Roma de Zoysa My thoughts on a very special sister

Roma left us on the 20th of June and I had to accept that my sister, a very special person, was no more. I would like to share my thoughts on Roma, an undoubtedly beautiful, but even more importantly a person who was kind and generous to a fault.
As kids, Roma, Alfie and I were very close as our mother was a single parent. Roma was always there for me and my ‘Akki’ (‘big sister’) would even join me for doll’s tea parties. On the weekends ‘Daddy’ would take us out and give us a great time. Definitely Roma was his favourite. In later years, she was dad’s private secretary and travelled the world with him.
In Sri Lanka, everyone knew Roma as she was very much in the news as a fashion model and a talented theatre actress. I was known as ‘Roma’s sister’. Growing up as a gawky teenager; being ‘sister of Roma’, never gave me a complex, for I was immensely proud of her.

Kollu and many others in their teen years remember Roma with affection and her open house in ‘Halgaswatta’ where we all had so much fun and happy days. Roma was also incredibly brave and strong and made a difficult decision she had to face alone. The result was a blessing.
In later years, she travelled to America and was involved in everything ‘Sri Lankan’ she was much loved by that community who are deeply saddened by her death and are planning an event to celebrate her life.
Roma did not hurt anyone in the process but did it all her way.
‘Miss you and love you – May you rest in peace.’
    (Sonja)