Three-Month Commemoration fell on May 18 A gracious life remembered: Mrs.Yasmin Samaraweera

• Our biggest tribute to Amma will be by carrying forward the noble values she espoused both personally and professionally with Inspiring Goodness to mankind. 

The third-month commemoration of the late Mrs Yasmin Samaraweera, who passed away at 79, fell on May 18. Remembered for her quiet strength and grace, her loss followed that of her husband, Maliban Biscuits Chairman the late Mr Ratnapala Samaraweera, by six months. This appreciation reflects on her role in guiding her children and embodying the values that shaped their lives.
It is just three months with the sudden passing of our mother Mrs Yasmin Samaraweera at 79 years. Her ending was pain-free and quiet like the life she led, guiding us with her quiet strength and resolve. This loss became more profound as we lost our loving father Mr Ratnapala Samaraweera, the Chairman of Maliban Biscuits, six months prior to Amma’s passing.I am penning this appreciation note on behalf of my brother Tharangitha as well to appreciate Amma’s strength and selfless ability to steer us to become responsible citizens.Amma was the 3rd in a family of seven siblings. Her father, the late Mr M.B. Dissanayaka hailed from Kurunegala and settled down in Kandy. He was a former Excise Commissioner and on retirement became the Chairman of Directorate of the Alliance Francaise and remained as the Consul General for France up to his death. He was a renowned linguist fluent in English, French, Latin and Japanese. 

Her ending was pain-free and quiet like the life she led, guiding us with her quiet strength and resolve. This loss became more profound as we lost our loving father Mr. Ratnapala Samaraweera, the Chairman of Maliban Biscuits, 6 months prior to Amma’s passing.

 Amma’s mother hailed from Kegalle, lived in Anuradhapura and settled down in Kandy after marriage. She was a niece of Mr William Gopollawa, former Governor General and Non-Executive President of Ceylon and her descendants are from the clan who accompanied Arahath Sangamittha Therani from India bringing the Sacred Bo Tree sapling to Sri Lanka. Amma studied at Holy Family Convent – Bambalapitiya, Kandy Girls High School and finally came to Vishaka Vidyalaya – Colombo for her A/Levels. Whilst staying at home after studies as customary for girls in those days, she was proposed to Mr A.G. Ratnapala Samaraweera, seventh child of Maliban founder Mr A.G. Hinniappuhamy, through a close relative. Mr Samaraweera was the Managing Director of Maliban Biscuits then and was closely groomed by the legendary founder Chairman Mr Hinniappuhamy who was insistent that children should get married to families with good educational backgrounds and solid values.

They were married on August 18, 1966. Amma always recalled her parents’ advise before marriage as never to compromise the dignity and respect of her family, a commitment she practiced to the letter during the 58 years of her married life. After marriage, she came to the Flower Road residence with my father and stayed on up to her last day. As any young girl, she had some apprehensions of leaving her doting parents in Kandy but both in- laws took an instant liking for this charming and gracious lady and treated her as their own daughter throughout. Amma used to recollect this affection with respect and gratitude. Our father the late Mr Ratnapala Samarawera,was habitually an early riser starting his day at 3.45 am and then offering prayers to Buddha before getting dressed to go to Maliban with the founder Chairman, who mentored him closely. Although there was ample domestic assistance in their household, Amma used to prepare Thaththa’s morning cup of tea and meals by herself with attention and care. I was born in 1967 which was a joyous occasion for the entire household and Amma’s In- laws ensured extra special care during and after pregnancy.

It was customary for the young Samaraweera family with their new-born daughter to go to their in-law’s house down Sagara Road every evening to have a family dinner together. Amma used to recollect those happier times fondly. Their life changed with the sad and unexpected passing away of the founder Chairman Mr A.G. Hinni Appuhamy on 13th January 1970 after a brief illness.

Young Ratnapala Samaraweera took over the Chairmanship of Maliban Biscuits as expected by his illustrious father and other close family members. This required greater time away from his home and Amma took a big load away from him by managing household chores. They were blessed with the birth of my brother Tharangitha in 1971, which was a happy occasion as my father felt our family was complete. With Thaththa driving the Maliban business, Amma had to spend a major role in raising us, looking after our health during growing years and a keen watch on our education. Amma was always by our side at any school function and used to accompany us to private classes as well. She was very loving and caring but was a stickler for detail and perfectionist where studies were concerned. Although Thaththa was busy consolidating Maliban business, whenever free he spent time with us including city tours,driven by him. We used to treasure those moments. With Thaththa’s blessings, Amma pushed me to take up initial higher studies in Singapore and completed my University Education in the USA. Tharangitha too had his initial education in Singapore and completed his studies in the UK.

Amma was the driving force behind our higher studies. Despite busy schedules, our parents had a caring relationship and Amma used to remember fondly how Thaththa accompanied her to take treatment in the UK for an ailment. Our father as Maliban Chairman was famous for his kind and philanthropic outlook with multiple unpublicised donations to temples, Buddhist clergy, kovils etc., as well for ailing helpless people, poor school children and financially struggling mothers. Amma steadfastly became his source of encouragement for these unknown meritorious deeds extending to many pinkamas including Buddha’s birthplace in Dambadiva and Bodhgaya, attended annually by Amma with Thaththa’s sisters. Amma was in the forefront organising multiple Danas and religious observances to bestow merits for Thaththa’s late parents and relatives. I still recall with wonder we had more than 24 Dana offerings at home on certain years, commemorating many milestones of the late relatives.

Amma was a loving and doting grandmother for my two daughters Hashila and Kushali, who learnt life’s values from their beloved Aththama and there isn’t a single day her memories are not discussed at our household by two saddened granddaughters. She was very fond of my husband Sidath Fernando for bringing stability and strength to our home and treated him as her own son. She was greatly comforted to have Malli Tharangitha with her at Flower Road residence during her aging and reflective years. Her unassuming but gracious demeanor was a quiet embodiment of the legendary Maliban Core value “Inspiring Goodness”. As a true practising Buddhist, she faced life’s challenges with compassion and equanimity without sorrow or self-pity. Thaththa taught us how to steer a people loved business with values and consumer affordability and Amma practiced and imparted to us life’s principles espoused in Buddhist doctrine. She was happy and content to see the special bond between her two children where she felt was “samsaric”. I have taken over the 3rd generation of mantle ship at Maliban Group of companies with Tharangitha Malli firmly by my side as desired by both my parents. Our biggest tribute to Amma will be by carrying forward the noble values she espoused both personally and professionally with Inspiring Goodness to mankind.

A.G. Kumudika Fernando Daughter