Parakrama De Silva (1928 - 2010)

Former Treasurer, Committee Member and FOC rep of AOMUK

Parakrama De Silva passed away at his residence in Reading on the 7th March 2010 at the age of 82 years. His passing away is a great loss to his family and many others as he was a very popular person amongst the friends and the community.

Parakrama had his education at Mahinda College, Galle, Sri Lanka and later became a Mechanical Engineer. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer in England and later on was a lecturer at Henley Technical College. He was a keen athlete and a swimmer, and was an instructor in scuba diving. He ran the London marathon when he was in his sixties!

Parakrama was a very committed, active committee member of the Association of Old Mahindians in the UK (AOMUK). He served as the Assistant Treasurer and became the Treasurer of the Association until his retirement in January 2009. He represented the AOMUK in the Festival of Cricket (FOC) and was a very valuable member of the FOC committee until 2009. His services were invaluable to both these organisations; his great enthusiasm to carry out the responsibilities was an encouragement to all other members.

Parakrama had a great personality and an exemplary character of a great human being. He loved his Alma Mater Mahinda College and was a very proud Mahindian. We owe so much to him and will always cherish the good times we shared as friends.

Parakrama was a loving husband to his dear wife Chris and they celebrated 50 years of marriage last year. He was a devoted father to his children, son Geehan, daughters Arunee and Nirmalee. He was an adorable grandfather to his two lovely grandchildren Lucy and Erin and they were his joy. Parakrama will be greatly missed by his family, the friends and the community.

May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.

Collin Fernando (30th Oct. 1940 - 7th Mch. 2001)

We record with sadness the sudden demise of Collin Fernando in early March 2001, the Treasurer of the Festival of Cricket. Collin was a well respected and well loved committee member of the Festival of Cricket, having represented his school St Sebastian's Moratuwa, unbroken for a number of years. In 1999, he was elected Honorary Treasurer and was re-elected the following year to have served two consecutive terms of office in that capacity. During his long tenure, he served with great acumen and distinction, thus earning the unreserved respect of all his peers. He also served as President of his school's Old Boys' Association for at least two terms and was largely influential in securing the admission of him school to the Festival of Cricket. Collin was inspired by cricket and lost no time in following and watching the game whenever possible. His keenness was such that at the time of his sad demise he was in Sri Lanka following the England/Sri Lanka series in Colombo. Collin was of a calm and gentlemanly disposition. He always found the time to help others and was therefore very selfless. His worthy contribution to his school's Old Boys' Association and the Festival of Cricket shall always be remembered with great affection and regard. He shall be sorely missed.

Parakrama Ranasinghe (15 Sept. 1941 - 21 Oct. 2002)

We record with sadness the passing of Parakrama Ranasinghe in October 2002, the legal advisor for the 'Festival of Cricket'. Popularly known as 'Para', he joined the FOC committee as one of the representatives for St Anthony's OBA in 1993 and was soon appointed as its legal adviser, the role he accepted as a voluntary undertaking which he continued diligently until his unfortunate demise. He was most generous with his time and provided an invaluable service to the FOC. His sense of humour helped the committee through several difficult times and his gentle and calm manner influenced the FOC to develop its true course and objectives. He was a well-liked well established committee member of the FOC.

Para was educated at St Anthony's College, Kandy where he excelled academically and in sport. He maintained his interest and concern for his School throughout his life and shared an active role in all activities of the Old Antonian's in the UK. He had an exemplary career as a teacher, lawyer, trade union leader, and a politician. In the UK he was a loyal and a popular member of the UK branch of the SLFP and served as their President until his death. Para's profound interest in the rights of his fellow men led to his fearless safeguarding of their rights and dignity right through his life. Furthermore, he was admired by everyone for his sincere, lovable and humble nature.

Para will be sadly missed by all who knew him as a loyal friend, a wise counsellor and a wonderfully caring father and husband.