A Tribute to Geevaka Kosala de Soyza: Thank you for the love, laughter and golden memories

It was a privilege to have known you for many, many years and to have been married to you at one time long years ago. I always thought of you as a Bodhisattva, a true follower of Buddhist teachings and practicing them as closely as you could. Yet you would voluntarily accompany me to Church for Mass.   

Your generosity to the homeless and destitute always made you invite them to live in the rooms of your private office for as long as they needed to. You offered lifts to strangers on the road, especially at night and if they had much baggage. All this was so unlike anyone I knew or know, and I was struck by your extreme compassion, generosity and selflessness.   
Your architecture and artistry were by words. The golden roof of the Dalada Maligawa is a testimony of one of your masterpieces. The luxury homes and hotels you designed were works of art. You transformed the roof and several sections of my ancestral home, which was over 200 years old.   

You designed stage sets and took part in plays years ago. You were a student at Cambridge University in your youth. Your talents as a jazz and mood music pianist were amazing and not known to many. You played the piano at our home. I’ll always remember you calling me “ Keli Poddi” and not by my name.   
Your sense of humour was always irrepressible and impish. You were self-effacing, humble. generous to a fault, totally without malice and rancour. I make you sound a paragon of virtue, yes I did mention earlier that I always thought of you as a Bodhisattva, and that thought will remain. It is not easy to write about you and not be emotional. Your strong character did not allow anyone to influence you against others.   

Thank you beloved Geevaka for the love, laughter and golden memories. May your journey in Samsāra be brief, and yet peaceful and tranquil, like you always were. You are much loved, adored, worshipped and missed.   
 Finally, a beautiful line in someone else’s words that echo my sentiments:   
“THE HEART HAS ITS REASONS, THAT THE HEAD KNOWS NOTHING OF”
Rajkumari Amarasekera