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| Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Appreciation : Vasanth Nadesan
But it has been only a few days since Vasanth Nadesan left us and I cannot convince myself that I too will allow the memory of this man, my friend, to walk this traditional path to oblivion, for he was different in ways that I cannot describe. It was late afternoon on Monday when I got a call from his brother-in-law, Aravinda: "Vasanth has passed away". There was only one Vasanth, it could not be anyone else. Even as I was trying hard to absorb this sad piece of news, I remember that it registered in my mind that his death could not have been health-related. Vasanth was a fitness fanatic, a man who jogged several kilometres everyday. Then I was told that he had drowned in Queensland. It is customary to say nice things about friends and family who have passed away, but I wouldn't be glossing over anything when I say that Vasanth was loved by everyone, that he didn't have a single enemy. Vasanth never spoke ill of anyone. He never held a grudge and would embrace without a shade of negativity even those who did him wrong. It is safe to say that he was the best loved Sri Lankan in Sydney. Everyone knew him. A passionate Sri Lankan, he rallied together the Sri Lankan community whenever there was a cricket match, calling each person several times to make sure he or she would come. It was the same when it came to an all Blacks rugby game. That was what he was all about, come to think of it, a man whose one passion was being with people, entertaining them and keeping them happy. He was also the only man I know who could dance on the floor, on his own, for hours. The only time he was depressed was when we haven't had a get together for a long time. His wife, Araliya, would notice because Vasanth just sat in front of the TV, flipping channels. She would suggest that they have a party for their friends and Vasanth would be immediately transformed. He would get into a pair of shorts, cut the grass, trim the trees and get on the phone to invite people for a big celebration. My own brother, Priyantha, devastated by Vasanth's untimely death, told me that he will find it difficult to live in Australia, for "it would never be the same again". I am sure a lot of people share his sentiments. I remember a time when I spent over four months in Australia. I was going through a hard time. Vasanth came to see me almost every day of my stay. He did everything he could to cheer me up. I came back to Sri Lanka fully recovered and a large part of my recovery was Vasanth. Vasanth was a friend. He never carried the burden of ill-will or jealousy, never thought of himself and preferred the pursuit of companionship over accumulation of wealth. And this is exactly what he taught us. He taught us the importance of not carrying grudges, the meaningless of being angry, being worried about what others think. He taught us the worth of being ourselves and to be there for people when they need you. Unconditionally. He made life feel very light for everyone and I am sure everyone who was fortunate to know the grace that was his friendship would be beholden to Vasanth all their lives for teaching them these simple truths that are so hard to learn and even harder to teach. He was at peace with the world, perhaps because he was at peace with himself. That is probably the only thought that we can hold on to at this point and maybe it is all we need as we spend the long years of his immeasurable absence. Krishantha Prasad Cooray |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Untimely death usually provokes terms such as "shocked" and "disbelief".
Shock and disbelief sooner or later give way to acceptance of death as
inevitable; the grieving becomes less and less and then the dead are allowed
with less and less frequency to disturb memory. 
