Tissa Dias - an avid nature lover

Our meeting was a sheer coincidence. Seeing our good friend Bandula Tissa Dias that day was most unexpected. Mind you, a month or so prior to his untimely death.

It is his 10th death anniversary this year.

I was heading to Nuwara Eliya with a group of foreigners. He told me that he was returning home after a recuperative holiday in the hills. Our venue; a well known tea centre at Talawakele. I remember vividly he looked well rested, happy and cheerful. As usual, the broad smile enlivened his countenance.

As an avid lover of nature and the environment, he was admiring the panoramic beauty around. Not so harsh rays of the sun kept the cool ambience in check. Sprawling green tea estates extended as the eye could see.

At the parting moment, we both had another quick look at the cascading waters of Devon Falls. Soon we travelled in opposite directions.

An as old boy of Isipathana College and the writer having taught at Thurstan College, Rugby Football was our common topic.

On leaving school Tissa entered the University of Moratuwa to pursue a course in Information Technology.

Later he widened his horizons with international exposure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom.

Our paths crossed again, when I joined Lake House as the Editor of Vidunena Science Magazine catering to Advanced Level and Ordinary Level Examinations. He had joined the Lake House IT Department.

It was a constant vigil for me in search of quality science writers of repute. Tissa's wife who had proved her mettle as A/L Botany teacher on the tutorial staff of the school by the sea at Mount Lavinia coached pupils over the years. They entered the universities with distinctions. Our son too was her pupil. She wrote the A/L article in Botany for Vidunena.

Tissa was a caring husband and a devoted father to his sons; both Thomians. His loving care extended to Champika's aging parents. They keep a symbiotic relationship with their neighbours, all along.

Tissa was a devoted Buddhist going to their nearby temple with his family. He was rooted to the ground firmly. Unlike most parents, he avoided the 'rat race' of the present society.

I remember reading an answer given by Dalai Lama to a question. When asked what surprised him most about humanity he quipped, "Man sacrifices his health in order to make money, then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health, and then he does not enjoy the present."

But Tissa was different; he lived in the present and was anxious and hopeful of the future. Unfortunately he left us due to a heart ailment having left an indelible void in our hearts.

Also he was just short of one year for the half-century milestone. On his tenth death anniversary our affection and sympathies continue to his wife Champika and two sons Supun and Nipun. They too, follow in his footsteps with same attitude towards life.

When fond memories rekindle in our thoughts, George Elliot's simple quote comes to my mind.

"The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand. The angels come to visit us and we only know when they are gone."

May Tissa attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!

Banduransi Perera