[APPRECIATIONS - (08-10-2018)] | Daily News

[APPRECIATIONS - (08-10-2018)]

Ven. Aluthgama Dhammananda Nayaka Thera

Enlightened Buddha puthra

Ven. Mahopadyaya Agga Maha Panditha Aluthgama Dhammananda Nayake Thera, a senior member of the Malwatte Chapter Karaka Sabha, passed away after a brief illness on October 2 at the Kandy General Hospital. He was 103 years old.

Born on November 22, 1915, in Aluthgama near Thumpone, Kandy, to village headman Maha Arambe Rajakaruna Wasala Dukganna Ralahamillage Dingiri Banda and Herath Mudiyanselage Ranmenika, he was named Heenbanda. He later received his primary education at Muruddeniya Vidyalaya and Idamagoda Vidyalaya.

He was ordained as a novice monk under the tutelage of former Malwatte Chapter Maha Nayaka Ven. Pahamune Dharmakeerthi Sri Sumangala Thera and Ven. Aluthgama Sri Piyadassi Nayake Thera.

He was later educated at the Sri Sangharaja Pirivena in Kandy, and gained higher ordination at the Visumgrama Uposathagaraya at the Malwatte Maha Vihyaraya in 1935.

In 1936, he founded Sri Mahinda Sunday School at Ampitiya and was its head teacher until 1950. He began the katina cheevara puja at the Malwatte Maha Viharaya in 1944 and organised it for 73 years. Sasana history was made at the Malwatte Maha Viharaya in 1944 when two katinacheevarayas were offered to the Maha Sangha who lived in the two temples belonging to the Malwatte Maha Viharaya; namely the Malwatte Maha Viharaya and Poya Malu Viharaya.

Since the opening of the official residence of the Maha Nayaka Thera in 1966, three katina cheevarayas were offered to the Maha Sangha.

In 1950, he started teaching at Dharmaraja College, Kandy and served until 1958 without receiving any remuneration. He became a teacher at the Gurudeniya Vidyalaya in 1958 and taught at Dharmaraja College from 1966 to 1972. The ven. thera inaugurated the Kandy Sri Sangharaja Gunanusmarana Sangamaya in 1947 and held the annual Sri Sangharaja Perahera for 72 years.

As the Buddhist Chaplain of the Bogambara Prison from 1950, he headed the construction of a stupa, vihara and bodh prakarama at the Pallekele Prison. In 1951, he began poya day sil at the Malwatte Viharaya. More than 7,000 cattle were freed from slaughterhouses in Kandy by the Maha Nuwara Avihimsa Samithiya, of which the ven. thera was the patron.

He was the Kadawatha Sathara and Ganagawata Koralaya's Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya President for the past 46 years. In 1973, he conducted the tewawa at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The Government of Mynamar had offered him the 'Agga Maha Panditha' title.

May our Nayaka Thera attain the Supreme Bless of Nibbana!

Nirmala Samarasinghe and Lakshman Samarasinghe

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Dr. H.S. Perera

A true gentleman

We Anandians were left with a permanent void in our hearts when we learnt of the passing of Dr. H.S. Perera; one of the greatest sons of Ananda College, Colombo. Dr. Perera never missed an Ananda-Nalanda cricket encounter, even when he was studying for his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in the United Kingdom. His keen interest and effort helped Ananda College set up an international-standard swimming pool.

After being transferred from the Ratnapura Hospital to the Colombo General Hospital, he was engaged in numerous projects to raise funds for the swimming pool. Following a suggestion made by Dr. Perera, the College OBA and the Old Anandians' Sports Club (OASC) requested past pupils and well-wishers to donate Rs.10,000 for the swimming pool.

I met him during that time; we organised carnivals at the Viharamahadevi Park to raise funds. He often checked on the carnivals, as well as the school. If not for such dedication, those carnivals would have neither raised sufficient funds to construct the pool nor been able to be recognised as the best school carnivals held during that period.

During Dr. H.S. Perera's career as a thoracic surgeon, he was well-known for his humane attitude towards his patients. The naming of the Ananda College swimming pool complex as the 'Dr. H.S. Perera Swimming Pool Complex' three weeks prior to his demise, is testimony to his dedication.

Dr. H.S. Perera was a warmhearted man who was courageous and objective in his endeavors. He was a true gentleman and a devout Buddhist.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Prof. L.M.K Tillekaratne, Former President, Kalutara Ananda College OBA branch

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Dayasiri Atapattu

Honest and trustworthy

Dayasiri Atapattu died on August 7, in Sydney, Australia, after an 18-month struggle with cancer.

He received his primary and secondary education at Mahinda College, Galle and graduated with honours as a Civil Engineer from the University of Peradeniya in 1969. After graduation, he worked as an Instructor at the university's Civil Engineering Department for a short period.

In 1970, Dayasiri joined the Irrigation Department and worked as an engineer in the Nagadeepa Irrigation Project in Mahiyanganaya and later, worked at the Irrigation Department's Design Branch Head Office. In 1973, he became a Chartered Engineer after studying at the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka. He was later appointed an irrigation engineer at the Muruthwewla scheme in Hambantota.

In 1979, he was awarded a scholarship to undertake a Master's degree in Hydrology from the Imperial College University in London.

After returning to Sri Lanka in the early 1980's, Dayasiri was appointed the Chief Resident Engineer of the Kirindi Oya Irrigation and Resettlement Project. He was then promoted to Deputy Irrigation Director of the Bandarawela Irrigation Range.

