June 27, 2013, 7:44 pm



My mother Yoga left us fifty years ago on her journey through sansara. A vibrant personality , music and laughter surrounded her. She was a social worker and benefactor to whoever was in need.


I always remember her conducting meetings of fundraiser, be they fashion shows or flag days on behalf of the ACWBC and films to fund the SLFUW. She also helped draft the constitution of WIC.


For my family and I she was a most loving and caring person, on whom everyone leaned on for support. She was everything a mother should be. The word ‘Alma’ takes on a whole new meaning when addressed to her. She was the embodiment of everything the word conjured. She was full of grace, and dignity, respected and loved by all who knew her.


It is very unfortunate that she passed away at the age of forty three in London due to medical negligence


For me my mother was a strict disciplinarian, a strong personality who imbibed in me the Nobel values of the Buddha Dhamma. It was this that helped me with stand her loss. My memories of Amma are wonderful, but tinged with sad regret for her not knowing my daughter Anjalee and her two sons Tarusha and little Ruveesha.


Besides her many tea parties and dinners for friends and family, the BIG event of the year was my Birthday which she celebrated lavishly. We started the celebrations with the chanting of all night pirith followed by the morning Dana and the noon Dana for the Bhikkus and family. Come evening, our garden was transformed into Fairyland. Twinkling lights, Pony rides, a round-about, Catharine wheel and Walt Disney films. The grown-ups enjoyed themselves us much as us children.


Another instance was our holidays on our Plantation at Hanguranketha, where she would indulge me, allowing me to order Chocolates from Kandos in Kundasala for all the Plantation children. Another of Amma’s strengths was strong principles of right and wrong. This came to the fore in her not allowing Tobacco to be grown on our lands. Tobacco came to Hanguranketha only after her demise.


You were my everything Ammi. May your journey in Sansara be brief and full of contentment. May we meet again on your journey.


Punnakanth

island.lk