Queen of our family and lady of many meritorious deeds

Twenty five years ago in May, our very dear mother-in- law Leela de Z Gunasekera passed away peacefully. It was early morning, she was in her own bed in her residence in Flower Road, Colombo 7, listening to a pirith cassette surrounded by most of her family, when she gently breathed her last.

Each of us on our wedding day knew we had married into a good family headed by a unique person, widowed in her late thirties. As we began to interact with her, we realised her great value. A gentle lady of utter kindness, with polite and affectionate manners, she knit all of us into a close unit, although we had our diverse personalities.

The only daughter of Dassanayake Walauwe - Kosgoda (connected to the Maha Kappinna Walauwe), she married Wijepala de Z. Gunasekera , who within a short time at the Bar gained a reputation as one of the best criminal lawyers of his day, in the South.

Though brought up by affluent parents, she maintained a sense of simplicity both in her attire and outlook. Amma’s early education was in the Galle Convent. Taught English by an Irish nun, she had an Irish accent, to our private amusement! Later, she was admitted to Musaeus, being a relative of Peter de Abrew, the donor of the college premises.

She brought up her children to uphold all the traditional Buddhist practices of generosity, hospitality and loving-kindness. She herself was an example of all these virtues. Daily she took the Ajeevastamaka seela, an extension of Pansil. It can be truthfully said, that she never spoke ill of anybody.

She did not take part in social service through clubs and associations, but preferred to undertake projects on her own. She was the chief donor of a few katinas, especially at Madakada Aranaya,Ingiriya. She was an enthusiastic daikawa of the late Ven. Maho Sumedha who organised many pinkamas islandwide.

The most outstanding project of Amma’s was being foster mother to a Nepalese boy of the Sakya clan who came to Sri Lanka seeking ordination at the Oday Temple, Maradana, when he was only 14. Until he received Higher Ordination seven years later, she supported him in every way, looking after his educational requirements, as well as his personal needs, spending on him generously. When he, Ven. Gunagosha delivered his first sermon, he referred to her as the Mother who gave him Birth to the Dispensation – Sasanika Mawa.

Amma released cattle from the slaughter house. She donated Jaipur limbs. She gifted much to the Sangha, specially the ascetic monks. But all this piety did not prevent her from being hospitable to friends and family, and enjoying a joke with a hearty laugh.

She was lucky enough never to have entered hospital, other than for the confinements. This may have been due to all the great meritorious acts she performed with such happiness and thoughtfulness.

Amma passed away at age 75. A fruitful life was led and it is certain, even a better one was gained. May she attain the state of Sovan…. Perhaps she already has.