He wanted to work in Sri Lanka although he received many opportunities to work in the West. However, he was confronted by political instability and violence and hence, was compelled to emigrate to new Zealand.

Dayasiri was honest and trustworthy. The Irrigation Department, knowing his honesty, integrity and sensitivity, offered him paid leave for six months. Although he worked in New Zealand, he always inquired about the progress of the Kirindi Oya Project which was considered a symbol of his hard work.

His son Asela, who is a scientist, worked as a Manager at the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority. Dayasiri's wife Ranjani Atapattu Goonasekara looked after Dayasiri with care for more than a year.

May he rest in peace.

D.H. Saddhavira

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Ronnie Leitch

Versatile performer

Ronnie Leitch, admired as one of Sri Lanka’s versatile performers, died of a heart attack at the age of 65 in Perth, Australia. Fondly remembered as the inimitable thattaya following his famous musical hit, his talents had brought joy and laughter to generations of Sri Lankans who enjoyed his comedic exploits and larger-than-life musical performances.

Lesser known, perhaps, was the gracious and altruistic side of the man, which saw him share his extraordinary talents freely with those who needed it the most: from the children at Lady Ridgeway Hospital at Colombo 8 and the Victoria Home for Incurables at Rajagiriya to any number of fans with lesser financial means. He was known to have performed free and even paid many a taxi fare by himself when his hosts could not afford to.

We will truly miss this treasure of a human being who was a friend to us all, and we will never let the fame he commanded cloud his remarkably down-to-earth and affable demeanour.

We offer his beloved wife Yvette, daughter Keshia, and son Keshan our sincere condolences and hope they take comfort in knowing that they can truly be proud of this amazing singer, comedian, actor and human being who dedicated his life to performing and serving the people.

May he rest in peace.

friends

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Margaret Kingsley

Devoted wife

It has been three years since you left me lonely on August 21, 2015. I mark this third anniversary with sorrow, and the sweet memories of our 48 years together are the treasures I posses. Your birthday on October 10 is a sad day without your presence.

Margaret was a loyal and affectionate personality who was loved by all. She shaped our three children into professionals with discipline in a Christian atmosphere, to which they are ever grateful. She was a great hostess who entertained those near and dear to us with her cooking skills.

Our children and grandchildren miss you as much as I do, Margaret. They speak of the stories you told them as well as the advice you gave them. Margaret was born to the Rajamonis of Welihena, Negombo and was the sixth child in a family of six brothers and one sister.

Life is miserable without you and I reminisce the 48 years we spent as husband and wife. In life, I loved you and in death do I love you more. I miss you, Margaret! You are immortal in my memories and will always be a pride to the family.

Grant her eternal rest, oh Lord! Let thy light shine on her. May she rest in peace.

Kingsley Durairaj

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Vincent and Joyce Peiris

Wonderful parents

Thaththi's life had humble beginnings and he was the first from the Lakshapathiya town in Moratuwa to join the Ceylon Administrative Service. He was educated at Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa and was a Vice Patron of the College Old Boys' Association at the time of his demise.

He loved St. Matthias' Church in Lakshapathiya and was involved in all its activities as a Sunday School teacher and a warden of the parish. He was in the Government Service before he joined the Labour Department as an Assistant Commissioner. This was a blessing. He did not ask for an extension of service as there was political interference. However, he was able to keep our home fires burning with the knowledge he gained at the Labour Department. From his younger days, he was involved in social services and after retirement, he was even more involved with such units, including the Friend-in-need Society at Moratuwa.

In 1948, at the age of 32, thaththi found his soul mate, Joyce Mendis of Moratuwa. They settled down in Lakshapathiya and had four children: two boys and two girls.

Ammi supported him in all his endeavors. She was a pillar of strength to thaththi. He was a strict disciplinarian and ammi was a gentle, kind and loving person, which made it a perfect setting for the four of us to grow up. The four of us were fortunate to have had such wonderful parents. There were hard times as well as good times which proved their integrity as a couple. I remember how the six of us used to sit at the dining table and talk at length about our daily lives. As we grew older, our parents sought our opinions as well, especially from my elder brother. They and 'mum amma' (my mother's mother) who lived with us, instilled in us the love for God. They taught us not to seek wealth, but to be responsible citizens.

There were many sacrifices that our parents made for us. We shall always remember the difficult times when all of us stood together as one. When my elder brother expressed his wish to become a priest, my father did not object it. We always had the freedom to pursue our dreams. Even though it might not have been according to their plan for us, we never saw them waver.

When ammi got sick, we couldn't grasp how it could happen to such a wonderful person. Within the span of three months, her terminal sickness was ready to claim her life. When the time came for her to go to her maker, by God's grace, we were ready to accept it.

Ammi predeceased thaththi after having been a great life partner for 40 years of marriage. She was able to see the eldest of her grandchildren: Ravin. Thaththi lived to see all four grandchildren: Ravin, Kevin, Jayan and Hiruni.

He was happy when his only grand-daughter, Hiruni was born. He provided for his grandchildren, even in the simplest of ways. He was proud of our achievements and would have shed silent tears while missing ammi.

We thank God Almighty for our loving parents. Ammi, thaththi; we love you. Let us meet again on that beautiful shore. May your souls rest in peace.

Sriyanthi de Silva


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