Ebenezer Alexandra Romila Selvadurai:

Devoted mother and teacher

Mummy we remember your third death anniversary which falls on June 9, 2013 which even we can’t believe three long years passed since you left me and your son Brian.

You are indeed remembered by me and Brain, your parents, sisters and brother daily in our devotions and also by your friends, co-staff who served with you and students you taught.

When we look back, 25 years of our wedded life, we lived together and led a happy family life sharing the good and bad by all means by the grace of God.

You were not only a loving wife and a mother, but also a duty oriented, devoted teacher for all ages, shouldering and caring for people in need at all times with your supreme love and compassion to the peak levels.

You took extreme care to bring up our only child to better standards giving him the best food, best clothing, best education and the best comforts until your last breath. It is memorable that we both have not seen you going to your school without reading the Bible and praying.

Having your primary education at Mowbray College, Kandy and later at High School, Kandy and serving at A.Baur & Co., Kandy as the first employee for the branch for five long years you had a clear vision to become an English teacher and serve the poor students who had been lacking of English knowledge in the hill country.

Then you started your mission serving for 13 long years as a government English trained teacher, brought fruitful results toiling hard to form-up a small team of 10 students and initiated the English medium at Kathiresan Central College, Nawalapitiya and made all 10 students to succeed in their GCE (O/L) examination in the English medium with flying colours in the Central Province, which is a remarkable event and ever to be remembered.

To achieve this challenge, you devoted and sacrificed most of your time in the school, guiding and coaching your students with extreme care.

Being a devoted Christian you followed the teachings of Christ and did your best to the church by your energy and money supporting and up-holding the ministry. You entertained every individual who visited our home with a smiling face and your hospitality, is never to be forgotten.

Your golden advice and the encouragement you gave to me and Brian enabled us to achieve great land marks in our life and your dreams are fullfilled.

The Angel is united with Christ and become an embodiment of light in the presence of the Almighty God, we miss your sweet smile, but let us re-call your sweet memories forever and ever. We are proud of you mom, let your precious soul rest in peace with Christ.

P. Y. A. Selvadurai (Rajan)

V R Vadivetkarasan:

He spent his time to bring happiness to others

The news of the sudden and premature death of well-known businessman and social worker V R Vadivetkarasan will be received with much sorrow by his large number of friends in Colombo, Jaffna, India and other parts of the world where his name is well-known and respected.

Coming from a well-known family of successful business persons, educationists and philanthropists in the Peninsula, Vadi soon established himself as a well-known figure in Colombo business circles - aided by his father-in-law, late Senator Neethirajah.

In addition to owning real-estate in Colombo and Jaffna, he also for many years, successfully headed the well-known Vegetarian Restaurant Greenlands Hotel at Bambalapitiya.

Latterly, he was engaged in the import and distribution of automobile tyres. It was with pride he used to recall his father and grand-father owned ocean-going vessels during the British Raj - plying between Sri Lankan, Indian and ports in the region.

Other than his business activities, he will be remembered for his contribution to social and religious services. Helping the needy from across the communities is something he was known for.

Strengthening Indo-Lankan ties was a matter of much interest to him. He served the Sri Lanka-India Society actively for years. He showed a pronounced inclination and fondness to help the Tamil people - particularly in the post-1983 period. He was a familiar figure in weddings, social gatherings and in events of a less joyful nature.

He enjoyed the close friendship of celebrated Tamil leaders - the late Amirthalingam and TULF leader V Anandasangaree - among many others.

It was my privilege to move closely with the affable and handsome Vadi for a long period. He encouraged us to have meetings in his home. This included many dinners, where he entertained us with his Yalpanam Kool where guests included VVIPs and several Indian High Commissioners.

The sudden loss of Vadi will be an unbearable shock to his wife Padmini and to his children and grandchildren. From the many discussions I have had with him in Colombo and outside, I saw that he adored them dearly.

It is only the passage of time that can gradually ease their pain.

And to learn he spent his time and resources to bring happiness to his friends and unity to his country will hopefully mitigate their deep sorrow. May the soul of my dear friend find eternal bliss as he reaches Sivapatham.

A Kandappah