Rev Fr (Dr) Aloysius Hari Vanigasooriyar:

Involved in Mother Theresa’s work

Late Rev Fr (Dr) A Hari Vanigasooriyar was born on 16th June 1932 to a conservative, illustrious Catholic family in Jaffna with three brothers and four sisters. After completing secondary education at St Patrick's College, Jaffna, the Bishop of Jaffna the Rt Rev Dr Emmelianuspillai sent young Vanigasooriyar to the Papal Seminary Kandy. When the Papal Seminary was shifted to Poonai in India Vanigasooriyar was transferred to Poonai and continued his studies for priesthood. On completion of theological studies he was ordained a Priest of God in Calcutta, India. The Archbishop of Calcutta sent Fr Vanigasooriyar for further studies to Rome and he qualified as a Doctor of Divinity and Cannon Law. While in Rome he worked as a spiritual mentor in the Boys’ Town. After returning to India he worked as Head Master of schools. He was appointed as Parish Priest at Kolkata a remote village in Calcutta. A devout virtuous priest of God, totally dedicated to the teachings of Christ he preached the word of God to the non-Christians and converted many to Christianity. Having learnt the difficulties of this remote area's orphan children with the approval of his superiors he pioneered and established a Boys’ Town in Kolkata and provided them with all facilities including education to grow up as children of God and respectful citizens. It was during this time that the Rt Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith was in Rome in charge of assisting the under privileged children in the Asian Region. Fr Vanigasooriyar approached him for financial assistance for the orphanage project and his request was granted. He was able to raise funds from foreign friends and relatives and established many schools for the marginalized. Fr Vanigasooriyar gave his whole life for the service of the orphaned children and for the development of his parish. He extended his services and was involved with Mother Theresa's missionary work and assisted them spiritually. This meek and humble servant of God will be remembered gratefully for decades by his beloved orphans and parishioners for his dedicated loyal services rendered with love and affection.

After a glorious fruitful service over 45 years in India he returned to Sri Lanka and by providence the Archbishop placed him to serve his parish of St Lawrence's, Wellawatte. He was privileged to be at Wellawatte and be in close contact with his sisters Rukmani and Carmini who lived close to the church. They looked after him with love and affection.

I came to know of Fr Vanigasooriyar at St Lawrence's Church as a man of God with a kind heart who helped the needy. He always spoke to me with his traditional smile and words of affection.

He was a source of inspiration for many and was an outspoken clergyman. His sermons explained the deep theological teachings of the scriptures which touched the hearts of his loving flock. The young and old parishioners appreciated his noble qualities and were privileged to have moved with him closely and enjoyed his love and wisdom. His faith in God sustained him in all his trials and triumphs.

Fr Vanigasooriyar's declining health prevented him from continuing his services and he entered the “Little Sisters of the Poor” Elders’ home in Maradana and lived there for two years. The “Little Sisters of the Poor” provided him with all facilities and comforts and shared in both his joyous and sorrowful times. His sisters visited him very often with palatable food and fruits that he enjoyed. On 27th March 2012 Fr Vanigasooriyar complained of breathing difficulties and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Durdan’s Nursing Home, Colombo. On March 29, 2012 he was called to Rest to enjoy the Eternal Bliss at the age of 80. It was very sad news to the parishioners of Wellawatte and to the Archdiocese of Asansol, Kolkata. His mortal remains was brought to St Lawrence's Church and was kept for viewing. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Rt Rev Dr Oswald Gomis, Archbishop (Emeritus) Auxiliary Bishop Rt Rev Dr Emmanuel Fernando and many Priests and Nuns paid their last respects and imparted their farewell Blessings. For the noble innumerous services rendered by Fr Vanigasooriyar in India the Archbishop of Asansol Calcutta the Rt Rev Dr Monis, flew down to Colombo on March 31 to pay his last respect with graceful obligation and gratitude.

He offered the final Eucharistic Sacrifice for the repose of his soul and conducted the funeral service at St Lawrence's Church Wellawatte and final rites at the burial at General Cemetery Kanatta. Fr Vanigasooriyar's beloved sisters with their relatives and fellow parishioners attended in large numbers to bid him farewell to their affectionate Holy Priest of God.

It is a sad loss for all of us but as Christians we believe that we will meet again in God's kingdom.

This humble Saintly son of the divine vineyard and illustrious son of Jaffna will be in our hearts as a friend and a father who represented Christ at the Altar.

May the Merciful Lord Bless his soul and welcome him into His Kingdom and Grant him Eternal Bliss.

