APPRECIATION – A calm, generous, unique, philanthropist with humane virtues – Kirinelis Samararatne Mudalali – by Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
Kirinelis Samararatne Mudalali expired at the age of eighty seven years on the 8th September after been treated in the ICU of Durdans hospital on Friday and cremated at the Galkissa cemetery on Monday the 11th amidst a huge gathering of mourners. As many successful businessmen Samararatne Mudalali too hailed from down south in Hakmana came to the capital Colombo to pursue a career as a businessman. He has had intentions to be a ‘builder’ having travelled to Colombo with a ‘saw’ and just a few rupees to work in a building site.It not had taken much time for him to grasp the work to fulfil his intentions of becoming a building contractor. He registered his ‘Samararatne builders” small company which in no time had grown in stature with an able ‘Liyana Mahattaya’ having his own office.He was fortunate to win bids for tenders to construct initially small buildings and later he was awarded many contracts to build many People’s Bank and Air Force buildings in Colombo and outstations. He supervised and encouraged his aides to genuinely work hard and honestly. He was fortunate to have a few sites at any given moment which he overlooked properly earning enormous profits.
From his profits he built his own dwelling at Gangadara Mawatha Mt Lavinia sans much luxury fittings. He never forgot his Buddhist temple in his native Hakmana to which he lavishly spent on the maintenance and improvements. Samararatne Mudalali also developed the Attidiya temple to tall elevations spending millions, even built a hall for a Montessori. He also helped financially to the famous Mallikarama temple Ratmalana on many occasions. At his funeral oration the Nayaka thera’s of the three temples remembered his deeds.Other than his dwelling he owned a huge complex including Banks,shops in the town of his native Hakmana , which he disposed a few years ago.
One salient feature in his life was while he built upstairs’ houses to his all five children, Saman,Asoka,Suranga, Chintha and Indika.He equally helped his and his wife’s nephews equally sans any discrimination , helping even had helped immensely to build the dwellings of his workers like Liyana Mahaththaya, plumber,electrician,painter etc giving accommodation at his residence finding jobs for them.. His sons Asoka and Suranga were taught and guided to commence their own building companies while Saman was assisted to commece a hardware business in a spacious building at Attidiya with Backos, Folk Lifters and lorries for transporting building materials. He sent his youngest son Indika to RMIT university in Melbourne to obtain a diploma in Textile Technology in order to construct a garment factory.But this wish of his did not come true as when he returned there were no scope in the garment industry. However, Indika now lives in Brisbane for over two decades established in a different field.
Samararatne Mudalali was a role model to all ,abstained from all forms of liquor was a complete teetotaller with sober habits but he was ever willing to offer liquor to visitors at a function. He led a real virtuous life been a staunch Buddhist took part in many Buddhist activities in temples particularly in the latter years when he retired from his profession. It needs to be mentioned that during his tenure as a builder there are numerous instances when he helped many to find building locations and in the constructions.
The writer has known him for over five decades as a neighbour but came to know closely when his youngest son Indika married my daughter in year 2000.Since of late he was under treatment for the usual illnesses many elders confront to like diabetes, blood pressure, dementia etc.It needs to be mentioned that he was well looked after throughout by his only daughter Chintha and son in law Chaminda who lived in the vicinity who sacrificed their time sans any hesitation.With the dedicated help of the duo and other sons and their spouses he was treated by specialists during the past decade giving preference to his health affairs with utmost curiosity. Samararatne Mudalali left behind his sorrowing wife Somalaltha Liyanage ,children, spouses and eight grand children.
May he attain Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
e mail sthenabadu @hotmail.com
tel 0061444533242
