The epitome of simplicity, she had a heart of gold
It is hard to believe that three years have passed since my dear sister Peace Emilda Devapriya Somaratne nee Karunaratne left us to be with her Saviour Jesus. Akka was born in April 1943—the second in a family of five—to Edwin and Emily Karunaratne, both teachers.
Akka’s first name ‘Peace’ truly described her, as she was a peacemaker. She had the God-given ability to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings with compassion, patience and empathy. ‘Devapriya’, the name she was better known by, was also appropriate as she passionately loved her God. Her family name ‘Karunaratne’ too described the essence of her being, as she was a gem of kindness.
Akka made an indelible impact on her students at Methodist College where she taught History, Sinhala and Economics in the O/ Level and A/Level classes from 1969 to 1982. Her students from many walks of life testify to the influence she had on their lives, teaching them not just academics, but moulding their character and inculcating high moral and Christian values in them.
Akka had many talents. She was a gifted speaker who could express herself with clarity without ponderous words—a gift she used in the classroom and as a lay preacher.
Her dramatic skills were evident in the two successful stylized
Sinhala dramas ‘Chora Pabbathaya’ and ‘Sakkaya Ditthi’ produced and directed by her—a unique achievement for Methodist College.
Akka left her promising career at Methodist College in 1982 when she joined a team to edit a new Sinhala translation of the Bible initiated by the Ceylon Bible Society. She felt this was God’s calling for her, and that a fulltime commitment was necessary to meet the challenge. She was also responsible for editing a Sinhala Study Bible which had hitherto not existed.
She used her skills in researching, editing, and proofreading the many books that have enriched Christian literature in the past two decades, authored by her husband G.P.V. Somaratne, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Ceylon, Colombo. She was indeed the ‘wind beneath his wings’.
Akka was the epitome of simplicity and avoided wearing jewellery other than a simple pair of ear studs. Yet she did not impose her will on others. I remember how she gifted me a pair of beautiful silver filigree drop earrings, using her pocket money, when she was an undergraduate at Peradeniya.
She had the ability to sense the sadness or need of people—be they family, friends or acquaintances, seeing beyond the brave smiles they presented to the outside world. She would spontaneously reach out to console, comfort and provide. All this she did silently, without any fanfare. There were several less affluent students at Methodist College who she helped by paying their school fees over the years. She regularly provided dry rations to families struggling to meet their day-to-day needs. Nobody who visited her home at Anderson Road, Dehiwala, went away empty handed. They were given produce from her spacious garden - avocadoes, guava, bread fruit, thambili or vegetables.
Akka also had the unique ability to comfort those in grieving. I have seen her sit on the floor beside a person torn apart with grief, listen to her story, hold her and cry with her, giving the wordless and tender gift of her presence rather than uttering empty, inadequate platitudes. Though gentle and soft spoken, Akka was no pushover. She would confront and speak against injustice with the ferociousness of a lioness defending her young. I have personally had the experience of my sister taking swift and effective action against a person who had exploited me financially and emotionally, and achieving justice.
Akka has a son Dasharatha—a chaplain in the US Army—and daughter Prarthana Devi—a primary school teacher, both residing in the US. These two well-balanced, outstanding young people are a witness to her good parenting. She has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Akka’s call to glory just four days before Christmas affected our family celebrations for all time. We feel her absence more keenly at family gatherings—missing her smiling face, her childlike delight and enthusiastic participation in everything. We find comfort in the treasured memories of past Christmases when her presence made our joy complete.
Your departure has left an aching void in our lives dearest Akka. We will hold you in our hearts till we meet again one glorious day, beyond the sunset.