A man with a golden heart

Fond memories of our Thurstan Days will always remain. Death is most cruel and it comes like a thief in the night creating a deep and bottomless void in peoples’ lives; a void that will never ever be filled 

It is only a few weeks since the demise of our dearest friend Bandula Sarath Biyanwila. He was a man with a golden heart and is no more. Having being born as the son of the Headmaster of Hewawitharana Vidyalaya, Rajagiriya, Sarath was a man with sterling qualities. He never turned away anyone who sought his help. Moral principles guided his life. 

After his school years, he joined the Meteorological Department and served Mother Lanka in various difficult areas like Hambantota, Mahailupallama; areas which lacked facilities. He survived with what was available. He never grumbled and carried out his services to the entire satisfaction of his superiors

I met him at Thurstan College as one of my classmates in the late fifties.  I still remember how he was almost leading our class with a good heart. He always came forward during any events and associated very closely and sincerely with all his classmates and collegians. I never observed him even once being annoyed or losing his temper: proving true the famous adage, “A friend in need is a friend indeed” 

After his school years, he joined the Meteorological Department and served Mother Lanka in various difficult areas like Hambantota, Mahailupallama; areas which lacked facilities. He survived with what was available. He never grumbled and carried out his services to the entire satisfaction of his superiors. 

In recent years, as a resident in Maharagama, he was visiting lot of poor patients at the cancer hospital and personally looked into their needs and attended to them. Above all he was a humanitarian. His kindness and sense of true friendliness displayed whenever we talked to him closely. 

Sarath, we shall surely miss you more than words could ever express, but we shall never ever forget you. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana! 
U.D. Perera