He treated everyone alike irrespective of social and religious distinctions
Sunanda Mahawela passed away at the ripe old age of 91 on August 8, 2019. It was with grief that I learnt of the sudden demise of this old friend. I came to know him in 1980. In life’s journey we meet many people who influence our lives in many ways, yet it is rarer to meet and know people who have a lasting influence on us and where our friendship is reciprocated and cemented further by similar intellectual pursuits.
Sunanda and I went to Taif in Saudi Arabia along with a group of Sri Lankans to work with a reputed aircaft manufacturer of USA whose mission was to supply fighter aircraft to the Saudi government. Sunanda served as secretary and I was in the Logistics Department of the Peace Support Group that was a sub-contractor to the main company whose workforce was quite international. Sunanda dedicated himself to the immense and complicated task and carried out his duties with great commitment.
He received special commendation from the company during his five years of service in
Taif and Khamis Mushart. He treated everyone alike irrespective of social and religious distinctions.
On his return to Sri Lanka, he started on his literary work. He was a freelance writer and has written books in both Sinhala and English. His poetry is yet to be published.
A devout Buddhist he would visit the Kelaniya temple on poya days. He never spoke ill of anyone and never boasted about his own talents. Whenever the opportunity arose to serve others, he did so without expecting anything in return – this was the moral code of his life. I can never forget the support and encouragement he gave to our environmental orgnization.
Sunanda’s former wife passed away in Canada a few years back. He leaves behind his wife Kalyani, two daughters and two sons and their families. His children are doing well in life both here and abroad and his younger daughter Sandiya who is in Sri Lanka gave him all the support throughout his life.
May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana
W. Sunil Fernando