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A knight's granddaughter reaches 90...
Ninety years ago, Sri Lanka was still under the control of the
British and had another two decades to go before it gained independence.
 A
colourful personality who adorned the era was a Maha Mudali (Head
Mudaliyar), the highest position available to a native Ceylonese in
British Ceylon, named, Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike KCMG, JP. Sir
Solomon's granddaughter, Rukmani Eheliyagoda, fondly known as Rukie,
celebrated her 90th birthday on March 26, providing a vital link to such
a grand era of the twenties, while still maintaining her inherent charm,
elegance and aristocratic good looks.
Simple
Quite in contrast to her aristocratic upbringing, she has always
remained a simple, smiling and cheerful personality relating to people
of all walks of life without any discrimination. The education she
received firstly at S. Thomas' College(STC), Mt Lavinia when Rev Canon
de Saram (MA-Oxon) was the Warden and subsequently at Holy Family
Convent and St Bridget's Convent(SBC), Colombo 7, moulded her to become
the caring , loving, hospitable and god fearing personality that she
became. Her tender heart is a perpetual haven to the poor and needy,
while she is ever ready to encourage them to walk through life's
vicissitudes with fortitude.
'Action Group'
She formed the 'Action Group' of the old Bridgetines twenty years ago
and while undertaking charity work, they also met every month to
reminisce about their antics in the Convent boarding and outside. She
also served as Vice President of the SBC Past Pupils' Association and
was in fund-raising committees both at STC Mt Lavinia and SBC.
Rukie is an intensely family person taking great interest in the
affairs of her five children, four grandchildren and the three great
grandchildren she is blessed with. Rukie's fairytale wedding to Percy
Eheliyagoda in 1952 blossomed into this close-knit family of five
children, Leo the eldest son, Shalimar and Charmaine the elder pair of
twins and Devika and Lankani the younger pair of twins.
The grand matriarch of the Eheliyagoda family, is adored by her
family and their spouses who find her formidable, yet thrive in her
goodness, spiritual guidance and love showered upon them. She is also a
sports lover and until recently, she played cricket and football with
her grandsons and excelled in her favourite sport- table tennis, winning
many tournaments at the Nomads Tennis Club.
The Royal Thomian big match days are indeed days of fun when both the
Royal and Thomian flags are hoisted at home creating much noise, fun and
frolic as family members cheer the different schools.
Regular parishioner
A regular parishioner and chorister for 40 years at All Saint's
Church Hulftsdorp, Rukie has taken her faith seriously. One could
distinctly identify her clear voice as she sings, being trained by
Mrs.Spencer Shepherd from England.
She exudes the confidence that comes from a closer walk with God. It
has always been a joy for the young and old to see her devoted life and
her consistent and constant 'walk with god'. A mighty prayer warrior,
she devotedly upholds her family daily in prayer, while a monthly prayer
meeting is held at her residence where god's word is shared. Speaking of
the joys of celebrations and Christmas she added and it didn't stop on
December 25; "We had this family tradition where on New Year's day, a
huge table was laid out with all sorts of home-made seasonal treats and
at least 100 people would troop through our house between 4.30 p.m. and
10.30 p.m. just visiting us and wishing us for the New Year. I continue
this tradition to date." She is a lover of purple and many such
celebrations had an ample flash of purple in all its décor.
Her values of openness and integrity blended with her charm and
elegance, have indeed been an inspiration to many as the young and old
join hands to wish her a happy birthday and many more healthy, peaceful
years to come.
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