Story related by Limini's (marriage partner of Namal) father and mother

Story related by Limini's  (marriage partner of Namal) father and mother

It is already known in public that wedding celebrations of MP Mr. Namal Rajapaksa is to be held next September 17th which incidentally was kept a secret for quite a long period. We reported before this that secret came to light because of a query posed by Prime Minister Modi during his sojourn here. 

The question now is as to who is going to take the hand of Namal. Her name incidentally is Limini. This has been revealed by bride's businessman-father, Thilak Weerasingha and bride's mother who

provided an interview in this connection. This is what Mr. Thilak says: "It is from a period of close upon 15 years that that we know and associate Mr. Mahinda's family. This association started because of water sports activities. Even from their small days, these children Namal and Yoshitha used to come for water sports at our establishment. It is this friendship which developed over a period of time that cultivated into a romance".

Mr. Thilak Weerasingha is a businessman who revels in the tourist trade of this country. In the same way, he stands out as a 'deshabhimani' Sri Lankan who attracts the biggest income for this country in tourism. This well-known institution called 'LSR' comprises Marina Luxury Hotels Holdings and diving schools as well as all diving schools. 

"Above all these things ... we love what is our own. None of our institutions belong to foreign countries. Those belong to us. But several foreigners of course work in our institutions. In the same way, there are many other establishments belonging to us in countries such as Germany, France, Japan, China as well as India". Mr. Thilak focuses attention on these things ... not for ostentation. He in fact makes this revelation to flaunt his pride in a humble manner explaining the manner in which he courageously built up his business within the span of 30 years as a local businessman. 

"Not only that. I and my wife both love sports. It is in this background that we get to know the two children Namal - Yoshitha. All the same, my daughter Limini also is well-disposed towards them, no ... because our daughter too is interested in these things from her small days. It is now that the best moment of the marriage reaches our dialogue and that is how the know-how between Namal - Limini developed upto the stage of marriage. 

"I told at the start that the two of them became friendly because of sports. Actually that bond of friendship lasted for a long time. But two or three years before this, both of them came and spoke to us about this liaison about a romance. Actually what we said was to notify both parties and to carry on the affair after getting their blessings. Namal - Limini both highly welcomed this guidance". Thus, a cordial get-together was arranged to get the consent of the parents. "Later Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa and we two spoke about the future of these two. They then gave the green light for the couple to join each other. Actually, it is a great respect that I have for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa who saved this country from the clutches of brutal terrorists. Though he is a relative of mine, that respect will not leave me. We live in freedom today because of him. So a person like him becoming a relative of mine ... what a happiness that is!" That is how Mr. Thilak Weerasingha responded to a question that I posed to him. I thought of asking about MP Mr. Namal Rajapaksa also in the course of this dialogue because of the desire to find out about the joy of someone like that joining the family. 

"I know Namal putha for a long time. I have not seen any blemish in his behaviour. I don't give much hearing to what people who don't know about him talk about him. Those are what is heard in the political arena, no. But from the time I know, Namal is a very cordial person who eats rice with vegetables and does not even drink a glass of wine. At the same time he is someone who is devoted to sports".

According to what Mr. Thilak says, his loving daughter Limini is someone who has a different type of behaviour. She is a girl who directed her attention towards international business affairs even from her schooldays. She is fond of the arts also.

 "Not that I am saying this because she is my daughter. There are a lot of extra-special qualities in her. She was the chief prefect of her school and that was Colombo, Bishop's College. At the same time she contributed much by holding the position of presidentship of the Buddhist Association there. Limini duwa was a member of the school band. She is a good drummer. She further developed this skill by going to the extent of even studying the art of drumming linked to African classical music. Having pursued the subject of music, when saying goodbye to school in the year 2017, she happened to launch a concert by the name of 'Ghosha' as a tribute to her land and the crowd. She is someone who stamps her foot on the ground and is so dedicated to Buddhism and local customs and traditions. I know that after this marriage she would   

help her husband's in his political career ... but may not be directly involved in political matters.  She will of course go head on in the business field. That is why she presently is pursuing studies in business administration with great interest. In the same way, she will be a very good wife".

