I first went to Sherine Fernando’s flat
in Kings Court, and as parking was a problem asked Akila to park in front on
Lauries! Frankly even visiting people in these flats is a real problem, and
don’t know why Sherine does not have a parking spot we can use! Dad, Lalith
& Selvie, Nihal and Nali, Tilak and Sunila were there.
After a brief chat, got to the Church in
time for the service. I first spoke to Marie Fernando, who asked me to drop in
as she is at her daughter Niri’s now, and I think it was Tahire who was seated
in front, but she looked too similar to Niri.
I sat with Aunty Illika Karunaratne.
There was GCB’s daughter, Deepika at the service, and I later only found out
that Aunty Lila and Aunty Emily had come, but was unable to recognize them to
speak to them. I called Clement on the way home to tell him I was sorry I
missed speaking to them.
Sharmini had overestimated the numbers
and so there was more than enough food to spare, and hope it managed to go to
some needy people as it was well made, and was difficult to eat too much at
that place holding the plates.
The Service proper was full of songs and
music which I am sure TDM would have appreciated. Mano and Neo did a grand job
getting Soundarie David and the Soul Sounds singer and I spotted Nimaya Harris
amongst them. Apparently the conductor was a Professor Wilson who lives in the
US. There were two soloists, male for the Panis and a female for “I would
always love youuuu!”
Both Nihal Abeysundera and Mano
Chanmugam gave short and sweet talks about their friend, and Tilak had
organized the videoing of the whole proceedings, for Sharmini to take back with
her to the US.
Both Annette and Renuka were NOT there
as I would have expected them to attend! Of course those who had taken
advantage of Tony’s largesse in treating them were probably dead now, but at
least their children could have attended like Niro and Nishani Perera, Festus’s
two offspring who were present throughout. I found time to speak with Jith
Peiris who said that Lalla was also in town.
All in all it was a pleasant evening,
Tilak asked Dad to spend some time at AMW; and spoke with Sharmini briefly
before taking Nihal and Nalini home, and then dropping it at Nelun’s to pick up
some money before going home.
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