Padmasiri Silva A generous and loving cousin

Padmasiri was born on October 2, 1937 to Dr. James Silva and Charlotte Rodrigo from Panadura. He studied at Wesley College, Colombo and excelled in sports and played tennis and badminton for the school.

He started his planting career at Kabaragala Estate in 1960.

He is my cousin and we became very close when he worked as Assistant Superintendent of the Kabaragala Estate under Mike Wijenayake where I was a frequent visitor.

I once collected Rs 60 during the Sinhalese New Year from gifts given by parents and relatives. I was short of Rs. 25.00 needed to pay Lionel Learners to learn driving. Padmasiri Aiya generously gifted Rs. 25.00 to meet the cost.

Looked up to him

From Kabaragala Estate he joined Geekiyanakanda Estate, Neboda. He was an elder cousin and we looked up to him.

He was always ready to join our pranks. Often his cousins Deva Rodrigo, Chandrasiri, Ariyapala, my brother Chitrasena and other friends went to ‘Singing Mount’ (Geekiyanakanda) to spend the holidays.

He chose me as his best-man when he married Iranee de Silva, aughter of lawyer M. W. R. de Silva former MP for Gampola, from 1952 to 1956.

After working mainly in Badulla in the seventies he came on transfer to Glen Devon Estate in Ragala, where he obtained the highest yield in the area, with a record yield of 2300 kgs tea per hectare.

My friendship with him continued to deepen at that time with frequent visits being made by my wife Janakie and me to their estate. After he retired from planting from Thannahena Estate, he settled down in Kandy.

Thereafter, he and Iranee Akka managed their own ‘Hillway Guest House’ until his demise.

He loved his friends and relations and no visitor was allowed to go without a meal.

When my son was admitted to Trinity College he and Iranee Akka were very helpful.

Lavish hospitality

Practically every weekend we were at Hillway Guest House with our son, enjoying his lavish hospitality. He was a person with a large heart and open house.

He and Iranee Akka loved to entertain and she was a wonderful wife, loving and supportive to him.

He loved to chat and always gave sound advice if and when requested.

He never followed medical advice regarding food but enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was a tower of strength to us at every step of our way.

Iranee Akka and the family will miss him but can take comfort in the fact that he led a fruitful and rewarding life.

Janalal and Janakie Rodrigo