Amala Wadugodapitiya Dissanayake:

Shy, unassuming and selfless

Amala's endearing voice, her golden brown hair, smiling blue/grey eyes, the distinctive style of walk almost dancing on her toes - looking ethereal, are memories of our dear friend which are deeply etched in our minds.

Our friendship, which began in l960 at the Peradeniya University, withstood barriers of time and distance and got stronger and more meaningful over the decades as we matured and shared our life-experiences without reservations.

Amala was known for her frank openness, unlimited generosity, extraordinary kindness of being sympathetic towards the weak and the vulnerable, intolerance of social injustices and her honesty.

She was an ultra-sensitive person who did not hide her emotions, was outspoken and was thus more vulnerable than most of us.

She was a good sport and joined in all our activities as a lively companion.

Amala's talents in drama and singing were exceptional. She was a voracious reader with a quick grasp and enjoyed relating interesting parts to us, often entertaining us with dramatic narrations.

A "bubbly" personality, she was at the same time shy, unassuming and selfless.

Amala appreciated the achievements of others and attempted to promote the progress of others instead of her own which had she done so, she could have been a shining star in the varsity drama circle of the early sixties.

Her qualities were symbolic of a genuine human being.

Amala's great love and attachment to her siblings and the support she got from them, particularly that of her sisters, was amazing.

Her deep concern for her three children and her unconditional love for them was one golden thread that remained constant despite the ups and downs she had in life.

Amala's interest in her religion was intellectual with a deep knowledge of karma, rebirth etc. of Buddhist philosophy. She was a follower of Ven Narada Thero.

When she was snatched away from us so swiftly (on February 28 this year,) we, her closest friends for over half a century, found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that Amala was not at the end of the phone anymore! When diagnosed with an incurable condition, Amala however, accepted it as part of karma, kept up her courage and continued communications with us from London even while she was hospitalized and on fulltime oxygen - an indication of her firm resolve to face the inevitable, true to Buddhist philosophy.

We salute her brave and unfailing spirit and faith in her religion.

We are confidant that she has earned much merit in this life to carry her safely and speedily through Samsara.

May you attain Nibbana.

Your closest friends from varsity days - Haneeya, Lalitha, Zarina, Subathara, Annathaie, Kanthi,Chitra, Visakha, Ratna, Ranji, Ruki, Kokila, Neville, Balalle, Sarath and Sydney.

M B Ranatunga:

An Angel among human beings

M B Ranatunga was loved and respected by all and passed away peacefully after a brief illness, having lived a simple life. He moved with kings but never lost the common touch. The crowds that attended the funeral spoke volumes of his good qualities and the popularity he had.

He was a social worker and always worked for the betterment of humanity. He was the president of the Lions Club of Kegalle, president of the Mawanella Sports Club and honorary member of the Kegalle Planters Club to name a few.

He has built houses, distributed spectacles to the needy, extended various forms of financial assistance to many and undertaken the survey of land, free of charge to many clients who could not afford to pay in Mawanella and elsewhere.

He set up a Home for the Aged in Mawanella and many more projects for the welfare of the needy. He was a role model to his 10 grandchildren. He was their first teacher and now six of them have excelled in their studies and gone pass their Bachelors Degrees.

The other four will do the same shortly. Aththa was a person they loved and adored and emulated them in every way possible.

I lost my father in my mid twenties and he filled the void to a great extent, when I met his charming daughter Anishka when he was planting in the Kegalle district.

Thatha and Amma encouraged our two sons Deneth and Avanka in their academic and sports activities at Trinity College, Kandy.

He held a record with his brothers George, Chandra and General Cyril Ranatunga having won the Singalani Gold Medal for the Best All- Round Student at their alma mater. A few months before his demise, he handed over the Award to our sons . He was an angel among human beings.

Bana and Sangeeka dana was held on June 8 and 9 to invoke blessings on him. Thaththa we all miss you . May your good soul rest in peace.

Deepal Pieris