Appreciations

Habiba Anverally:

Remembering a dear friend

The friends you left behind have precious memories of your friendship. We were fortunate to have known you and to have loved you. They say that loving friendship is like a rare gem, hard to find in the world today. A friendship like some of us enjoyed with you, are very rare! But we were fortunate to be able to have you as our friend, warm and loving, right to the sad end!

It is hard to believe that almost two years have passed since the day you, dear Habiba, left us. We especially refer to the void she left in the SAARC Women's Association, Sri Lanka Chapter fraternity, which is hard to fill. Her warm and friendly disposition immediately drew everyone to her. Her nature was simple and gentle - everyone found her to be a friend. There was no question of choice. You simply have to like her. A lot! The more we got to know Habiba, the more we realized what a truly wonderful and generous person she was. She will always be special to me and to those who knew and walked with her closely.

What made Habiba special? I believe the answer is - her immediate reaction when she met another person. My own reaction to her friendship was that she made me feel important. I also found her out-reaching gestures of warm friendship, a welcome change to the usual people one meets in daily life. Again, what made her special is a simple and profound explanation. She obviously cared about her friends and made time for each of us. A specialty of her friendship was that she made us feel important. Whenever there was a project proposed, in which we were all involved, she entered into it with excitement and joy. If she was working with us on a project, which she felt was useful, there was a strong bond between all of us. It was a lot of fun to work with her and sometimes just being with her - sitting quietly in an aura of warm friendship.

Habiba had a huge capacity to fund raise. A selfless person, she helped to raise thousands of rupees each year for our charity projects. We vividly remember the time when she was the SWA - Sri Lanka Chapter President, how tirelessly she worked, gently harnessing all our help with gratitude. She made a great success of the fashion show which she proudly presented with a reputed designer whom she brought down from Pakistan to add flair to the event. It was easily one of the best events presented by the SAARC Women's Association to raise funds for a project which was close to her heart - Children's Heart Project.

Needless to say she was a great hostess, offering delicious food and the choicest of Sri Lankan tea, blended with their own Tea Export Company.

In all her endeavours, she was ably supported by her loving husband, Zaki and her adoring children Saeeda, Mohammed Anver, and Zenab and her dear grandchildren. Her eldest daughter Saeeda introduced the SAARC Women's Association to Sri Lanka.

Besides her contribution to the SAARC Women's Association, she worked with equal zeal and enthusiasm with programmes where her community was involved. She was the Burhani Community Secretary, serving for nearly a decade.

No one ever truly dies until the flame of remembrance blows out. Thus, Habiba will always live on in our memories. She was a true model of friendship and continues to be a very dear friend to us. We, the family and friends you had in the SAARC Association, salute your memory, dear Habiba. We love you and always will.

Prabha Nair Nagalingam

Country Coordinator/SAARC Women's Association - Sri Lanka Chapter

Air Commodore Buddhi Siriwardhene (rtd):

In memory of a loving father and husband

It was one long year since you left us and every single day we have missed hearing your voice and the little chats we used to have with you in the mornings.

We are sure that you are looking over us from wherever you are and giving us your blessings as always.

You were the best father a person could ever wish for and we were two very lucky girls to be brought up by you and ammi.

With all the merit we are bestowing on you, may you attend the supreme noble bliss of Nirvana.

Your ever loving daughters

Shubhani and Shehani

*******

It has been one year since you left us. Although you come alone and leave alone, the years that you and I spent together will never be forgotten.

You filled my life with love and laughter.

Your depth of understanding, your sublime knowledge, were my shining inspiration enriching me in every way leaving me a void that will forever remain in my heart and being.

You were the most lovable and dutiful father of our two daughters Shubhani and Shehani. Merit in your memory will be continued until my last breadth. A Dhammadesana by Ven Thirikunamale Ananda Annunayake Thera was held recently followed by a heel dana arranged by Shehani to a temple in Melbourne, Australia.

Dawal Sangika dana was offered to the Maha Sangha at our residence.

May all this merit help you to end this Sansarik journey and attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Fondly remembered

by wife Srima.

Pannipitiya Arachchige Bandula Gamini Gunasekera

Death anniversary

He was the Cambridge College of Higher Education (CCHE) founder and former Chairman who died at 70 and loving son of D L Gunasekera (Attorney-at-law).

He served as the B.T.S. secretary from 1947 to 1952 and rendered a great service as an active member of the Ananda College O.B.A.

He captained the Ananda College Cricket team from 1908 to 1911 and shone as a valuable personality for his son to follow. His mother Violet Gunesekera was a devoted social worker.

Gunasekera was a qualified engineer. By the age of 27 he was a fully qualified in Motor Engineering and Business Management in Britain. He then decided to travel to Sri Lanka, by driving over land from Europe in his adventurous and unrelenting spirit. Gunaseskera was interviewed by newspapers in England before setting out in his ford Cortina in the long journey. He studied the machines he worked with by himself. Therefore, some call him a self-made man.

He was a unique and special person. There were many good and interesting aspects of his life and personality. He was a strong and determined person. “I want to do something good for my country,” was what he always said and was in his mind, and acted accordingly which is why he worked for CCHE until his death.

Many students have gone overseas and progressing in their careers due to his efforts in the field of education.