APPRECIATIONS
Sarath Fernando
Despite the Tsunami warning and the rush that prevailed on 11th April afternoon, large numbers gathered at Kanatte to pay their last respects to genial Sarath Fernando, CEO of Bogawantalawa Plantations.
Sarath had his early education at S.Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia. He remained a very popular and staunch Thomian to the end and assisted College in numerous ways without publicity. He was a member of the OBA and supportive at College matches and events.
He was very lavish in entertaining and always enjoyed a sing song session . He helped his friends gladly whenever warranted .
The willing assistance he gave to the Uni and MBA student support was very exemplary .
He was also a devoted husband and father. Full Thomian honours prevailed at the funeral as a mark of respect to a true Thomian.
Having left school he gained his management credits overseas and returned to Sri Lanka to be a leading Financial Accountant of repute. His management tenure in the corporate field including Ceramics and Bogawantalawa Plantations was outstanding .
Sarath fought his cancer very bravely and even recovered partially to get back to work .
His will to work was exemplary. Finally at a relatively young age of 58 years plus, Sarath bid farewell to the world in which he excelled.
We hope that his wife Pushpa and Sinithi his only child will gain strength to face this great loss.
Both were fully committed at the bedside of Sarath at all times.
His dear friends lost a rare gem of a Thomian.
There were many who did their utmost with regular religious offerings and meritorious acts to save dear Sarath, who will remain in our memory forever.
Special mention must be made of the Bogawantalawa Plantation ownership, Thomians Dr. Sarath Abeykoon, Raj Renganathan, Dhammika Jayasuriya (DD) and others that space does not permit to record for all the untiring efforts and acts of generosity in the hour ofneed.
Grateful thanks Sarath for being a true friend always. We will miss you.
May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Esto Perpetua !
R.P.M. Hettiarachchi
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Remembering Mark Gerreyn
World acclaimed cartoonists of the SUN and WEEKEND newspapers, Mark Gerreyn, created his cartoons in black and white – but this is not the reason why he remains etched in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, for time immemorial.
Mark as an exceptional personality and remembering him on his birthday, April 25, comes naturally to the mind. Mark Gerreyn started his day early – waking up at 4 a.m. or even earlier to draw his daily cartoon which was a fine marriage of both his artistic talent and his wit. Each day, The SUN newspaper published Mark Gerreyn’s exceptional creations. Mark spared no one. But like all cartoonists, it was just for laughs. There was no malice and no anger; and this was quite in keeping with this happy personality who had no anger to any living being.
It is but natural to see Mark Gerreyn make his way to the newspaper office as early as 7.30 a.m. clad impeccably in black and white and with a fine silk tie. And that was a fine job he did, making us all laugh; while he had his own loud laughter echoing on the side.
Mark Gerreyn should have got the award for the best dressed person on any early morning; but his professional talent got him into the 23rd International Salon of Cartoons in 1986. The contest had drawn more than 1,000 cartoons from over 60 countries.
In 1982 and 1984 too the International Salon of Cartoons circulated worldwide Gerreyn’s cartoon I Got The World On A String on Brezhnev and Bangs And Pangs about the horror of famine and nuclear war.
Each one of us leaves behind a trail – and most often it is the work we did at our best.
It is with sadness that all journalists remember the sad demise of this wonderfully talented journalist and his sudden demise left us all with the feeling ‘Why so early? Why so soon, Mark?”
And we would imagine Mark Gerreyn replying us with laughter and asking us to go to … again with a huge pat on the back and more laughter.
Life brings us much happiness; and the memory of these happy times with fellow journalists also help to bring the tears later on in life.
Today, we join his wife Leonie Gerreyn and her sons Marlon, Beverly and Rowan, in remembering this talented cartoonist of international fame. We wish you were here Mark, to wish you a happy birthday.
You have made us laugh; and with an early good bye, you have made us all cry.
R. M.
