DR. D.A. ILAPPERUMA:

His forte was to treat the sick

This memoir is of my dear father who departed 32 years ago. He was an ayurvedic physician who specialized in the treatment of high blood pressure, cardiac ailments, paralysis and diabetes. It was in his residence in Thalpitiya, Wadduwa, that he performed all his wonders in treating patients for a period of nearly 60 years. His patients came from all walks of life and from all corners of the land: from Dondra to Point Pedro. Whether they were heads of state, the most powerful, rich or poor - without any discrimination he treated them all alike.

He respected the clergy so much that not only did he examine them but he also dispensed medicines free to them, all throughout his life as an ayurvedic physician. His pride was to heal the sick. He made no fortune.

He was a simple soft spoken ayurvedic medical practitioner loved and respected by all.

He was a father of ten children who are all professionally qualified and doing well in life. A brother and I are qualified medical practitioners closely following the footsteps of our late father.

Fond memories of my father will remain in the hearts of all who knew him. He was the most admired and loved person in our family.

A devout Buddhist who lived a very simple and an exemplary life, yet a strict disciplinarian, he was also a devoted and loving husband to my mother, and a caring father to my brothers, sisters and myself.

Words cannot express, thoughts cannot explain, but he, in my memory, will always remain.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!

Dr. Kumudu Ilapperuma

MAJOR ASANGA NANAYAKKARA:

An officer par excellence

My beloved son Asanga Nanayakkara's 5th death anniversary fell on March 21st. Asanga was an officer par excellence in the Armoured Corps. Both my wife and I called him 'Puncha' though he was a senior officer, until his sudden death on 21.03.2007.

He and his only brother Ravi were like friends more than brothers and all of us were a very united and happy foursome.

Asanga had his early education at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa where he excelled in both studies and cricket.

He captained the college under 13 cricket team and became the best under 13 cricketer that year. In the mid seventies I admitted him to Nalanda College Colombo.

There too he excelled in both studies and cricket and went on to represent the college 1st XI in 1985 as wicket keeper, left handed batsman. His team mates that year included Roshan Manahama and Asanka Gurusinghe.

After completion of his advanced level exam Asanga enlisted as a cadet officer in the Sri Lanka Army and after training at Diyatalawa, was promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant and posted to the Armoured Corps. He received specialized military training in India, Pakistan and Turkey.

He served in the operational areas in the North and East of Sri Lanka for well over 18 years.

He served his motherland honestly and efficiently. He was a straight forward officer, a devout Buddhist and loved by his relatives, friends and neighbours. He made friends everywhere.

My son Asanga's sudden death was a big blow to all of us, particularly to his wife Sujeewani, daughter Sonali and son Asura. Had he been alive today, he would have been very happy as his children are doing well in studies.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!

Nanayakkara Moratuwa

DAPHNE LORD:

Imparted knowledge to those who needed it

The Sinhala/Tamil New Year of 1992 dawned with a tragedy to me and my children, when I lost my husband under tragic circumstances.

I was praying to God to show me a path for my family, now left at the mercy of God.

It was then that I met the founder/chairperson of DLS School of Elocution.

Aunty Daphne was looking for an assistant to support her in the day to day administration of her school.

She was seated all alone in her office room listening to my story. She consented to employ me and I started working for her immediately. My association with aunty, continued thereafter for almost 2 decades, until I left to Oman in 2011.

She was fondly called "Aunty Lord" by all the 24 staff members and thousands of past and present students, who obtained the light of English knowledge and skills in the perfect way.

She was not keen in earning money. Her motto was to impart her knowledge to those who needed it.

She wanted to pass the education she obtained from the Trinity College of London to the next generation. Due to her untiring efforts, thousands of her students are shining in various fields, here and abroad.

She was a devoted Catholic and helped lots of charities, even people of other faiths. Those who came to her for help, never returned empty handed or in dismay.

Thousands of mourners who attended her funeral confirmed her exemplary life.

She loved to involve herself in church work and always prepared the Sunday liturgy herself. She always helped people wholeheartedly in writing the liturgy as and when requested.

She faced problems courageously and believed in God every minute she lived.

She always encouraged others to come up in life and did not hold any bitter feelings towards anyone, even when others wronged her.

I am convinced that it is due to her chaste nature that she did not have any illness, in spite of having all her favorite food and deserts - and God too showed His loving kindness by taking her back to Himself, in the most peaceful manner. In my opinion instead of being called "Aunty" she deserves to be called "Mother".

There is no doubt that she is now safely resting in the arms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Lily Jesudason email

NAGAPPAR RADHAKRISHNAN:

An irreparable loss

The passing away of Nagappar Radhakrishnan, six years ago, is an irreparable loss to his wife, children relations, and all other associates. Radhakrishnan hailed from a predominantly orthodox family at Thambachiddy, Puloly West, Point Pedro. He received his primary education at Vadamarachchi Hindu College and thereafter joined Matale Hindu College.

He got through a scholarship examination, and joined Point Pedro Hartley College and did extremely well in studies and sports and came under the benign influence of Rajaratnam his maths teacher. Even as a student he was much interested in cultivation and helped his parents to get an extra income through agriculture.

As he was the eldest in a family of eight brothers, with the view to educate them, he came to Colombo in 1977 and joined a private organization. In 1978, he was selected as a customs officer and served for nearly 28 years. Due to his hard work, efficiency and competency, he received promotion as a senior superintendent in the Customs Department.

Radhakrishnan was deeply religious and patronized the Vallupura Alvar Vishnu temple. He never missed the chariot festival and water cutting ceremony of the Vallipuram temple. Further he contributed to the construction and restoration of temples and schools not only at Point Pedro but also in Colombo. He was closely associated with the Sri Kathiravelpillai library at Thambachiddy and his alma mater Hartley College.

In 1986 he married Vijida Devi and in 1987 they were blessed with a son Raj Prakash, and a daughter Kokulavani in 1991.

Radhakrishnan and Vijida Devi were an idyllic couple intrinsically blended into one being finding comfort, solace, happiness in each other through all the hazards and hassles of life. Being benevolent and sweet by nature Radhakrishnan soon found place in the hearts of everyone. Undoubtedly, the loss of Radhakrishnan is irreparable, painful and tearful. The thought of his death is poignant but his memory is fragrant.

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

NANDA SUMMANE DE SILVA

I woke up early one morning
With wonderful memories of dad
He was gentle, loving and caring
To anyone no matter caste or creed
A friend to rich and poor was he
Young and old as well
A follower so true of Buddhism
Very helpful, immensely kind.

Its been twenty long years since
You've said goodbye to all of us
Yet thoughts of you lie deep in our hearts
Like only a couple of years have passed.
Thaththi, May you attain supreme Nibbana !

Kamalika Wadood

K. THANGAVADIVEL:

Duty conscious valuation officer

Kumarasamy Thangavadivel from Kopay, was a government valuation officer and also held the position of official valuer of the Peoples' Bank and the Bank of Ceylon. He had his education in Jaffna, and proved to be bright in his studies. 'Thanga' as he was affectionately called was a strong supporter of all Bandaranayake governments in Sri Lanka. During the time Dr. N.M. Perera was finance minister, Thanga was appointed to the prestigious position of president of the palmyrah development and coconut development associations of Kopay which he held for several years.

May he attain peace !

S. Kumaralingham Nallur, Jaffna.