"I say so because I know very well about her mother. She is a very good wife to me. She is a good wife to the children. While attending to those duties, she bestows an immeasurable courage and service to the financial management of my business as well as administration activities. These qualities akin to her mother ... is found in daughter Limini. It is she who works as my secretary. She has a great interest and good understanding about those activities".

Mrs. Aruni Wickramaratna is the loving wife of Mr. Thilak Weerasingha is one of the most skillful athletes in this country. She in fact is yet another character who illuminated the field of athletics as Damayanthi Darsha, Sriyani Kulavansha as well as Susanthika Jayasingha.During her time she took to the tracks in the 100 - 200 metres. In the same way it is she who used to take the baton into her hands as the last sprinter in short-distance running meets. 

During the period Mrs. Aruni Wickramaratna was engaged in sports, Mr. Thilak Weerasingha too was involved in sports and has won awards himself. Mr. Thilak Weerasingha is a champion of water sports. He has won most awards from sailing boats and windsurfing sports. Mr. Thilak Weerasingha shares the know how he acquired from the international arena with the new generation with great happiness in his heart. For that purpose he participates in various workshops and lectures. For this reason alone Mr. Weerasingha has become a popular character locally as well as internationally. He attends to all this while retaining a unique position in the tourist field of business. Truly, because of these activities the elite class whom he associates without any political discrimination is not few and far in between. But Mr. Thilak Weerasingha who spends his life with all honours and rapport, has become a popular figure as a person of character who lives with good and virtuous qualities. 

"Other than Limini we have one son. He is Janith. He still is attending an international school. So as a family we are closely knit in happiness. Namal putha is the new member who joins our family. But he is quite familiar to us and close to us". 

We should comment about another another political character in this instance of Mr. Thilak Weerasingha's affectionate wife, Mrs. Aruni Wickramaratna. It is a former politician, Mr. Saddhatissa Wadimangawa of Anamaduwa. This wonderful politician was initially an English teacher. "It was he who held our hands and made us step onto the poruwa when we got married. By way of relationship he was Aruni's uncle. In the same way, the former inspector general of police, Mr. Jayantha Wickramaratna was her father's younger brother. 

The Weerasingha family who are popular as a family who are attached to the flora, the village, the paddy field and chena ives even today in that environment. Associates villagers. Almsgiving activities take place in collaboration with the temple in the village. "We are from Yakkala. We have our ancestral home there. Even from her small days Limini went to school from Yakkala. It is because of that bond or attachment that we love the natural environment and think of protecting it. I say that Limini duwa is a virtuous child because she conducts herself because of that attachment. Elders of the village are our closest wellwishers".

This then is the story of the Limini Weerasingha family of whom we were not aware of. Their story of this family who though worked and moved about in the city and worked in English by acquiring an education in English ... they are aware of the Sinhala way of rural living. Those of the the Mahinda Rajapaksa family too is embedded with the simple style of living which is a reality known to most people. So confirmation is now not required to say what extent Miss Limini Weerasingha is compatible to Mr. Namal Rajapaksa. Time has well established the that compatibility and has made the two of them meet each other in view of a loving combination for the morrow. "Till then, let us see the photos of the bride later. Until then, let us bring back to memory about this marriage which is scheduled for 17th September", I turned towards Mr. Thilak Weerasingha before taking leave of him. "Yes ... really, it will be a very simple wedding festival. Since betel has not been offered for the auspicious hour still ... give me permission to refrain from mentioning the location where the function is to take place. 

We will be holding this wedding celebrations with local customs and traditions being given pride of place. After that function is over ... a separate celebrations will be arranged for our intimate crowd. Actually we thought of waiting sometime ... avoiding telling the media in a hurry as such. But because of Prime Minister Modi ... news about this marriage leaked out to the media', Mr. Thilak Weerasingha said with a smile on his face. 

- Saman Priyankara Nammunige -

(Mawbima)