“Friendship is a miracle
That grows in the heart
You don’t know how it happened
or how it got its start “(Anon)
I remember Swarna and I were friends since the 1940s. We grew up in the same neighbourhood, were playmates, and fortunately classmates at Sri Sumangala Girls’ School, Panadura.
Swarna was a sportswoman. She was slim and tall, and with a stretch of her arm could reach the net in the netball post. She was our shooter, and I was a center player. She was in Maya house and I was in Chitra House. During the sports meet and other inter-house competitions, we had a healthy rivalry, with the bond of friendship intact.
After passing the senior school certificate examination in the 1950s, we took different paths. Swarna went to India to pursue her studies in physical education, and I went to the University. Completing her studies in India, she came back to her alma mater on her first appointment as a teacher. During her tenure, Sumangalians excelled in sports and athletics. A few years later she taught at Girls’ High School, Mount Lavinia, from where she retired at a young age. We had not met for years. After I moved back to our hometown Panadura, we met, picked up the threads from where we had left, and the light of friendship kindled again.
Both of us had a special bond. We have the same birthday and in school, we always had a joint class party filled with fun and laughter. August 5, 2013 is a birthday to remember. After many years, we celebrated together at my home with family and dear friends Swarnamali and Manel. It brought back memories of the happy school days we had together.
Swarna had a warm heart. She cared for the less affluent and the poor. She was kind and generous to her caregivers and helpers. She was a silent social worker, and with her generosity, she helped the community and those who needed help. She had implicit faith in the Noble Triple Gem and led a simple noble life and helped the clergy with due respect.
I am sad that during the latter years she was confined to her home, and could not move about freely, but still she continued her good work. We had long chats over the phone and shared our joys and sorrows. I went to see her whenever time permitted me, but unfortunately with the Covid-19 outbreak, my visits were limited, but still, we had our telephone chats.
Three months ago, she bade her final farewell. It is with deep sorrow in my heart that I pay this tribute to her,
“Some friends are for a reason
Some are for a season
But Swarna was always a true friend”
May your journey in Sansara be short and may you attain the supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Soma Silva – nee Ratnayake