My brother and friend

It’s been three months since he left us!

My brother was an adoring husband to Priyanthie; loving father to Ayesha, Dedunie and Marisa; understanding father-in-law to

Nalin and Anuruddha; doting grandfather to Liam; compassionate sibling and brother-in-law; and a kind and generous friend, whose home was always open to even the most unfortunate.

My mother used to always remind him of the adage, “cut your coat according to the cloth you have”, but he never listened!! He cut his coat the way he wanted it and always found a way to make it fit. Such was the way he enjoyed living his life. He also had an unfailing sense of humour, where he saw the funny side of any situation!

When he would come to my parents’ house, famously known to all as “No. 300”, the whole family would sit around the dining table and listen to him relating all the jokes about his plantation life and encounters he had with some of his former colleagues and managers. No get-together was complete without his mellifluous voice resounding through the air - “Oh! Danny Boy” and “O Sole Mio” being his favourites!

Very frequently he would take all the nieces and nephews, who used to attend school from my parents’ house for an ice cream treat to “Cream House” or for a hot dog to “Fountain Café” which was like a dream for the children. His kindness and generosity had no limit.

He had a rare characteristic; he didn’t have enemies. There were a few plantation managers who gave him a hard time at first, but he kept treating them with more respect and care, that in the end, they became close friends. Everyone he met even for the first time was treated like a long lost friend, and very often, he would extend an invitation to a weekend vacation in the plantation, and Priyanthie would find out quite casually about it.

These are some of the qualities he passed on to his three daughters and grandson Liam, who meant the world to him.

After he retired from planting and moved to Colombo, he became openminded to the point that his three daughters could confide in him and get his advice and guidance about all their plans. Even though he may have not liked their plans, he never stood in their way!

He had a lot of faith in God and lived his life according to God’s plan.

May his gentle soul rest in peace with Jesus, as we celebrate his life!