Dear Anuradha Uncle,

I remember you since I was barely five or six years old. You used to come and visit Appachchi in your Peugeot car. After I left Sri Lanka, though we visited quite infrequently, your academic accomplishments always served as an inspiration to me in my own quest for knowledge.

When I visited you a couple of years ago with my husband and our little daughter, you welcomed us with open arms. You were the first to tell me about the Sri Lankan version of the Ramayana and the existence of Sandalindu. When I called you to wish you a happy Sinhala New Year last year, you did not forget to talk about your book, The Lions and Tigers, a book I truly admire.

I wish you were still with us. However, I guess one day we all have to pass on to the next stage in this journey. You will live on forever in the hearts of everyone who loved you.

I have this feeling

That there is this star

Up in the sky tonight

And even though it’s far away