Dr L D K Jayasinghe:

He led a simple life

My father Dr L.D. K. Jayasinghe died on April 4, 2002 having lived up to the ripe old age of 87 years. He led a simple life devoid of ostentation, devoting much of his adult life in bringing me up, his only child, who was nurtured with love and care as my mother was not well to look after me.

As a medical officer serving the government he did not avail of the many opportunities to go abroad for his post graduate studies, did not engage in private practice and refused promotions based on seniority, thus sacrificing career prospects, so that he will have more time as a single parent to guide me in a proper manner to face the future.

He did not consume alcohol, gave up smoking very early in life and associated with the village temple participating in many of the religious activities. In attention to his medical duties, he was clad in spotless white, was compassionate to the patients and was loved by the staff who looked up to him for guidance and direction.

He lost his mother at a very early age and in spite of being able to afford, up to the commencement of my training as an accountancy student, we did not possess a refrigerator or a fan in our single storey house or had availed of his entitlement for an official phone, which was a ratify those days, extremely difficult to get a phone, because he believed happiness through contentment could be achieved, by leading a simple life.

He had only few friends, but his brothers, the only sister and the relatives were very close to him and they in turn were equally fond of him. He enjoyed tremendously the many family trips organised by Batuwatta Mama, joining in the bon homie and the fun in his own inimitable way.

During the last few years of his life he came to live with us and we looked after him until he breathed his last. Wasantha his constant companion brought solace to him and attended to his needs. He doted on his two grandchildren and they brought him untold joy and pride by doing well in their studies and in personal life.

Taking a leaf from his life, if parents of today look after their children with love and affection showing them, by example the right values, the world no doubt would be a gentler place to live in, for the off spring will in turn exude the love to those around, instead of engaging in disruptive and anti social activities plaguing our island home.

He epitomized the saying "live so that when you children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you." I think of you Thaththa, now more than ever before for all that and much more you have instilled in me in my formative years, showing me the path to lead a useful life

Asoka Jayasinghe

A. Gunapala:

His special focus was on children

It is one year since A.Gunapala, retired chief Probation Officer, Kandy, passed away in June 2012. His wife, children, friends and neighbours gathered at his home in Kandy last month to hold a memorial celebration of his first death anniversary. A Bana sermon was held at his home on June 9 followed by an alms giving the following day.

Everyone who knew A. Gunapala would agree that he was an extraordinary person, a type of person you do not encounter too often. He dedicated his life to work selflessly to help others.

His special focus was on children anywhere and everywhere. As a Probation and Childcare Officer he took his work as his 'duty' to the young people whom he rehabilitated, protected or supported, rather than as a job for a salary.

Protecting the rights of all children regardless of religion, race, ethnicity etc., was always at the center of his mind. Until retirement, he handled hundreds of cases of children and families of child offenders, and child victims of crime and abuse and provided support to address problems.

He never ever closed a case before following up to check if the child had received and is benefiting from the support programme. Being actively working, he kept fit and never gained weight. He would travel many miles on foot on non-motorable roads, or climb hilly foot-paths to reach far away homes of the children in his charge. He cherished his work.

After retirement from government service, he worked for the next 25 years with perseverance to find relief for many needy children and families. Working with international nonprofit, nonsectarian organisations he found sponsorships for children to attend school and families in poverty to take proper care of children with mental and physical disabilities.

He found parents for orphaned children. A nutrition centre that he pioneered in establishing in Kandy (1970s to mid 1990s) provided nutrition needs to under nourished infants.

With the backing of T. Botfeldt, founder and President of Denmark's Terre des Hommes, A. Gunapala formed the volunteer group, Sri Sambodhi Child Care Society in Kandy primarily to help mentally retarded children irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, caste or creed. The Home, Seth Medura at Naththaranpotha, Kandy that is run by the organisation gave training to many mentally retarded girls from financially disadvantaged families to gain ability to handle their day to day life.

A. Gunapala loved to associate people, to get to know those he came across, and to take chance to be of help. His neighbours remember the 'lifts' in his old van whenever he met them walking the distance. He never hesitated to get up to a mid night call to take someone from the area to the hospital.

In the midst of a busy day in Kandy he would have a quick cup of tea at his favourite restaurant 'Devon'. Very often he would walk out with a packet of meal or a bun to handover to the beggar woman with two children or the old man begging on the pavement.

He had a unique sense of humour. He came out with witty statements that brought out the funny side of things making others break out in laughter. To his long-term close friends he was 'Gune' who left endearing memories that never fail to bring a smile. Within the last years of his life he became physically and mentally weak and was not able to recollect most of his past work, but his compassion towards others did not wane. His special appeal to Devas following daily Pirith chanting was to ask relief to all 'poverty and hunger stricken people' around the world.

He lived a long life and at the end left memories of his meritorious work alive among all of us. Through the work he did with a heart of compassion, may he gain merit to travel a shorter path through samsara, and attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Family members