Thank you for the many lessons you taught us
A long time has passed but not too long to forget when in need of his guidance….
March 2, 2013 marked the 54th death anniversary of my father Percy (Sonny) Malalgoda who passed away when he was young, at the helm of his career leaving all of us too small to remember but a few of the milestones in our lives as children. More years have passed than his age at the time of his death but his legacy lives on.
From the little I came to know of him, he was a respected Judge known for his fairness, strict adherence to the letter of the law, acting with the highest level of integrity-- a rare trait among people today. There was no abuse of power or position in thought or action. Even long after his passing, in the minds of those who knew of him, his name is synonymous with the highest level of respect for the way he upheld the law and lived by example as a compassionate person. When summoned by political stalwarts who expressed admiration for his work, there are written accounts of his refusal to be recognised because he was just doing his job.
He was a devout Buddhist and in his brilliant mind knew to take a middle path on a high road to be above all prejudice and intolerance. He respected the good in every faith and believed in entrusting us to the wonderful nuns who gave us the
His love for music filled our home with the haunting sounds of his violin that I remember being played with my mother at the piano. The world of music has stuck with me throughout my life.
discipline of a Catholic private school education while keeping us grounded in our faith and Buddhist principles as they should be lived. This is the example I will never forget but value tremendously as I move through the years of my life.
His love for music filled our home with the haunting sounds of his violin that I remember being played with my mother at the piano. The world of music has stuck with me throughout my life and I thank my parents for giving me a foundation of such richness that I continue to imbibe not selfishly alone but by sharing with others even today. As Buddhism teaches compassion, tolerance and respect for other religions, when I sing at a church service as I have done for many decades, I feel the passion of my upbringing in the depth of my heart toward my parents for raising me without prejudice but with love for all especially the less fortunate and even the fortunate at difficult times. My mother is now 90 years old but I continue to talk to her about the things that I learned to do because of the exposure they afforded me in more than one way-to measure success not only in terms of tangible acquisitions and career but also the intangible joys that can only be felt. I hope that after me, the joy of music that I grew up with will play on as a tribute to my parents. We cannot afford to lose that intangible treasure along the way even while pursuing other professions.
We have a duty to live by their tenets regardless of the mix in the generations after us. Silently, I missed my father’s guidance and wisdom when it was needed most. Life is short but precious memories live long in the form of wealth that none can take away or erase from our minds. They remain untouchable in a life lived with a purpose and example that remains to be followed. We must never forget to do so.
Anjalika (Malalgoda) Silva