, Maharagama, he served as the Bank of Ceylon Panadura Bazzar Manager.

Gamini was a devoted Buddhist, associated Maha Sanga in his Home Town as well as at Maharagama. He was a kind hearted and faithful husband and also caring, and loving father. Although he visualized more contributions towards the community at large, to his loved ones, and also to journalism, which he loved so much, came to an end with a shock and grief.

His goodwill shall ever live in the hearts of those who loved him.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana

A H W Peiris - Homagama.

Hashan Vaz:

Brave and courageous personality

I will lend you for a little while,

A child of mine, He said,

For you to love him while he lives,

And mourn for when he is dead.(- Edgar Guest)

Hashan lived in Mutwal and was a pleasant child, well-behaved and he used to come to my flat to play with the son of a friend of mine.

He schooled at De La Salle College, Mutwal and took part in all activities in school. Unlike other children of his age he did not want to continue studies after O/Ls. Much against my advice he preferred to give up schooling and start working in a prestigious company at Mutwal.

In October 2010, Hashan, 21 years old, grown up to be a fine young man and his parents left Mutwal and came to live with his grandparents. Hashan was suspected of having a malignant tumour. From that time till August 2011 he underwent not only a number of tests, ECG, x-ray, scan but also serious operations.

During this time Hashan bore his illness bravely and courageously showing neither his immediate family members nor the visitors the pain and suffering.

He tried hard together with the medical teams to fight the malignant tumour and defeat it. But on August 21, 2011 in the intensive care unit of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital with a large number of supports attached to his body, Hashan breathed his last.

Goodbye Hashan and may the turf lie softly on you.

F N de Silva

Remembering Daphne Lord :

A legend

Of the Shepherdian fold
Much loved, much respected.
Her kindly ways
Endearing her to the hearts
Of all who came her way.
Superior, staff member, student, guide
Lily, Rose, Violet or Marguerite.
A radiant smile
A passing look
A nodding head this way and that
Acknowledging.
As years rolled on
In any chance encounter
She always recognized the Shepherdian
Long-standing or otherwise.
To her the Shepherdian was
Once a Shepherdian
Always a Shepherdian.

In later years
Our children flocked to her.
"Aunty Daphne" they would lisp
Their faces lit.
As hers did
Perhaps it was infectious
Her radiance.

And so
She's gone to her eternal reward
And our prayers go with her.
"Many daughters have done virtuously
But you excel them all"

Jeannette Cabraal