I came to know Tissa and his family about about 35 years ago and we have remained good
friends ever since! Tissa was the most Sincere, Loyal and Generous friend one could ever
have; on the few occasions I needed his help / advice he went out of his way to help me!
Tissa was a “Larger than life” character and there would never be a dull moment when you
were in his presence! What impressed me most about him was his rather remarkable talent
to see the funny side of even the most mundane events of everyday life; he was, in my
opinion, a kind of Sri Lankan version of George Orwell! It was this innate ability of him which
earned the friendship of many of his acquaintances, including mine! He also considered
himself to be a kind of “Crusader” whenever he “perceived” injustice or bureaucracy and
never hesitated to take on the establishment!
I knew he was quite ill for some time and the debilitating effects of his illness got progressive
worse. No one escapes the inevitable end, but when it comes to the person you loved and
cared for, you go through a very emotional time. Personally, I am trying to reconcile the grief
from the loss of a very good friend and a remarkable person; and the feeling of relief that it
is probably the best possible outcome from his painful illness. Tissa was a devout practising
Buddhist; one of the core concepts of Buddhism is that life is only a transition and death
brings liberation of the soul.
Tissa was blessed with a “close knit” and caring family who nursed him through the last few
years of his life. I pray that God almighty give them strength cope with the loss of a loving
husband / dear father
My sincere condolences to the family! May his soul rest in eternal peace!
Visvalingam Thillainathan
Wilmslow
Cheshire, UK
29 August 2023
Visvalingam Thillainathan
31st August 2023