GY Sahayam: A true son of Trinity College

Mano Sahayam on the right in the pale blue shirt while Nimal S. Cooke (standing) and  their friend Sundare seated on the left

The Sahayam name is synonymous with Trinity College Kandy. One can hardly say the word ‘Trinity’ without some revered reference to ‘Sahayam’ at the same time.  With the indefatigable GY Sahayam having served under some seven Principals no less, as Vice Principal and  Master of Mathematics, that is expected. Always attired in an impeccable white Tussore suit with cane neatly tucked into his right coat sleeve, ready for immediate action, he was everywhere at the same time. If ever his sons were found playing truant with other school  mates, they each were meted out with six of the best while his sons got seven as “they should have known better”! 
The eldest son Baskeran’s ambition on leaving school, as Mano would claim was always to retire from Active duty!! 

Of the two daughters of GYS, Lali is the dutiful housewife in Chennai and Sunitha took to shepherding the Christian flock in the UK. 
Altogether a wonderful Christian family, each very special in one way or the other. Each one setting a great example to their peers. 

"Always attired in an impeccable white Tussore suit with cane neatly tucked into his right coat sleeve, ready for immediate action, he was everywhere at the same time"

His second son Mano passed away peacefully in his Lauries Road residence on Wednesday 29th September at the age of 83. He was and will be remembered as the dashing young man whose sole ambition, when he left school was to join the RAF , which he did, and returned to Sri Lanka with a host of bawdy stories. 
He was never short of a hilarious story or a funny joke and life was one big party for the young Mano, always the main attraction at any gathering keeping his audience in peels of laughter. An intelligent and articulate speaker on any subject, he was always the most wanted man in the room. He had a great many friends among and outside the Trinity family as one can imagine with his good looks, great charm and wit to match. 
While his younger brother Mohan was selling dummies on the Rugby field  as one of the most outstanding fly halves Trinity ever produced, Mano was selling his own ‘dummies’ freely among his buddies at every event off the field with scotch in hand.

 
Arguably Mano must hold the record for Dialysis for over thirteen years at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, and will probably get into the Guinness Book of Records for this feat. 
He leaves a devoted daughter Deschu, a doctor practicing in the UK and a son Sanjeev in Australia. 
May this true son of Trinity Rest in Peace. 

Nimal S. Cooke 
Colombo