Appreciation on Prathapa Wethasinghe He was a distinguished and sincere person

• During his school career, he was an exemplary ‘Rajan’ and a college prefect
• In Melbourne, he joined the reputed Coles Group of companies and held the post of Senior Financial Analyst

By B.M. Jayaratna- (Old Rajan)

The untimely death of Prathapa Wethasinghe is still a vacuum among his friends and loved ones.

Prathapa was born in the heart of Kandy town on a Poson Poya day in 1965. He hails from an outstanding family and had his primary education at Dharmaraja College Kandy.

During his school career, he was an exemplary ‘Rajan’ and a college prefect.  As a member of the 1st Kandy Scout Troop, he won the Junior Scouts’ Silver Medal and subsequently the Wood Badge. As a sportsman, he mastered marshal arts. 

Prior to immigrating to Australia, he functioned as an Accountant and a Director of a cluster of companies.

In Melbourne, he joined the reputed Coles Group of companies and held the post of Senior Financial Analyst.    

In late 1980’s he combined with Dharmatilake Sir, to elevate DRCK/OBU in Colombo. During the 1986 unrest, he organised OBU meetings in leading hotels. 

Prathapa was ironically sincere and generous.  He once reminiscence his childhood days.  There had been a charity coin box at his grandparents’ home. He had waited for hours there until a less affluent person turned up at the gate to donate coins. 

During late 1978, the Presidential Fund was inaugurated.  The names of donors were published daily in the newspapers.  Despite we were still around 12 years then, Prathapa’s name once appeared in a donors list bringing pride and honour to the college and his collogues.

In the same manner he contributed to religious institutions and orphanages, both in Sri Lanka and abroad.  Besides, he volunteered to provide medical supplies from abroad to those who were in need.  

Similarly his goodwill towards his batch mates and friends remained evergreen. 

During his final visit to his motherland, upon landing, firstly he travelled to down south, to donate a hearing unit to a desperate child.  He next attended to his mother’s birthday party. Thereafter he went on to engage in a seven-day meditation programme, accompanied by his son and wife. No sooner he drove back home with his family, fell sick and bid farewell to all.    

Prathapa was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Kumar Wethasinghe and elder brother of Keshari, Srinath (U.K.), Udara and Pulasthi.

He was married to an old girl of Mahamaya College Kandy (Dr. Ms. Champika Karunatilaka). His son Lakshitha Wethasinghe (an Engineer), now lives in Melbourne.   

   

May he attain the Supreme Bliss Nibbhana! 

Creative writing competition conducted by EWC

Submissions are invited for the ‘Creative Writing Competition 2025’ which is conducted by the English Writers Collective of Sri Lanka (EWC). 

The competition is open to Sri Lankans (18+) residing in the country. Categories include Prose (short stories up to 2500 words) and Poetry (poems up to 40 lines).

All details regarding entry fees and rules for submission can be obtained by dropping an email to englishwriterscollective @gmail.com or by calling 0777274483.