Nayana Rupasinghe:

She was loved by all

The sudden death of Nayana Rupasinghe came as a rude shock to her colleagues at The Finance Co, friends and relations. After my retirement from The Finance Co about three years back, I met her for the last time at the Hilton car park with her husband Rohitha.

She was looking hale and hearty and was in good spirits. In spite of the late hour, she spoke to me for a few minutes, recalling the good times, we spent at the company.

She also did not forget to inquire about my health and wanted to convey her regards to my wife (Mercy Akka) as she lovingly called her. Little did we know then of the hidden danger of a cardiac ailment lurking within her was going to claim her life, a few months later.

She joined The Finance Company as a junior executive and by determination and hard work and with her pleasant manners, she climbed to the top position of executive director in quick succession. She was my contemporary for a long time and we worked as a team together at the Real Estate Division.

When she was attached to the Kadawatha branch as its manager, I visited the branch often in relation to matters regarding real estate, and our friendship thus became very close.

She also became a close family friend and never missed any function at my home, where she used to enjoy thoroughly.

I recall an instance, where she went all out to secure a prime property for the company while she was attached to the Kadawatha branch, even competing with several other property developers and made a record profit for the company for which she was rewarded. I do remember the memorable outings spent during the holiday season joined by her close friends and the unforgettable happy times we have enjoyed.

The vast crowd that thronged her home and the crematorium to pay their last respects to Nayana was ample testimony to the esteem in which, she was held.

Our hearts go out to Rohitha, who shared life with her for nearly 28 years and to the three children Taridu, Gayan and daughter Dilhara who will sadly miss their mother.

May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

F R Tony Silva

Vajurdeen Dyan Cassim:

Calm, harmless, pious and kind man

May 1, 2012 marked the 44th death anniversary of my father Vajurdeen Dyan Cassim.

My father having done a white collar job in the Civilian Army was later involved in importing and distributing pens.

Due to some financial problems he closed down his business and joined a tea firm where he continued working until he fell sick.

Being religious, he prayed, fasted and recited the Holy Quran since his childhood. It was our father who taught us the Holy Quran without sending us to Quran classes. That helped us to recite perfectly for him after his death and to a few others as well. He was one of the oldest trustees at the Wekande Jummah Mosque, Colombo 2.

My father was a calm, harmless, pious and kind person that neighbours would say if he walked even the ‘grass would not die'. But he died at his early fifties.

He was very much saddened when my brother Shibly died at the age of four.

I still remember my first day to school being accompanied by my father and his friend Clement Fernando who dropped me in his car.

On that sorrowful May Day of 1968 around 2 pm when I came home after a sea bath with friends, I saw my father resting on the bed. His look showed me as he was asking why I had missed the noon prayers. Having had a hurried lunch, I changed my dress and went to the mosque and later joined my friends again. That was the last I saw him alive. Around 3 pm, I was informed that he had collapsed when taking ablution for the evening prayers and when I reached home he was dead.

My father's death was a great blow to our family. My sisters and I underwent many difficulties in life but we managed to over come them. God often takes the souls of those who are very close to Him without realising with what an anguish their families will continue to live till their life comes to an end.

May my father continue the comforts in heaven.

Nazly Cassim