Remembering DIG Daya Jayasundara

Remembering our brother DIG Daya Bandara Wijeratne Jayasundara When the realization comes that our dear brother Daya is no more, it is too difficult to convince ourselves that he is really gone. Everything happened too fast, he who was always considered a very healthy person started becoming ill with some unexpected ailments, making him weaker and helpless for the first time in his life which was earlier a great inspiration to all , proving the universal truth in Buddhism that everything happens and ends up as destined according to Karma. It was just like him being drifted away first with losing the grip that held himself to us and then gradually distancing before leaving all of us.

Being the third child in a family of nine children - two girls and seven boys, he had only two others before him, the eldest sister and the elder brother Parakrama. That way he became a natural leader to the rest of the children with his unique character which became a great inspiration to all the children who were younger and was adored by the elder brother and the sister.

All of us were contented and proud children of our father J M Jayasundara who was a Station Master of Ceylon Government Railway which might have given him that dedication towards time making us who we are now and of our mother who was a symbol of kindness and overflowing love. May be it was that sense of discipline our father had and the overflowing kindness that made Daya what he was right from his childhood till his last days, among us.

Our parents saw to it that all the boys could pursue studies at Dharmaraja College, Kandy while the two girls had Mahamaya for their schooling. From the time we remember, he did not mix up priorities and whatever he did, he did so with determination setting an example for all of us. When we were in Lewella, the playground that was close at hand was the place that developed our interest in sports and it was either that playground or Dharmaraja Playground where you showed how to be fair and to respect others.

This made Daya a vibrant sportsman and he did well in rugby, cricket, hockey, soccer, athletics and boxing. He excelled in Boxing and ended up becoming the National Schools Boxing Champion, making all of us proud. And he acknowledged our respect with his disarming gentle smile. His venturing spirit ended him up becoming a ruggerite. He started his rugby career at Kandy Lake Club and later he became a member of Kandy Rugby and Football Club and ended up as a member of Kandy Sports Club. It was that interest in Rugger that attracted the attention of Rudra Rajasingham, the IGP and we still remember how he started his Police Career as a Sub Inspector.

In rugby he represented Police and then went on to represent Sri Lanka and brought fame. His excellence in rugger took him to levels like becoming the rugby coach of the Police and even to serve as an International Rugby Referee.

As a Police Officer, his life might have changed a bit, living away from his family and we missed him a lot then, but got used to it. His childhood playfulness was over and we saw a serious man in making and he proved that by ending up as a very successful DIG in Police before he retired.

Daya came to be known as a dedicated Police officer who had an unblemished record. His charming personality, which he did not lose when he grew up, won the hearts of everyone he came into contact with.

The uniform he wore as a Police Officer was never an ornament for him and instead he always tried to protect the meaning of that. Like at home, from his childhood, he never tried to bully others but was fair and firm, a perfect gentleman also true to the meaning of that word. He never demanded respect and people respected him for what he was.

Dear Brother Daya, wherever you may be, we all know that you would be watching us from a very good place and would continue to be so throughout Sansara till you attain Nibbana. We wish you to know that it is only now we feel how much we will miss you. We were and are all fortunate that we had a brother like you. Although your physical remains will disappear, you will never leave us for the love and respect you had for us was immortal and what we have for you is also same, as you are everlasting in our hearts.

This remembrance is dedicated to you from your dear wife and children, your brothers including the family of our late brother Parakrama and sisters and their families with your cousin Janaka Bandara Tennekoon who was attached to you so much and was always with us together.

Jayanthi, Ananda, Upananda, Swarna, Sarath, Gamini and Senerath Bandara Wijeratne Jayasundara.