Gladys Muriel Abeysekera:

A 50 year era of dedicated social service comes to an end

Gladys Muriel Abeysekera nee Jayasuriya, a well-known social worker passed away at the age of 93. She was the former President of the Lanka Mahila Samithiya, the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress, former principal of Buddhist Ladies College and Founder President of the Aspirations Education Foundation. She was the wife of D.T.D.J (Tom) Abeysekera, former Government Agent and the youngest daughter of Muhandiram Charles Jayasuriya, the first English Inspector of Schools and a well known philanthropist who built the Weligama Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya. Her grand uncle was the famous erudite monk the Rev. Weligama Sri Sumangala, one of the key monks who supported the Rev. Migettuwatte Gunanda in the famous Panadura-Vaadaya.

Gladys was an exceptional lady with a strong will power and an enormous mental capacity which was the driving force behind most of her achievements. She had her education at St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo and Ananda Balika Vidyalaya, where she was the School Council Secretary, House Captain, Head Prefect and later the first ever graduate to be produced by Ananda Balika Vidyala. She graduated from University College London in English, Sinhala and Pali. She grew up in an environment so conducive to personality building and matured into a fully fledged social worker, educationalist and religious worker who toiled incessantly in the wake of Sri Lanka's independence and the dawn of universal franchise under the tutelage of P. de. S (Hilda) Kularatne and Mrs. S. A Wickramasinghe.

She had been born with love for humanity and never spared any opportunity that came her way to be of service to anyone. When she was initially introduced to the Lanka Mahila Samithi, she took to it like a fish to water, which later culminated in realizing her aspirations of serving the less fortunate women fold, especially in the rural areas. She joined LMS in 1960 and was involved as a member of the Colombo District Committee in 1961. Subsequently she was elected as Committee Chairman in 1961 which she held upto 1994. During her tenure she spearheaded many humanitarian projects such as water and sanitation, developing handicraft, nursery school education etc. The Kaduwela training center was one such venture where women were trained to develop their skills and attitude towards entrepreneurship and given assistance in animal husbandry, agriculture, handicrafts, arts and crafts.

Gladys Abeysekera travelled throughout the length and breadth of Sri Lanka to accomplish activities of the LMS. She had the rare privilege of representing many international conferences and seminars as a delegate of LMS. At the time, she was the only Sri Lankan bilingual female to be invited to the Women's International Symposium at the Kremlin in Moscow, where 6000 delegates participated in 1967.

Even as a delegate twice over at the Triennial Conference of the Association of Country Women of the World (ACWW), which was held in Australia in 1962 and at the Hague in the Netherlands in 1992 she presented her views on topics of the dual role of women in the sphere of education. She was also invited by the Women's League for Peace and Freedom held in India to air her views on the subject.

Those who had the privilege of working with her never failed to appreciate her sterling qualities for she always stood for what is right and as a devout Buddhist practiced loving kindness. She was also elected as President of the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Association (ACWBA). She helped in constructing cells, hermitages and even meditation centers like the Pattana Dharma Sabha at Narahenpita which conducts classes on Budhhist philosophy, with the objective of sustaining the Budhha Sasana. She helped in the organization of the Budda Jayanthi Celebrations in Matara in 1956 at the request of the government.

While most people in their twilight age would have preferred to enjoy a peaceful life of contentment in the comforts of home, Gladys' inexhaustible nature drove her to contribute even until the very end. In recognition of her 50 years of selfless social service to the less privileged women and children in Sri Lanka, she was made the Founder President of the Aspirations Education Foundation and the first monthly and annual Apeksha scholarship scheme was launched on her 89th birthday. Since then the work of the Foundation have benefited over 100 students on a monthly basis each year and supported rural schools.

Even after her demise the Aspirations Foundation will continue to carry out her vision. She has led an exemplary life devoted to serving mankind and was fortunate to have got the experience that few could get in a lifetime. She leaves behind her children Prof. Dayalal Abeysekera (Prof. of Sociology at the Sri Jayawardenepura University), Ajith Abeysekera (Chairman of Aspirations Education (Pvt) Ltd. and Aspirations Education Foundation) and Dilini Samaraweera, (Director Samsett Surveys and Engineering, UK) and ten grandchildren.

May she attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana !

Ajith Abeysekera

Dr. Desmond (B.D.J.S) Fernando

Your demise was so sudden. It is hard to accept the fact that you are no more. I miss you Aiya .

I recall our happy childhood days at No. 20. You were a shining example to Akka and me.

The words of advice you gave me your self-willed younger sister in her very first autograph album is still etched in my memory.

You wrote in your own inimitable style, 'Not by money, birth or learning is one a lady. But by one's behavior one becomes a lady'.

Thank you Aiya for those words of wisdom. You backed me to the hilt in all the decisions I took in life. Your expression of appreciation and encouragement was always "Good, very good". You were not only a skilful physician, but also a 'Jack of all trades' and unlike in the old adage, you were 'Master of all'. Designing, inventing, constructing, repairing, came naturally to you.

Retirement from private practice gave you the time and freedom to indulge in your favourite past time - reading, watching good movies, listening to good music and above all by busying yourself on the computer, maintaining contacts with your close relations and friends.

I miss your e-mails of jokes, cartoons and medical advice. Receiving them daily (even on the day of your demise) always gave me the assurance that you were keeping well and happy without the stress of a demanding profession.

You had everything that life could offer and above all, the love and care of your devoted wife and son and the good wishes and blessings of your adoring patients.

You are now with those who loved you most dearly on earth - Pappa, Mummy and Akka. Good bye Aiya till we meet again.

Pat Fernando

Ananda Balasooriya

Ananda Balasooriya was my uncle. We fondly called him 'Mami'. He left us for good a year ago. His kind nature and smiling face was like a bright light that illuminated our house at all times. His cheerful manner and simple life was a great example to all in our families. Mami could be thoughtful and serious at times, yet equally carefree and fun loving at other times.

He made predictions of life and I realize how correct those predictions have been from my childhood days to my adult stage. Memories of Mami are like an overflowing river. At times I sit back and recall the memories of the good times we had together, with Mami keeping all of us happy and in frolicking laughter.

Mami played a great role equal to that of a father to us. He was dedicated to Malli and Nangi and his dedication knew no limits. As a grandfather, he was equally dedicated to all his grand children until his last breath. My heart melts when I recall his visit to us just before he left us for good, indicating a source of 'Good bye'. In many ways my life is surrounded by his blessings. I still and will always believe that Mami is still with us. No matter what occurs, my heart is never ready to accept that he is gone. He was a living legend who taught us many good things in life. His friends and his colleagues loved him dearly.

My uncle Ananda Balasooriya's demise brought great pain and sorrow to everyone who knew him and it is no exaggeration to say that we all miss him very much. The vacuum created by his demise can never be filled. Everybody would testify to the fact that he was a gentlemen with the finest of qualities among human beings.

His greatest happiness was to see that those near and dear to him are doing well in life. He was a simple, charming mentor and guide to all of us and possessed knowledge of human philosophy.

Although years may pass by the memories of Mami will always remain in our hearts.

Life is like a flower that blooms in the morning and withers away in the evening. Mami's life was just like a flower - so sweet and beautiful.

Mami was a beautiful soul who came to this world with lots of packaging. He left his world with beautiful memories which we still cherish. I am truthfully blessed to have had such an uncle. His departure is a heart wrenching loss to us. May he attain the supreme bless of Nirwana!

Tharuka Udawatta