Lakshman Panditaratne - An epitome of simplicity
Lakshman Panditaratne, known affectionately to his friends as “Pathi”, to his relatives as “Lyn” and adoringly to us as “Saar”, passed away almost three months ago, after a brief illness. He was a man who enjoyed simple things in life; family, friends, playing cards, get-togethers, travelling, a drink, rugby and cricket.
He lived by the simple principle that honesty, truth and empathy toward fellow human beings were significantly more important and more enriching than material wealth. He truly enjoyed and revelled in the successes of family, friends and their children.
To the four of us – he was extra special. He lived with us before he got married. He was the apple of our mother’s eye. Her “Malli” was impossible, but adored by her and her two sisters Irangani and Sunila. When we lost our father and our elder brother, he was a tower of strength to our mother.
Although our father was no more, “Saar” made sure that all the little things our father did for us were not left undone. He took us to the movies, the children’s parks, for ice creams and hot dogs at the Fountain Café, to see the Vesak celebrations and to the Galle Face Green. He introduced us to rugby and to the Royal-Thomian.
He was a lifelong rugby fan. He looked forward to the Bradby Shield game with the same gusto that he looked forward to the Royal-Thomian match, and joined his classmates to enjoy both encounters. Later, in his life, even after many of his friends had passed, he never failed to watch the game, when his health permitted him.
He was the wing three-quarter in the Royal College team in one year, when the newspapers announced that two Lakshmans faced each other at the Bradby Shield game, the other being former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who happened to be the wing three-quarter for Trinity.
“Saar” was born in Baddegama to Dr. Johann and Cecelia Panditaratne. Being the only boy among four siblings, he was the special one. After graduating from Royal, he attended Law College and became an Attorney-at-Law. His first job was as private secretary to the late Sir Alan Rose Q.C., the last British Chief Justice of the then Ceylon. A close bond existed between Sir Alan and “Saar”.
He would take great delight in narrating to us, an incident where the Governor General of Ceylon, Lord Soulbury, had requested Sir Alan to stand in for him at the rehearsal for the National Day celebrations as he was very busy. Sir Alan had been annoyed, saying that he too was very busy and turning to “Saar” had gruffly said “Lakshman, you go and stand in for the Governor General.” And so it was that “Saar” stood in for the Governor General at the rehearsal and had the privilege of receiving the salute of the armed forces.
After the departure of Sir Alan Rose, he opted to be in private practice, rather than work for someone else. He worked for the satisfaction of helping his clients and, faithful to ethics of the profession, never demanded fees. Our mother, his eldest sister, would often berate him for working gratis for people who could well afford to pay fees.
Our mother used to always nag him to get married and he, for a long time, countered it with “don’t be silly, these children are far too small”. One day, after she had given up, he announced at the dinner table, “I’m getting married to Nandani in three months; any objections?” To say my mother was flummoxed is an understatement; of course, within three minutes she called her sisters and announced the news.
His wife, Nandani Siriwardene, was a director of the Ceylon Tourist Board. She enjoyed travelling to places as much as him, and together, and often with us, would travel to the far corners of the country. They worked on the maxim “the more, the merrier”. On one occasion, returning from a trip, his car stalled, in the middle of nowhere. Seeing our grumpy faces, he told us that incidents, such as these make the trip more memorable.
On another occasion, watching him walk along the beach with around eight children, a tourist passing by asked him if we all belonged to his brood. With his signature twinkle in his eye, he said, “Yes. And I got some more back home.” “Saar” and Nandini nanda were happily married for over 45 years.
Their pride and joy was their only child Sharmila, whose love and devotion “Saar” enjoyed to the end. Sharmila followed in her dad’s footsteps, and following a Masters degree in the US, joined the Securities and Exchange Commission as a legal secretary.
“Saar” did not care to dwell too much on the rituals of Buddhism, but was a true practitioner of the essence of the Dhamma. Having led a simple and exemplary life, he is well equipped for the sojourn through Samsara.
May he attain the supreme state of Nibbana.
Priyanee, Gemunu,
Amal and Ayanthi