A devoted teacher, advisor and mother
Rani passed away on January 6, 2015 at the age of 74 years after a brief illness, in Abuja, Nigeria, at the home of her one and only son, Imal.
She graduated with a science degree from the University of Colombo in 1964 after having studied at St Anthony’s Convent, Dematagoda, Southlands College, Galle and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo. Rani was a great teacher to thousands of students who studied at Devi Balika Vidyalaya, S.T. Sylvester College and D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya, Sri Lanka and Anglican Secondary Grammar School, Nigeria.
She also functioned as the Principal, Alafia Institute, Obatej (WES) School and Founding Principal, Lifeforte International Schools, Ibadan, Nigeria. She was an excellent teacher and many of her students came out with flying colours at competitive examinations. She was also a kind and compassionate mentor to most of her students, advising them on how to conduct themselves both at school and in society. She would advise them on good manners, how to groom themselves and behave in public places with dignity and decorum. As a teacher she did not favour the `good’ children over the `not so good’ ones. Instead she focused on the strengths of each child while being aware of their weaknesses.
Rani was born as the second child in a family of five. Her father was a Revenue Inspector at the Colombo Municipality and her mother a devoted housewife hailing from a business family in Galle. From the formative years Rani was a high spirited girl, full of life who would stand up to her parents in doing what she thought was right. Many are the times she was admonished by her father for her stubborn actions. Despite this, she was very supportive of her siblings and took good care of her parents. She also took great care to advise family and friends.
As a single mother she was determined to share her love with her son and her students.
I am glad that I was able to help Rani and Imal to go to Nigeria in 1980/81 and start a new life. She started her teaching career in Nigeria in a junior school in a remote place called Ife-Oden, where one had to walk more than a kilometre carrying one’s bag and baggage to reach the school. With determination she made steady progress, winning the confidence of the educators and ended as the founding Principal of Lifeforte International School.
Her exposure to the church and the influence of the Principal/Pastor made her read the Bible which seemed to offer her solace and comfort that she had not enjoyed hitherto. She became a devout Christian. She earned the respect of all who knew her for her sincerity and simplicity. Till she converted to Christianity Rani was a Buddhist. She always helped the needy, especially the elderly, spending a lot of time with them. Despite the trials and tribulations Rani had to face she enjoyed life. She shared a deep compassion for those around her and touched the lives of many.
Dear Sis, we mourn your loss. May you attain everlasting Nibbana / Rest in Peace and may the blessing of the Noble Triple Gem guide you through sansara and may you always be peaceful and contented in your future life.
Gunapala Sooriarachchi, “Soori” to his numerous friends and colleagues, died of a heart attack. Being a retired public health inspector with a proven track record in his chosen profession, he was quite aware of the gravity of a cardiac arrest. Yet he never expected of a sudden demise of this nature as he was well-looked after by his beloved wife Chitra Sooriarachchi who is one of my classmates at Sri Rathnasara MV, Baddegama. In fact, it is through her I made acquaintance with him and our friendship lasted inspiring me in various ways in my life until his sudden death. This affable personality always kept the people in the vicinity in good spirits and gave necessary leadership for the uplifment of the locality.
Gunapala Sooriarachchi was born on July 21, 1943. His far-sighted parents put him on a good footing in his education by sending him to the nearest high school, G/Christ Church Boys' College, Baddegama which always extended a helping hand to the young prodigy of the area. His parents Abraham Sooriarachchi and Wijesekara Gunawardane Maginona of Hemmeliya, deserve our gratitude for gifting such a gentleman to our native town, Baddegama.
His widow, Chitra Sooriarachchi left no stone unturned to keep him hale and hearty throughout their life together. Amila Chathurangi, his eldest daughter, who was a classmate of my eldest daughter, Amalka, currently serving on the academic staff of Sussex College, Galle always brought him much solace in his life.
He was a versatile character. He was a close associate of the film industry's great Titus Thotawatta. He had many an achievement under his belt. My friend’s dramatic skill contributed immensely to the film “Maruwa Samaga Wase’ by Thotawatta.
He was a devoted Buddhist in the real sense of the word. The eulogy of the monk of the village temple reminded the mourners how to lead a virtuous life. The spiralling smoke of the crematorium at Baddegama enveloped the whole area in sorrow and we lost another exemplary figure at a time the country needs gentlemen of this calibre to regain the lost vitality of our nation.
“May he attend the Supreme Bless of Nibbana’