The city of Colombo

It is hard to imagine that 10 difficulty in obtainyears have elapsed since the ing entrance to the demise of Ganesh. He was a popUniversity of ular figure who served everyCeylon. During those body regardless of caste, creed, leisurely days race or religion to the best of his University students ability. did not engage in

Ganesh was born in Puloly in strikes or hartals but the Jaffna peninsula on January most of them seemed 3, 1938 and was a son of Mr. to be youth who were Kanagasabey a well-known lawkeen on changing the yer who had a lucrative practice. world. This was a He had his early education at phenomenon not only confined Hartley College, a famous educato our country. They had socialtional institution that has proist ideas and were keen on the duced many eminent personaliupliftment of society in general. ties. For his secondary education Elections at University were he moved to S. Thomas’ College taken seriously and were a matMount Lavinia. It is significant ter of prestige. Ganesh contested that though the family consists and never lost an election. He of eight children (six boys and then moved on and joined Fordtwo girls) he was the only one Rhodes-Thornton & Co. to study sent to Colombo to pursue his accountancy. He was popular studies. He was in the boarding with his colleagues and superiat S. Thomas’ College and shone ors because of his friendly dispoat both studies and sports. sition. Thereafter, he launched

Ganesh was extremely intelliinto many business ventures, all gent, though he did not devote as of which proved successful much time to his studies and was because of his hard work, attennot a bookworm. He came under tion to detail, and business eththe tutelage of Rev.ics.RoyH. Bowyer-Yin a famous Cambridge Politics was always a passion University College scholar who with Ganesh. He took an active whilst serving as Chaplain at S. role in this and was a popular Thomas’ College also taught Mayor of Colombo. He did much mathematics in the University for the city, widening roads, entrance class. Ganesh had no uplifting shanty dwellers, mak- ing arrangements for garbage clearance etc. At most social gatherings Ganesh was the centre of attraction as he always led the discussions on the latest political developments in the country and his views on what should be done. He was articulate though not dogmatic or inflexible and even those who may not have agreed with him never felt any animosity towards him as they accepted he was sincere in his beliefs.

He was loyal to his Alma Mater and helped S. Thomas’ in whatever way he could. He was a live wire in the Mustangs Tent at every Royal-Thomian match.

A famous Spanish historian stated that ‘Those who forget their past are condemned to relive it’. Ganesh believed in this and never forgot his roots. He was always keen on helping his ancestral village. Sadly, the conflict that prevailed in Sri Lanka at that time, prevented him from visiting the village as often as he would have liked to. Ganesh was fortunate in having a contented family life. His wife Yamuna, daughter of a well-known physi- cian in Point Pedro, Dr. P. Sri Padmanathan, was a great source of strength to him in all his endeavours and stood by him in good times and bad. His two children Menaka and Kantheepan were a great source of joy to him, and both of them live and work in London. He has two grandchildren who have excelled in their studies.

Except for one, all of Ganesh’s other siblings live overseas. This is a sad predicament in which most Jaffna Tamils are placed in today. Though he had many opportunities to migrate, he always stated that he would live and die in the land of his birth.

As Mayor of Colombo, what brought him most joy was the opportunity to receive Pope John Paul II in January 1995. He was also touched when he received a note from Mother Theresa, in which she stated ‘Dear Mr. Ganeshalingam this brings to you my humble gratitude on behalf of all the poor. God Bless you’.

Ganesh has left us. Yamuna has done much to keep his memory alive. Our prayers are with her and other members of his family that God will be with them in their grief.

Rajan Asirwatham Dearest Sudu Seeya, It has been a year since you passed on, and I think of you constantly. You were always the life of any party, with your hilarious jokes and witty humour. I will always remember how I would visit you every year for Avurudu, and never realized the time passing as you entertained me with your elaborate stories, until Ammi came looking for me. I miss seeing you standing at your gate each morning, with your cheerful good morning.

You were such a live wire within the family, and one of my favourite granduncles. Thank you for the wonderful food and company that you always offered us when we visited your home.

It’s incomprehensible that 10 years have passed since we lost you. My heart still aches with all that same pain when I first heard you had passed…. I will forever regret not being by your side.

I think about you every day, pray for you every day and miss you every day.

I think about what a wonderful grandfather you would have been to our kids. The bird houses you would have taught them to build, the paper planes you would have taught them to make and the waves you would have taught them to ride. The simple things in life that you appreciated. I see so You taught me that we must live life to the fullest, and never miss any chance to live it up to the maximum that we can. I admire how you never let your age or health deter you from travelling, whether it be in Sri Lanka or overseas, and spending time with your friends.

You were a vibrant presence in all the organisations you were involved with, and always threw the membership of those organizations the best functions. Sudu Seeya, you may be gone but your memories will always live on in our hearts. Until we meet again in Sansara.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Thomas Campbell

Janani Wijetunge (Grandniece) many beautiful facets of you in them….and I’m thankful.

Recently, we went over some of your black and white photos of your many European travels. I wish you were with us to revisit and talk about your adventures to the kids. We hold on to your memory with so much love, so much care. A precious token of what we have to cling on to.

Thank you for your unconditional love. But most of all, thank you for being my dada.

With all my love, Shima