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.
Sudharshini Gunaratnam (1975-2000)
Sudharshini Gunaratnam, President of University of Colombo Christian Fellowship (UCCF) in 2000, and a young member of the Graduates Student Fellowship (GCF) died in a road accident on August 10th, 2000, just one day after her twenty-fifth birthday. ‘Sudha’ as she was affectionately known, had a great influence on many people of her generation in Focus.
Jasmine Obeysekere describes her as someone who had a zest for life, loved laughing, prayed and planned and worked hard as a student leader.
Remembering Uthum Herat who when he died in 2009 after a brief illness was Deputy Governor, Central Bank
Sermon preached at Uthum’s funeral service by Priyan Dias (schoolmate and friend) Sunday 25 October in the Chapel of the Transfiguration at St. Thomas’ College
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth
Unfortunately we measure the value of life by quantity and not quality,’ said the priest at the remembrance service of a dearly loved friend of ours. She was thirty one years old, had a 2 year old child and had recently moved into a newly built house with her beloved husband. She suddenly fell ill and in three days, she was dead. Died in her husband’s arms.
Vettivelu Ratnarajah (1962 – 1997)
Ratnarajah was a Pera DC member who was working as a Civil Engineer in Trinco in the 1990’s. He was killed in 1997 in a bomb blast at the opening of a new school building in Trincomalee that he had helped to build.