TRIBUTES | Sunday Observer

TRIBUTES

14 October, 2018

Savitri Ramani Anoja Nagodavithana:

Gave her selfless services to Visakha Vidyalaya

It was with profound sadness that we learnt of the sudden passing away of Savitri on July 13, just three months ago after a brief illness. Prof Saroj Jayasinghe, her cousin and his medical team, in attendance at the time left no stone unturned to rescue her, but fate was such that she had to go.

The dedicated services she rendered to her alma mater had not ceased in her mind to the very last minute, the last event being the AGM of Visakha Vidyalaya, OGA. Savitri is bound to be in the bosom of Mrs Jeremias Dias the founder, as an honourable past pupil of Visakha who gave her selfless services for no personal benefit or glory. Savitri was the third child to highly respected parents from the South, the late Edwin Nagodavithana, Director of Education at the time and Evelyn Jayasinghe, a teacher.

Her four siblings Kumar, Ajantha, Vajira and Dr Preethi are yet in great sorrow over the sudden demise of their beloved sister. She had her entire education at Visakha Vidyalaya during the tenure of Principal S.G.Pulimood. As a very disciplined student, she was a senior Prefect and a House Captain.

Having left school in 1966, she joined the Tyre Corporation and served there for twenty years and retired as senior assistant in the design division. In 1986 when Eileen Siriwardene was Principal, a computer course was launched for students awaiting O/L results and I still remember her walking in to offer her services to see to the needs of the students while the lecturers were from DMS Colombo.

I happened to be the Vice President of the OGA at the time and Savitri was a great asset, and her services to her alma mater was unlimited.

I doubt there was a single day she was not seen at the school premises attending to numerous duties tirelessly. She was inseparable from Visakha Vidyalaya, always ready to render her utmost services wherever required, be it the annual avurudu pola, dinner dance, Pulimood Oration, the Walk, and many other events. Savitri was in the forefront of the arrangements but never sought the limelight, always a backbencher never to be noticed, but her name is written in gold in the minds of the present and past Principals and her fellow school mates. Her gratitude towards her ageing past teachers was admirable as she always made it a point to visit them periodically and even encouraged her friends to do so.

Savitri, dear friend, you will be remembered forever for your relentless services, integrity and honesty, by all Visakhians. With all the merit you accrued, may you attain the supreme bliss of nibbana in the shortest possible time.

Rukmani Raddalgoda nee Seneviratne

*****

Dr. Hilarian M. Codippily

My dear friend Hilarian is no more,
As his immortal soul has gone through Heaven’s door,
While his mortal remains lie under ground,
To mother-earth-till thy kingdom come-bound.
His sojourn on planet Earth,
Lasted around 80 years from the time of birth,
During this life span – as a Mathematician, Physicist and
Economist-he reached great heights
To bag a World Bank top slot to set the Developing
World’s- Financial,
Economic and Development- strategies right.
As an eminent ballroom dancer,
He danced his way into the arms of charming Sheila - his lifelong
marriage partner,
And lived happily for 54 years thereafter,
In accordance with the matrimonial vows they took before the church altar.
On August 18, 2018, the Earth received an honoured guest,
As Hilarian was laid in peace to rest,
Where in that state he will stay,
And rise on the final Judgement Day.
Goodbye dear friend,
Though your life on earth has come to an end,
Memories of you will linger,
In the minds of those near and dear to you, forever.

A. Pulle
Dehiwela.

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