S B David

Betram Pathirana:

He dwelt in the proverb “Rome was not built in one day”

Bertram Pathirana, JP who died a few days ago aged 79 years has left a big void in the Old Boys’ Association of St John's College, Nugegoda. He had the honour of being the first President of the O.B.A. reborn in 1974, and until his death Pathirana served as a Vice Patron of the Association. He was one of its early stalwarts who believed in the proverb “Rome was not built in a day”. A significant part of his adult life was devoted to the welfare and good of the community. Born to a respected family, Pathirana's parents had witnessed the most potent years of the political and social agitation that drove this nation towards independence from British rule.

Nugegoda, where Pathirana was nurtured is a historically important town which was a part of the Kingdom of Kotte. Its relentless drive for economic advancement was boosted both by its professional and business classes. Whilst the business oriented families were front runners in its economic development a number of professionals rendered yeoman service to make this town one of the most dynamic in the island. Quite apart from the above, Nugegoda was also the home since the colonial era of middle level state employees. Pathirana's father, a respected station master was one of them.

Bertram Pathirana attended St. John's College, Nugegoda the leading educational institution in Kotte . It was established and managed by the Christian Church during the early decades. It is important to mention that St. John's acquired a fine reputation for producing men of quality from the outset of its establishment. Pathirana had the privilege of attending this school within its golden era – from the 1940s to the 1960s. He also had the fortune of being a contemporary of some of its most illustrious sons like Neil Bandaranayake, George Candappa, the great lawyer, Daya Karunaratne, Acting Post Master General, Cyril Herath, IGP and Defence Secretary, Stanley William, Chairman Sampath Bank, Billy Perera, the Veteran Planter, Baldwyn Perera, the key Metrication Board official, Stanley Jayasinghe of the field of shipping, Capt Douglas Silva sports developer and Mervyn Herath, author and UNESCO Consultant. Pathirana was a good athlete in school. He capped his school career by being the Head Prefect. In consonance with the tradition of old families Pathirana later joined the public service. It was in the Rubber Control Department where he first worked that he met his life's partner Bhadra Kannangara. She hailed from a reputed family. Her mother Wimala Kannangara (nee Sirisena) was the daughter of a great patriot and Buddhist Revivalist of the early 20th Century. Wimala married from the prominent Kannangara clan in Bandaragama.

Since the early days of his working life Pathirana had demonstrated a definite inclination to serve the community. His services were most visible on three principal fronts – his old school, the temple and his neighbourhood.

The Old Boys Association of St John's was re established following a clarion call from the then Principal of the College C K Gamage. Pathirana was one of the first to responed along with 15 other loyal old boys. The 1970s were an era of socio-economic change. Society then was in a state of flux. Difficult as it was to establish and run voluntary bodies given those conditions, it was commendable that the OBA conducted its affairs under Pathirana's effective and flexible leadership to tide over that period of uncertainty. Pathirana however never deviated from the correct and straight path and over the years his wise counsel especially on critical issued helped the OBA.

The OBA duly recognized his lasting services by awarding him the coveted annual prize for outstanding contribution to the school and the OBA.

Bertram Pathirana has left a rich legacy in nurturing an Institution with a membership of nearly 2000 today comprising dedicated and valuable men some of whom are professionals. And these members help the school in various ways promoting its educational and co-curricular activities. We need also mention that Bertram Pathirana, in the final phase of his working life was a Director of the Land Reforms Commission where we believe, he demonstrated the same commitment that made him a stand out member of the Old Boys' Association.

Our Association whilst deeply mourning his death do cherish his valued services in bringing this body to its present position.

Old Boys Association St John College, Nugegoda .

Kandiah Poornanandah:

He conquered the hearts of everyone

The late Kandiah Poornanandah initially joined the Telecommunications department in a junior executive capacity, and after years of much appreciative and dedicated service, rose to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Telecommunications, which is a senior executive position. On retirement from the Telecommunications department he served at the former Electro Plastics Company in Kotte where he was the manager in charge, and uplifted the image of the company. He initiated the export of the company's products to several foreign countries, bringing the country much needed foreign exchange at that time.

Towards the last part of his life, Poornanandah was bed ridden yet was conscious all the time. He finally passed away attaining Mottcha peacefully at the age of 94, on May 20 2011. He left behind his two daughters Bawani and Ananthi.

His demise brought great pain and sorrow to everyone who knew him and all of us miss him. His passing away is a vacuum that cannot be filled. He was a gentleman of the finest qualities among human beings. His greatest happiness was seeing those near and dear to him doing well in life. He was a simple, charming, mentor and guide to all. He possessed knowledge of human philosophy. He conquered the hearts of everyone who had met him.

The proverb “I came, I saw and I conquered” fits this high caliber personality. The years may pass but the memories of the late Kandiah Poornanandah will remain in our hearts.

Life is like a flower that blooms in the morning and withers away in the evening, life originates from nowhere and the soul leaves this universe to reach a sanctuary of God , which the Hindus believe as Mottcha.

May the Almighty God take care of his soul to rest in serenity and tranquility for ever.

Karalasingam Sivalingam