Dr Kanapathipillai Yoheswaran:A Tribute From The Knight-Kim Family

The certainty of death has been removed from our lives, my brother-in-law. He was born in Malaysia. When he came back to Jaffna, he studied at Jaffna College, where his schoolmates included Bishop Ambalavarna and Prof. George Thambiapillai. 

When my brother-in-law finished his medical studies, he married my sister-in-law, Rohini Thiruchittampalam. They have three daughters—Sharmini, Anoji and Dilani. After being in Colombo for some time, they went to England and Scotland for my brother-in-law’s postgraduate studies. When my brother-in-law came back to Sri Lanka, he served in Badulla, Colombo General Hospital, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Colombo South and Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. 

 There were three critical events which he had to handle. First, when Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was shot; it was my brother-in-law who helped Surgeon Anthonisz. Second, when Minister Lalith Athulathmudali suffered from a bomb attack in Parliament, it was my brother-in-law who helped Lalith, and the President honoured him. Finally, when my brother-in-law was a surgeon at Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, President J. R. Jayawardena was one of his patients.

More personally, I am forever grateful for Athan’s support for my daughter, Malathy, at particular times in her life, and his love and caring for me during my wife’s cancer and passing away. His support and love helped us get through some very difficult times. Akka and the three girls and their families can be sure that we keep all of them in our hearts. This is not only a personal loss, it is a family loss, and Sri Lanka’s loss. 

From Sydney, Mikal, Malathy and Albert