DAYA WEERARATNE: A MAN IN A MILLION
He was a capable and astute businessman. He left his home town Devundara and came to Kandy in the mid 1960’s and rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful business magnets of Kandy In accordance with our religious belief we pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will welcome Daya to heaven in order to receive the reward he richly deserves for the righteous life he led Daya was a very devout Buddhist. He truly adhered to the tenets of the Lord Buddha and maintained cordial relationships with those of other faiths. Therefore it was not surprising that among the many religious dignitaries who paid their respects were Kandy Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Vianney Fernando and Chilaw Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Valence Mendis
Daya Weeraratne, the unassuming, affable, softspoken and ever-smiling Chairman of The Bake House (Kandy) Ltd. breathed his last on March 21, 2013 after a sudden heart attack. His unexpected demise has left a void not only in the lives of his dear wife, children, grand-children, relations and friends, but also in thousands of people whom he had helped in strict privacy without seeking any publicity.
We came to know Daya, his wife Chitra and their children Nadija and Tharanga in June 1977 and we believe it is our duty to pay him public homage for his wonderful qualities which endeared him to all those who came in contact with him.
He was a capable and astute businessman. He left his home town Devundara and came to Kandy in the mid 1960’s and rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful business magnets of Kandy. Success, money, prestige and position did not in any way boost his ego. He was ever grateful to all those who helped him reach the zenith in business. He never forgot his sib- lings their families. He regularly visited and helped his relatives and friends living in his home town down south.
He was benign. His desire was to make others happy. When he had to say no, he said so with a smile not leaving any room for any misunderstanding or hurt feeling. He would never upset others. We are sure that it is this great quality that made him bravely endure with a smiling face the severe pain that followed the fatal heart attack. He lived a peaceful life and the smile on his face (which was seen by the thousands of mourners who filed pass the bier) confirms that he had a peaceful death. Even death could not take away the smile on his face!
The never ending stream of mourners who came to pay their respects included many whom Daya had helped silently. We had the good fortune to listen to some of them. Their feelings of sadness which they expressed with sincerity and profound sorrow reminded us of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:” When you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Mat- thew 6:3).
Daya was a very devout Buddhist. He truly adhered to the tenets of the Lord Buddha and maintained cordial relationships with those of other faiths. Therefore it was not surprising that among the many religious dignitaries who paid their respects were Kandy Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Vianney Fernando and Chilaw Bishop Rt. Revd. Dr. Valence Mendis.
To his dear wife Chitra, children Nadija and Tharanga, and their spouses Samashi and Lasanga, we offer our heart-felt condolences and pray that God will grant them strength to bear their sad loss.
In accordance with our religious belief we pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will welcome Daya to heaven in order to receive the reward he richly deserves for the righteous life he led.
Dearest Daya - you were one in a million. Fond memories of our friendship and your humane qualities will linger with us. For now, it is goodbye from us till we meet in heaven - in the land beyond the sunset!
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before, in that fair homeland with no more partings. Beyond the sunset for evermore.
Cheryl and Victor Silva, 140, George de Silva Mawatha,
Kandy