Indrani Senanayake (nee Jayawardene) :
A friend with sterling qualities
I first came to know Indrani as a schoolmate at Visakha Vidyalaya and thereafter, we have been close friends for over 60 years. Having got the top rank at the final examination of Government Training College Maharagama in 1963 she was appointed to Visakha Vidyalaya as a Physics teacher during its golden era under the stewardship of Mrs S.G.Pulimood. I too joined the staff a little later as a Chemistry teacher and we both resided in the school hostel as the youngest resident teachers. Our enthusiasm to give the best to our students, knew no bounds and the results were excellent. At all times we were available after school for any additional work in the school office or hostel, allocated by Mrs. Pulimood. It was a pleasure. Our duties at the golden jubilee celebrations of the school held at the Racecourse, brought great joy. It was almost dawn by the time we were dropped back at the hostel by Mrs.Pulimood herself.
Indrani’s brilliant students at the time, to name a few were Prof Anula Wijesundera (nee Samaranayake), the late Prof Malkanthi Balasuriya and Dr. Savithri Wijemanne who still remember her with much gratitude and affection. After her spell at Visakha, being the only child, she was forced to get a transfer to her hometown Horana to be with her ageing mother, where her marriage to Leslie Senanayake also took place. She continued her services at Sri Palee College Horana with great dedication. Thereafter, it is strange that we both came to reside in the same neighbourhood after her early retirement, and she devoted all her time for numerous meritorious activities which were greatly supported by her husband Leslie. They donated their residence at Maharagama to the Dhammadeepa Foundation which is well utilized under the guidance of the most venerable Thalalle Chandakiththi Thera.
Indrani was involved in various religious activities organized by the Narada Centre in Colombo 7, the Dharmayathanaya as well as Mahamegharamaya at Maharagama. She also travelled widely with her husband visiting friends and relatives and also on pilgrimages overseas.
Her sudden illness one and a half years prior to her passing away on July 3 2017 was a great shock to me and many others. Even though she was handicapped during the period, the attention and tender care rendered by her husband was admirable. He left no stone unturned where treatment was concerned and her cousin Damayanthi was a pillar of support at all times. Rev. Chandakiththi , while having his own disability, never failed to see and bless her frequently during this period of illness which I am sure would have given her great solace.
Indrani, in any emergency or illness, day or night, you were always there by me and I now miss your company very much. May all the merit you accrued during your lifetime, help you attain the supreme bliss of nibbana in the shortest possible time.
Rukmani Raddalgoda
(nee Seneviratne)
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Nirmala Devi Ramachandran :
First Lady Inland Revenue Commissioner General
The first Lady Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, is no more,
‘Cause, this sprightly 81 plus year old has been summoned before,
The universe’s creator,
To be assigned a place in the abode of the maker.
The news of her demise,
Came as a surprise,
After a private funeral - cremation,
To many a friend and relation.
In the salubrious environs of Ward Place, she was born and bred,
And lived there - performing on the world’s stage, till she was pronounced dead.
Born in 1935, on the 23rd of November
Died in 2017, on the 21st of September.
The only girl in a family of four,
Her father: The Late Dr. Vairamutthu Kathirgamatamby predeceased her by 70+ years or more,
Though deprived of a father’s love and care at a tender age
The values of honesty, justice and fair-play, she imbued from her mother (Chellam) and Alma
Mater - enabled her to face any challenging task on the world’s stage.
At Ladies’ College she had her Primary and Secondary education,
And read for a Physical Science degree of the London University - from Aquinas College, a
Private Institution,
And secured an Hons Class degree,
That paved the way to join the Prestigious Inland Revenue fraternity.
In 1960, Dr. Surendra married Nirmala Devi.
In 1962, they brought forth Sudarshan their progeny,
Who has soared over his father’s medical renown,
By bagging two professorial medical gowns.
Dr. Surendra and Nimo acted as the wind under the other’s wings,
To soar to great heights despite envious stings.
The husband was bestowed the much coveted - Deshamanya National Award,
The wife as the First Lady Commissioner General in the field of Inland Revenue a record.
During her watch as Commissioner General,
The Revenue Collection reached a very high level.
The Collection for the period 94 - 95 being 20% of G.D.P.
The highest in the last one and a half decades of the 20th century.
Nimo was a voracious reader,
And also a great traveller,
Hence, she put pen and photography to paper,
To publish 3 volumes of Hindu Heritage to enrich Hindu culture.
To the Ramakrishna Mission Trust Fund treasury
She assigned the Book’s Royalty,
To be used for charity,
To alleviate poverty.
Friends and relations please note,
Nimo’s favourite quote,
Culled from the verse ‘Farewell my Friend’ by Ravindranath Tagore
A plea by those who we will, on planet earth, see no more
“Farewell, farewell
My friends
I smile and bid you
Goodbye.
No, shed no tears
For I need them not
All I need is your smile”
It is difficult to say goodbye with a smile dear friend
Cause your life on earth has come to an end.
But Sudarshan, Sanju, Shanath, Pravinath, Harishnath and those near and dear to you will you
miss,
While you enjoy eternal bliss.
A Pulle
A former Commissioner of Inland Revenue