He was truly a living saint
We live in a society that encourages and advocates hedonism; in an age that glorifies self interest, ambition and narcissism and amidst an ethic that values ambition, possessions and prestige. It therefore comes as no surprise that rarely are we privileged to encounter an individual whose values and ambitions, whose character and goals, whose priorities and motivations, run counter to the worldview of our time and age.
During the many years that I have known him, Suriyakumaran Williams lived out a life that completely rejected the values of this world and instead adopted, adhered to and embraced a counter-ethic of integrity, humility, service, kindness and gentleness.
Regardless of the pressures and demands of life, in the face of which most of us fail, our masks become transparent, and we exhibit anger, impatience and frustration, Kumaran as he was known in our family, or Suri as he was called by friends, never seemed to fail. He was to those of us who had the honour to serve and walk alongside him, the best example of a living saint.
At a young age Suri felt called to Christian ministry; it was a calling that he never turned his back on. In order to prepare himself he proceeded to Bible School in India where he acquired a sound theological grounding that would stand him in good stead during four decades as youth worker and missionary, teacher and counsellor, preacher and pastor.
He seemed to instinctively follow in the footsteps of his great great grandfather, the Reverend Benjamin Rice who over a century before Suri, would teach at the Batticotta Seminary (the precursor of Jaffna College) and then serve as a Priest in parishes across the Jaffna peninsula. Suri was undoubtedly influenced by the piety of his grandmother Chinammah and his mother Dulcie.
Suri spent most of his adult life in the ministry of Youth For Christ, initially in Colombo, and then in the late seventies in Jaffna. He was sent north to pioneer the work in that city and its environs, as well as to nurture a Tamil language ministry. Ably assisted by Kumar Abraham, theirs was a pioneering missionary endeavour which would go on to reap rich spiritual dividends in the decades to come.
Suri, his wife Shanthi and their children Miriam and Naveen, were to live and work in Jaffna through the most violent years of the peninsula. But they were not daunted, they never wavered, they refused to abandon their calling. Suri could remain at his post, and inspire and motivate his family to stand firm in the face of adversity precisely because of his selflessness. Neither then nor later, did he seek recognition or reward, position or power, wealth or comfort. Finally on Saturday, January 13, he went to his glorious reward.
His life, his example, his teaching, his counsel and his inspiration remain a living memorial in the lives of those of us who were touched, blessed and enriched by him. Jayantha Somasundaram