Your memory will never die

Our loved and respected elder brother “Ary” to some and “K.A.S” to others, was the third in a family of nine siblings.  Approaching his 97th birthday, he peacefully passed away on February 21, 2023. Tolerance and understanding were part of his character, and he helped people who had even maligned him as he was unable of holding a grudge. A devout Buddhist, he never missed his compulsory pirith chanting in his husky voice.  Last week his family organised the performance of third month’s religious rituals, at Dharmapalaramaya, Mt. Lavinia, where his wife’s family had been ardent dhayakes (donors) for over seven decades.

KAS began his career as a school leaver in the mid-1940s, with a short stint teaching Latin at his alma mater St John’s College, Panadura. Driven by an inborn passion for social service, he conducted free evening English classes at Panadura Police Station for the Policemen. As a staunch supporter ofthe then-powerful LSSP, he was elected by popular vote as the Secretary of the Panadura Cooperative Society at the age of 23, my brother did a yeoman’s service to the area by developing the society as a leading institution adding many novel services. In parallel with social work on his own,he ran the sole distributorship for the Times group of  Newspapers in Panadura. Being appointed their agent for Kalutara District, he promoted the Toronto-based Manufactures Life Insurance Co., until its nationalisation in 1962.

His somewhat short political career commenced at Kuliyapitiya in the 1950s, and in 1958, he became the Chairman of Udubaddawa VC [Pradeshiya Sabha] which he served with indisputable loyalty and commitment. Contested the General elections in 1960, serving as a founder member and treasurer of MEP under the late Philip Gunawardena. 

Leading a delegation of young politicians representing three Marxist parties to the International Socialist Youth Conference held in Helsinki, Finland in 1962, he travelled extensively in Europe.  A man of principles he never faltered to express what he thought about and what he was against during his private, political, and social engagements. Making speeches at the political stageor social events he maintained his characteristic loud, and modulated voicecombinedwith his impressive personality and stature to capture every person’sattention that left any audience spellbound.Teaching English to the less privileged children and young monks at Sri Lanka Pirivena, Maligakanda in the mid-1960 was something that he derived much pleasure from.

Inspired by the college motto, ‘Nihil Amanti Difficile’- [Nothing is difficult for a lover], and on being elected as the Vice President of Old Johnian’s Association, he served his alma mater in collaboration with his former school mates earning the admiration of all for his intelligence, integrity, impartiality and balance.

 He married Kusuma Jayasinghe, a member of a reputable family in Mt. Lavinia, who soon became adevoted partner committed not only to her hubby but also to our entire family.They had a long and happy marriage that lasted 55 years until she predeceased him. In our schooling days, he imposed strict discipline on us:so closely attached to the family, my brotherendured the well-being of every member as his top priority working untiringly to fulfill the needs and expectations of each one.Sharing both family joys and sorrows and certainly not losing an opportunity to comfort or inspire us in our hour of need, he handled many challenges, yet he had the ability to win them triumphantly.He was never proud or haughty. That was our Podi Aiya.  

When I was 13, he picked a fictional piece in my English literature exercise book and read it to the rest of my family. Did he germinate the seed for my writing career by appreciating the content and my writing style?One of the happiest days in his life was when Tharindu, his 23-year-old grandson won the State Award for his coffee table book on Elephants. An avid reader he was, once Kusuma Akka complained how he continued reading against medical advice at night, losing sight in one eye though, by focusing the torch on to paper at night. 

He will be missed by daughter Anusha, son Duminda, in-laws Nimal and Krishanthi, four grandchildren, sisters, and brothers as well as nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

Following his wife’s demise, the two children took over the task of taking care of their nonagenarian father with tremendous love.  The evening of his life he spent at his son’s home. The secret of my brother’s longevity is his son’s, utmost care, and concern, and the daughter-in-law’s fervent affection and love that he earned. 

The large number of old friends, colleagues, and family members who flocked to pay last respects bears testimony to the attachment they had to him. KAS Perera was a loving husband to Kusuma and a dedicated and caring father, a friend,and a relative to the rest.  This is a tribute to a person, who was treasured and respected by all. Thankyou for being such an amazing brother, aloving husband, a responsible father, an affectionate father-in-law, and an adoring grand father. Dear, Podi Ayyia, you remain persistently on our minds.

May you attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!
KKS Perera