To a wonderful teacher with love
In my memory of hundreds of dear departed, Rani Perera occupies a special place as a kind and understanding lady who dedicated a large part of her relatively long and well-spent life in the teaching of English to schoolchildren as their second language. She chose a career in teaching way back in the mid 1950s as a government English teacher. Throughout her career spanning over 40 years in the state school system Rani though well qualified, couldn’t be lured into climbing the ladder for positions in school administration. She preferred to remain a teacher all her life enjoying being in touch with children under her care.
As a specialised English teacher Rani earned a reputation for her perfect English grammar and pronunciation. She had the unique ability to quote at ease from the prescribed texts as well as classical English prose and poetry. Thousands of Rani’s pupils are doing well in their chosen professions and in society today not only owing to their academic achievements but also because of their fluency with the English language and the refinements and values she instilled in them during the course of her teaching.
Her services were sought after by several reputable private educational institutions for their English teacher-training programmes which kept her busy several years after retirement from government service. I recall with great gratitude how Rani despite her age helped improve the content and quality of teaching of the Thisarana Free English Dhamma school, Wellampitiya from its inception in 2006 upto 2015. I was deeply moved watching her being helped to the podium as the Guest of Honour last year on the occasion of its 13th anniversary celebrations chaired by Rev. Olande Ananda Thera.
Rani and her family used to regularly take part in religious activities at and attend to the needs of her next-door temple Abhayasinharamaya, popularly known as Rubberwatte Pansala.
Rani was a very friendly person who would welcome even a casual visitor with warmth and hospitality. Her rather elite background apart she remained simple and gentle in her disposition and had an aura of serene calm about her.
She was very fortunate to have a devoted husband in Neil and two sons Ranil and Varuna and daughter Nilmini who are all doing well in life.They together with their spouses and grandchildren did their best for her in her evening of life up to her last breath.
May her after-life anywhere in this infinite universe and in infinite formations be as comfortable as it had been during her life on this earth.
Ubayawansa Warnakulasooriya