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Remembering Sharmila Benedict

Submitted by sharmini on Sat, 04/06/2019 - 16:52

Sharmila Benedict Thayalan [1961-1990]

 

Sharmila Benedict, a Bio Science graduate from Peradeniya, graduated in 1985. She married Thayalan, an Engineer, also from Peradeniya, in 1989. She died on 5th December, 1990, a few days after giving birth to their child, who also died within a few days of being born. At the time of her death, Sharmila was a teacher at Bishop’s College.

 

Sharmini Wickramaratne writes in the GCF prayer and newsletter of January/Februrary 1991:

 

As I thanked God for Sharmila, for the friendship and support she has always given, for all that I have learnt through her example, for her desire to serve God and to go out of her way to care for people despite her frailty and tiredness, for her concern for her family and her students even from her hospital bed, I prayed that her life would challenge me to serve God better. Remembering her love and commitment to God, I know that Sharmila would be the last person to see her death as a defeat, for she is now serving Him, with a new and glorious body, fulfilling the purpose she lived for. Therefore I have been able to praise and thank God with a new awareness of the glorious salvation He has given us, the love He has shown, for the hope and assurance we have that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new and glorious life. What a paradox is the death of a brother or sister in Christ – amidst the grief is the joy that Sharmila is with the Lord and we will join her.