She will always be remembered for her ready smile and outgoing nature
Lalani Shireen Onitha enjoyed a privileged but conventional upbringing. A product of Ladies’ College Colombo, her natural charm, outgoing nature, ready smile and artistic talents won her many admirers and friends both in school and outside.
After enjoying the beauty of a few ‘Roman Springs’ in Italy when her mother Loranee Senaratna was Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Rome, Onitha decided to reside in the UK. Later she travelled extensively in Europe. Living in Geneva, Brussels, and in the US and the Caribbean over several years, she met and mingled with the best of society in these countries and many interesting and high profile personalities including members of European Royalty.
Onitha was the mother of three sons- Sanjive, Salintha and Nishan, all professionals in their respective areas of specialisation. While it must have been problematic to keep close contact with her two elder sons studying in the US due to logistics, she monitored and watched over the edu- cation of her youngest son very closely from nursery to University level.
Onitha was a fastidious homemaker who enjoyed entertaining, cooking and organising parties. She was a keen and able bridge player who was ever ready for an evening of bridge with short-eats and cocktails for good measure. The daughter of pioneer eye surgeon Dr. O.L.F. Senaratna, who was also head of the national Eye Hospital, Onitha rarely consulted a doctor. The illness which led to her death was from all accounts her first and only bout with serious illness.
Although living in Sri Lanka in her later years, Onitha spent much of her time with her son Nishan and his family in the UK. This was perhaps the happiest and most fulfilling time of her life when the fruits of her labour tending to Nishan’s needs in his youth bore fruit. It was possibly fitting that she spent her last days in his care and gaze as she slipped away peacefully, swiftly and without pain to greener pastures in the arms of her Lord. A view from afar