They truly loved me
On Wednesday July 8, the Parish Priest (PP) of Panadura, Fr. Sanjeewa Perera called me around 9 in the night and informed me of the demise of the next door ‘Lady’, the mother of a renowned son (RS), the only child in the family and the widowed wife of a Senior Assessor (SA) of the Inland Revenue Department.
A few months after the arrival of our new Parish Priest in August last year, RS was humble enough to make a courtesy call on the priest along with me.
So, on hearing the demise of the ‘Lady’ our PP, as a good gesture and also as a reciprocal act told me to convey to RS, his willingness to open the gates for the vehicles of the mourners / visitors to be parked at the church premises because of the narrow lane leading to the house and also the inadequate space in their garden. Immediately I rushed to their house to pay my last respect to dear ‘Lady’ and convey the kind gesture of our PP.
SA trusted me like a child of his own. His only child, (RS) a child at that time always accompanied him with a book in his hand when they came to see our soccer matches. RS did not waste time even at that time as he used to read the books before the commencement of the matches and also during the short breaks.
For the trust that SA had in me, as a top secret he told me that his son will reach greater heights later in his life. I divulged that prediction to RS and the ’Lady’ decades later after the demise of SA in 2008 .
When I entered the banking sector in the mid 70s SA did a great favour to me in arranging Economics tuition by his brother-in-law free. Our ‘Guru-Gola’ connection still exists.
Later in the second half of the 70s, SA and I became members of Panadura Sports Club. Much later when both of us had reached our ‘tolerable’ levels of spirits, on many occasions I dropped him in my car at his place exhibiting the ‘spiritual’ bond between the two of us. His soft spoken and lovable wife (next door Lady) really liked my companion and admired my friendship. It grew more and more in the years that followed
The RS or the only child is none other than Prasanna Vithanage, who still carries on his illustrious career as a film producer and a director as his father Dharmasena Vithanage predicted decades ago when he was a kid. Prasanna is the beloved husband of the famous actress, Damayanthi the sister of the world famous actress Malini Fonseka.
When the children are grown up and have their own families they are unable to be confined to their ancestral houses or the houses of their parents due to their hectic work schedules. So Prasanna is no exception but he never neglected his beloved mother.
Although he could not stay with his mother all the time he frequently visited (every week if I am not mistaken unless gone abroad) her but always kept care takers for her well being spending exorbitant prices. Her mother used to tell me as a trusted friend with plenty of affection for her son.
After the demise of my great parents the only person who called me ‘Putha’ was the Lady that I mentioned above, whenever I visited her at her place. She was Mrs. Indrani Dharmasena (nee Dias) the beloved mother of Prasanna.
She was an epitome of kindness and simplicity despite her son’s status and reputation. She used to tell me with a delighted face about her fondness to listen to the sermons of our priests at our church in the adjoining land / church. Her pleasing smile and the bright face that glittered when I visited her will never be faded away from my memory.
She was on the staff at Balika Maha Vidyalaya Panadura, D. S. Senanayke College Colombo and later at St. John’s girls’ school in Panadura. My economics Guru and Prasanna’s uncle, Jayantha Dias Sir, as we all fondly call him, the much loved, famous retired teacher at Sri Sumangala College Panadura, a reputed tennis player of his era and a ‘no nonsense’ town planner is the only sibling that she had around.
I feel uneasy since the time I heard of her demise as I could not visit her unlike earlier after the commencement of the Corona epidemic.
Uncle and Aunt as I used to call them, They Truly Loved Me.
Dear Jayantha Sir and his kind wife Erin continue to like me as a trusted ‘Golaya’ and a friend.
Lalith Fernando
Panadura
Kusal - our friend
Our dear friend, Kusal, was a unique person, who gave unstintingly of his time and energy, to support, not only his family and friends, but also those acquaintances with whom he may have exchanged pleasantries along the way, as he journeyed through life. Sadly, this carefree soul, having suffered much pain from his last battle with illness, finally departed to happier ‘hunting grounds’ on June 23, 2020.
Nimalasiri Kusal Warusavitharana was born on September 19, 1946, the fourth among a band of five brothers. After the early demise of his Father, Kusal’s mother, ‘Aunty Dayo’ to many of Kusals’ Friends, and Sudu to some members of the Family, took on the challenge of feeding, nurturing and advising her five growing boys. Widowed in 1961, she took things in her stride and guided the boys and their many friends, to young adulthood.
Aunty Dayo was a wonderful lady, who was adored by all, and ‘Panchala’ at 27/1, Pedris Road, was a warm, welcoming and friendly place to visit at lunchtime on Sundays or dinner on weekdays.
A highlight of spending an afternoon or evening with Kusal after a visit to the cinema, was the ‘bonus’ of ‘mus’curry with loads of ‘pol sambol’ and oodles of salted butter with fresh ‘Roast Paan’. Thank you Kusal for sharing Aunty Dayo and Panchala with us, and for making some wonderful memories.
My friendship with Kusal started in Royal Primary (RPS) and grew whilst we were Cadets at Royal College (RC), and subsequently, at the Colombo Rowing Club.
We were both fortunate to have been selected to represent the Colombo Rowing Club at a Regatta at the Madras Boat Club. Kusal remained a popular member at the CRC long after we had ceased competitive rowing, being the friendly chatty person he was.
Kusal, who had a travel bug, made friends with a Greek Ship’s Captain and sailed with the ship, looking for a new adventure. His foray lasted several months including a stay in Greece, whilst working in the office of the Ship’s owner.
Kusal not only had a successful career at Unilever, as a Buyer, but also made some lasting friendships at the ‘Lever Pavula’. Demonstrating his hallmark selflessness, he gave up a potentially successful career at UniLever, to be of more support to his mother. The affection, and loyalty Kusal demonstrated, was inspiring and would have brought a smile, to his devoted mother.
Kusal was a keen Jaycee in his youth, having held national office, and the President of Rotary Club of Colombo West. In both these institutions, he gave freely of his time and resources, to help the less fortunate. In recent years, Kusal started playing Bridge, with his school friends, frequently commenting that playing Bridge was the highlight of his week. Bridge was played in rotation, once a week, at the homes of each player, and the fellowship and dinner that followed, afterwards, was a time of camaraderie for his Bridge Group, Asoka, Changa, Nalin & Mallika, Rohantha & also Harindra, Sadly, as his sight deteriorated, along with his health, Kusal found it increasingly difficult to stay, and eventually stopped his visits altogether, in the last few months. Suffice it to say that It was heart rending for us, his friends, to watch helplessly, as Kusal battled with the many issues troubling him.
Kusal, however, continued to enjoy having breakfast, or brunch at Pedris road, until the very end. I am sure his older brothers Mahinda & Ana, kid brother Pali, his sisters-in-law and nephews will all miss himHe leaves a host of friends. Sadly many of these friends were unable to say ‘goodbye’ to Kusal, given the country’s situation.
Kusal also leaves his wife, Yasmin.Adios my friend. Rest in Peace and finally - without pain.
We your friends will miss you, but will always treasure the memories we’ve made, over a ‘lifetime’.
Changa